Chapter 2 : Tournament
As the Band of the Red Rose broke camp the day after the battle a page wearing a red tunic with the Black Lion in the center walked through the camp holding a scroll in his hands. When he spotted Movan he quickened his pace until he was standing in front of Movan. Movan took the scroll then waved the page away from him, the page hurried away as quickly as his legs could carry him.
Movan opened the scroll and read it quickly, then rolled it back up as Borcha walked up to him.
"Whats that?" Borcha asked looking at the scroll in Movans hand.
Movan chuckled before he spoke. "Its an invitation to a feast to be held in Praven one week from now and there will be a tournament as well."
"You think Delinard will grace the tournament with his participation?" Borcha asked
"Not after the thrashing I gave him last time a tournament was held."
"True enough so will you compete?"
Movan chuckled "Of course old friend." Movan said confidently.
"I'll place all my Denars on you Captain excuse me Count." Borcha said with a wide grin."
"Titles and wealth mean nothing until I reach the top I wish to rule all the Six Kingdoms only then will I retire and settle down build my army then take the world." Movan sighed before he continued. "But until that day I will be content."
"Just hope your Ambition doesn't come back to bite you later old friend."
"Don't we all, come now let us change to happier thoughts we will be in Praven by the week's end feasting on the finest food and drinking the finest wines, and meads."
"And the finest women this side of the world, and beating the finest warriors in the Kingdom of Swadia to a pulp." Borcha added with a grin.
"Need i Remind you you are married to me." Said a fiery red headed woman as she walked up to Movan and Borcha.
"And I wouldn't trade you for another my sweet." Borcha said smiling at his wife.
"Alright lets mount up and march for Praven, we'll only take 20 of our men at arms to come the rest of the Band I will sent with Firentis back home to Castle Marus.
"Hey Firentis you hear that." Borcha yelled over to Firentis who was inspecting his loot from the battle.
Firentis nodded his head, when the Band of the Red Rose was finished breaking camp they split as Movan instructed Borcha and Klethi followed Movan down the road behind the other victorious Swadians marching for Praven.
. . . . . .
A week later Movan and the men he brought with him approached the gates of Praven, outside a massive camp of warriors and vendors who had come to watch and compete in the tournament were camped outside the gates coming and going from the city behind the walls. As Movan and his party rode through the streets many of the citizens cheered as he passed on his horse.
Over the years across the Kingdom of Swadia loved Movan from hearing tales of his victories against immeasurable odds, and Countless Tournaments he had competed in.
As he rode past a small boy the boy shouted he would be like Movan one day. Movan stopped his horse and dismounted and walked over to the cart of wooden weapons that he used in the tournaments he picked out two swords, then walked over to the boy and knelt down in the muck of the street and smiled."
"Here you go lad let us see what you got." Movan said handing one of the wooden swords to the boy.
The boy took the sword and readied himself his hands shaking as he held the sword in his small hands. Movan took the boys hands in his gauntlet and leaned in close so only the boy could hear.
"Keep your grip firm on your blade." Movan said as he released the boys hands and walked around to the boys back and inspected the boys stance. "Now watch how I stand and stand how I stand."
The boy watched as Movan stood with his feet one behind the other both hands on the wooden sword. The boy copied Movans stance.
"Good now we will face each other." Movan said as he walked around the boy and readied himself. "Begin."
The boy lifted the sword high above his head then swung down, Movan held his sword blade to the boys throat.
"Dead try again."
The boy thrusted, Movan side stepped and let the boy go past then ran the blade across the boys back gently.
"You attacks are too obvious i can see where you are going to hit from where you look before you attack."
People in the City gathered around to watch the demonstration and watched.
The boy tried again this time swinging from the right Movan blocked the blow with ease then stepped away and swung at the boys chest, the boy barely managed to swipe the blow away before Movan struck again. The boy slipped in the muck and fell into the muck. The people in the crowd laughed, but were soon silenced by a harsh glance from Movan.
"I have to go for now, keep the sword and keep practicing one day we will duel again young one of that I am sure." Movan said as he put his sword away, mounted his horse, then rode away.
