Springtime In The City 40.

Vexil. 

"Percy" says Zam the ex mercenary as he holds up the lance for the former paladin who sits upon his warhorse. 

The large heavily armoured knight is clearly distracted, and doesn't respond to the teenager who is originally from The City Of Ruins. 

"Sir Percavelle!" says Zam, this time a bit louder to get the noble born knight's attention, which he finally does. 

"Huh?" says sir Percavelle Lé Dic who looks down, then adds "Of course good fellow" and he reaches out and takes the lance from the youngest member of the group. 

Zam raises his right arm up, holding his hand open after he looks to the far end of the tourney field. 

The tourney attendant they've heard hired at the other end, who will give the former paladin a lance if he should need one, does likewise. To signify that sir Percavelle Lé Dic or Perci of Druvic as he's going by in The Spring Tourney of Vexil, is ready. 

The former earl of Lé Dic is the last in this particular group of the second round to be ready. And seeing so, the attendant on the raised platform with the master of ceremonies lifts up his flag, and holds it for a moment, before dropping it. 

There's four pairs of knights in this group, eight knights, four at either end of the tourney field. Using the two outer tilts on either side of the tourney field, with the two in the middle not being used for this group. 

And as the knights on their mounts set off, with sir Percavelle slamming down his faceplate of his full helm as he does so. 

Zam sees that the former paladin who is on the outer tilt on the left side of the tourney field from the end where their tent is. 

Isn't really paying attention to his opponent, a landed knight from the kingdom of Sarcrin, field commander Tamric Drubine's homeland. 

Instead the noble born knight from the kingdom of Druvic is looking across at the outer tilt on the other side of tourney field. 

For one of the competitors over there, is a certain sir Dormic, who is a paladin in the order of Knights of Saint Mar'che, the same order that sir Percavelle Lé Dic is part of. 

"Damn it Percy, watch it" mutters Zam the ex mercenary as he watches the large heavily armoured knight who is the former earl of Lé Dic. 

The youngest member of the group winces as sir Percavelle Lé Dic or Percy as he's more commonly called by the others in the group, actually gets hit by his opponent, while completely missing the landed knight from the feudal kingdom of Sarcrin. 

The former paladin is hit in the right shoulder by his opponents lance, and though he keeps his seat upon his warhorse, he's rocked back in the saddle, and barely keeps his balance. 

And only sits completely upright once he gets to the far end of the tourney field, where he turns his mount around to make another pass. 

Zam quickly looks at the other tilts, and sees that two of the competitors are down. One in the tilt directly next to the tilt that Percy is on. That knight is up, and chasing after his warhorse, which is trotting towards this end of the tourney field. 

The other combatant who is down, is on the far tilt on the right hand side of the field. The opponent of sir Dormic of the order of Knights of Saint Mar'che. 

That knight, who is the order of Valnar Mar, is on the ground and barely moving. And a couple of attendants who have wheeled out a hand cart, followed by the downed knight's squire. 

Help the downed knight onto the cart, and wheel him off the tourney field before the competitors on the other tilts make another pass. 

Zam after he looks at the paladin sir Dormic who sits upon his mount, at this end of the tourney field. With his visor raised, watching the other competitors in the group, as he's the only victor so far. 

Looks at sir Percavelle Lé Dic, who sets off again, this time from the other end of the tourney field. The ex mercenary briefly winces as he sees that Percy is looking over at where sir Dormic is on his mount, waiting for the lists in this group to be complete. 

Then the teenager who hails from The City Of Ruins slightly nods to himself, as he sees the former earl of Lé Dic look forward, directly at his opponent, the landed knight from the kingdom of Sarcrin. 

Percy barely raises the lance over the head of his mount as he rides along one side of the tilt, while his opponent rides down the other side. 

Zam sees the large heavily armoured knight who hails from the kingdom of Druvic, move slightly in his saddle, lifting up a bit, and to his right. 

The former paladin in the order of Knights of Saint Mar'che avoids his opponents lance, while his own lance hits the landed knight from the feudal kingdom of Sarcrin. 

The blunted lance shatters apart as it hits the Sarcrin knight square in the breastplate. And as bits of wood go flying everywhere. 

The landed knight in the joust against sir Percavelle Lé Dic goes flying backwards out of the saddle to one side. 

And though it looks like he's going to miss the tilt as he falls to the ground, the landed knight from the kingdom of Sarcrin, clips it with his left leg before slamming into the ground. 

Zam winces in sympathy, as Percy's opponent hits the ground with an obvious broken left leg. If the man's scream of pain wasn't bad enough, the obvious bone sticking out of his chainmail covered leggings is a sure sign as to what's just happened. 

The ex mercenary originally from The City Of Ruins takes the lance from sir Percavelle Lé Dic when the former paladin comes to a stop by him. 

Then he takes the reins of the former paladin's warhorse as they wait, for one joust is still going on, as a victor hasn't emerged yet from that tilt. 

And while the landed knight from the feudal kingdom of Sarcrin is wheeled off on a cart, attended by a spellcaster as well as his sobbing squire. 

Zam sees sir Percavelle, who is rotating his right shoulder, where he was hit on the first pass, isn't watching the last pair of knights. 

Instead he's looking away to their right, where on the outer tilt that way at this end, is the paladin in the order of the Knights of Saint Mar'che, sir Dormic. 

Who with the faceplate of his full helm is open, is watching the remaining pair in the group, who are about to set off again. 

"Percy" says the ex mercenary to the former paladin "Sir Percavelle" adds Zam as once again the former earl of Lé Dic is distracted. 

"Huh?" says the noble born knight who hails from the south of the kingdom of Druvic "What was that, oh squire of mine?" asks the large heavily armoured knight. 

As Percy continues to ignore the last pair of knights on the tourney field, as he looks over at sir Dormic the paladin, who has yet to notice the former paladin looking his way. 

Zam says to the large heavily armoured knight "Is your shoulder okay?" followed by "You took a pretty good hit there". 

The nobleman from the kingdom of Druvic grunts then says "Tis fine" he briefly pauses as there's a loud clatter followed by a thump as one of last two remaining competitors is unhorsed and hits the ground. 

"Nothing to worry about, wot" adds the former paladin in the order of the Knights of Saint Mar'che, the ex mercenary who hails from The City Of Ruins wryly smiles at that, then says "All the same, we'll have Beldane take a look at it". 

Zam's eyebrows shoot up as the former earl of Lé Dic doesn't say anything about that, as he's usually boisterous in his opposition to anything magical. 

Instead the noble born knight from southern Druvic continues to look away to their right, to where sir Dormic the paladin waits. 

Percy finally looks away, and quickly too, as the paladin in the order of the Knights of Saint Mar'che glances their way. 

As the master of ceremonies on the platform at the other end of the tourney field declares this group is complete, naming the four competitors who are victorious. 

"Of away we go lad" says sir Percavelle Lé to Zam the ex mercenary, who nods his head before he leads the warhorse back to their tent. 

As they do, the nobleman from the kingdom of Druvic as he sits in the saddle upon his mount, watches sir Dormic head back along the side of the tourney field to the far end. 

Where the large blue and white tent that the order of the Knights of Saint Mar'che are using is situated amongst other large tents that a number of the knightly orders are using. 

As he leads the warhorse, Zam glances back and up at the large heavily armoured knight and sees that the former earl of Lé Dic is watching the paladin in his own order. 

"Hope he's not too distracted with him" the ex mercenary from The City Of Ruins murmurs to himself as they head back to their tent, where Beldane the cleric is waiting. 

When they get back to the small tent, and after Percy dismounts and makes his way into the tent, Zam ties the warhorse to the line set up for it. 

As he does, he's joined by Beldane the cleric who quietly says to him in elvish "At least he made it look like he had to work for it this time". 

The powerful cleric in the church of Glaine continues with "He took a pretty good hit from that knight from Sarcrin". 

The fighting cleric who hails from the kingdom of Nastell follows that with "For a moment there, I thought he was going to fall off the back of his horse".  

After tying the reins of the warhorse to the line, the teenager who is the youngest member of the group shakes his head, then quietly says in the elven language "That wasn't by design". 

The ex mercenary who is originally from The City Of Ruins, continues on with "He legitimately nearly fell off his mount".  

Zam follows that with "That poor bastard who ended up getting a broken leg almost humbled Percy". 

"Oh?" says the powerful cleric in the half plate armour, he follows that with "How so?" he then adds "From the looks of things, I thought he was trying to make it look like it was difficult for him, and not so easy". 

The youngest member of the group slightly nods "So it would seem" he follows that with "But Percy was actually distracted on that first pass". 

"By what?" asks Beldane as they step to the side of the small tent that they've hired for the Spring Tourney of Vexil. 

The powerful practitioner of magic who is a member of the church of Glaine briefly pauses as he thinks of something, then he says "Or should I say, by who?". 

Zam nods to that, then he quietly says "That paladin from his order" the teenager who is originally from The City Of Ruins then adds "Sir Dormic". 

