Chapter 8: Another Tournament
Several weeks passed and Movan was still bedridden Lady Bernatys came to visit often as she could when Count Rafarch wasn't visiting Praven. Movan's strength came back to him and soon he could walk again but had to keep one arm in a sling. Lady Bernatys and Movan would walk through the city, all around the towns people were making preparations for a tournament that was coming up.
"Movan I didn't want to bring this up, but Count Rafarch will be competing in the tournament he says if he wins he will dedicate the tournament to me." Lady Bernatys said as they walked. "The King and My brother are planning this event in honor of your victory over the Nords."
"I will face Count Rafarch in single combat during the tournament." Movan said clenching his fist.
"No you mustn't not in your condition you could wound yourself more you are in no condition to fight anyone, wait until your wounds are fully healed." Lady Beratys pleaded
"I've had worse and still fought this will be no different." Movan said confidently.
"There you go again rushing off without thinking, is our love really that important to you that you would endanger yourself for me. I do find Count Rafarch repulsive, but I want you to face him when you are well enough to fight not before." Lady Beratys pleaded again.
"I am sorry my lady but my mind's made up Rafarch has slighted me and that will not go ignored lightly wounds or no I will fight him I will start at the beginning from the bottom of the tournament and into the Lord's round and each victory will tell Rafarch that he is next on the list. Movan said his fist raised.
"So there is no turning you from this, but know this if you do this I will not watch as you endanger yourself yet again see me after so that I know you have prevailed if you do not then I will marry Rafarch." Lady Bernatys said a tears running down her cheek.
"Fear not I will be victorious my lady I will remain your champion and will marry you your brother has given me his permission to court you and I will uphold it." Movan said with confidence.
"I can see you cannot be dissuaded from this course of action. Just don't get yourself killed we will see each other afterward." Lady Bernatys said sadly.
"Dont worry It will take more than practice swords to bring me down." Movan said with a smile.
Movan and Lady Bernatys walked the streets of Praven in silence all the way back to the Castle. And did not speak to each other for the rest of the day. Three days later the tournament was being held. True to his word Movan fought all the way through to the lord round, his shield arm being almost unbearably painful but bearable enough for him to still fight.
"And now what we have all been waiting for the Lord Round Fighting his way up a favorite at every tournament he has ever fought in Count Movan Beltasus Lord of Maras Castle, and soon Praven If the rumors I've heard are true. Yelled the announcer. "Unfortunately all the other Counts have dropped out, except for one Count Rafarch Lord of Rindyar Castle. I also hear this is a duel to see who wins a fair ladies heart each one of these men wanting the Same woman let us see which one can prove the victor."
Count Rafarch took off his helmet a big grin on his bearded face.
"Movan we shall duel at last, and look at you barely sitting on your horse Lady Bernatys will be mine for I shall win this tournament in her name." Count Rafarch shouted from his side of the field.
"You see there is a problem with that I have also vowed to win this tournament for Lady Bernatys and it will be I who will have her not an old crone like you, you are a Craven Man COUNT RAFARCH." Movan shouted back.
"You dare to call me a coward have at you Blaggard." Count Rafarch yelled before he spurred his horse forward. "I will bring you down myself and prove myself courages the one who brought down the great Movan Beltasus."
Count Rafarch dropped his helmet as he charged and crouched his lance."
"GROW THE ROSE SHATTER THE ROCK!" Movan yelled before spurring his horse toward Count Rafarch.
Movan couched his lance and Count Rafarch did the same before impact Movan raised his lance and put his shield up the shield shattered and Rafarch's lance shattered on impact. Count Rafarch's horse threw Rafarch off his horse. Movan rode to the far wall and made ready for another pass. When he saw Rafarch on the ground he dismounted and drew his sword Rafarch did the same they both picked up their pace as they came closer to each other. Their wooden swords met in midair as they came to bear on each other Movan and Rafarch fought bitterly parrying blow for blow. Movan landed one, and Rafarch landed a blow to Movans bad arm. Movan flinched a little after the blow landed. The match between them carried on in the afternoon sun the crowd was silent as the two struggled to win Both of them drenched with sweat Movan took off his helmet and threw it at Rafarch. The helmet flew through the air and hit Rafarch in the chest Movan rushed forward and tripped Rafarch while he was off balance and put the practice sword to his throat.
"I yield Movan Beltasus you win this tournament and Lady Bernatys." Count Rafarch said.
"Now that was a match for the ages through an injured arm and other injuries Movan Beltasus is victorious I declare Movan Beltasus the winner of the tournament." The announcer shouted.
Movan felt woozy and fell to the ground from his injuries.