Onyxien Family/Costume/Part IV
Adjusting her mask Aewyn walked to the Archers competition area. Standing in front of all the archers she raised one of the bows she had won back home when her family held these events. People participating admired the fine craftsmanship of the bow, and the beautiful hand crafted leather quiver.
Smiling, Aewyn cleared her throat “Whoever shall win this event shall be rewarded this beautiful bow and quiver with a bottle of Brandy” she walked across the participants for them to get a good look at their prize. She called to have the torches lit in the area announcing the beginning of the Archers Event
“The rules of this competition are simple” she paused and raised her voice “There are three rounds for the Archers Event“ she took a sip of her wine “You will each get the use of 10 arrows. You need to get three perfect bulls eye in round one and two and have three arrows left to qualify for the final round. So that means you can only miss ONE SHOT“ she emphasized her last words and smiled at the faces looking back at her. holding one finger up in the air
“In the final round you will need to score three more perfect bulls eye for a total of 9 perfects shot, if there’s a tie. The judge will continue to view the challengers until he declares a winner.
“As easy as this sounds rest assured it isn’t and is also why I picked this event to start the day. This will not be an easy task, as you can see how far the mark is, and judging by the small gusts of winds” she handed her glass to one of the passing servants and put a finger up to her mouth and stuck it up testing the air “I can see a bit of hardship in your way” she paused and smiled “Make good use of your arrows ladies and gentlemen and have fun!” she held the bow out in front of her and placed an arrow in at center of the string.
Leaning forward she lit the arrow with one of the nearby torches and aimed it, pulling the string back closely to her cheek she squeezed the string tightly between her fingers. Taking a long deep relaxing breath, she focused to the center of the board, drawing the string back further, she aimed almost a couple feet higher and release the arrow marking a perfect bull eyes “Let the competition begin” she announced.
“Show us what you got Archers” Aewyn placed the bow on the prize stand and clapped encouraging the others to pump up the crowd as they watched their friends challenge one another.
Aewyn Onyxien Countess Of Braga
Duncan has arrived at the costume party. Being more accustomed to war councils then social meetings, he didn't usually participate in such events, but as Lady Aewyn has asked him to judge the various competitions that will take place he felt obliged to come. Wearing a costume was something new and strange to a man almost always clad in his battle dress. He had a mind to just put on his armour and helmet and come as an armoured knight, but his personal seamstress would have none of it, insisting he should choose a costume to be made for him. She asked his what he would like to be. Duncan spoke trough his teeth:
"I'm a Lion.", and the persistent seamstress just nodded...
Trough the entrance to the party came a tall man, dressed in exotic white lion fur. His boots and gloves were milk white, as was his silken shirt that showed trough the fur. His shirt was decorated with lion stripes, woven with cloth-of-gold, and the buttons were studded with diamonds. About his neck lay a thick golden chain which suspended a heavy lion's head figure, with two rubies for eyes. Of his face only his eyes were visible, the rest of it obscured by jaws filled with long razor sharp teeth, his eyes showing trough the holes were once were those of a lion. It was a very warm outfit, and it drew quite a few eyes his way. Uncertain of where to proceed once he entered, Duncan mingled with the crowd of nobles with the objective of finding the host and greeting her. He also though he spotted Lord Armstrong amongst the masked nobles, and was looking forwards to having a word with his former knight.
Duncan Atreides Supreme Justice of Fontan
Theros stood in the foyer of Countess Aewyn's estate, waiting for a servant to announce him to the party. The room was delightfully decorated, and he could tell Lady Aewyn had out-done herself. Walking along the room he came to a mirror and gazed at himself up and down.
He was wearing a midnight black double-breasted jacket with matching pants and knee high black boots. To contrast his dark outfit, he had donned a pearl white mask, made of a delicate paper thin stone. It was polished to a shine, almost so that one could see their reflection.
"Sir Theros," a servant called, "We are ready for you."