Beldane nods, then after a few moments he quietly says "I saw after the lists apart from the last one" he then adds "That Percy was looking to this side of the field, at that sir Dormic". 

The ex mercenary who is the youngest member of the group nods in agreement with that from the member of the church of Glaine. 

The powerful spellcaster who hails from northern Nastell, then says "He definitely got Percy's attention". 

Beldane briefly pauses before continuing with "Probably reminds him of himself" followed by "Being a paladin in their order and such like". 

Zam grunts at that, then quietly says "It could be a problem as the rounds go on" he then adds "There'll be more chances of them being in the same group more often". 

The ex mercenary follows that with "Hell, they could very well face one another in the upcoming rounds" he continues with "And if Percy's distracted". 

The powerful cleric nods as Zam doesn't have to explain why, for if Percy is distracted if he was to face the paladin sir Dormic. In all likelihood the former earl of Lé Dic would be defeated by the paladin in the order of Saint Mar'che. 

The two of them are silent for a little while as they make their way around to the front of the tent. Then the teenager who hails from The City Of Ruins, who breaks the silence by saying to the fighting cleric in the church of Glaine "You should probably take a look at him, at his right shoulder". 

The youngest member of the group who was scratching a meager living as a mercenary in The City Of Ruins until the others found him, continues with "He took a fairly good hit in that joust" Zam follows that with "He's trying not to show it, but I think he's hurt". 

Beldane nods, then turns and walks into the small tent, saying in the common language "Come on Percy, let's look at that shoulder of yours". 

"Nothing to concern yourself with good fellow" says sir Percavelle Lé Dic who is sitting upon the camp chair inside the small tent they've hired. 

"Tis but a scratch" adds the Druvician born nobleman, who is both a landed and a ordered knight. 

"I'll be the judge of that" says the powerful cleric in the church of Glaine, who follows that with "Let's get that breastplate off and have a look at it". 

As the former paladin in the order of the Knights of Saint Mar'che grumbles and complains about doing such a thing. 

Zam after a look down towards the far end of the tourney field, where he spots sir Dormic outside the large tent used by the Knights of Saint Mar'che. 

Talking and joking with his fellow members of the order, an order of  knights which sir Percavelle Lé actually belongs to. 

Makes his way into the tent, to help Percy take off his breastplate so that Beldane the cleric can examine him. 

On this fine, sunny and clear spring day, which is the first day of two, for The Spring Tourney of Vexil . . . . . .

Springtime In The City 39.

The City-State Of Vexil. 

Zam the ex mercenary and Beldane the cleric share a look after they see and hear who is amongst the next to compete in the Joust. 

"I think he should know" quietly says Zam the ex mercenary in elvish to the powerful cleric in the church of Glaine, who nods his head in agreement with him. 

"Percy you better get out here" says Beldane the cleric with a look back into the small tent behind them. 

A grunt comes from within the tent, then sir Percavelle Lé Dic walks out of the front of the tent saying "Pray tell, what is it?" followed by a "Wot". 

"Paladin at the far end of the field" quietly says Zam the ex mercenary, who continues with "He's a". 

"I see" says the large heavily armoured knight who interrupts the ex mercenary, then after quickly looking around, steps back into just inside the tent, so that he can still see the tourney field. 

"Who is that fellow?" quietly asks the noble born knight who hails from the south of the kingdom of Druvic. 

"A sir Dormic" is the reply from the youngest member of the group who is originally from The City Of Ruins. 

"Never heard of him" mutters sir Percavelle Lé Dic or Percy as he's more commonly called by the others in the group. 

"He looks to be in his mid to late twenties" explains Beldane as they watch the competitors who are the last group this morning, to partake in the Lists. 

The former paladin grunts, then quietly says "Definitely don't know that fellow then". Both Zam and Beldane nod in agreement as they watch the paladin at the far end of the tourney field, a paladin who is a member of the order of the Knights of Saint Mar'che. The same order that Percy belongs to. 

This sir Dormic is even too young to of been a squire when sir Percavelle was still actively a member of his order. 

"Think he'll be any good?" asks Zam the ex mercenary "Yes" is the reply from Beldane the cleric, followed by begrudging sounding "Yes" from sir Percavelle Lé Dic. 

The master of ceremonies gives the go ahead for the latest group to proceed. And the four pairs, eight knights, four at either end of the tourney field, spur their mounts into action. 

The ex mercenary along with the fighting cleric and the large heavily armoured knight standing just inside the tent, have eyes only for the paladin sir Dormic. 

Who like Percy usually wears, has a pristine white cape attached to his armoured shoulders, whipping out behind him as his warhorse thunders down one side of the tilt. 

While on the other side, his opponent. A knight of the first class in the order of the Knights of Margesa, chargers along the other side of the tilt. 

"Damn" murmurs Zam the ex mercenary, followed by "Did you see that?". Next to him the powerful practitioner of magic who hails from the kingdom of Nastell, nods his head. 

While behind the two of them, just inside the small tent, sir Percavelle Lé Dic slightly grimaces at what just happened. 

The paladin sir Dormic barely even moved, and with ease and contempt, he flicked his gauntleted left hand, smacking his opponents lance to one side. 

As his own lance struck the knight of the first class in the order of the Knights of Margesa right in his saddle shield, sometimes referred to as a jousting shield. 

Sir Percavelle doesn't use one, and Lord Farque has mentioned to Zam that those type of shields are actually dangerous to the person using them, than it actually protects them. 

For the simple reason, if struck fairly cleanly, there's a tendency for the lance hitting it, to rise up, and hit the knight usually in the top of the breastplate. 

But more often than not, in the gorget, or the helm. Something you definitely want to avoid during a joust. 

And that's what exactly happens when sir Dormic's lance strikes his opponents jousting shield. 

The tip of his lance, though blunt as like all lances in the tourney, isn't a pointed war or battle lance. Careens off the small saddle shield, and lifts up hitting the knight in the order of Margesa straight in the faceplate. 

Sending him flipping off the back of his mount, and hitting the ground with a loud clatter. And the only reason he isn't killed, is because the paladin, sir Dormic's lance didn't shatter or splitter apart. 

"Pretty impressive" quietly says Beldane the cleric, as sir Dormic is one of two competitors in the first pass to unhorse their opponents. With the paladin's opponent the only one not to continue on in this group. 

The fighting cleric in the church of Glaine along with the ex mercenary from The City Of Ruins, look back at the former paladin standing back in the tent. 

Who they see is sourly smiling as he watches the paladin who is in the same order of knights as he is. 

"Think you can defeat him if you come up against him Percy?" asks the powerful practitioner of magic who is originally from the north of the kingdom of Nastell. 

"Of course, wot" replies sir Percavelle Lé Dic in his usual pompous, tone of bravado. Which both Zam and Beldane thinks sounds a little bit more forced than it usually does. 

As the remaining pairs go at it again, the youngest member of the group says to both Beldane and Percy "Lord Farque thinks only that knight commander in the order of the Varnell, and that paladin in the Knights of The Dark will be your only competition Percy". 

The ex mercenary who hails from The City Of Ruins gestures at the paladin sir Dormic who sits upon his mount at this end of the tourney field, waiting for this group to find it's remaining winners. 

And says to the fighting cleric and the large heavily armoured knight "And probably this fellow as well, though we'd yet to see him in action when we spoke". 

Next to Zam, Beldane slowly nods his head in agreement with that from youngest member of the group. 

While the nobleman originally from the kingdom of Druvic, wryly smiles to himself, then his eyebrows arch up when the ex mercenary says "Even so, he thinks you'll win Percy". 

Zam briefly pauses before continuing on with "So does everyone else in the group, they're all betting on you to do so". 

The teenager who is originally from The City Of Ruins pauses once more, before saying in a slightly dry tone of voice "Except for Dorc of course" followed by "He wants you to lose Percy". 

While the former paladin in the order of the Knights of Saint Mar'che scowls at hearing that from the youngest member of the group. 

Zam says in the elven language to the powerful spellcaster who hails from the kingdom of Nastell "In fact Dorc is hoping Percy breaks his neck out there" followed by "He's definitely not betting on him to win". 

Beldane the cleric grins, then softly chuckles, and shakes his head at hearing that from Zam, then he quietly says in the same language "Those two will never change". 

The ex mercenary originally from The City Of Ruins is in agreement with that from the fighting cleric referring to the ork warleader and his bitter rival the former paladin. 

The next pass determines the winners of this group. Ending the first round of the lists for The Spring Tourney of Vexil. 

"When's Percy up?" asks Beldane the cleric "Fourth group" is the reply from Zam the ex mercenary as they listen to master of ceremonies give the rundown of the next phase of the Joust now that half of the competitors have been eliminated. 

Leaving just over a hundred knights from across The Southlands still in contention for the champion of the Lists for the tourney. 

"Probably just that group in this next round for him if my numbers are correct" says the powerful cleric in the church of Glaine. 

