Thread: Lords and Ladies (LingeringDesire & Greeneyed23)

Ne'ebo had woken just at dawn though he wanted to see Fenice he knew he must attend to business first. he gathered his things put on his armor checking everything carefully before putting it o then afterwards as well. No one had tampered but he knew better than to grow complacent. Instead of eating with the royals he went to the lists and had breakfast with Kay and William. Both young men were very nervous and had happened to sit by each other as they at. Ne'ebo had startled them when he sat down with a Good morning. and a bright smile. Unable to resist the draw of the man they smiled back and said. Good morn Sir Hargik. Ne'ebo sniffed and waved it away. My friends call me Ne'ebo.. and we are friends yes? They nodded and he smiled raising his glass of milk at him. They tilted their heads at that and Kay asked, Sir...Ne'ebo do you not partake of wine? Ne'ebo shook is head. Narry a drop. His powerful arms and his performance yesterday weighed heavily on the young men's minds and they immediately asked for water and milk and their wine removed. Ne'ebo smiled and started eating ravenously. they both also followed this example as Ne'ebo pointed at Kay. You know your first opponent sir..whatisname over there? Kay turned to see Sir Ewing, a man notorious for his skill with the mace. Kay quavered but Ne'ebo smirked. he has no sight in his left eye. Shouldn't even be competing. he risks himself. You know he has sveen children? Such a man. Sir Ewing!! Ewing came over and grunted, What? Sir Ewing my friends and I had a question. Ewing kept the threee ion sight of his right eye, though the left looked perfect. Kay began to doubt it as Ne'ebo asked him. Did you wife come with you sir? and your children? yes what of it? Ewing began to bristle but Ne'ebo held up his hands coothingly. Forgive me sir but i simply wondered where they would be sitting. Sir Kay tells me your wife is a beauty beyond compare and your children are little angels. Ewing, though a gruff man had a weakness. His family. he smiled and sat with the four younger men his squire bringing his food over. Why yes she is Sir Ne'ebo. And so are my children...Siir Kay..oh yes my Sister's step nephew aren't you? Kay nodded a bit shakily but answered quickly. Yes Sir Ewing. Another fine lady. Ewing barked laughter. Nonsense. Elsa is a trifling harpy. Kay blushed not saying anything. Not to worry lad I'll make sure she knows i said it ot you. Kay nodded and Ewing laughed again. i hear i face you first today. Kay nodded again. yes Sir Ewing. Ewing chuckled. Sorry lad but I am goign to beat you..You know I remember... As Ewing began to tell them about a past tournament where eh had knocked a knight's helm clean off, a maid stumbles. Ewing's left eye is looking right at her but he does not react as she falls against him interrupting the story. Gods damn woman what are you doing!! he bellowed. my lord the pres.... i stumbled.. Why I... Ne'ebo gently pulled the girl away. It was an innocent mistake Sir Ewing the girl meant no harm. Ewing grunted nodded and rose leaving the table. Ne'ebo gave the girl a coin and sent her on her way Winking at Kay who realized the truth of Ne'ebo's information and resumed his meal thinking. He did not know that Ne'ebo and the Archbishop had already bet quite a bit on the young man and the money was to be sent to the crown . He was slated to get smashed by Ewing but if he won they would collect a tidy sum. William was literally shaking until Ne'ebo sat with him and Kay and introduced the young men. now he was slowly relaxing though Sir Ewing had shook him up a bit but both Ne'ebo and Kay were sure he would do quite well and told him so repeatedly. After hearing about Sir Ewing, Perry hoped for a tip like that but realized as he could not face his opponents directly They would not help him. Ne'ebo studied both young men ruminating on their issues and spoke low. You will not speak to anyone about Sir Ewing's disadvantage? It would be dishonorable... Ne'ebo could be forgiven as he had merely been making a statement of observation but hey would be spreading the man's weakness and they instantly and sincerely assured Ne'ebo they would never tell a soul. Very good. Thank you gents. William are you not going to practice? Walk with me a moment. Both men shook Kay's hand, Ne'ebo noting the strength of the grip, then they went out leaving their dishes behind as requested by the mistress of the tent. Once outside they went to the practice area where they were alone. William I tell you I love mornings like this. nice and crisp. Lets one focus. Forget everything and aim for the mark. William caught the statement and smiled. is this an archery lesson..ne'ebo? Ne'ebo smirked. From what i saw you could teach me.. No. just a statement. You know i heard Sir Quentin praise your shooting yesterday? the practice shots i mean? Sir Quentin was the undisputed archery master of all England. He had won the crown every year since he was seventeen which had been more than thirty years ago. Ah here he comes now! Sir Quentin! Quentin was a tall thin man with white hair and mustaches but with sky blue eyes seemed able to pierce even armor. Hullo Sir Hargik. Come to practice? Why Sir perry. i had hoped to see you. You know you are a remarkable shot? Makes me wish I had practiced more at your age...shall we have a round gents? His thick Scottish burr made both men smile but they agreed. They took their bows, notched arrows and as one released. Each man hit the bulls eyes at precisely the same time. By Jove that is the most remarkable thing i have every seen! Quentin proclaimed and the three knights went to the target where the flower of their arrow sat proudly. Ne'ebo smiled. Truly remarkable sir Quentin. i believe Sir perry is going to be quite the trouble in this competition. Quentin nodded. I do believe you are right. He clapped William on the shoulder. William my boy I do hope