Post by bebeschtroumph on Mar 31, 2010 21:09:55 GMT 10
Title: Wager
Rating: G
Length: 628
Competitor: Raoul
Round/Fight: Final
Summary: Raoul makes a wager with Gary.
Raoul was glad Kel had asked to wait for her contest with Ansil of Groten alone. He would hover, much like the mother hen Buri had accused him of being when it came to his squire. It wasn't a matter of readiness. She would do well, he knew that for certain, but it didn't help his nerves. Of course Gary wasn't being helpful at all. “So, when do you think she'll come out of the saddle? First pass?”
Raoul growled at him. “Enough.”
His friend smiled at him broadly. “You're looking a bit peaky, Raoul. Shall I fetch Duke Baird? Perhaps you're coming down with something.” Raoul took an absentminded swipe at the other man, who dodged him easily. “Did you hear about their 'philosophical discussion'? Apparently Groten called you a dolt, and he and some other young conservative idiots had your standard-bearer down on the ground. They wouldn't let him bring a challenge, so Kel stepped in. She said she needed to defend the 'smirch to my Lord's honor', I believe it was.” Now Gary was just gloating. “Say, why don't we make this a bit more interesting? A wager, perhaps?”
Raoul kept his face in the same anxious mask. This could be interesting. He knew Kel's skill, and he knew how well she kept her head. He also knew Groten's style. Kel would have him. Of course, Gary would have no idea of this. He spent far too much time with his behind firmly parked behind his desk. Raoul hadn't seen him in the tilting yards in years. He kept his hand in with sword work, but rarely. Raoul let out an expressive sigh. “If you wish, Gareth. I need the distraction. Name the wager.” Raoul knew just how to play his old friend.
“I bet two gold nobles she comes off her horse at the first pass.”
Raoul frowned at him. “Fine, but you will pay me five if she is still ahorse at the end.”
“And you will pay me ten if she's unhorsed on the first pass!”
“And you will pay me ten if she is not only still on her horse at the end, but it is Groten in the dust!”
Gary laughed. With any other squire on his, or even her, first tournament, and facing a knight rather than another squire, Raoul would have been laughing right along with him. However, he knew Kel, and he knew what she was like in the saddle. He had no doubt who would wind up unhorsed. Gary extended his hand, still laughing. “Agreed. Though I shouldn't allow your big head to cheat you of so much money. I can't say it won't be enjoyable.” They shook, and both turned to the lists, settling down to watch Mindelan and Groten size each other up.
Raoul was confident in his squire's skill, but it wasn't until he saw the speed of her gelding charging down the lists that he became absolutely certain she would prevail. The little minx was holding back! I should have known.
They watched her go through the first two passes, Raoul cheering along with the crowd, Gary starting to frown. As she started her third pass he knew she had the measure of him. As he saw her lean forward, rising slightly in her stirrups, he thought to him self, this is it.
A few minutes later, once he'd stopped gloating and pounding Gary on the back and yelling cheers along with the crowd, he smiled at his scowling friend and held out his hand. The man muttered something about cursed tilting and Raoul's smile grew even wider. “It is only fair, Gary. She was defending my honor, after all.”
Rating: G
Length: 628
Competitor: Raoul
Round/Fight: Final
Summary: Raoul makes a wager with Gary.
Raoul was glad Kel had asked to wait for her contest with Ansil of Groten alone. He would hover, much like the mother hen Buri had accused him of being when it came to his squire. It wasn't a matter of readiness. She would do well, he knew that for certain, but it didn't help his nerves. Of course Gary wasn't being helpful at all. “So, when do you think she'll come out of the saddle? First pass?”
Raoul growled at him. “Enough.”
His friend smiled at him broadly. “You're looking a bit peaky, Raoul. Shall I fetch Duke Baird? Perhaps you're coming down with something.” Raoul took an absentminded swipe at the other man, who dodged him easily. “Did you hear about their 'philosophical discussion'? Apparently Groten called you a dolt, and he and some other young conservative idiots had your standard-bearer down on the ground. They wouldn't let him bring a challenge, so Kel stepped in. She said she needed to defend the 'smirch to my Lord's honor', I believe it was.” Now Gary was just gloating. “Say, why don't we make this a bit more interesting? A wager, perhaps?”
Raoul kept his face in the same anxious mask. This could be interesting. He knew Kel's skill, and he knew how well she kept her head. He also knew Groten's style. Kel would have him. Of course, Gary would have no idea of this. He spent far too much time with his behind firmly parked behind his desk. Raoul hadn't seen him in the tilting yards in years. He kept his hand in with sword work, but rarely. Raoul let out an expressive sigh. “If you wish, Gareth. I need the distraction. Name the wager.” Raoul knew just how to play his old friend.
“I bet two gold nobles she comes off her horse at the first pass.”
Raoul frowned at him. “Fine, but you will pay me five if she is still ahorse at the end.”
“And you will pay me ten if she's unhorsed on the first pass!”
“And you will pay me ten if she is not only still on her horse at the end, but it is Groten in the dust!”
Gary laughed. With any other squire on his, or even her, first tournament, and facing a knight rather than another squire, Raoul would have been laughing right along with him. However, he knew Kel, and he knew what she was like in the saddle. He had no doubt who would wind up unhorsed. Gary extended his hand, still laughing. “Agreed. Though I shouldn't allow your big head to cheat you of so much money. I can't say it won't be enjoyable.” They shook, and both turned to the lists, settling down to watch Mindelan and Groten size each other up.
Raoul was confident in his squire's skill, but it wasn't until he saw the speed of her gelding charging down the lists that he became absolutely certain she would prevail. The little minx was holding back! I should have known.
They watched her go through the first two passes, Raoul cheering along with the crowd, Gary starting to frown. As she started her third pass he knew she had the measure of him. As he saw her lean forward, rising slightly in her stirrups, he thought to him self, this is it.
A few minutes later, once he'd stopped gloating and pounding Gary on the back and yelling cheers along with the crowd, he smiled at his scowling friend and held out his hand. The man muttered something about cursed tilting and Raoul's smile grew even wider. “It is only fair, Gary. She was defending my honor, after all.”