A Duel on the Beach.
I put quill to parchment today to talk about matter's of Justice and honor. Earlier this day I was informed that Dame Alice Akaden , While a guest in Argent Hall drew steel and offered threat to the Baroness Argent before escaping into the wilds of Lyonesse. I sent word to the Kings of Lyonesse of the behavior of this uncuth woman. Later in Amber we crossed paths in New Lyonesse. Lord Liam and Lord Pascal were present, harsh words were exchanged and we fought a formal Duel upon the Beach. I give you the account of that battle, Sir Taran and I do very much need to speak of his good cousin running his mouth...but I digress.
Liam reaches into his pocket and pulls out the Deirdre coin Taran found earlier. He touches it to make it glow a soft blue glow and says, "There we go. That's what they should look like. They need to be Tir'd up to look real."
Harold looks at the coin, and the glowing "So that is what one looks like" he says in a quiet tone "thus far I haven't found any Lord Liam, still I will continue to search..."
Liam offers it to Harold to take a look. "Only one we've found. Tracy said that it is magical, and they all come from one source, and they are sort of attracted to one another, but that doesn't mean a whole lot."
Alice slowly walks down the street of new lyonesse. She was here before when there was recent problems with the plague, and the chaos in the area. She glances around as she walks, checking to make sure there isn't any more trouble, like there was that day.
Pascal nods slightly to Harold. "Be sure to tell anyone you find, by the way, that the coins are horribly cursed and must be held by Deirdre's children to neutralize it." The glow on his head fades away.
Liam touches the top of Pascal's head again. This is a brand new game.
Harold lifts the coin and turns it slowly "Any truth to that?" he asks glancing between Pascal and Liam. Then offers it back to Liam "I'll be sure to let the people I meet know...I heard a rumor the coins may be to throws....well they may not be real."
Liam accepts the coin back from Harold. "We don't know what the truth is, Sir Harold. I know what I know."
Alice looks over to the group, handing around a glowing coin. That wasn't something that was seen every day, so she pauses and watches them for a brief moment.
Pascal glances aside at Liam. "So, what are you dong there?" he asks, before looking to Harold. "In any case, if so many people want it... it seems wise, to me, to find out why."
Liam cannot help himself. He childishly pokes Pascal and leaves little glowy spots that dissipate.
"You are very right, these coins are something...it is my hope they are what is needed to restore the Princess" he says looking to Liam "but rumor down here is they are a trick by one of her siblings..." a grin plays at his face as he watches the glowing spot game . "neat trick that."
Harold says
Alice steps closer to the ground as she looks each of them over, before focusing on the glowing. "And which Princess would that be?"
Pascal looks down at his clothing, blinking. "Odd," he says. "And it would be Princess Deirdre. Good evening."
Harold turns to look at Alice "Well well" he says shifting to protect Liam and Pascal with his person "come to threaten honest folk here as well?" he smiles "your majesty" his tone not seeming very respectful.
Alice looks to Pascal and gives a slight nod of her head. "Good evening." She then looks to Harold. "I thought I smelled something foul in the air. I must remember to apologize to the man at the fish market, clearly his fish wasn't the source after all."
Pascal looks up at Harold dryly. "Control yourself, Harold," he says. "She never threatened us, and I believe we're safe." He stands up, stepping aside from Harold's protection. "You are the new queen in Lyonesse?" he asks.
Harold smiles and settles his helm on his head and adjusts his shield on his arm "I am sure the rank oder of your cowardice and villainy is only noticed by you and your lice." his tome is cordial "You should crawl your belly up to the palace and thank what Royals you find that they haven't seen fit to make you an outlaw here as well...you are a base and vile coward unfit of the title Knight" his hand rests upon the hilt of his broad sword. He doesn't move his eyes on Alice "Beware M'lord, she favors unarmed foes...but she seems to be feeling strong this evening."
Alice looks Harold over, though she doesn't make any sort of hostile or threatening move. "I see the only thing coming out of your mouth is filth like usual. Just like your proclaimed hospitality, where you invite someone in then harass and make fun of them for sport." She looks to Pascal, "Do not mind him, he is nothing but a joke, and everyone here knows I have never struck an unarmed foe in my life."
Pascal raises an eyebrow. "If either of you draws, I will beat you down and drag your bloody heap to the guard," he says quietly. "Now, Harold, we can defend ourselves, and in Amber, we do not attack each other on the streets." He looks then to Alice. "And Harold has mostly been a very good man in my regard. I do not know that you have never attacked an unarmed person - though I will give you the benefit of the doubt as I do with everyone else. Now what, pray tell, happened?"