you will forgive an old man for saying this. But I fear you will be taking the crown this year. Now too be fair i will try to prevent that but I don't like my chances. With that he turned to speak to a friend and Ne'ebo smiled. My boy I think you can take him. Later as the royal's arrived Ne'ebo had eyes only for Fenice. his lips still tingled a bit from their kisses and he longed for more but if he was to have her the way he wanted her the lords had to go down first. After the announcements the tournament began. William shot masterfully. He made perfects on the line shots, buried arrows in every moving target, and had shot so perfectly he had broken off his opponent's arrows in the group shoot. in the final tally he had edged out Sir Quentin by seven points. He had grinned as Kay and Ne'ebo, as well as others including Sir Quentin congratulated him and unknown to him Ne'ebo, the Archbishop, and the king won a large amount of money on the boy's excellent shooting. Sir Kay had a bit rougher time. Sir Ewing may have been blind in one eye but he was no less dangerous and he protected his left side fiercely. Kay had managed to outsmart and outmove him however and when Ewing had gone for a clubbing blow that came down with all his strength, Kay had dodged around his right side and felled him with a resounding crack on the back of the head then scored ten quick points on the fallen Ewing. Afterwards he helped Ewing up who grunted, Well that's me done until the joust. Well done boy. Then he raised Kay's arm in triumph to the man's surprise but jubilation, his eyes falling on the maiden he had become infatuated with and his heart only beat the harder to see her applauding as well. His next twelve opponents went down as well though the matches were a blur. He was in the finals!! And not even hurt! But how? Ne'ebo came to him and said. My boy to fight for love is a great honor. I worry for my safety should we face off. The money made betting on Kay was enormous and now that he was in the finals they merely had to see who he would face Jarn or Ne'ebo. Jarn, still in a rage, had brutalized his way to the semi finals much to the delight of his lord Edwin Tallow, an older man who held quite the marker over the King's head but also was a gifted politician and diplomat making him very dangerous. Ne'ebo on the other hand had fought well but like Kay helped his opponents back up once they lost and even offered advice to them when available. His victories lined up quickly and soon it was time for Jarn. Jarn was making a menace of himself when Ne'ebo beat his last opponent and as he helped the disgruntled but polite man up Jarn had made a number of very inflammatory remarks about Africa and Japan, Ne'ebo himself and the Princess Fenice. Ne'ebo had smiled and instead of taking the break offered pointed the mace at Jarn and said. Get in here you blundering bullock. Jarn had obeyed happily entering the ring quickly. Once the match began Jarn had rushed Ne'ebo expecting him to flee. But he had not. he had held the mace out and punched it forward like a sword smashing it right into Jarn's helm, not hurting him but scoring. One. Jarn was momentarily dazed at the jolt to his entire body through his neck and could not block as Ne'ebo spun around him striking in succession scoring. Two. three. Four. The crowd began to murmur. Ne'ebo's speed was impossible. He followed these up with another two blows to Jarn's arms knocking them down then a third to his knee sending Jarn to kneel on the dirt.Five. Six. Seven!! Jarn began to rise when Ne'ebo cracked him a hard one across the chest putting him back on his knees. For my homelands. Eight. Jarn grunted and still tried to rise btu Ne'ebo cracked him across the back. For me. Nine. Jarn coughed but still tried to rise. Ne'ebo took a step and swung with all his might the mace shattering with the force across Jarn's helmed face. Jarn lifted off the ground then fell on the ring logs breaking them under his weight. Ten. Ne'ebo moved till he straddled the larger man and removed his own helm then pushing the shattered helm off Jarn with his broken mace then squatted. And that was for the lovely Princess Fenice. If you ever say a word against her again i will kill you. He stood and walked away as Jarn was dragged to the hospital tent. Kay was afraid after this but Ne'ebo did not destroy him. he did beat Kay but Kay actually struck Ne'ebo three times. As Ne'ebo was given the victor's purse he smiled shook his head and gave it to Kay. No. The true champion of the mace. a man of honor and dignity. Then raised the younger man's hands to the wild cheers of the crowd and walked him to the dais where Perry was already waiting. Ne'ebo smiled at the princess and her words to Perry and elbowed both men as they looked at the maiden, Kay at his beauty and Perry at the several who were evening him. They both jumped when they were invited to dinner with the king and princess at the castle because of a suggestion Kay's beauty was invited as well as was one of the loveliest of Perry's admirers. Kissing the Princess's hand in turn the young men left the dais to congratulate each as Ne'ebo lifted the unkissed hand and kissed it. For you my Princess. He turned to got hen stopped. Oh Mathilde. I believe you owe me some money? Mathilde grunted and handed him two ducats which he gave to the princess. A gift milady. from your servant. He smiled and walked away as Mathilde grumbled and admitted. i bet he couldn't break his mace over Jarn's head. To Elias' immense enjoyment before he called for the day's ending and for everyone to enjoy themselves before tomorrow where the bow competition would continue and the axe competition would take place. Elias whispered to his daughter. I made two hundred thousand ducats today!! While this would not pay off even a single lord, Ne'ebo's and the archbishops winnings had not yet been counted and it was only the first day. The man was making good on his plan.