The Trial of Honour





Jean de Montbergac VS Bobby Thundar

Rupert VS Ryant de Cooke II


Four banners flapped in the strong wind, each bearing the mock heraldry of one of the Squires, proudly displaying those who had qualified for this Trial. Below them, the sixteen shields of those Squires who had been eliminated hung as testament to the rounds that had gone before. The four Squires who would fight today were indeed the best of the best amongst their brothers-at-arms. They all knew that, win or lose, they had done well.

The excited crowd's constant wave of cheers and shouts was cut short by a sounding of trumpets. This signalled the arrival of the King's Herald, who gave a quick nod to the Adjudicator, which told him that it was now time for the Trial of Honour to begin.

Indeed, this would be a day of grand spectacle, the pavilions were packed, no more people could enter on either level. There was great expectation of honourable deeds and exceptional skill-at-arms. The weather was clear, but windy. Fine conditions that would not hamper the honed skills of the Squires.

Reading from the parchment that he carried, the King's Adjudicator spoke the names of those who would take part in the first battle of the Trial of Honour...



"Jean de Montbergac must face Bobby Thundar in the first battle of the Trial of Honour. He who is victorious shall continue on to the final Trial of Steel. He who is defeated shall be eliminated." To these words, both Jean de Montbergac and Bobby Thundar marched out of the preparation building and onto the centre of the arena.

With the crowd's cheers of encouragement filling the air, the two Squires unsheathed their weapons and readied their shields. Battle was joined...

VS

Jean de Montbergac
(Aggressive) - (Ranked 1st)

Hits: 1
Wounds Taken: 0

Bobby Thundar
(Aggressive) - (Ranked 2nd)

Hits: 0
Wounds Taken: 3


In a stunning display of strength and speed, the melee came to a unexpected and brutal end. The moment the signal to begin was given, Bobby stepped forward quickly and Jabbed at his foe. Jean de Montbergac dodged aside in time to avoid the stab however, and prepared for his counter attack. Wielding his weapon in both hands, Jean Shoulder Charged directly at his adversary. In a futile attempt to defend himself, Bobby Thundar raised his sword, but the arcing Shoulder Charge attack pushed aside all of his defenses and impacted with brutal force. Sent flying by the sheer strength behind the hit, Bobby Thundar landed heavily on the sandy arena floor (he had lost all 3 Wounds to the Shoulder Charge!). Unable to stand after the devastating blow he had just suffered, Bobby Thundar was too badly wounded to continue fighting.

In an amazingly quick battle, Jean de Montbergac had won by Knocking Out his opponent. Jean de Montbergac is allowed entrance into the Trial of Steel. Bobby Thundar is eliminated.



Reading aloud once more, the King's Adjudicator declared the names of those who would participate in the second battle of the Trial of Honour. "Rupert, Squire to Baron Borsam shall do battle against Ryant de Cooke II. The winner shall proceed to the Trial of Steel, where he shall battle Jean de Montbergac for the mantle of Knighthood. May the Lady's Blessing fall upon the victor!!!"

The preparation building's doors swung open, and the two Squires marched forth. Both looked ready to do battle with all of their skill and strength. Only one would emerge victorious...

VS

Rupert, Squire to
Baron Borsam
(Aggressive) - (Ranked 4th)

Hits: 7
Wounds Taken: 2

Ryant de Cooke II

(Focused) - (Ranked 3rd)

Hits: 6
Wounds Taken: 2


The signal was given and both Squires leapt into action. Attacking first, Rupert struck at Ryant with a swift Slash. Unable to defend himself fast enough, Ryant was hit hard in the chest by the blow, and suffered a wound. Still, Ryant fought on despite his injuries with a Jab back at his adversary. The Jab pierced Rupert's guard and hit, but failed to harm Rupert. Taking a step closer to his opponent as he blocked a Chop from Rupert with his shield, Ryant stabbed at Rupert once more with a Jab. The Squire to Baron Borsam was once more too slow and was hit hard in the stomach. Unfortunately for the Focused Ryant, Rupert was not wounded. Caught off guard by another Chop from his foe, Ryant failed to raise his weapon in time to defend himself and was hit. The impact did little more than graze him however, and no damage was caused.

As the two Squires circled each other, ready to strike the moment either one let down his guard, the Herald looked on. He noted every action that they made, and was duly impressed by their courage and strength. The onlookers were shouting encouragement and cheering loudly whenever either Squire attacked. At this point in time, the battle's outcome was very unsure...

Ryant de Cooke II, however, did not have the time to think on anything other than not being hit by his opponent as he dodged aside from yet another Chop swung by his Aggressive foe. Lunging back Ryant's blow caught Rupert on the shoulder, but the Squire to Baron Borsam was able to twist aside at the last moment and avoid being wounded by the force of the blow. Ignoring an ill-aimed Chop from his adversary, Ryant de Cooke II Shoulder Charged at his opponent. Rupert was too slow to avoid the blow and was hit squarely in the chest by the awesome attack. Surprisingly, Rupert was not wounded but was pushed backwards. Barely avoiding falling backwards, Rupert struck out wildly with a Spin-Slash but his aim was off and the attack missed.