"Very well," Theros turned to the man. "Will you show me the way?" The servant nodded and led him down a hallway and back outside. If Theros thought the foyer was splendid, he was in no way prepared for the party grounds. Everything looked quite lovely, and he could see no expense had been spared with the decorations.
"Sir Theros, Knight of Al Amarah, and--" the servant announced loudly, but stumbled on his words, having been announcing couples all night. Theros was thankful for his mask as he blushed, having arrived without escort. Quietly he nodded to the servant and entered the party grounds. Now he wished he could have slipped in without announcement, but it was a formality that cannot be ignored. Shrugging, he looked around.
Immediately he spotted General Malfurion, despite his clever costume. The big man stood away from the social gatherings, sipping a drink. As always, he had a definate air of authority around him. Theros raised his glass towards him as he looked over, and immediatly felt foolish. The General probably wouldn't recognize him on any normal day, and today he was wearing a mast. Chuckling at his embarassment, he sat at a nearby empty table and sipped his drink.
Sir Theros Landre Knight of Al Amarah
Armstrong realizing who the beautiful belle was, after much needed (and appreciated) help, he exclaimed,
"Lady Fiona! Of course I remember you now. Thanks to your procuring that gave me a night which I will never forget" wink wink. "This is a costume I have worn many times…I mean, one in which I am proud to wear tonight. The Combateer was a gallant man who would serve any who needed his help. In fact, he was often in service to those lesser than him, a strange thing to find in one of his class, which makes it all the more admirable."
As Armstrong was gushing for his hero, a dragon approached Fiona and spoke to her. Well that's an interesting costume, he thought then seeing a white lion enter the estate, there's an even more interesting costume! What could happen next?
After Fiona and the young dragon excused themselves, he turned and found his way over to the archery competition. Just as he arrived at the scene he saw Countess Aewyn strike a perfect bullseye. What'dya know, perfect on the first shot.
He leaned over to one of the kids watching the competition and said,
"That was quite the shot we just witnessed. I think it takes lots of skill and practice to be able to perform like that, how about you?"
The young boy said, "She cheated!"
"What makes you think that?"
"It is impossible to hit a bullseye the first shot! Impossible!"
"Even for master archers?"
"Impossible!"
Armstrong saw the stubborn lip of the boy and thought he could show him what possibility was. He took a bow, armed it, aimed and fired.
Missed completely.
Maybe she did cheat, he thought.
"Well I'm not a master archer. Point is kid, don't screw around."
The kid took off running in the opposite direction. Armstrong continued to watch the competition.
Armstrong Ironsides Count of An Najaf
Alec had graciously led Lady Ramona into the garden to enjoy the party. At the mention of the archery competition, he made his way to the area and listened as Lady Aewyn explained the rules and made her shot. She walked away and he retreived his bow, and stood ready to participate in the competition. He tightened his hands around his bow, and tested the string quickly. Noticing Zadek standing ready with his bow, he smiled. Approaching the blond man with a grin he clapped him on the back. "Hey there, I guess it's nice to have some friendly competition," he looked around to see who else was joining.
When he did, he noticed his cousin approaching. His eyes narrowed as he took in the fiery looking costume and the mask concealing her face. Of course if he had not known it was her, the bow in her hands would have given her away. It was a McDowell custom, to mark their family's guardians. Kaylan had a bow, his sister Sorsha a dagger, and he, his sword.
He looked up to the sky with a small groan. "Great," he whispered. "Just when I thought I stood a chance at this for once." He turned to Zadek and whispered to him. "Sorry to say this lad, but this is going to be tough competition. I think I better just quit while I'm ahead."
The other man frowned at his words and Alec leaned in. "My cousin, Kaylan" he nodded in her direction. "I would have to be drunk to think I can challenge her in this. She's been hitting targets since she was old enough to string that bow," he informed lightly, "and trust me when I say this. She never misses. Nothing short of being struck down by lightning could even distract her."
