The day had finally come, after weeks of Jousting and competition, two Knights had been chosen from the twenty that started the Tournament. Through skill, courage, strength and honour they had proven themselves time and again in battle. Their names were widely known now, Sir Jaison de Chateau Guest and Baron Gaston le Byron. Heroes to the people in the pavillions, who sung their names like they were the great Grail Companions of old.
Unfortunately, the day's weather did not match this glorious atmosphere. A thick mist hung in the air, obscuring everything but the tilt-yard itself. Thankfully, no-one was too badly affected, as the tilt-yard was still visable from the pavillions, and that was all anyone cared about.
The all too familiar trumpet blast filled the air, signalling that the Knights were ready to begin. As the crowd erupted into a cacophony of singing and cheering, Sir Gindle arose to his feet. Raising his hand, he silenced the crowd, and spoke.
"Today, we come to see but one battle. The fourty seventh Joust of the competition, and the culmination of this contest. The winner of this Joust will rightfully claim the relic that is Duke Thierulf's Gauntlet, whilst the defeated Knight shall return to his home without the prize, but with a great deal of honour and renown to his name. He will earn the respect of all, and shall be sung of as a Knight of boundless honour and courage."
The Bretonnian looked over the crowd. He did not need a scroll this time, so he merely spoke loudly.
"Now, to begin the Final Joust..."
"...I now introduce to you, the two Knights who have fought long and hard to earn their positions as the final two competitors of this Tournament. First, Sir Jaison de Chateau Guest, a name now known to be synonomous with honour, dragon-hearted courage and discipline. Next is Baron Gaston le Byron, a noble warrior of such skill that few can stand before his attacks. Yet he never goes to battle without good cause, and never betrays a friend when they are in need."
"These two Bretonnian Knights shall do battle now. A final Joust to decide the ultimate outcome of the Tournament, and to prove, once and for all, who it is that the Lady has chosen to carry the honour of owning Duke Theirulf's Gauntlet. Now, without further fanfare. Begin!" As the crowd roared with excitement, the Knights rode out into the arena. As the soup-like mist about them swirled carelessly, they readied themselves for the Joust at hand...
VS
Sir Jaison de Chateau Guest
(Discipline Virtue) - (0-0)
Baron Gaston le Byron
(Knightly Temper Virtue) - (6-6)
For a moment, everything was eerily quiet. The crowd had become mostly silent, with only the odd cheer breaking through the silence. It seemed as if all the world had stopped to await this moment, and even the wind had become a gentle breeze, pushing the lazy mist around as if it was stirring a pot of soup.
Then, with the signal given, the Joust began! In an instant both Knights were at full-tilt, lowering their lances to strike. Sir Jaison aimed for his opponent's Shield, hoping to strike a quick, decisive blow upon his enemy. Baron Gaston, on the other hand, opted for a slower, more powerful attack, and targeted the Helmet of his foe.
An almighty *crash* broke the silence, and sent the crowd into a frenzy of excited applause! Sir Jaison's lance bit hard into the Shield of his opposition (on a 5) and snapped it in two (on a 4). Baron Gaston's armour was of no use against such a mighty hit (on a 2) and he suffered a serious wound. Despite this, Baron Gaston held on tightly and was not dismounted (on a 6). Unfortunately, the blow had caused the noble Baron's aim to be ruined, and his lance passed by his foe without harm (missing on a 1).
The second Pass began, and Baron Gaston redoubled his efforts, realising that his chances of victory were quickly slipping away. Both Knights aimed for each other's Helmet, increasing the strenght of their blows, and also resulting in simultaneous striking between them. Sir Jaison de Chateau Guest was unable to aim his lance properly, and his lance faltered, (missing on a 2) not even coming close to its target. Baron Gaston, however, hit (on a 6) and did so with heroic might, shattering his lance (on a 4) and wounding the honourable Sir Jaison (on a 3). Sir Jaison had iron-hard discipline, however, and was not unhorsed (due to his Virtue).
The third (and possibly final) Pass commenced quickly, with the crowd's ever-increasing cheers echoing in the air, and the mist swirling about the two Knights. Choosing the Crest as his target, Sir Jaison aimed high, he would strike last but if he did knock off his foe's Crest, the Baron would have no chance of victory. Baron Gaston lowered his lance at his opponent's Shield. He would strike first.
Baron Gaston le Byron's lance clipped the edge of his opponent's Shield (on a 3 due to his Virtue) but that was all it did, the blow failed the shatter his lance properly (on a 1), and it was harmlessly deflected. Unable to capitalize on this, Sir Jaison missed his opponent's Crest (on a 2).
