As Korra led her through the fairgrounds and back to the tents lining the jousting fields, Asami replayed the events of the day in her mind. Something has changed. She isn't normally so flustered around me. Asami had entertained the notion of what it might be like to be courted by Korra, but had often dismissed the thoughts as whimsical. There was more to Korra's life than Asami, and Asami needed to remember that there was more to her life than Korra. She shook the thoughts from her head. She could at least enjoy this moment with Korra.
When they arrived at the tent, Korra let go of her arm. "Kai?" Korra looked around for her squire. Asami looked as well, but did not see the lad anywhere nearby. It was quiet in there, save for the gentle fluttering of the tent cloth in the morning breeze.
Asami smiled. "I'd wager he ran off with Jinora."
Korra frowned. "I can't put this on myself." She sighed and started to leave the tent.
"Where are you going?" Asami asked.
"I need to find him or I'm never going to get ready in time."
"I can do it." The words were out of her mouth before she realized she was saying them. Korra stopped in her tracks, turning back toward Asami. "I mean, I'm familiar with all the armor already."
"You don't have to. It's Kai's responsibility anyways."
"We can't have you late for your tournament." Asami moved to the armor stand and took the greaves from it. She glanced at the straps, already blushing at the thought of her task.
"Are you certain?" Korra asked.
No. "Come here." Asami gestured to the center of the room. Korra stood still and Asami knelt down. She positioned the first greave on Korra's shin and secured the straps around the back. She finished securing the matching greave and went back to the stand to retrieve the cuisse. She took a breath. Don't think about it; just help her with her armor. She knelt down again and positioned the left cuisse on Korra's thigh. She tried to keep her hands steady but found it difficult to fasten the leather straps. Asami swore as her fingers slipped again.
"Asami, is everything alright?" Korra's voice sounded strained.
"Sorry," she said. "There...got it." She managed the second one with much more grace, then stood up. "I didn't make it too tight, did I?" Asami asked, her attention on the armor stand. She couldn't meet Korra's eyes.
"It's fine," Korra said softly. Asami grabbed the chestplate and handed it to Korra. Korra held the front piece on her chest as Asami moved behind her. She positioned the back plate secured it to the front by the shoulder strap. She secured the other shoulder strap and Korra lifted her arms. She reached under Korra's arms and fastened the side clasps. The proximity was starting to get to her.
She kept her eyes down, which hardly solved anything with Korra's shorter stance. She could tell Korra was trying hard not to shift around too much. The subtle motions and each creak in the armor gave her away. Asami tried to smile, but ended up swallowing back a lump in her throat instead. "Almost done," she said, pulling the last strap into place. "Would you like the helm now, or at the joust?"
"Not yet," Korra said. She glanced at Asami, her cheeks colored with heat. "The joust isn't due to start right away. Besides I have to give Kai something to do."
Asami smiled. "Don't be too hard on him."
Korra returned the smile. "Oh I'll just make him feel guilty that you're a better squire than him."
"Don't get too used to it." Asami took a breath. Ancestors know it would kill me. "But you're missing part of your ensemble."
Korra glanced down with a frown. "Am I?"
Asami reached into her shirt pocket and withdrew the favor, a pendant dangling on silk cloth. The choice to make a necklace was one of practicality. With short hair, Korra had no need for a ribbon, or tie, and it needed to be something she could put around the lance. In the end, she had used the material from the gilder as a ribbon and strung it through a small metal pendant with her craftsmen's mark upon it. She held it out to Korra.
"Your favor, Knight-Commander."
Korra took the necklace and held it in her hands carefully. "A necklace?"
"So that you might wear it after the tournament...if you'd like."
"Oh." For a moment, they lingered in the tent, awkwardly looking past one another. Then Asami asked, "Would you care to take me down to the stands? I'd love to meet the other competitors."
"Yes! Of course!" Korra immediately offered her arm, making Asami laugh when she tried to lead them out of the tent. Her pauldron caught on the flap, nearly tugging the whole structure down before Asami ran to disentangle the cloth. They kept walking, quietly. Korra's face had darkened to a shade of crimson.
"I'm not so graceful, am I?" she finally said.
Asami caught the deep-set furrow of Korra's brow. She laughed. "Well, I think it adds to your charm, honestly."
That caused her to smile. "I appreciate the thought." They walked the rest of the way in silence. Asami was content to simply enjoy Korra's company for as long as she could.
Down at the jousting field, Korra left Asami at the stands in Jinora's company so she could find Naga and finish any last minute preparations. A small crowd had already gathered. Korra already felt the first hints of nervousness. She kept bringing her hand to her pocket, checking to make sure the necklace Asami had made her was still present.
She found Naga at the stables along with Kai. The young squire worked to get the horse ready, pulling the saddle into place with a tug. "There you are," Korra said. She laughed when he jumped, almost pushing the saddle off Naga. "Where were you at the tents? I needed your help."
Kai glanced at her and frowned. "Well, you seemed to have gotten into it all right. Besides, I was busy with Naga."
"You were busy with Jinora," Korra countered. Her guess was confirmed when Kai blushed a deep red. "And I only got my armor on correctly thanks to Asami's kindness."