The youngest member of the group nods in agreement with the fighting cleric, then he says "Come on, let's go and check the boards" followed by "The match ups should be there, especially for the first lot of groups". 

Beldane nods to that, then the member of the church of Glaine looks into the small tent, and says to the noble born knight from the kingdom of Druvic "Percy you want to go and see who you're matched up with?". 

"No need, wot" replies the former earl of Lé Dic, who to be honest doesn't particularly want to leave the confines of the tent, just in case he runs across anyone from his order who might recognize him. 

"Very well" says the powerful practitioner of magic, who continues on with "Me and Zam will check it out, see who you're up against, and see who's in your group". 

That's met with a grunt from the large heavily armoured knight who sits down in the camp chair to wait for their return. 

Zam and Beldane make their way to the boards, which isn't too far from the row of tents at this end of the tourney field. 

There's corresponding boards at the other end of the tourney field, for those participants whose tents are there. 

Most if not all of the ordered knight are down at that end, within their large tents, close to where the master of ceremonies, and members of both the Mage and City Council are too. 

The boards are exactly that, wooden boards. About man high. Written upon which are the names of the participants in the Joust, and what group they're in for each round. 

The actual match ups, are done by a random draw at the set of boards at the other end of the tourney field. 

Done by the city guard under the supervision of a number of mages from The Council, who for all intensive purposes rule the city-state of Vexil. 

At this end of the field, are a couple of more mages, who by spell receive the match ups, and they tell the members of the city guard with them, what to write down on the boards. 

Tough luck if you can't read, which is the majority of people, not just hear in Vexil, but right across The Southlands. 

For universal learning only exists in the elven and dwarven nations, as well as in The Lands Farque, and the Krean Protectorate within it. 

Beldane gestures at the first board, where the first lot of groups for the second round have been up since before the midmorning break. 

And Zam looks at the fourth group and sees Sir Percavelle Lé Dic's name, which is written as "Sir Perci of Druvic". 

Looking quickly at the cleric in the half plate armour next to him, the ex mercenary from The City Of Ruins quietly says "See who's in his group with him?". 

"At least they're not against one another" quietly says Beldane the cleric as they wait for the city guard who has just written the opponents for those already in the fourth group to move out of the way. 

"Bad enough" murmurs the ex mercenary who is the youngest member of the group, the fighting cleric grunts in agreement "For that fellow, not Percy" quietly says the powerful Nastellian spellcaster. 

Zam nods in agreement, then says "Should be interesting" he follows that with "That's for damn sure". 

"Should be interesting alright" says the member of the church of Glaine, who after a moment of silence continues with "Let's just hope Percy doesn't get distracted with who's in his group". 

Zam the ex mercenary nods his head in agreement, before they turn back around and head back to the tent where sir Percavelle Lé Dic is waiting for them. On this fine and sunny day on which the Spring Tourney of Vexil is being held . . . . . .

Springtime In The City 38.

The City Of Vexil. 

Zam the ex mercenary ties sir Percavelle Lé Dic's warhorse to the line next to the tent, which the large heavily armoured knight makes his way into. 

The noble born knight who is originally from the kingdom of Druvic has just taken part in his second joust this morning. 

Which went as well as expected. Apart from the fact he didn't take it easy on his opponent this time. Taking out a knight errant on the first pass. Unlike his opponent in the first group the former paladin was part of. 

Then the former earl of Lé Dic took at least two passes to unhorse his opponent. A landed knight from the kingdom of Girdane. 

Trying to make it look difficult for him. Which he more or less made it look so. Barely hitting the Girdanian knight on the first pass. 

Then taking him out of the saddle on the second pass, with a fairly clean hit with the lance, which wasn't too dramatic. 

Not so the second group he was just in. When sir Percavelle Lé Dic or Percy as he's more commonly called by the others in the group. 

Defeated his opponent with ease, unhorsing the knight errant with a brutal hit of the lance to the top of the young knight's breastplate. 

Sending him hurtling backwards out of the saddle with so much force, that he tumbled a few times when he hit the ground before coming to a rather painful stop. 

That opponent of the nobleman from the kingdom of Druvic, had to be carted off the tourney field. And seen to by one of the spellcasting healers working this morning, here in the Spring Tourney just outside the north wall of the city of Vexil. 

The ex mercenary from The City Of Ruins sees if the large heavily armoured knight needs anything, he doesn't apart from a drink of water. 

And Zam hands him the water sack and a goblet, before making his way from the small tent they're using. 

And since it's the midmorning break in proceedings, the youngest member of the group goes in search of the others. 

It doesn't take long for the teenager originally from The City Of Ruins to find most of the others in the group. 

They like a fair few of the crowd in attendance here this morning for The Spring Tourney of Vexil, are checking out the many stalls and merchants who have set up shop for one of the most popular events of the year for the entire city-state of Vexil. 

"Yeah, he tried I guess" says Zam the ex mercenary in response to the goblin named Carry saying to him in a slightly dry tone of voice "He didn't exactly make it look difficult in that second group he was part of". 

The light green goblin who in actual fact is Mira Reinholt the mage, who is under a spell cast by Helbe the elven thief, grunts then sourly says "Barely". 

In response to the youngest member of the group saying "He was better in that first group, at least it took him two passes to defeat his opponent". 

After they watch Dorc da Orc buy the entire roast pig on a spit, that a stall holder was using to make stuffed pork bread rolls. 

They and the rest of the group head back to the side of one the stands that have been put up for the crowd watching the tourney on this fine and sunny spring day just outside the city of Vexil. 

"Tell him to draw things out" says Tovis the war engineer to the ex mercenary who is originally from The City Of Ruins as the group stand beside the large set of stands that have been erected for the tourney. 

"We can't get any decent odds on him because he's winning so easily" adds the war engineer, who like sir Percavelle Lé Dic hails from the south of the kingdom of Druvic. 

"I'll tell him" says Zam, who then silently adds, if he listens to me is an entirely different matter altogether. 

Then after a slight pause, the ex mercenary asks "Who do you think will win?" As most of the hundreds of participants in the Joust have made at least one pass before the midmorning break. 

"Percy" is the response from Tovis who is a commander in the Armies of Farque "Percy" adds Tamric Drubine the field commander, his lover the witch Saanea nods her head in agreement with him. 

Zam looks over at Lisell Maera the scout who says "Percy" then he looks at Shur Kee the monk, who tells him "Friend Percy". 

The rotund woman named Malisse, who is really Zubutai the barbarian hordesman says "Percy" as well, so does the goblin who is the mage Reinholt. 

Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy says "Percy" when the youngest member of the group looks at him, though when Zam looks at Dorc da Orc and asks him if he thinks Percy will win the Lists. 

The large ork who pauses from munching on the whole roast pig he's holding, scowls at the ex mercenary who hails from The City Of Ruins. 

"Fuck that cunt" says Dorc da Orc, who follows on from that with "Me hopes the fuckhead breaks his neck". 

The youngest member of the group then looks at Helbe the elven thief who is actually with the group at the moment, who says "Yeah Percy". 

In reply to the ex mercenary asking the elven masterthief "Who do you think will win the lists today?". 

"Percy" says Lord Farque when Zam looks last at him for who he thinks will win, which gets a scowl at a muttered "Fucken why?" from the ork warleader standing next to the undead warlord. 

"Because he's the best with the lance here" says the lord and ruler of the Lands Farque, which gets another scowl from the big burly ork from the southern polar region of the world, and a "Cuntnuts" from the large ork who then sighs before going back to eating the whole roast pig he's holding. 

"The only competition for him is that knight commander in the order of Varnell" says Lord Farque who has the name of Draugodrottin that the people of his lands also know him by. 

"And that paladin in the Knights of the Dark" adds the large heavily armoured deathlord of Farque, who nods his full helmed head and adds "Probably him as well". 

When Zam tells him "There's another paladin who has yet to take part" the ex mercenary who is the youngest member of the group follows that with "Don't know what order he's in, but he'll be in one of the groups just after things resume". 

"Well, if you want to make some coin today" says Helbe the elven thief to the ex mercenary from The City Of Ruins "Bet on those Lord Farque just mentioned". 

The young elven noble who hails from the island principality of Laerel briefly pauses before adding "And Percy of course". 

Dorc da Orc makes a face at that, then he loudly mutters for all of them to hear "Me not gonna bet on old cuntface, that's for fucken sure'. 

The big burly ork from the southern polar region of the world, who is the warleader of his race, looks around as he briefly halts chewing on his whole roast pig. 

"Me bets on them other cunts instead" adds the ork weaponsmith in a mutter, before he resumes on devouring that whole roast pig he purchased from one of the food stalls here at the Spring Tourney of Vexil. 

Zam stands over by the deathlord of Farque when the undead warlord gestures to him, the lord of the death realm then quietly tells him in elvish "Have Beldane keep an eye on things magically". 