Harold glances to Pascal "She drew steel on Izett in her hall, in Monsalvat and Albion she is wanted as a criminal, I await word from Brentinor as to if His Majesty will allow her safe passage there." he sighs "But as you say, in Amber we do not brawl in the streets, I look forward to the day we meet in Lyonesse, until then" he stares at Alice "You will bare the mark of a villain, and until you have the courage to face me in single combat you are a coward as well."
Alice looks to Pascal, "I was denounced, berated, lectured and insulted by a pompous and spoiled brat of a woman. She insulted my intelligence, my family, my kingdom, my land, my blood, and even my long dead parents simply out of spite. Apparently, standing up for yourself is a crime in his country." She looks to Harold. "Very well I accept." She looks to pascal, "You know this city, is there as place the two of us can have a formal duel? And will you witness?"
Pascal gives Alice and Harold a dry look. "Ahh, yes. Ask me to be complicit in absolute idiocy," he says. "Very well. You'd find someone anyways. You must both be nobility, and must find an actual authority willing to sit down for this trollop and oversee it. A sitting Baron or Duke."
Harold smiles "The beach is outside the city proper, and I believe outside the need for a formal judge."
Liam raises his hand and says quietly and helpfully, "I'm Royal and I'm unarmed. I have a pen!"
Alice looks to Harold, "I see, you wish to go there so that you may stab me in back without any form crimes being linked back to you." She looks to the others, "However, I trust that if you should both witness it, nothing of that sort should occur?"
Pascal narrows his eyes and steps up to Harold. "Sir Harold Whitecliff, Grandmaster of the Order of the Graal? Just what in the Unicorn's name was that? I told you what was required, and you, knight of the Graal, wish to find loopholes to the law? The country outside the city is in the domain of Amber still, despite what dishonorable use you wish to put it to." He lets out a breath, and turns to walk toward Liam. "If you wish to duel honorably, Liam is a Baron."
Liam says, "Terrifying but true."
Harold lifts a brow "First I am a back stabber, now I am dishonrable?" he asks Pascal "perhaps when I finish with this filth you and I can take up my dishonor in more detail...you might wish to find armor first. Lord Liam are you agreeable with this?
Pascal turns to look at Harold. "Do not underestimate me, young man," he says quietly. "You are both fools. The answer to your disagreements will not be found in steel. There is only blood there."
Alice looks to Harlod, "Actions speaks louder than fancy titles. I knew your true colors would come out." She looks to Pascal, "It is what must be done."
Liam waves a hand and says, "I am all about peace but I understand how Lyonesse works. If you two feel the need to duel, yes, I will adjudicate for you. But first blood only. No extra stabbings."
Harold inclines his head to Liam "Thank you M'lord and I feel no need to kill her, if I do she will learn nothing" he looks at Alice "and you are in dire need of schooling." to Pascal nothing is said.
Pascal takes his staff, plants both his hands over the end, and leans against it, watching the two knights without a word.
Alice looks to Liam and offers a slight nod of her head. "That is acceptable to me. If you would please lead the way."
(Travel to the beach)
The pink and sable sands of the shore of the great sea are interrupted
by a cairn, about eight feet in height, built of head-sized gray
stones, worn by the wind, the sand, and the water, standing in the
shape of a truncated pyramid.
The cairn marks the stairway of Faiella-Bionin, the great stair down
into Rebma. The green countryside, and eventually the Forest of Arden,
can be seen in a northerly direction; to the northwest, one can follow
the curve of the beach some twenty miles towards Amber City. The
distant speck of the Lighthouse of Cabra can be seen to the southeast.
Liam follows along out to Faiella-Boinin.
Harold draws his sword and lays it on the flats of his hands as he kneels to pray.
Pascal finds a rock to sit on, and pulls out a book. It's time to write.
Alice follows them out onto the beach, and she looks around the area for a moment. She moves further down the beach to give Harold some space while he prays. "Praying for your life I see."
The Grand Master rises a short time after Alice's snipe. He lowers the visor upon his helm. His armor seems to glow with a silvery hue in the moonlight. On his arm rests his shield, a Heater painted with red and white diagonal stripes the run from the top left to bottom right. In his gauntleted hand is a broad sword who's metal is so polished it seems a mirror. He looks to Liam for instruction from the martial.
Alice stands up straight, her left arm at her side and her feet together, as she slowly lifts her right arm up to point her sword straight forward Harold. Then she just remains standing there, her guard obviously down should someone try to attack her.
