Jousts Round 2: Stahl vs Irene
@fatedcomrades vs. @seaknighted
“We begin our jousts with Stahl the Wall-- er... I mean, sir Stahl, and Lady Irene! both of them were fan favorites yesterday. We’ll have to see who makes it into the semi-finals.”
“Stahl, we like Irene. Please don’t humiliate her like you did with our father. Huh? What do you mean that was me? I’d never show such disrespect to somebody who ruine-”
STAHL’S MOUNT: 6 speed ; 16 fear
A slow horse, but one whose trust is CLEARLY strong in Stahl, after their match yesterday.
IRENE’S MOUNT: 6 speed ; 7 fear
Slow as well, but a little bit skittish. Still obedient, but
“Sir Stahl’s mount looks to be slow, but very steady. I don’t think that one will be spooking too easily.”
Coming out with a strong lead, Stahl makes contact with Irene’s shield in the first round. It is a glancing blow, and Irene easily recovers, staying in her saddle.
Both jousters crash into each other, lances hitting their respective shields. The audience roars in applause! Both of the knights seem to take inspiration from the favors they have peeking out from their armor. They stay in their saddles, and Irene even rising up to post as her steed knickers and trots back to position for round 3, eliciting more cheers from the crowd.
“While yesterday’s jousting began with some decidedly dramatic victories, today we begin with a great show of skill from both of our knights. You can see how tactical they are, knowing when to avoid a hit and keep balanced on horseback. It looks like Stahl the Wall is keeping his nickname, as he’s got the lead with two points and has not been unseated yet. But Irene could make a comeback, if she scores in the last two rounds.”
Stahl, feeling his lance slip out of place against his elbow, tactically decides an evasion, pulling his lance to the side and braces himself for a hit. Irene makes contact and it is a hard hit!
For a moment, it looks like Stahl might waver, but he pulls his shoulders forward and keeps his saddle, reaching down to rub his horse’s neck and sooth it as they get ready for the last round.
To congratulate him for keeping his saddle despite that difficult blow, the crowd, again, begins to chant: “STAHL THE WALL! STAHL THE WALL!”
For the final round, Irene’s steed finds a bit of inspired speed in its legs and bolts forward faster than Stahl had expected. The green knight doesn’t have enough time to get his lance into place before Irene lands her final hit, winning the match!
Stahl, despite taking this hit, seems unfazed and barely flinched. He is, in fact, smiling as the audience cheers, and he reaches over the fence to shake Irene’s hand in congratulations!
“As much as I’d love to see one of my original Shepherds make it through, I can’t complain at seeing a friend’s daughter take the win instead. Congratulations, Irene.”
“There we have it! Lady Irene shall proceed to our semi-finals, and Stahl the Wall can still not be unseated! A marvelous job to you both! Bravo! Brava!”