Kai snorted and went back to fixing Naga's saddle. "Well, it sounds like I did you a favor to spend a little extra time with Jinora again."
Korra sighed and shook her head. She walked over to where the lances were stored and picked up one, testing its weight. "I'm not some child, Kai. If I wanted to court Asami, I would do it properly, not play games."
"And do you have any interest in courting her?"
Korra was aware of Kai attempting to discretely stare at her past Naga. Her face heated despite her efforts to remain calm. "I don't see how that is any of your business." She pulled Asami's favor from her pocket and slipped it over the lance, grinning when Kai craned his neck to look. "Is Naga ready?"
"Um, of course! Yup, everything is good to go with Naga." Kai moved around to get a better look at her lance. "What do you have on there?"
"Oh, this?' Korra asked, raising the lance. The necklace dangled at the bottom. "I thought that would be obvious, Kai. It's a favor."
Kai nodded. "Who's favor, then?"
"Jinora's," Korra said with as much sarcasm as she could manage. "Now help me mount up. I want to be ready when they call the competitors onto the field." With Kai's help, she climbed atop Naga. She turned to her squire and said, "Bring the rest of the lances out onto the field."
Kai offered her a mock salute. "Of course, Knight-Commander."
Korra rode out of the stables and into an even larger crowd than the one they had left. She swallowed and scanned the crowd for Asami. She sat in the front row, right next to Jinora. A knight on horseback stood in front of them, talking. Asami laughed at something he said. Korra scowled and rode over.
"And would you care to favor my lance, my lady?" the knight asked. As Korra rode up next to him, she saw it was Mako.
Asami caught sight of her and winked. "I'm sorry, Sir Knight, but I've pledged my favor to another, already."
Korra chuckled and leaned over to nudge Mako. "Losing your touch?" she asked, lifting up her lance. She followed Mako's gaze the the necklace dangling at the bottom.
"Oh! Korra! I mean - Knight-Commander. I had no idea you rode with Lady Asami's favor today. My apologies. I - It won't…" A blush crawled high up his face. He cleared his throat. "If you'll excuse me, I have to go finish preparing for the tourney."
As he left, Korra angled her horse to stand closer to where Asami and Jinora sat. She laughed nervously. "What is bothering him?" she asked, glancing at Mako. He idled with his horse at the farthest end of the field.
Looking back, she saw Jinora shrug. Asami's face had reddened as well. "He's coping, I think," Jinora answered.
Korra glanced to Asami, smiling softly. Her stomach flipped when Asami smiled back. "So, my lady, do I strike an impressive pose for the tourney?"
"Very much so." She looked much more relaxed since their encounter with the troupe of performers. "Do you know who is favored to win the tourney, Knight-Commander?"
"That would be me, Lady Asami." All of them turned to catch the sight of Sir Tahno, a knight who had been in service of Unalaq's kingdom. He sat tall upon his steed, his armor gleaming in the sunlight. When Korra had first met Tahno, she did not believe he actually ever fought. He kept his armor too clean. After an encounter with him on the battlefield, however, she learned that he was simply meticulous when it came to appearances. Today was no exception. Aside from polishing his armor to a slick gleam, Tahno had combed back his hair with perhaps just as much oil. "The Southern Kingdom has such poor etiquette in these matters. It's a wonder they stay atop their horses."
"I'd wager there are many Southern Kingdom knights that ride better than you, Tahno," said Asami. Korra glanced between the two, not trusting the glint in Tahno's eyes.
"My lady, you criticize me unfairly." He placed a hand on the grip of his sword. "All you've known is the knights of the Southern Kingdom. If you truly wished to...ride with excellence, I could be persuaded to give you lessons. I hear the Knight-Commander is not the most satisfying teacher." He chuckled softly.
Asami stood and leaned forward in the stands. "Tahno, I find it difficult to imagine you would give better riding lessons, considering any mare would buck you from the saddle before letting you touch it."
"Hmph." Tahno picked up the reins to his steed. He turned to Korra. "You ride with a hellion's favor, Knight-Commander. Be careful that you aren't unseated." He turned and let his horse trot away to the jousting strip.
"Don't listen to that ass," said Asami.
Korra glanced back at her. Her face was red again, though her brow had knit together in a sharp glare directed at Tahno. "If it pleases my lady, I could unseat him in the joust."
"I would kiss you if you did, Korra." As if she just realized what she said, Asami's eyes widened. She looked to Korra. "I mean, I could…"
Korra laughed and turned Naga to the jousting strip. "One kiss for each time I unseat him, my lady?" She flashed a grin before riding off to the starting area. Bolin and a few other knights waited with her. Mako and Tahno had gone to the other end of the field.
"Knight-Commander," greeted Bolin. "How fares your day?"
Korra shrugged, watching the stands fill the rest of the way as the start of the tourney approached. "Well enough," she said. The stands were packed. Even the troupe from earlier had arrived to watch.
"I see you ride with someone's favor today," said Bolin. He offered her a sly grin. "Can I guess whose?"