The eyebrows of the youngest member of the group shoot up when he hears that, and when Draugodrottin quietly adds "Some people have been trying to cast onto the tourney field this morning". 

"What the?" quietly says Zam in the elven language in a tone of surprise, he continues on with "I thought that was forbidden?". 

"It is" is the reply from the undead being who has the elven name of Des'tier, which means The Destroyer. 

"Kind of" adds the large heavily armoured deathlord, who follows that with "Magic is banned on the tourney field itself" he then adds "around it, above it, next to it, is fair ground". 

With his eyebrows still raised in surprise, Zam nods his head, then says "I'll tell him". Referring to Beldane the cleric, who is back at the tent with sir Percavelle Lé Dic. 

As some of the participants in The Spring Tourney of Vexil have brought along their own healers. Both spellcasters and mundane healers. 

And just as long as those practitioners of magic don't cast on the field without asking first to do so. 

It's perfectly fine to have such caster of spells. And it's a good excuse to have someone like Beldane to help out Zam with sir Percavelle Lé Dic. 

As the nobleman originally from kingdom of Druvic who is a member of the order of the Knights of Saint Mar'che is a handful at the best of times. 

"You might as well head back" says the lord of the death realm to the youngest member of the group. 

Zam who before the group found him, was scratching a meager living as a mercenary in The City Of Ruins, nods his head to the undead warlord, and quietly says to him "Yes my lord". 

Before the ex mercenary heads off, Lord Farque quietly tells him "Keep alert" followed by "Both you and Beldane". 

Zam nods his head in understanding, then he walks away. Heading back to the row of tents, towards the western end of the tourney field. Where a number of the participants in today's tourney, have set up for the day. 

The ex mercenary, who briefly stops off at a stall to get something to eat, quickly heads back to the tent that sir Percavelle Lé Dic or Percy as everyone else in the group call him, is using during the Spring Tourney of Vexil. 

Once he gets back to the tent, and informs Beldane the cleric, who is waiting outside of it, what Lord Farque told him. 

The ex mercenary who hails from The City Of Ruins, enters the tent, and says to the former paladin, who is relaxing in the camp chair "Best to make it look like a bit of a challenge sir Percavelle". 

The large heavily armoured knight who is a nobleman from the kingdom of Druvic, is just about to say something, when Zam tells him "Lord Farque thinks it's best you do so". 

"Narille" mutters sir Percavelle Lé Dic with a sour look upon his face when hearing that from the youngest member of the group. 

"I suppose" adds the former earl of Lé Dic in a mutter, who continues on with "If he insists" followed by a brief pause, then a "Wot". 

Percy then asks his squire for the tourney "Pray tell, when doth I next joust" followed by a "Wot" once more. 

"Fourth group after the resumption" is the reply from the ex mercenary who is originally from The City Of Ruins. 

The two of them exit the small tent when they hear a trumpet call, and the master of ceremonies, who is a top of a platform at the east end of the tourney field, calls for the Joust to resume. 

Both Zam and Beldane shake their heads no when the former paladin asks them who his next opponent is. 

"Not up on the board yet Percy" says Beldane the cleric, who follows that with "Should know soon enough, as the next two groups are the last ones to have their first joust". 

The large heavily armoured knight who hails from southern Druvic grunts, as the three of them. Along with hundreds of their competitors and their supporters. As well as thousands of those in attendance today watching the Lists. 

Watch as the first group of competitors after the mid morning break, head to their respective ends of the tourney field to take part in the Joust. 

On this fine and sunny, with hardly a cloud in the sky, spring day here just outside the north wall of the city of Vexil . . . . . . 

Springtime In The City 37.

Vexil. 

"Have you heard of any of them before?" asks Zam the ex mercenary, Beldane the cleric shakes his head no, then says "None". 

The powerful cleric in the church of Glaine continues with "Heard of some of their orders, but not the knights specifically". 

The fighting cleric in the half plate armour looks back into the open front tent, then quietly says in elvish to Zam "At least we persuaded him to go by the name of Percy" followed by "I guess that's something". 

The youngest member of the group nods his head in agreement as he too looks back at sir Percavelle Lé Dic as well. 

Who is relaxing on a camp chair in the small tent that they've hired. In fact the large heavily armoured knight is relaxing so much, that he's dozing as the tourney has just got underway. 

"At least he's not up against anyone from his order" says the powerful practitioner of magic who hails from the kingdom of Nastell. 

"Or a landed knight from Druvic who might recognize him" adds the member of the church of Glaine. 

The ex mercenary who is originally from The City Of Ruins nods his head in agreement with the powerful cleric. 

Then the two of them look to the tourney field as a loud roar goes up from the crowd that's already gathered, even though it's still early in the morning. 

That doesn't stop the Spring Tourney of Vexil, which got underway a couple of turns, of a time glass after dawn. 

Zam winces as a number of knights make a pass, with two of them hitting the ground in a noisy clatter as they're unhorsed. 

The tourney field, or lists. Has room for six tilt barriers, or just tilts as they're more commonly called. Meaning six jousts, or twelve knights can take part in a joust at once. 

Though the one that's just got underway, has just  three pairs participating. With one of the two knights unable to continue on. 

As he's carted off the field, while the other who was unhorsed, has remounted and is back at one of the ends of the field, and just collected another lance. 

"No surprise that Knight of The Dark has already defeated his opponent" says Beldane the cleric, who continues on with "Overall they're probably the most accomplished order of knights in all of The Southlands". 

"Not Percy's order?" asks Zam the ex mercenary as the two remaining pairs of combatants set off across the tourney field along the lists. 

"The Knights of Saint Mar'che" adds the youngest member of the group as the participants in the joust hit each other again. 

Zam winces as the knight who was unhorsed previously, is so again. This time more violently, as his opponents lance shatters across his shield and breastplate. 

Sending him flying backwards, and to the side out of the saddle. Where he lands back first upon the tilt that separates them. Which he skids along for a good ten feet before he drops to the ground with a thud. 

"Damn, bet that hurt" says the powerful cleric in the church of Glaine, who then says "Percy's order?". 

Zam nods his head, and Beldane tells him "Hardly" he continues on with "They're too mixed up in the politics of the kingdom of Druvic to be that good". 

The powerful spellcaster originally from the north of the kingdom of Nastell then says "True, like many other orders they have chapters across The Southlands". 

He follows on with "But militarily, both on the personal level, and as a whole, they're a middling order at best". 

Beldane gestures behind them into the tent, then says "Him as an exception" the cleric in the church of Glaine then asks the ex mercenary "You know about his history?" followed by "Falling in love with the wrong noble woman, and him stepping aside as earl of Lé Dic for his brother, who married that woman?". 

"I do" says the youngest member of the group who has been told the history of sir Percavelle Lé Dic by a number of those in the group. Particularly the war engineer Tovis, who like sir Percavelle is also from the south of the kingdom of Druvic. 

"Well, I'm pretty sure the only reason Percy joined the order of Saint Mar'che is because they worship the same god Narille as his family does" says the powerful practitioner of magic from the kingdom of Nastell. 

"He just needed somewhere to go after leaving his family's lands" continues Beldane, who follows that with "Pretty sure he just stumbled upon the order of Saint Mar'che when he went to Leeabra, the capital of Druvic and decide to join them there and then because he had no where else to go". 

Zam faintly smiles when the fighting cleric tells him "Pretty sure he'd just be as unhinged and as destructive if he was just a landed knight" the member of the church of Glaine then dryly adds "Except he wouldn't have that damn shield, or that stupid sword that he and Dorc keep fighting over". 

The ex mercenary who was found by the group in The City Of Ruins nods his head in agreement as they watch the remaining pair of knights joust. 

One is a landed knight from the kingdom of Girdane, the northern neighbour of the city-state of Vexil. 

While the other is a knight in the order of Varnell. A knightly order based in Beldane's homeland of Nastell. An order he's familiar with. 

"A knight commander" quietly says the fighting cleric in the church of Glaine with a nod of his head to the heavily armoured knight who is his countryman. 

"He'll probably win" adds the powerful practitioner of magic who is a member of the church of Glaine. A god worshipped predominantly in the north of the kingdom of Nastell. 

Beldane's prediction comes true as the landed knight from the kingdom of Girdane is unhorsed in the next pass. 

Hitting the ground back first with a loud thud, causing the large crowd that's already gathered in the stands, even though it's not yet midmorning. To cheer wildly, with the exception of those who were betting on the landed knight from Girdane to win this particular joust. 

"If you're going to make any bets, make it on any knight commanders" quietly says Beldane to Zam, the powerful cleric briefly pauses, before adding "Or paladins like Percy". 

The youngest member of the group nods as he recalls that sir Percavelle Lé isn't just a landed and ordered knight, he's also a paladin in the order of the Knights of Saint Mar'che. Well, former paladin, since he was stripped of that rank when he disappeared from his order, taking one of their most holy relics with him, the shield of Saint Mar'che. 

