Latrunculorum , similis est bellum, et consilium ex tempore, et quia opus ei ad conciliandos
Chess is like war, strategy and time are both needed to win
The knights took their positions at opposite ends of the tilt and lined up their horses. Helmets were straightened, shields were tightened. Then each knight was handed a long, ten-pound wooden lance, with a wickedly pointed steel tip, designed to pierce even the hardest armor. The Iron Knight raised his lance in salute to his opponent, who did not bother to respond.
The war horses at each end, started to paw the ground in anticipation of the clash, snorting with excitement. Each rider balanced the lance, in their outer hand away from the tilt and in the other hand towards the tilt, the reins were firmly gripped. A start flag was lowered before each rider.
The Master stood in line with the middle of the tilt, at a safe distance from the actual divider. The air was still with tension as the riders faced each other in the bright sunshine, man and horse tightly holding themselves back, waiting for the signal to move.
The trumpet sounded as the flags were raised out of the way rapidly and the riders sprang forward heavily. Dirt flew up from the ground as the horses thundered forward with might. As they galloped towards the middle, their riders raised their lances to chest level and straightened them, to aim for their opponent's shield.
The spectators, on the edge of their seats, gasped collectively as the Iron Knight missed his opponent but the Champion of Darcy managed to score a direct hit. The impact of the hit hit the Knight hard and he nearly fell off with the blow. Again the crowd whispered loudly as he managed to stay on his horse. He rode to the other end of the tilt.
The Master announced, "Try 1 over. Five points to The Champion of Darcy."
Pepper used every foul word she could think of, to curse Rascar under her breath as the first Try's score was announced. Happy was equally blue-mouthed with his language as the crowd cheered and whooped. Rascar triumphantly bowed with a flourish as his horse twirled in place. The crowd cheered wildly at his antics.
Meanwhile, Tony was busy straightening his shoulder armor. Pepper watched with concern as he rubbed his shoulder and tried to stretch his neck.
"Oh Happy, I think Tony is hurt! Look, he's rubbing his shoulder! That damn idiot hit him pretty hard!" She bit her lip with worry and stood up quickly, feeling she should go to him.
"Pepper," Happy said gently, "Pepper we can't do anything now... We cannot approach the knights in between tries, only at the end of the tournament."
She sat back down and huffed loudly. Happy said reassuringly, "Come on, you know Tony can handle this... popinjay. This is just the first Try."
Pepper nodded absently, her eyes still on Tony.
The second Try was about to begin. The warning trumpet was sounded and the knights once again lined up their horses. A fresh lance was handed to each knight at their end of the tilt.
Again the reins were tightened, riders concentrated and the steeds tensed in anticipation, waiting for the sound... and at it, with the raised flag, the deadly march towards each other began anew.
The crowd was cheering Rascar's name, most of them confident that he would, this time, manage to unseat the Iron Knight. But to their surprise, both riders missed each other completely, lances failing to hit. The crowd groaned loudly with collective disappointment and as the riders rode to their respective ends of the tilt, a few started to boo.
The organizers could sense the bloodthirsty mood of the audience and the third Try was started quickly. The riders barely turned their horses around when the trumpet was sounded. Both riders charged towards each other quickly, each desperate to get a hit.
As they reached the middle mark, the Iron Knight tried a different strategy this time and smartly leaned backwards in his saddle to avoid the lunge of the Champion's lance. But he raised his lance and hit the Champion squarely in the center of his shield with massive force. The crowd gasped with the audible clang of steel on steel.
The Knight continued riding forward while the Champion halted his horse rapidly, trying to regain his balance from the violent blow. He was nearly unseated but clambered back on his horse after a brief struggle.
The crowd clapped in appreciation for the Iron Knight's efforts.
The Master announced, "Try Three over. Five points to the Iron Knight. The score is five all. Try Four will be the last and final try."
Tony stretched his neck and moved it from side to side as he tried to ease the tense bunching of his right shoulder. It was the one hit by the lance in the First Try and he was sure, it was going to bruise because it was throbbing with pain.
Anthony, we need to finish Rascar off in the next Try. We must. whispered the Dragon excitedly.
He nodded, too tense to speak. Tony took deep breaths, trying to calm himself.
The summer sun was shining down on him, making him sweat inside his steel suit.
Consarn it, why is it so sunny today?! I feel like a baked potato in here!
Easy my boy, easy, the last Try is upon us. Any ideas? said the Dragon.
Tony glanced over at Rascar thoughtfully, searching for a weak spot. The Champion had dismounted and was yelling at his squire to help him pull off his chest piece.
Well, Rascar is a lot taller than me. But to reach him, I need to be able to raise my hand and aim and I just can't! Thanks to this jousting shield that is restricting my movement. Wait, Dragon, what if I take out my shield! Then I can raise my arm high enough to hit him right below his throat!