"No," Korra said. She glanced at Bolin's lance and spotted a delicate silver chain hanging from it. "But you can tell me who favored you, if you wish." That was all it took for Bolin to regale her with tales of his latest love. He talked on until Tonraq and Senna took the stage at the head of the jousting pit. The crowd cheered as the Earth Queen joined them.
"My people!" said Tonraq. "Welcome to the tourney. Today, our competitors will battle for the honor of the Earth Queen. Let the joust begin!"
The first competitors started. Korra's mind wandered, however, and she found herself watching the stand more than her opponents, which would not work in her favor later in the tourney. Her first match arrived against one of the younger knights. She easily unseated him, ending his competition in the joust right away.
Mako and Bolin somehow ended up competing against one another next, with Mako unseating his brother. Tahno took out Mako immediately after, however. Korra faced off against three more knights before only her and Tahno were left. She guided Naga to their end of the field and looked down to where Tahno waited. She could not see his face behind the helm, but she could still imagine his sneer. She handed her broken lance to Kai. "Fetch me another, and make sure Asami's favor is attached." When Kai returned, she hoisted the lance in her grip, testing its weight. It felt good.
She inhaled slowly, trying to block out the sounds of the crowd. Sweat rolled down her forehead, stinging her eyes, but she refused to blink. The day was hot and the jousting strip smelled like a stye. This was it, though. The last match for the day. Her father spoke to the crowd, but his words washed over her.
She adjusted her position in her saddle, waiting. She watched Tahno prepare on the other end. They waited. Her heart pounded.
Finally, the signal came, and she dug her heels into Naga's flanks, spurring the horse along the track. She angled her lance at Tahno, aware that his was pointed directly at her. A resounding crack filled the air and splinters scattered as they rode past one another. Korra's body jerked back with the force of Tahno's strike and her arm pulled to the side as her now broken lance skittered off his armor. She gritted her teeth and pulled herself back into a sitting position. Naga led them to the end of the strip and back around to her original starting position. Kai waited for her.
"You both broke your lances," he said, another lance in his grip. He took Korra's broken one and transferred Asami's necklace to the new one. Handing it up to her, he said, "Aim higher. He doesn't balance properly on his horse. A strike to the shoulder might send him flying."
Korra nodded and pulled Naga into position. "I'll keep it in mind." She watched Tahno pull into position again. They waited. The signal came and the thunder of hooves against the dirt filled her ears. She aimed her lance higher this time, pointing to his right shoulder. Something was off, though. She looked for the point of Tahno's lance and saw it angled dangerously low, as if he did not intend to strike her at all…
"Woah!" Korra pulled Naga out of the riding lane just as the lance skirted her flank. The horse cried out and a gasp rose from the stands. Korra pulled Naga to a stop and checked her flank. Barely a scratch, but it would have caused serious damage if Korra had not pulled away. A hush had fallen over the stands, and Korra glanced at the King's Box to see her father standing up. He glared directly at Tahno.
"Sir Knight!" he called. "Care to explain yourself?"
Tahno reared his horse around and rode up to the King's Box. "A tragic mistake, my lord," he offered. "My arm grows tired with the day so long. It will not happen again."
"See that it doesn't," Tonraq ordered. "You would do well not to shame the Earth Queen with a poor performance."
They returned to their places. Kai approached Korra and patted Naga's flank gently, checking for anything more serious. "She looks all right," he said.
"I'll kill him," Korra growled.
"Just aim high. He won't try that again with your father watching for it. You'll send him flying, I'm sure of it."
Korra nodded and glanced out at the stands. She caught Asami watching her intently. "I hope so. There's a kiss in it for me if I do."
Kai laughed. "Good luck, Knight-Commander." He stepped away, allowing the final preparations for the round to begin.
Korra waited anxiously. She shifted in her saddle, trying to find a more comfortable position. Her body ached from riding all day, but it would be over soon. The signal came and Naga took off. She angled the lance at Tahno's middle, waiting for the last possible second.
She shifted the lance point upward, hitting him above his heart. She felt the lance bend in her grip, the length shattering as Tahno flipped backward, flying off the end of his horse and landing in the dust. The cheer that roared from the stands nearly deafened her. A grin spread across her lips, and she hoisted her splintered lance high, Asami's necklace still safely in place at the base.
She rode Naga around the jousting strip for a victor's lap before stopping in front of the King's Box. She removed her helm and smiled at her father. He smiled back, stepping down from the box and offering her his hand in assistance. "Well done," he whispered.
With both her father's and Kai's help, she dismounted, then allowed Tonraq to lead her up the stage. He lifted her arm in the air. "My people, your tourney champion!"
Another cheer rose up. Korra turned to Kai and offered him the broken lance. She pulled the necklace from it and said, "I need you to bring Asami to the Victor's Ceremony. I intend to collect on a promised reward from her."
A/N: Apologies for no stream last Friday. Sy took a personal day and I was at work late. Here we have chapter seven though! Make sure to check out Ozkit on Tumblr for more fantastic drawings related to this story. There will, however, be a stream this Friday at 5 pm Pacific time. Check us out on the twitch channel Luraline to watch us play video games!