"You see any other paladins?" asks the ex mercenary originally from The City Of Ruins as they watch the last defeated knight in the group that just took part in the lists, being helped from the field. 

"Haven't seen any" quietly replies Beldane the cleric, who follows on from that with "Though on the boards, I spotted at least two paladins". 

Zam nods, for on the boards, where all the participants names are listed, and what group they'll be taking part in. Also has their rank. Wether it be a landed knight or the various ranks in the knightly orders. Such as knight apprentice, knight of either rank one, two or three, knight errant, knight captain or knight commander, and finally paladin. 

There's also avenger, which Lord Farque is often mistaken as. Avengers being a high ranking knight such as a knight captain or commander, or paladin. Who has turned their back on their order, and gone out on their own. 

"If they come up against Percy, they'll be his only competition" says the powerful practitioner of magic who is a member of the church of Glaine. 

"He'll have no problems in the first couple of groups he's in" says the fighting cleric, who wryly adds "He's just got to make it look like it's a challenge for him". 

"That will be difficult" quietly says Zam the ex mercenary, who briefly pauses before continuing on with "Considering who he is". 

Beldane snorts at that, and grins as he nods his head in agreement with the youngest member of the group. 

Then the powerful Nastellian spellcaster, along with the ex mercenary from The City Of Ruins look away to their right. 

At the stand on this side of the tourney field, that they along with a number of other small tents, are closest to. 

Both Beldane and Zam search for the others, and soon find the group amongst the crowd up in the stand. 

Well most of the group are, because Dorc da Orc, along with Lord Farque, the goblin named Carry, who is really Mira Reinholt the mage, as well as Shur Kee the monk. 

Are down amongst the crowd on the ground in front of the stands. With both the ork warleader and the large heavily armoured deathlord, sticking out as they tower over everyone else. 

The fighting cleric and the ex mercenary spot the undead warlord have a quiet word with Shur Kee the monk, and the short statured monk nods his head. 

Before making his way from the crowd down in front of the stands, then head up into the stands to where the rest of the group are watching the Spring Tourney of Vexil. 

Zam and Beldane go back to watching the tourney field as the next group is announced, and the ex mercenary says "This group, and the next" followed by "Then it's Percy's group". 

The powerful practitioner of magic from the kingdom of Nastell nods his head, then he quietly says "Look, a knight from the order of Saint Mar'che". 

Both of them look behind them into the tent, and see that sir Percavelle Lé Dic is still dozing, and is totally unaware what's happening out on the tourney field. 

"Looks competent" says Zam referring to the knight who is a member of Percy's order, and is lining up to joust. 

All six tilts are in action this time, with twelve knights facing off. Six at one end of the field, and six at the other. 

Beldane who is fairly certain at what's about to happen, says "Going to be a hell of a racket here when they all hit". 

The ex mercenary who hails from The City Of Ruins nods in agreement, for so far this fine and sunny spring morning. 

He's seen basically every knight hit their opponent. And while most sustain at least one hit from an opponents lance. 

Those defeated are usually knocked out of the saddle after the second hit, occasionally the third hit from a competitors lance. 

Zam winces when there's an almighty clatter when the combatants hit one another. Cheers go up from the crowd as two of the twelve knights are unhorsed. 

One so violently that he clips the tilt backwards that separates him from his opponent, and goes cartwheeling over the other side. 

Landing behind his opponents mount as it continues down the length of the list, towards the other end of field. 

"He's not getting up anytime soon" dryly says Beldane the cleric about the knight who was violently knocked off his horse. 

Orderlies, who are actually city guards, rush out onto the tourney field with their hand cart, which has a wooden board, the length and with of an armoured knight built onto the top of it. 

When they get to the downed knight and check on him, one of the orderlies waves a small red hand flag. 

And the master of ceremonies, who is a member of the City Council, calls for a halt in proceedings. 

A pair of healers, who have been assigned to the Spring Tourney by the Mage Council, hurry out onto the tourney field. 

"He'll live" quietly says Beldane to Zam as he senses one of the healers casting a fairly powerful spell upon the downed knight. 

"Just" adds the fighting cleric who is a member of the church of Glaine, a god predominantly worshipped in the north of his homeland of Nastell. 

"You see who his opponent was?" quietly says the ex mercenary who is the youngest member of the group, who then adds "That one from Percy's order". 

Beldane nods his head in agreement, then quietly says "Keep an eye on him in the later rounds" followed "That hit was near perfect" he then adds "He could be a contender in the final groups". 

Zam nods his head in agreement, then after the injured knight who has just been healed, is carted away. 

The joust gets underway again. With this group taking a fair bit of time, before there's eventually six winners, and six defeated knights, who are no longer participants in the lists. 

The following group is up, with four pairs of knights taking part. One of whom Zam sees is a knights apprentice. The first such one to take part in the tourney this morning. 

And much to the surprise of the ex mercenary, along with many in the crowd. The knights apprentice, who is probably younger than Zam himself, is victorious against his opponent. 

Then once the fourth and final knight in that particular group beats his opponent, Beldane the cleric turns and says in the common language "Percy you're up". 

The large heavily armoured knight snorts as he wakes up "Tis time, is it?" asks sir Percavelle Lé Dic after yawning. 

"It is, sir Percavelle" replies Zam the ex mercenary, which illicits a grunt from the nobleman originally from the kingdom of Druvic as he gets up out of the camp chair. 

"Very well" says the member of the order of the knights of Saint Mar'che, who then tells the ex mercenary "Fetch my mount, squire". 

Sir Percavelle Lé Dic or Percy as he's more commonly called by the others in the group, stretches his neck from side to side, then picks up his full helm from the stand next to the camp chair. 

The large heavily armoured knight puts his helm on, then he says "I have work to do, wot" as he slaps the visor of his helm down, and walks from the tent on this fine spring morning here in the city of Vexil . . . . . .

Springtime In The City 36.

The City-State Of Vexil. 

As he follows behind sir Percavelle Lé Dic who is walking his horse, Zam the ex mercenary yawns as they and the rest of the group head through the streets in the north of the city, as dawn breaks in this part of the capital of Vexil. 

The youngest member of the group glances behind him, and faintly smiles as he hears Dorc da Orc still laughing. 

While Mira Reinholt the mage continues to complain, as he's done since they left the Merchant's Rest inn. 

The once powerful mage finally shuts up when Lord Farque tells him to fuck up, or the undead warlord will give him something to really complain about. 

The ex mercenary who is originally from The City Of Ruins slightly shakes his head as he briefly looks back at the goblin amongst the rest of the group. 

A goblin by the name of Carry, who in reality is Mira Reinholt the mage. Who has a Greater Illusion spell cast upon him by Helbe the elven thief. 

Who Zam sees isn't with the group at the moment. He's no doubt already outside the city gates. Or stealing something. The ex mercenary hasn't decided which. Probably the latter if he was to place a bet on it. 

"I think so" says Zam the ex mercenary in response to Tamric Drubine the field commander who has moved up along side him, and asked "You ready for today?". 

The noble born field commander who hails from the feudal kingdom of Sarcrin, nods ahead to where sir Percavelle is leading his warhorse, and quietly says "He probably won't need much help". 

Tamric Drubine or Tam as he's more commonly called by those who know him well, continues with "He'll probably beat everyone he comes up against on his first pass". 

The young field commander briefly pauses, then adds in a slightly dry tone of voice "He'll probably win the lists today too". 

"You think so?" asks Zam who before joining the group, used to scratch together a living as a mercenary in The City Of Ruins. 

"I do" is the reply from the son of a former Knight of Castle Drubine, which can be found in the forested north of the kingdom of Sarcrin. 

Field commander Drubine who like the ex mercenary is speaking in elvish, then says "And that's with no cheating from Helbe as well". 

Zam who has only ever seen sir Percavelle or Percy as he's more commonly called by the others in the group. 

Make a handful of practice passes with the lance, and that was against the rings and not an actual opponent. 

Asks the young noble man originally from the kingdom of Sarcrin "He's that good?" followed by "At the joust?". 

"You have no idea" dryly says field commander Drubine with a shake of his head, who follows that with "We're already deciding how much we're going to bet on him winning". 

Zam nods his head, as he's heard how betting is a large part of the Spring Tourney here in the city of Vexil. 

And though people will bet amongst their friends. The real coin is to be made with the touts, or betmen. Many of whom are backed by large businesses in the city, as well as counting houses. 

The touts even offer odds as well, and those who strike it lucky with the bets they make on the various odds, can make themselves a small fortune during the two days of the Spring Tourney. 

As they turn a corner onto another street as they head to one of the gates in the north wall of the city. 

Tamric Drubine gestures ahead to the noble born knight who hails from the kingdom of Druvic, and quietly says to Zam "Lord Farque had a word with Percy just before we left". 

The youngest member of the group nods, as he spotted the lord and ruler of the Lands Farque speaking with the Druvician nobleman in the stables before they departed the Merchant's Rest. 