"My friend you can kiss that bottle of brandy goodbye."
Alec McDowell Knight of Karbala
Zadek smiled and looked at his friend. Tonight was a night of wonders, Fiona was at the party with him and she was beautiful. He never bragged about it but he was a near perfect shot with a bow, so the appearance of Dame Kaylan did not concern him overly much.
"Not to worry, my friend, this will be a very interesting competition. I think I can hold my own. Anyway, winning brandy is not what I have in mind for tonight."
He stood and took stock of the wind, and nocked his first arrow. He drew back and let fly with a grace that seemed natural to him. The arrow landed with a gentle thunk in the very bottom of the center of the target. He let fly the second arrow and it landed slightly above dead center, but slightly to the left. His third landed even with the second; slightly above center and to the right....
He smiled very pleased and moved back for Dame Kaylan to take her turn.
Zadek Dragul Knight of Fontan
Fiona smiled when Aewyn bulls eyed the opening event, she wasn't surprised she had been doing this since she was old enough to remember. Every competition Aewyn entered from her class range she won along with the bows, and longbows. One would wonder why she chose a sword to bring to battle, but uncle Markus had taught her well.
Fiona stood back watching everyone get their bows ready, and take place in the competition. Watching Zadek take a few shots made her smile, even in a costume he still had that air about him, that mysterious look, one that made Fiona forget for a minute that she was actually a knight.
She looked over at her sister Kaylan, and held her head proud to see the precision in her shots and thought "Yes!! perfection!" she leaned in closer to Zadek "She my baby sister!" she smiled proudly.
A couple moments after Alec came up and readied his bow, she sighed silently and rolled her eyes. "Arrogant creature" she thought to herself. she giggled at his missed shot but quickly tried to find composure, this was a party after all and this event was for fun, or maybe another way for Aewyn to give away another bow. She smiled and watched the other archers take their shots.
Fiona Onyxien Dame of Commonyr
Ramona felt herself blushing. She knew she must look silly in her simple clothes and red mask. She felt like an insect on the backdrop. A scuff-spott on the knight's armor. . .a big black hole in the morning sky.
She tried to turn her attentions elsewhere, and decided to explore the beautiful garden. So lavishly decorated and full of life, Ramona couldn't help but wonder how long it took to prepare it all. She scanned the crowde in search of Lady Aewyn. Her eyes wandered as she struggled to remember what Lady Aewyn had been wearing. It was quite a lovely costume, she wished she had paid more attention. . .
Suddenly, her thoughts were cut short by the echo of applause. She snapped her head to attention and her eyes beheld someone she, for some odd reason, could not take her eyes off of.
The man who had appraoched her and the guard at the gate. He stepped forward and readied his bow and arrow. A golden crown was nestled into his blonde hair, and a sword shone brightly at his hip. Dressed in fine clothes of green, with a black mask that added an air of mystery about him.
She watched as he let his arrows fly, one after the other. . .straight and true.
Ramona raised an eyebrow.
"Your not too bad a shot, are you. . ."
Ramona Valair Dame of Oligarch
Before Aewyn made her way back through the crowd of people still gathered in the garden, she watched the archers attentively. She grinned watching them as they tried to keep a straight face and concentration on their shot. Truth be told this competition at this kind of party was hard enough with all the ales, wine and brandy going around, but it sure gathered a lot stories for many months to follow.
Her favorite one would have to be drunk uncle Alex claiming to be the best archer in the brothers, while her father Markus knew better but he let his brother beat him every year by purposely missing his last shot. Or Aunt Marcela who claimed to be the best singer in the family when the lady couldn't even hold a note to save her life and scared half the children away when she sang.
Smiling at the memories she stood by the archers and those viewing behind them.
