Lightstar Family/Adaria/Roleplay 27/Swordfight
Swordfight - Round 3
(Roleplay from Iksandros Artemesia)
It had been two rounds in the sword already, and Iksandros felt slightly confident. That was, until he learned who he had to face in the third round.
"Dame Gloria, second place at the previous swordfighting tournament." Iksandros read the name of his next opponent with slightly lower voice. His aide made some last minute checks on the heavy sword, searching for any nicks received from the previous round.
"Sir Iksandros, you next opponent will be highly skilled, and will likely carry confidence from the previous tournament. Perhaps a more defensive style might work best for this match." The aide said while examining the hilt and the various scratches suffered due to Iksandros' very close quarters combat style.
Iksandros shook his head. "I have seen Dame Gloria's skills. It would be a shame not to match my best with her best. We shall see which knight of Batesaor shall prevail for this round. Wish me luck!" With a grin, Iksandros took his blade from his aide, and walked steadily towards the swordfighting grounds.
He tried to take the initiative too soon, and attacked what he thought was an opening, but she was fast, and soon that opening disappeared, met only by the edge of another blade. Iksandros was momentarily surprised when his opponent suddenly drove him backwards, causing him to roll sideways to avoid the next attack. He was glad he avoided that blow, for even with all the protection, that smash would have caused him to have a large bruise for several days.
This was a match he had wanted since the last tournament. But the lady was stunningly quick, and strong. Soon he was forced on the defensive, and unless he managed to regain his offensive pressure, he knew there was no chance he would win by defense alone. Besides, the lady showed no signs of fatigue, while his right arm began to feel the beginnings of soreness. He had to do something fast, but no opening presented itself.
There.
Instead of parrying the next blow, Iksandros lowered his guard as well as his body. Most unorthodox technique the voice of Iksandros' tutor resounded in his mind as he extended his blade against the now-exposed abdomen of his opponent.
He won. He made it past the one he considered to be his foremost swordfighting rival. Handing his sword to his aide, Iksandros let out a deep sigh, and prepared for the next round.
Swordfight - Semifinals
(Roleplay from Iksandros Artemesia)
"Wildcard! Sir Iksandros, you're going to the final round!" The aide exclaimed happily.
Iksandros frowned. Although he managed to pull off a win against Sir Kees, also of Zonasa, he did not like the idea of simply going to the final round.
"Is something wrong, Sir?"
"I do not prefer going into the finals this easily. Working by my own skill to reach the championships is the best way. As a warrior, I went by the creed that nothing comes for free. All rewards must have an investment in time and effort." Iksandros set down his second spare sword, and stepped out to take a deep breath to relax his nerves.
Finals. This was it. No matter what, the worst he would do in the sword event would be second place.
Swordfight - Finals
(Roleplay from Iksandros Artemesia)
"In the final round, you will face Johan Van Hoensbroeck, Duke of Zonasa, and someone familiar to you, I suppose. He might have some more incentive to best you after your round with Sir Kees." The aide spoke while he prepared Iksandros' equipment.
"Duke of Zonasa..." Iksandros grinned widely as he picked up his sword from his aide. "This one will be a fitting conclusion to the swordfighting event."
"Oh, Sir Iksandros, a little word. This time, I don't think it would be very proper, if your blade shattered again, to win by knocking out the Duke with your hilt."
Iksandros laughed nervously. "Ah, what do you mean?"
"I mean how you shattered both your blade and your opponent's in one of the earlier rounds, and you won because you smacked the other noble unconscious with the pommel. That probably will get you killed if you try it on the Duke of your capital."
"I'll try my best then. But I'm sure the Duke would want nothing but the best, especially since we are both nobles of the Principality."
With a head held high, Iksandros stepped with confidence towards the grounds for the final round.
There was much celebration after the first event. The aide was saying so many things at once, and there was so much noise, that Iksandros was slightly confused as to whether he truly won first place at the sword event. He remembered giving a salute to the Duke of Zonasa, and he remembered his aide giving him a hearty slap on the back, but apart from that, he could only remember a lot of loudness.
So when there was relatively less activity when the jousting event began, Iksandros finally managed to quell the ringing in his ears.