"Told him to make it look not so accomplished in the first few passes he has against his opponents" says the young field commander in the Armies of Farque. 

"Once the betmen see how good he is" adds Tam, who follows on from that with "We'll hardly get any decent odds for him winning". 

The ex mercenary who is originally from The City Of Ruins nods his head at that, as that seems to be most likely. 

As the first rays of sunshine start to appear to the east, on what looks like it's going to be a sunny and clear day here in the city of Vexil. 

He listens to field commander Drubine who tells him "It's tomorrow that's going to be the unknown" he continues with "Anything could happen during Le Grande Meleé". 

"That's what I'm worried about" quietly says the youngest member of the group, who follows that with "I don't fancy going out onto the field during that". 

As he's learnt that those who squire and assist those taking part in Le Grande Meleé, are expected to go out on the tourney field. 

And help the competitors up if they're knocked down and are struggling to get up. And also to give them weapons that they don't carry out on the field. 

"The only danger you'll face there is if you have to go out on the field to help Percy up" says Tamric Drubine the field commander, who then dryly adds "You definitely don't need to take any weapons out to him". 

Zam nods his head in agreement with the young noble who was born and raised in the feudal kingdom of Sarcrin. 

For out of everyone in the group, it's only Dorc da Orc who carries more weapons than the large, heavily armoured knight who hails from the kingdom of Druvic. 

The young field commander in the Armies of Farque then quietly tells the ex mercenary "If you do have to go out on the tourney field during the melee, I'm pretty sure Helbe will see to it that no harm comes to you". 

Zam nods at that, for though he knows that all spellcasting is banned on the tourney field during both the Joust, and Le Grande Meleé. That's not going to stop Helbe the elven thief from casting if he has to. 

As they head across a square, with a few others who are already up early this morning, heading the same way. No doubt to head out through one of the set of gates in the north wall. To the tourney field that's just outside the city itself. 

Both Zam and Tam glance back at the others, as Dorc da Orc who has briefly stopped laughing at the appearance of Mira Reinholt as a goblin. 

Starts complaining about how he can't enter the Spring Tourney of Vexil, and how that's unfair to him. 

"You can't enter the Joust because you can't ride a horse Dorc" dryly says Lisell Maera the scout who is walking in front of the large ork. 

With a snort of derision, Dorc da Orc says to the attractive young woman who hails from the city-state of Brattonbury "Dorc rides lots of fucken horsey". 

"Not that kind of riding" says the scout Maera in an extremely dry and droll tone of voice, which causes the ork warleader who actually can't ride a horse because he's so damn large, to burst out laughing again. 

When the big burly ork from the southern polar region of the world somewhat gets his laughter under control, he says "What about the fucken rumble?".

The ork weaponsmith pauses for a moment as he tries to recall what it's actually called, then when he does, he grunts then says "That fucken melee thing". 

"You're too big" says Lisell Maera or Lis as more often than not she's called by the others in the group. 

"Fucken bullshit" loudly mutters Dorc da Orc after the scout Maera tells him "No one bigger than elf or human size". 

"That's fucken racist shit against big peoples like me" declares the son of the former matriarch of the wolf tribe of orks. 

The large ork who has participated in tournaments in the past, well in Le Grande Meleé part of them, which anyone can enter. 

Turns to look at Lord Farque who is walking behind him along side Shur Kee the monk, and it's about to complain to the undead warlord. 

When Lord Farque gets in first with "That's the rules for the tourney here" followed by "Fucking deal with it". 

The large ork who was named warleader of his race by the deathlord of Farque, scowls then huffs in displeasure, and faces forward again. 

As he, along with the rest of the group, with the exception of Helbe the elven thief head through the north of the city of Vexil. 

On what's dawning to be a fine and sunny day, where the Spring Tourney of Vexil is going to be held just outside the city walls. 

With a set of the gates in the north wall coming into view after they turn onto another street. Zam hears Lord Farque tell Beldane the cleric "Head up there" followed by "He's up there". 

And when the ex mercenary originally from The City Of Ruins looks back, he sees that the powerful cleric in the church of Glaine has disappeared. 

"Up, and over there" quietly says Tamric Drubine the field commander with a nudge to Zam's right arm. 

The youngest member of the group looks to where Tam has gestured to, and he spots Beldane up on the top of the north wall of the city. 

The fighting cleric is walking along the top of the wall, and Zam nods to himself as he realizes that the powerful practitioner of magic who hails from the kingdom of Nastell, is in conversation with someone who can't be seen. 

The ex mercenary figures it's Helbe the elven thief who's walking alongside the member of the church of Glaine. 

Zam looks back down as up ahead sir Percavelle Lé Dic and his recently acquired warhorse, are approaching the open gates at the end of the street in the north wall of the city. 

Soon the large heavily armoured knight and his mount, followed by the rest of the group are making their way out through the gates, with others who are up and about early this morning. 

Nearly all of whom are heading to the tourney field, which isn't too far outside the north wall of the city of Vexil. 

The ex mercenary who hails from The City Of Ruins glances back again, and finds Beldane is once again with the group. 

The powerful spellcaster who is a member of the church of Glaine hurries forward, going by Zam and Tam, and joins sir Percavelle Lé Dic at the front of the group. 

As they head to the tourney field, the fighting cleric points out a small tent to the large heavily armoured knight. 

It's one of many such small tents, just to the side of one of the large set of stands that have been set up on two sides of the field. 

Zam nods to himself as he sees that the small tent that's been pointed out to Percy by Beldane the cleric. 

Is on the opposite side, and as far away as possible from the large blue and white tent that the ex mercenary knows is being used by the order of the Knights of Saint Mar'che. 

An order of knights that sir Percavelle Lé Dic actually belongs to. An order of knights that he doesn't particularly want to know that he's competing in the Spring Tourney of Vexil. 

"You better go ahead and join Percy" quietly says Tamric Drubine, who continues on with "Make sure he keeps out a trouble". 

"I will" says Zam, who looks back behind the rest of the group, and he spots many other people making their way from the nearby gates in the north wall of the city. 

In fact all along the north wall, and the various gates, people are exiting the capital city, and heading this way towards the tourney field. 

The youngest member of the group hurries forward to join sir Percavelle Lé Dic and Beldane the cleric. 

The ex mercenary nods his head when the fighting cleric in the church of Glaine quietly tells him "That tent there on the left, at this end". 

The powerful practitioner of magic tells Zam "Helbe has hired it for you and Percy" followed by "For the duration of the tourney". 

The youngest member of the group takes the reins of the warhorse when the noble born knight from the kingdom of Girdane hands them to him. 

Then as the rest of the group spilt off and wander around to see what's already happening at this time of the morning at the site of the Spring Tourney. 

Zam along with Percy and Beldane make their way to the small tent that's been hired for the large heavily armoured knight and his squire. 

The ex mercenary who is originally from The City Of Ruins sees that sir Percavelle is amongst the first of the competitors in the tournament to show up on this fine and sunny spring morning. 

And after the youngest member of the group ties the reins of the warhorse to a stake in the ground next to their tent. 

He joins the noble born knight and the powerful fighting cleric inside the open fronted tent, where they'll wait for the Spring Tourney of Vexil to get underway . . . . . . 

Springtime In The City 35.

The City Of Vexil. 

"I don't know about that" says Zam the ex mercenary, who follows that with "I took a beating earlier when we practiced out in the stables". 

In reply to Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy asking him about the spring tourney, and how things are getting along with sir Percavelle Lé Dic. 

The youngest member of the group who sparred with the heavily armoured knight just after dawn back at the Merchant's Rest inn. 

Then says to the spy who hails from the elven principality of Alinlae "That's if it even goes ahead with this weather". 

As he gestures up at the morning sky, which again is cloudy, with a light drizzle of rain falling upon the city of Vexil. 

"It'll be fine and sunny tomorrow" says Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy who is a commander in the Scouts and Rangers division of the Armies of Farque. 

"So says his highness" adds Dalinvardèl Tanith or Dalin as he's more commonly called by the others in the group. 

The ex mercenary who is originally from The City Of Ruins sourly smiles at hearing that, then he nods when the elven spy quietly tells him "Even if it wasn't, the mages would make sure the weather was fine and clear for the tourney to proceed". 

Dalin who previously served in one of the more prominent noble houses of his homeland of Alinlae continues with "It's one of the largest events not just in spring, but for the entire year here in the city". 

The spy Tanith follows that with "People are already arriving from elsewhere throughout the city-state and beyond". 

He then adds "You've seen them coming into the city over the last couple of days" commander Tanith of the Armies of Farque continues with "A hell of a lot of coin is spent in the city at this time, the councils both the City and Mage Council will make sure the tourney will go ahead no matter what". 

Zam is quiet for a few moments after hearing that from the elven spy, then when he's thought of something, the ex mercenary quietly says to Dalin "With all the coin coming into the city at this time, does that mean we'll". 