Movan and his party rode through the streets until they found a tavern they paid for the largest room, and stabled their horses and settled in before going to the sign up for the tournament, and sleeping for the night
The next morning they awoke early and went to the arena where the tournament was to be held that afternoon. Movan, Borcha and Klethi sad in the stands and watched as the other competitors spared before the first round. When noon arrived the stands filled quickly and the fighters went to the gates below the stands. Movan chose his weapons carefully, he chose a two handed wooden sword and swung it adjusting to the weight of the wood.
"This time I'll beat you Beltasus." Count Delinard said as he walked up to Movan a lance and shield in his hands."
"Im surprised to see you after the thrashing I gave you last tournament."
"Yes but I am to fight in the final round same as you the Lords round will be most entertaining."
"I look forward to it now that I am a Lord and not a commoner." Movan said smiling. "Yes and the champion of the other fighters will be facing us then begins the one versus one hope you make it so I can beat you again Delinard."
"We will see won't we."
"You might as well give up now Delinard everyone knows your horsemanship is poor at best."
"I have improved since last we fought."
Movan chuckled. "We shall see."
From the windows below the stands Delinard, Movan and the other Lords waited all day until the sun began to set then the announcer, announced the winner of the Tournament so far.
"Our reigning champion Borcha will now face "King Harlaus, Count Delinard, Count Rafarch, and a new Count, Count Movan will he prevail?" The announcer yelled as the gates opened to the arena. "From here it is a free for all."
Borcha and the others rode out into the arena to the cheers of the riders took their positions and made ready, Borcha nodded to Movan and Movan nodded back to his companion and smiled under his helmet.
"Alright Borcha you do this right and we'll be facing each other after we deal with the others." Movan said to himself as he tightened his grip on the reins of his horse.
The announcer raised his hand then shouted for all to hear. "Begin."
Each of the riders spur their horses and began to charge directly at each other, the other Lords were armed with Lances and a sword while only Borcha, and Movan were armed with two handed swords. As the other riders thundered toward them Movan and Borcha dismounted and walked toward each other and then toward the riders. The riders taken by surprise vered off and began to engage each other, while Movan and Borcha began fighting each other on the ground.
"Oh and Count Rafarch is out cold." Yells the announcer as Movan and Borcha dismount.
"Your Mine Beltasus." Count Delinard yelled as he lowered his lance as he approached Movan at top speed behind him King Harlaus hot on his heals.
Movan spun quickly moved to the side then jumped up sword ready to swing as he came down Delinard sped past him he swung and hit King Harlaus, the impact of the blow sent the King flying from the back of his horse and onto the dirt. From behind him he heard count Delinard thud to the ground.
"Just as planned now to deal with Delinard and the King." Movan said to himself as he waited for King Harlaus to catch his breath, and face him.
"Oh and Borcha is out." Yells the announcer.
"Hell I thought Borcha could take Delinard now I have to face both of them."
King Harlaus nodded to Delinard as he prepared to fight, Delinard, and Harlaus moved toward movan Swords at the ready.
"This is just like sparring with the veteran soldiers during training I can take them on three at a time this is child's play.
Movan steps in as Delinard and Harlaus swing down blocking both blades and sweeping them aside. Movan kicks Delinard back then grabs the king's helmet.
"Sorry about this your majesty." Movan says before hitting the top of the King's helmet knocking King Harlaus unconscious.
Delinard charges as he regains his balance, Movan readies himself as Delinard closes in Movan leaps forward sword over his head as he comes down he brings his sword down hard onto Delinards helmet. Delinard falls to his knees as Movan lands in front of him and swings his sword from the right and hits the side of delinards helmet. Delinard falls sideways after the blow lands on his helmet and renders him unconscious.
"Count Movan Beltasus has won the tournament." The Anouncer yells as cheers arise from the crowd.
"Another victory." Movan says to himself as he picks up Borcha up over his shoulders and carries him out of the arena and back to the Tavern so Klethi can see to her husband's injuries. Movan and his battered men who participated in the tournament fell asleep quickly that night after their meal in the tavern battered and bruised from the days fighting.