The Dragon hmmmmmed for a moment and then spoke, That could work Anthony but... isn't it dangerous to remove the shield? Without it, if Rascar hits you, your body will get the full impact of the blow since the lance is steel tipped...I recall Pepper telling you not to take any risks...
Well, I won't tell her if you don't.
The Dragon roared with laughter. Alright, I won't but you will have to face her wrath later, not me.
Tony undid his jousting shield and handed it to a nearby field boy. "Here, my lad, give this to my man, Jarvis, standing there."
The he raised his right arm up and down, now able to move it freely since the shield wasn't there. There, that feels so much better! Now Rascar, he glared at his opponent, now I am going to hit you so hard...
Indeed, from the other end of the tilt, Rascar was squinting at him, trying to make out what Tony had done to his armor. The warning trumpet was sounded and Tony lined up Balthazar, whispering in his horse's ear. "The last ride, my friend, just down the road and then we are done. You go back to your stable and I go back to my lady. I need you to run like you have never run before, my mighty steed."
Balthazar whinnied at him as if he understood every word.
Tony was handed a fresh lance and caught it firmly, testing its weight in his hand. His heart was starting to quicken its pace and he glanced at the bright blue ribbon tied incongruously around his arm. He smiled at Pepper's romantic gesture and then lowered his lance and straightened his back. He tightened his grip on the reins, keeping Balthazar calm.
For a moment, the silence was deafening as he blocked out the crowd, the horse beneath him and the world around him and just focused on his opponent and the spot on his armor, that Tony was going to hit with his lance.
Then from far away, he heard the trumpet sound and he felt Balthazar surge forward, like a wave in the rolling sea. Time slowed down as he saw Rascar gallop toward him and he felt himself moving forward in slow motion. His heartbeat echoed loudly in his head as he felt himself raise his lance high, as high as his hand could go. Tony gritted his teeth at the weight of the damn thing, keeping it steady and straight as he pointed it ahead of him. Rascar was nearing him, lance raised high.
He called on the Flame to give him strength as he pulled the lance back and thrust it powerfully forward in one smooth motion, aiming for Rascar. He held himself firm as he poured all his strength into his blow.
His aim was true and he grinned widely as the lance struck Rascar right in his sternum. Tony felt his hand shake and he ruthlessly pushed down on the lance, pushing it into Rascar with force, yelling at the top of his lungs.
Then he yelled with pain as something cold and hard hit him in his ribs. It felt like he had been hit by a boulder as his body screamed with pain. My ribs! My ribs! He has hit me!
He glanced down to see that Rascar's lance had stabbed him in the ribs, the tip had just penetrated his armor. The impact of the blow had pained him but then Tony screamed as the tip scrapped across his flesh, cutting him.
My right side is on fire! He's cut me!
He gritted his teeth against the pain and kept riding forward, feeling the lance leave him as he rode away. His entire right side was throbbing and he could feel blood seep from the cut, down his hip and onto his leg.
Somehow he rode to the end of the tilt and turned Balthazar around, feeling the Flame roar through him as his body ached with pain. His ears were ringing and he could hear a faint whistle echo in his brain. He dimply realized the crowd was cheering or booing or doing something.
What has happened to Rascar?
He swallowed as he saw the Champion on the ground, splayed on his back, lance sticking out of his sternum, body still against the green grass.
So that's the end of that... I hope... I can't, I can't stand up anymore...I must... get some air.
The tightness on one side of his body had become unbearable and his lungs felt as if they were going to burst. He stumbled down from Balthazar and stood shakily on his feet. Then Tony violently tugged off his helmet and took a deep breath. The world was spinning around him in a riot of color.
He fell to his knees, his right side boiling hot and took deep breaths, trying to calm himself and stop the pain. People had gathered around him but he did not care as he just concentrated on remaining conscious.
He closed his eyes tightly, trying to block out the endless noise and the spinning world. Then he felt a cold, soft hand on his hair and a beloved voice calling out his name, from far far away.
He shook his head to clear his ears and opened his eyes to the sea... beautifully blue and endless. He blinked once, twice and tried focusing on Pepper, her red hair so bright, that his eyes started to burn. Her beautiful mouth was moving and he realized she was
saying something but he couldn't hear her from the fog in his brain.
Pepper, just... hold me... please... don't leave me...please my love...
All he had the strength to do, was lean forward blindly and feel her catch him. He was made to rest on a warm, soft shoulder. Tony took a deep breath, comforted by the intoxicating aroma of lilies and vanilla and the red cloud of Pepper's hair in his vision.
He could hear multiple voices yelling and shouting and the ground shaking beneath his knees but it did not matter.
I know you will take care of me, my lady, I know ... you always take care of me... Pepper...
He sighed against her shoulder and felt her hand stroke his jaw tenderly. He closed his eyes and leaned into the caress. His right side was a dull ache. In his mind's eye, he saw blue flames dance and entwine themselves with bright orange flames. As blackness descended on the flames, he smiled and fell willingly into unconsciousness.