He doesn't finish his sentence because the spy Tanith looks sharply at him, and slightly shakes his hooded head. 

The teenager who hails from The City Of Ruins then looks to the north from their position on top of the north wall of the city. 

The ex mercenary looks away to the right where the tourney grounds are still being prepared for what's about to take place tomorrow, and the following day. 

Stands have been put up for the audience, surrounding two sides of the tourney field, which on the first day will host the lists, or the Joust as it's more commonly called. 

While the following day the lists will be taken away, as Le Grande Meleé will be on the second day of the Spring Tourney. 

Zam watches as tents are erected, while stall holders are setting up for what's going to be two of the busiest days of the year for them. 

Dalin who has just glanced up and said "This will probably clear by midday" followed by "Well it'll stop drizzling for sure". 

The elven spy from the principality of Alinlae then looks towards the busy tourney field preparations, and he says "Uh oh". 

"What is it?" asks Zam the ex mercenary as the two of them stand to the side of one of the towers upon the north wall of the city. 

"That large blue and white tent that's just been put up" says Dalinvardèl Tanith who like the youngest member of the group is conversing in the elven language. 

"The order of the Knights of Saint Mar'che" continues the commander in the Scouts and Rangers division of the Armies of Farque. 

Zam slightly winces at hearing that, then he mutters "Hell" the teenager originally from The City Of Ruins sighs, then quietly says "We always knew some of them would take part". 

The ex mercenary follows on from that with "Let's just hope none of them recognize Percy" he then adds "I figure he'll be far older than those from his order who are participating in the tourney, and they won't know him". 

Dalin nods his hooded head in agreement with that, then he quietly says to the youngest member of the group "It's the others who might be here, who will be watching the tourney who we should be worried about". 

The spy who is originally from the elven principality of Alinlae continues with "They might be of Percy's generation" followed by "And know exactly who he is". 

The commander in the Armies of Farque briefly pauses before adding "By all accounts, Percy isn't exactly popular amongst his order" he then quietly says "And that was before he stole one their most important artifacts" Dalin pauses again, before saying "That damn shield of his". 

The teenager who before he was found by the group, was scratching a meager living as a mercenary in The City Of Ruins winces, then nods his head when the spy Tanith quietly says "So who knows what they think of him now, and what they'll do if he's recognized". 

Zam after another look at the preparations for the tourney, sighs and looks north along the road that leads from the gate that the wall tower they're next to is above. 

Dalinvardèl Tanith looks that way too, and after a few moments of watching the traffic along the road, the elven spy originally from the principality of Alinlae quietly says "There they are". 

The commander in the Scouts and Rangers division of the Armies of Farque continues with "Just coming around that far bend in the road there". 

It's too far away for Zam to see, but he trusts the eye sight of the elven spy, who grins and quietly tells him "Dorc doesn't look exactly pleased being out in this drizzle". 

As the ex mercenary grins too, the spy Tanith adds "He's following behind the wagon, scowling like mad" he briefly pauses before continuing with "Well, I should say scowling more than usual". 

The teenager originally from the City Of Ruins nods when Dalin tells him "Come on, let's go down and wait for them below". 

The two of them don't go into the tower, instead they head along the top of the wall to the next set of steps. 

Which they take down to the ground, then head back towards the nearby gate, where they'll wait for the wagon with the latest shipment of gold that's been brought down from the hill country in northern Vexil by the krean scoutship. 

With the wagon and it's driver, is Dorc da Orc and Beldane the cleric, who left at dawn by way of gateway the powerful practitioner of magic in the church of Glaine created. 

Which took them to the woods on some farmland about fifteen miles to the northeast of the city. Where the krean scoutship secretly waited with the shipment of gold it brought down from the border region in the north of the city-state. 

A little while later and the wagon, along with Beldane the cleric and Dorc da Orc enter the city of Vexil. 

And with Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy and Zam the ex mercenary following discreetly from a distance. 

They head to a counting house here in the north of the city, another one that wasn't previously used by Lord Farque, and doesn't have a connection to the Reinholt Trading Company. 

As they walk through the streets here in the north of the city, while following the wagon that Beldane the cleric and Dorc da Orc are accompanying. 

Zam quietly asks the elven spy walking beside him "What happened to that fellow yesterday?" he continues with "The one me and Lis caught, and his highness took away?". 

"You don't want to know" is the quiet reply from Dalinvardèl Tanith, who follows on from that with "Especially considering what he was trying to move on from that shop". 

The youngest member of the group slightly nods, then as they cross a street, to cut through a small park on the other side of a square, once again nods when Dalin quietly says to him "You see what he was carrying?". 

As they walk behind a couple who are also going across the small square, Zam quietly asks the elven spy who is a commander in the Armies of Farque "That connected to the mage Garmen?". 

The spy Tanith who before he joined the group, served in one of the more prominent noble houses to be found in his homeland of Alinlae, says "It is". 

"That's odd" quietly says the ex mercenary as they walk through the park, and catch sight again of the wagon full of gold, which Beldane the cleric is walking alongside of, and Dorc da Orc is walking behind. 

"I mean, a mage wanting anything to do with that" adds the teenager originally from The City Of Ruins who is the youngest member of the group. 

As they make their way onto the street the wagon, Beldane and Dorc are on, the spy Tanith tells the young human walking beside "Maybe" he continues with "Remember he basically owns that business that's a front for all types of stolen goods". 

The commander in the Scouts and Rangers division of the Armies of Farque as they dodge around a pair of goblins struggling to carry some wooden crates full of vegetables, quietly says "He's also the reason the city guard haven't shut down what's obviously a front for receiving and redistribution of stolen goods". 

Zam who whole heartedly agrees with that, nods as they head down the street that the wagon they're following at a distance, is just about to leave, and turn a corner to the right. 

The ex mercenary and the elven spy as they walk, look out for anything untowards. Watching people in doorways and shop fronts, and looking up at the rooftops on either side of the street. 

And though Zam knows Helbe the elven thief is somewhere nearby, also keeping an eye on the latest shipment of gold that's been brought down from the hill country in northern Vexil. 

The teenager originally from The City Of Ruins finds it to be good practice to be observant of everything that's going on around him. 

Besides it takes his mind of tomorrow and the Spring Tourney that's being held. Where he will be squiring for sir Percavelle Lé Dic for the duration of the two days of the tournament. 

Zam who is trying to forget about it as the drizzle starts to let up, sourly smiles when Dalin says to him "See it's clearing up" followed by "Kind of". 

The elven spy who hails from the principality of Alinlae, continues with "All ready for you tomorrow". 

"Thanks" dryly says the ex mercenary, who follows that with "I was trying to forget all about it" as they turn onto the street to the right. 

And in the distance, see the wagon, along with Dorc da Orc and Beldane the cleric, approaching the counting house towards the end of the street they're now on. 

"Good luck with that" says Dalin with a grin upon his youthful looking face, who then adds "Just keep clear of those idiot knights, and you'll be fine". 

Zam grunts as they stop at the entrance of a lane, which they step into. From which they watch the counting house on the other side of the street. 

Which Beldane the cleric has just entered, while Dorc da Orc accompanies the wagon to the side of the building that stands alone. Which has a wide door along the side where the wagon has just stopped. 

As the drizzle continues to lessen, Zam the ex mercenary and Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy from the lane across the street. 

Watch as workers from the counting house, come out of the side door, and help unhook the horses, so that the wagon can be rolled into the large side door of the counting house, on this spring morning here in the north of the city of Vexil . . . . . .

Springtime In The City 34.

Vexil. 

Looking around the corner, Zam the ex mercenary slightly grimaces as it continues to drizzle this spring morning here in the city of Vexil. 

The youngest member of the group pops his head back, then looks back down the alleyway behind him when he hears someone approaching. 

"You know I'm not exactly looking forward to a certain mage turning up" quietly says Zam the ex mercenary in the elven language. 

"No matter what the others say" adds the teenager who is originally from The City Of Ruins, who then looks around the corner again. 

Standing with her back against the wall just behind Zam, Lisell Maera the scout who has just walked up the alleyway, quietly says in the same language "You know why we're doing this?" followed by "As in you and I?". 

The ex mercenary as he continues to look around the corner, shakes his head no in reply to that from the attractive young woman who is an officer in the Scouts and Rangers division of the Armies of Farque. 

"Because we're beneath his notice" says Lisell Maera or Lis as she's more commonly called by the others in the group. 

Zam briefly glances back at her, then as he looks back around the corner, the scout Maera quietly tells him "The others garner too much attention". 

"The two of us" continues the scout leader who hails from the city-state of Brattonbury, followed by "And to a lesser extent Dalin, don't stick out like the others". 

She then says "All the others are noticable to say the least" Lis briefly pauses before adding "Except for Helbe who no one notices because he's hardly ever seen". 

Zam nods in agreement to that as he continues to look around the corner, down the street to the left, to a certain shop. 

That two mornings ago, an individual he was discreetly following, visited for a fairly decent amount of time. 