The fourth Pass began. Both Knights had equal lance breaks, and the feeling of excitement filled the air. Jaison lowered his lance at Baron Gaston's Shield whilst his opponent returned his own aim to Sir Jaison's Helmet. Both Knight's lances did connect with their targets (on a 3 due to Virtue for Gaston and a 5 for Jaison) but neither Knight put enough force behind their blows, and no lances were broken (on a 1 for Jaison and a 2 for Gaston).
As the crowd's excited applause reached fever pitch, the two Bretonnians came around for the final Pass. Aiming for each other's Helmets, the two Knights let out battle cries to the Lady in unison, and charged. Both Knight's lances impacted with the their opponent's Helmets at exactly the same moment (on a 4 for Jaison and a 6 for Gaston) but whilst Sir Jaison's lance merely bent awkwardly (on a 2) and did not snap, Baron Gaston's lance was shattered to pieces (on a 4) and caused an injury to the noble Sir Jaison (failed Armour Save on a 5 due to the Strength of the blow). He was not unhorsed, however (due to his Virtue).
With that, the Joust, and the Tournament, was over. Baron Gaston le Byron had scored a hard-won victory by having 1 more Lance Break than his foe. Therefore, Baron Gaston le Byron is the overall winner of the entire Tournament, and is awarded the Gauntlet and Tournament Prize (see below for the Awards Ceremony). Sir Jaison de Chateau Guest, after all his many battles, is eliminated in this Final round. Despite this, he has proven himself a Knight of unequalled honour and courage, and in the eyes of Bretonnia, is a hero.
As the crowd's cheers filled the arena, Sir Jaison dismounted from his horse and handed its reins over to a nearby stableman who led it away. Baron Gaston did the same, whilst Sir Jaison made his way into the pavillions via a small staircase that led into Sir Gindle's booth in the pavillions. The two Bretonnians shook hands, and Sir Jaison de Chateau Guest took a seat next to the rest of the Knights and Ladies present. It was then that he noticed many of the Knights who participated in the Tournament were also seated in the pavillions. They wanted to congratulate their fellow Knight on his achievements.
Baron Gaston stood, on foot, in front of the pavillions. The crowd's cheers came to an end when Sir Gindle arose, and signalled for a burst of trumpets. He then spoke loudly, for all to hear.
"And so, it comes to an end. Baron Gaston le Byron, you have done us proud. Once again it has been proven that Bretonnia has amongst its ranks the finest warriors that walk the lands. Through courage and skill, you have clashed one-on-one with some of the world's greatest Knights, and emerged victorious. Many entered this Tournament, and now only you remain."
A short burst of cheers began, but Sir Gindle continued speaking anyway.
"By the will of the Lady and the rules of this Tournament, you are the overall winner of the Jousting Tournament of Thierulf's Gauntlet. Therefore, you have earned the right to possess the holy relic that is Duke Thierulf's Gauntlet."
Sir Gindle picked up a small cushion that rested next to his seat, on it lay an ornate Gauntlet, its identity unmistakeable. He then made his way onto the Tilt-yard, using the same staircase that Sir Jaison had used. Stopping in front of Baron Gaston le Byron, Sir Gindle grasped the Gauntlet in his hand, and held it high, discarding the cushion (which was quickly claimed by a young peasant lad, who dashed from the nearby stables).
The crowd's cheers began to rise, but Sir Gindle looked directly at the noble Baron, and continued.
"With the power vested in me by the great King of Bretonnia, I hereby award this, Duke Thierulf's Gauntlet, to you, Baron Gaston le Byron. Your honour is unmatched, your skill-at-arms undefeatable. You are a true symbol of Bretonnian Knighthood. No other has the right to wield this artefact. May it bring you happiness in peace, and victory in war."
He handed the Gauntlet to Baron Gaston, who grasped it in both hands, looking at it with a mixed look of suprise, happiness and disbelief. Sir Gindle then shook the Baron's hand, saluted him, and turned to return to the pavillions. There, he spoke one last time.
"I hereby declare this Jousting Tournament over. I thank all Knights who took part, and all commoners who enjoyed the spectacle..." To this, a surprisingly loud burst of cheers began, interrupting Sir Gindle.
"However, the festivities are not completely over. I have taken it upon myself to organize a party of sorts in the nearest Town Hall. All are welcome, and I personally shall be present. Farewell for now, friends and comrades..."
Having finished, he turned and left the pavillions, and was followed by a large mob of peasants, who were eager to eat free food. Many of the Knights also followed, to take part in what was to be a splendid party indeed.