Pascal closes his book, looking up as the duel begins.
Taran comes here from the direction of the Queen Street and Sceptre Way - Amber City.
As Liam finishes speaking Harold moves in his shield leading his sword laid upon his shoulder in a relaxed guard moving to attack range.
Along the curve of the beach in the setting sun, rides a figure in pale shell-white armor on a galloping horse. Hooves throwing up sand in a spray behind him, the stallion is definitely running as fast as it can. As the rider nears, the 'shell' motif of the armor only becomes clearer. On the edge of the sea, the Knight of the Waves reins in as he nears the group. The horse takes the chance to walk gratefully, and the knight reins in to wait near Liam and Pascal. The visor is not raised, nor any greeting made. The Knight simply...watches, the chalice-on-a-sunburst crest on his shield catching the last rays of sun.
"Good evening, Taran," Pascal says quietly from his seat on a rock out here.
Liam looks between Alice and Harold and makes a 'get on with the fighting thing' gesture. "You can duel if you wish. Then we can go get drinks."
Liam sounds like he is very interested in drinks. Despite sitting there and glowing.
Harold points his sword at Alice "As you wish" his voice booms from the helm "You remain unwelcome in Monsalvat and Albion. Never think you may threaten those under my protection as though you had the right" he slams his sword into his sheath "Should you decide you have a taste for honorable combat tell him" he waves at Pascal. Then turns and walks from the field "see me when your worthy."
"I wouldn't bother, actually," Pascal says with a slight smile. "I wouldn't deliver the message." He stands up. "I think drinks sound good, Liam."
Alice slowly drops her sword back to her side before she growls at Harlod. "You filthy dishonorable dog. Obviously, you know nothing but bloodshed. Get back over here, and we shall fight you coward!" This time she grips her sword with both hands, as clearly she wishes to fight, after being insulted so.
Liam is still sitting there. He says, "Guys, either fight, or don't fight."
Harold turns and draws his sword "come then Curr." he stands ready about ten paces from Alice.
Alice growls as she moves to Harold though she takes her time approaching. "Only an honorless thug would take a gesture of mercy then spit in their face, and claim they won." She swings her sword upward in long powerful arch, it was clear that she did have some skill, and impressive strength.
The Grand Master is here to fight not talk, though skilled Harold meets the larger blade with his own smacking it high and ducking under closing inside the range of the much longer weapon warding it's edge away from his person. His foot work shows a direct approach to battle climbing into his foes shoes with them.
There is the small jingle of horse's tack as Taran's mount paws the sand with a hoof. A shell gauntlet moves to calm the beast, stroking the neck. Observing all the forms and customs obeyed.
Alice sweeps her sword back across as she tries to keep him from getting to close. Though she doesn't back up, instead she steps forward, as she tries to force him backward with powerful strikes of her sword.
Sword meets shield with a thunderous clash, Harold's advace slowed, the heavier weapon and Alice's strength seem to force Harold to bend back. As her sword is locked with shield Harold fires a swift slash aimed at Alice's thigh. Do to the awkward position he might lose accuracy, but the blade fairly cuts the air with it's speed and force.
Alice slams the shield with all her might as she tries to push it back as she growls loudly, it was clear she was getting very upset. It made her fighter hard, but she grows a little more sloppy and she barely gets away from the slash at her thigh. The armor dents in from the glancing hit, and its clear her armor, and likely her sword and not nearly the quality that Herold uses. Though no blood is drawn so she continues.
Harold goes on the offensive as he sees that Alice is unbalanced. He fires a shot at her head, the glimmering sword whistling at her. No sound from Harold beyond his calm steady breathing the grunts from the force he putt's into the blow likely lost in the din of battle.
Alice ducks down as the sword passes over her head, a blow that might have taken her head off if she wasn't careful. She takes a step back, as she grips the sword tightly before she thrust the great sword forward, trying to get it past that shield.
As the blade thrust Harold drives the flat of the shield hard against the sword aiming to drive it point first into the sand. He with holds his own blow this time.
Pascal forms a cluster with Liam.
Taran joins Liam.
Taran murmurs, the tone solemn and sonorous within the white helm.
Alice sees what Harold is trying to do, and puts all her strength into slamming the sword up into the shield, to try to knock Harold back over. There is a loud crash as the two items slam into each other, though the sword isn't made well to hold up to that sort of abuse, and begins to crack before falling out of Alice's hard grip.