Retreating so that his back was to the wooden fence, Rupert waited for Ryant to come within striking distance before attacking with a skilled Diversion. The blow did slip past the Focused Squire's guard, but only grazed him and did no further harm. Rupert side-stepped to avoid a Jab from his adversary, the thrust which would have caught him in the mid-section instead hit into the fence with an audiable thud. Ryant was no fool and saw a Slash from his adversary before it hit him, and was able to evade the slicing attack. With a roar, Ryant hefted his weapon into the air with both hands and bought his blade down in an arcing Power Strike. The swing hit into Rupert with disabling force and caused him a serious injury. Stunned by the massive power behind the attack, Rupert's reply Chop faltered and missed.

In spite of his injuries, Rupert was able to dodge aside to avoid a Jab and a Lunging strike from Ryant and attack back twice. Unfortunately for the Squire to Baron Borsam, both his Chop and his Slash were too slow, and both were deflected by the raised shield of his foe. In a cunning move, Rupert was able to hit his adversary even with his shield raised by aiming a whirling Spin-Slash under his guard. The blow hit Ryant across the legs and although it did not do any harm, it was still a hit!

The final moments of the battle approached and both Squires knew that these last seconds would be decisive in the outcome of the match. Spin-Slashing once more, Rupert's sword hammered past Ryant's shield and hit him squarely across the shoulder. Ryant's shield absorbed enough of the power behind the blow to avoid injury, however. Taking a step backwards, Ryant de Cooke II readied himself for a moment before launching forward at his foe in an all-out Shoulder Charge. With a loud clash the Focused Squire's blade hammered into Rupert's torso, causing another serious wound. Even with the great strength behind the attack, Rupert was able to keep on his feet, if only barely. Ryant de Cooke II had used up all of his energy in the Shoulder Charge, however, and was too winded to defend himself against a Spin-Slash and a Double Strike from the Squire to Baron Borsam. The Spin-Slash failed to cause any harm, but the same could not be said for the Double Strike, which caused yet another serious wound to Ryant de Cooke II.

Calling an end to the battle, the King's Adjudicator announced the outcome of the match. Rupert, Squire to Baron Borsam had won by the slimmest of margins, by having 1 More Hit than his opponent. Therefore, Rupert, Squire to Baron Borsam goes on to face Jean de Montbergac in the Trial of Steel. Ryant de Cooke II is eliminated.



Once more the sound of blaring trumpets cut through the din of cheering voices, to allow the King's Herald to speak after he had arisen from his seat. "Squires of Bretonnia, approach!" Boomed the Herald's voice. The doors to the preparation building swung open once more and the Squires marched forth, they looked tired and three of their number looked injured, but they still marched proudly out to in front of the Herald and the crowd, to await the Herald's speach.

"The Trial of Honour has been completed, the intensity of the battles of this Trial has impressed me greatly. I have no doubt in my mind that all four of you are worthy of Knighthood, each of you has shown all of the skills necessary for a Knight. However, the rules of this Tournament dictate that only one of you may obtain the mantle of Knight and therefore the competition must proceed. Only two are allowed entrance into the Trial of Steel and for this reason I shall now announce the names of those eliminated by combat during this Trial."

"Bobby Thundar!" To these words, Bobby Thundar stepped forward so that he stood one pace ahead of his three brothers-at-arms. He still looked dazed by the blow he had suffered earlier, but he managed to keep his chin up and a look of pride was set upon his face. "Ryant de Cooke II!" Once more the Herald's voice called forth a Squire, and Ryant de Cooke II stepped forward. He looked happy with how far he had come.

"Bobby Thundar and Ryant de Cooke II, you have both been defeated in combat during the Trial of Honour and, because of this, you may not proceed to the Trial of Steel. Bobby Thundar and Ryant de Cooke II, you are both hereby eliminated from this Tournament. Your participation in the competition is over." After handing over their shields to the Marshalls, the two eliminated Squires were dismissed and turned to leave the arena.

Now only Jean de Montbergac and Rupert, Squire to Baron Borsam were left standing in front of the Herald. "Jean de Montbergac and Rupert, Squire to Baron Borsam. You have both come far and now only one contest remains before you may claim Knighthood. After a week's rest you shall do battle against each other in one last test of skills. The victor of the Trial of Steel shall be Knighted, and take up the status of a true Champion of Bretonnia. For now, celebrate your victories, but keep in mind what the final Trial of Steel will bring..." With those words, the King's Herald dismissed the Squires before him and turned to leave.

Knighthood awaits either Jean de Montbergac or Rupert, Squire to Baron Borsam. Who will claim the prize, only time will tell...



NOTE: You may notice that the dice rolls are not included in the battle descriptions, if you want a copy of how the dice rolls came up. Email Me and tell me which Round's dice rolls you want emailed to you, and I shall get them to you ASAP.

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