"That place isn't exactly busy" quietly says the ex mercenary who hails from The City Of Ruins, he then adds "Just like a couple of days ago when I was following that fellow". 

The scout Maera as she continues to lean up against the building they're beside, nods her head in agreement with Zam. 

Then the attractive young woman whose mother was a street prostitute, and whose father was a sailor, who she never met. 

Quietly says to the teenager who is the youngest member of the group "That means pretty much everyone who goes in there is either selling or buying the stolen goods that's going through that place". 

The ex mercenary nods his head in agreement, then he quietly says "Pretty good scam if you can get in on it". 

Lis is in agreement with that, then she quietly says "And all funded by a prominent member of the Mage Council of Vexil". 

The attractive young woman who pulls the hood of her cloak up higher on her head to somewhat protect herself from the constant drizzle falling this morning, then adds "Who just happens to hate Mira, and wants him found". 

Zam nods his head in agreement to that from Lis as he continues to watch the shop, which is a mix of a curio and chandlers business. 

A shop here on the edge of the wealthiest neighbourhoods in the city, which though seems to be a legitimate business. 

Is actually a front for stolen goods, expensive stolen goods too. Pretty much all funded by a member of the Mage Council, the mage Garmen Senior. 

As his son, the mage Garmen Junior was killed by Mira Reinholt the mage in the recent border unrest in the winter time, up in the hill country of northern Vexil and southern Girdane. 

"Think they'll expose him, and what he's doing?" quietly asks Zam the ex mercenary, followed by "To the rest of the Mage Council, and the City Council as well?". 

"Who knows?" is the quiet reply from Lis after she takes a quick look around the corner too, before she leans back up against the building they're next to, here at the mouth of the alleyway. 

"Knowing that lot" continues the scout Maera referring to Lord Farque and the others, specifically the members of his personal council. 

"They'll probably take whatever it is that the mage Garmen is making from this front" adds the attractive young woman who is an officer in the Armies of Farque. 

"Sounds like something they'd do" murmurs the youngest member of the group who is originally from The City Of Ruins. 

Who falls silent as through the drizzle he spots a couple of men, each carrying a wooden crate on a shoulder. 

Approach the shop from the other end of the street, a street that's fairly empty this morning due to the constant drizzle. 

The ex mercenary watches them enter the shop, as he does, he quietly describes them in elvish to the scout Maera who is behind him. 

It's not too long before they come out of the shop, neither one of them with the wooden crate they had when they entered the curio and chandlers business. 

After Zam informs Lis of this, they both look directly opposite the alleyway they're in, and up to the rooftop on the other side of the street from them. 

The youngest member of the group nods, and he along with the scout leader in the Armies of Farque, spot movement up there through the constant drizzle that's falling this morning. 

Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy is on the move across the rooftops on that side of the street, heading after the pair who have just been to the shop that they're observing this morning. 

"You know Helbe has got one of his viewing spells around here, watching that shop and everyone who goes in it" quietly says the attractive young woman originally from the coastal city-state of Brattonbury. 

"Where it is" adds Lis, who continues on from that with "Is anyone's guess" she follows that in a dry tone with "He's probably back at the inn, with his feet up drinking a pint of ale, watching all this, while we're out in this half arsed rain that's falling this morning". 

"Probably" wryly says the teenager who before joining the group scratched out a meager living as a mercenary in The City Of Ruins. 

"No I'm not" quietly says Helbe the elven thief from behind Lisell Maera and Zam, causing the two of them to flinch in fright at the sudden appearance of the elven masterthief. 

"Hell" mutters the scout Maera, who then nods her head, when the young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel, quietly tells her and Zam "You two go to the spot around back, to see if anything is taken from the shop, or turns up from back there, to take what's just been dropped off". 

The highly talented elven practitioner of magic then tells them that Beldane the cleric, along with Lord Farque and Dorc da Orc. 

Are now up in the building directly opposite the curio and chandlers business, watching it from a third floor room there. 

He then says to the attractive young woman originally from the city-state of Brattonbury, and the ex mercenary from The City Of Ruins "I'll just go in and see what's happening". 

The elven master assassin who is a member of the royal family that rules the island principality of Laerel, and is a member of Lord Farque's personal council, the undead warlord's envoy to be exact.  Suddenly disappears as he blurs himself, then shifts away to the shop that's under observation from various members of the group. 

Zam and Lis exit the alleyway they've been in, and cross the quiet street to another alleyway, which they hurry through. 

Once at the other end, the youngest member of the group leads the way around the corner to the left. 

They're in a lane, and the ex mercenary who is expected to attain the rank of blade master sometime in the upcoming summer. 

Crosses the lane, with Lisell Maera following closely behind him. And after a man pushing a hand cart goes by in the other direction. 

The two of them slip into an alley, from where they watch the rear of the curio and chandlers business they've been watching this drizzly spring morning in this part of the city of Vexil. 

"Think something will come out of it?" quietly asks Zam the ex mercenary who is slightly relieved that one of the buildings on a side of the alley, has overhanging eaves. Offering a bit of shelter from the constant drizzle that's falling across the city of Vexil. 

"Maybe" is the quiet reply from Lisell Maera the scout, who once again is leaning on the wall behind the youngest member of the group. 

Though the two of them can easily see the rear of the shop that they've been observing since just after dawn this morning. 

The attractive young woman who is an officer in the Scouts and Rangers division of the Armies of Farque, quietly says "Just hope this isn't a waste of our time this morning". 

The teenager who hails from The City Of Ruins, who is agreement with that from the scout leader, is just about to say something else to the attractive young woman who was born and raised in the city of Brattonbury before she was found by the group at around eleven or twelve years old. 

When suddenly the back door to the curio and chandlers business opens up, and a figure, holding a small sack, makes his way out of the back door and into the lane. 

"Who's this then?" murmurs Lisell Maera, Zam the ex mercenary is wondering the exact same thing as the man disappears from sight as he heads down into a connecting lane. 

"Should we follow him?" asks the teenager who hails from The City Of Ruins as he looks back at the scout Maera. 

"That's your answer" says Lisell who nods to the back door of the shop they're watching, Zam looks that way, and sees Helbe the elven thief briefly standing in the open doorway. 

"Get him" quietly says Lis after seeing the hand signal directed at them from the young elven noble who hails from the island principality of Laerel. 

Zam takes off after Lisell Maera who heads off first, running around to the other lane, which she first enters, followed by the ex mercenary who is the youngest member of the group. 

Who looks back and sees that the highly talented elven magic user has gone from the open back door of the shop.

Try not to kill him when you take him, kind of need him alive, is what both Zam and Lis here in their minds from Helbe the elven thief. 

The person they're after briefly pauses as he hears the fast approaching scout leader in the Armies of Farque. 

He goes to turn around to see who it is that's in the lane with him, when the scout Maera runs into him, tackling him to the ground. 

When Zam gets there, he grabs the fellow, who is on the ground, groaning in pain. The ex mercenary lifts him up off the ground. While Lis is already standing, holding the small sack the fellow was carrying. 

The attractive young woman takes the fellow by an arm, and with Zam holding him by the other. They haul him along the lane they're in, and move into an alleyway that runs off it. Just glad no one saw what they were doing. 

"Who is he?" asks the ex mercenary in the elven language "No idea" is the reply from Lisell Maera in the same language. 

"Name" says the scout officer in the Armies of Farque who has switched to the common language as she pushes the fellow back against the wall to their left. 

The man, in his mid twenties, groans as he tries to bend over at the waist, but Zam and Lis keep him upright. 

"I said name" quietly says the scout Maera in a threatening tone, who figures she probably broke some of the fellow's ribs when she tackled him. 

"Gasper" is the reply from the fellow after he winces in pain when he takes a deep breath to try and calm down. 

"Hold him tight" says Lis in elvish to the youngest member of the group, who nods yes in reply to her. 

The scout officer in the Armies of Farque opens up the small sack Gasper was carrying, and she lifts an eyebrow in surprise at what it contains. 

And before Zam can ask her what it is, Helbe the elven thief suddenly appears beside them, and says in elvish "I'll take him" as he takes the fellow by the arm. 

"And I'll take that too" adds the elven masterthief who takes the small sack off the attractive young woman who hails from the city-state of Brattonbury. 

"Go back to watching that shop" continues the young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel, who along with the man named Gasper, disappears. 

Zam the ex mercenary and Lisell Maera the scout share a look, then after the teenager who is originally from The City Of Ruins shrugs his shoulders. 

The two of them turn and make their way out of the alleyway, and head through the lanes back to the spot they were watching the back of the curio and chandlers shop backdoor. 

As they do, Zam quietly asks the scout Maera in the elven language "So what was in that sack?". "You're not going to believe it" is the quiet reply from Lis in the same language. Who as they walk through the drizzle this spring morning, tells the ex mercenary what it was, that the fellow named Gasper had in the sack that he was carrying . . . . . .