"Anyone else want to try their skills against our archers?" she waved her hand across the competitors, grinning. "Just give your name to this fine young man over here" she pointed at an elf with an arrow in his leg "He'll be sure to take your names and keep score"
"Good luck I must see to another event starting shortly" she took her glass and walked towards the children’s races.
Aewyn Onyxien Countess of Braga
Zadek smiled at Alec assuring him that his shots were good. He turned and smiled at Dame Kaylan touching his brow in a salute to her as he walked back up to the line to shoot for the second round. He had to really concentrate now if he was going to do what he had set out to do in this contest.
He knocked his arrow and took careful aim. This arrow landed just below and directly in between the top two arrows in his target. He smiled. The next arrow landed below and to the right of the arrows on top, and the last below and to the left of those same arrows. He smiled, it was perfect. He stepped back and bowed to Dame Kaylan to take her turn.
Zadek Dragul Knight of Fontan
Kaylan grinned as she examined the arrows on Zadek's target. She couldn't help smiling in Fiona's direction and glanced back to what she thought was taking form. Smiling, she shook her head in wonder, and raised her bow. She had been taking it somewhat easy, but now she wanted to up her game a bit. Her last three arrows remained and she started anew. The first flew dead center and she grinned, four arrows were tightly embedded in the center. Taking the next arrow, she narrowed her eyes and let it fly. There was a cracking sound and some of the people whispered and there was an "oooh" in the distance. She had split her first arrow, as the second one rushed in over it. Raising her last arrow for that round, she let it go with ease.
Again there was a splintering sound and she looked to Alec, inviting him to take his turn.
Kaylan McDowell Dame of Oligarch
Alec chuckled nervously and swallowed. "Right…" he said softly and started to mumble to himself. "Just join the archery contest… its okay. You'll just be going up against queen fire here with her arsenal of blazing arrows and," he looked to the Dragon that was Zadek, "cupid." Something struck him as weird, when he heard Fiona talking with Zadek. Frowning he looked to see the other competitors and wondered who Fiona's sister was. It was his turn and he dropped the awkward thought and readied himself.
He raised his bow, and aimed. The arrow flew and hit the center. He laughed at his luck and took the next arrow, now feeling slightly more confident. He aimed again and let go the string, but he knew the arrow wasn't going to find its target this time and lowered his bow. It missed the center completely.
Turning to Zadek he gave a small salute. "I guess that's it for me," he said with a defeated voice. He looked to Kaylan who laughed at his comment. "I'll get you for this cousin," he grinned mischievously and walked away. He took up his glass again and returned amidst the crowd. In the corner of his eye, he did notice a red mask fixed in his direction and turned to give her a smile, raising his glass to her.
Alec McDowell
Knight of Karbala
Zadek smiled at Alec and watched him walk away. "You did well, my friend," he said as Alec walked into the crowd and he noticed that Alec was looking at all the beautiful ladies present. "He will soon find something to take his attention from his loss," Zadek thought with a chuckle. Now to finish the pattern he had in mind for his last turn.
He drew and let fly…the arrow landed just inside the center to the left and bottom of the circle. As the second arrow hit, there was the sound of cracking wood as the arrow that he had just sent a moment before spit down the center. The third arrow appeared to be going wide to the right, but at the last moment caught the split arrow close to the feathers that fledged it and pinned it to the target. Unfortunately it was outside the center of the target. The crowd groaned as this was his first miss. He sent his fourth arrow fly, and it landed dead center of the target. His smile now was to Fiona, as he bowed to her, and then to Dame Kaylan and moved back for her to start her last turn.
Zadek Dragul Knight of Fontan
This was the last round and Kaylan tightened her hands around the bow. She smiled at the arrows forming a heart on Zadek's target, and grinned to see the last arrow to lie across from it.
She was confident she would manage the next three shots and stood ready. It wasn't long before she completed the task. Finished, she walked away leaving behind several splintered arrows. Her fingers caressed the runes carved into the wood of her bow and she smiled.
Kaylan McDowell Dame of Oligarch