Harold lays his at Alice's throat, he makes not a twitch. His icy blue eyes watching Alice for any sign she might go for a back up weapon "Martial" his voice booms "I have no wish to spill blood, as none was spilled in Argent Hall, I wish a judgment."
Liam stands and looks at Alice and looks at Harold and then asks Alice: "Do you yield to Sir Harold?"
Alice doesn't have a spar weapon on her, though in a real fight she would likely continue with her fist. However, this wasn't a real battle, it was a dual. She remains still except for her head as she looks to Liam and gives a slight nod. "I do."
Pascal shakes his head and murmurs something quietly to Liam and the knight.
Harold lifts his sword and takes three steps back before sheathing his weapon. He lifts his visor and walks to Liam tugging off a gauntlet and offering his hand "My gratitude to you your Excellency, I know your mind is more properly on other things." he says quietly.
Taran - mounted - walks his horse forward. "A victor is determined," he says, stationing himself between the former combatants. "As no terms of victory were formally declared, but a desire was stated, I propose that the victory be understood as a failed appeal of the banishment of the Lady Alice from the lands of Monsalvat and Albion. Does this seem a fair interpretation of the contest and reward for victory?"
Liam shoves his hands into his jacket pockets as he stands up. "I declare Sir Harold the victor of this duel. I think Sir Taran's terms are fine."
Pascal nods slightly. "It seems fair to me."
Harold shakes his head "acceptable" he says and walks down the beach toward the city proper.
Liam reaches into his pocket and pulls out the Deirdre coin Taran found earlier. He touches it to make it glow a soft blue glow and says, "There we go. That's what they should look like. They need to be Tir'd up to look real."
Harold looks at the coin, and the glowing "So that is what one looks like" he says in a quiet tone "thus far I haven't found any Lord Liam, still I will continue to search..."
Liam offers it to Harold to take a look. "Only one we've found. Tracy said that it is magical, and they all come from one source, and they are sort of attracted to one another, but that doesn't mean a whole lot."
Alice slowly walks down the street of new lyonesse. She was here before when there was recent problems with the plague, and the chaos in the area. She glances around as she walks, checking to make sure there isn't any more trouble, like there was that day.
Pascal nods slightly to Harold. "Be sure to tell anyone you find, by the way, that the coins are horribly cursed and must be held by Deirdre's children to neutralize it." The glow on his head fades away.
Liam touches the top of Pascal's head again. This is a brand new game.
Harold lifts the coin and turns it slowly "Any truth to that?" he asks glancing between Pascal and Liam. Then offers it back to Liam "I'll be sure to let the people I meet know...I heard a rumor the coins may be to throws....well they may not be real."
Liam accepts the coin back from Harold. "We don't know what the truth is, Sir Harold. I know what I know."
Alice looks over to the group, handing around a glowing coin. That wasn't something that was seen every day, so she pauses and watches them for a brief moment.
Pascal glances aside at Liam. "So, what are you dong there?" he asks, before looking to Harold. "In any case, if so many people want it... it seems wise, to me, to find out why."
Liam cannot help himself. He childishly pokes Pascal and leaves little glowy spots that dissipate.
"You are very right, these coins are something...it is my hope they are what is needed to restore the Princess" he says looking to Liam "but rumor down here is they are a trick by one of her siblings..." a grin plays at his face as he watches the glowing spot game . "neat trick that."
Harold says
Alice steps closer to the ground as she looks each of them over, before focusing on the glowing. "And which Princess would that be?"
Pascal looks down at his clothing, blinking. "Odd," he says. "And it would be Princess Deirdre. Good evening."
Harold turns to look at Alice "Well well" he says shifting to protect Liam and Pascal with his person "come to threaten honest folk here as well?" he smiles "your majesty" his tone not seeming very respectful.
Alice looks to Pascal and gives a slight nod of her head. "Good evening." She then looks to Harold. "I thought I smelled something foul in the air. I must remember to apologize to the man at the fish market, clearly his fish wasn't the source after all."
Pascal looks up at Harold dryly. "Control yourself, Harold," he says. "She never threatened us, and I believe we're safe." He stands up, stepping aside from Harold's protection. "You are the new queen in Lyonesse?" he asks.
Harold smiles and settles his helm on his head and adjusts his shield on his arm "I am sure the rank oder of your cowardice and villainy is only noticed by you and your lice." his tome is cordial "You should crawl your belly up to the palace and thank what Royals you find that they haven't seen fit to make you an outlaw here as well...you are a base and vile coward unfit of the title Knight" his hand rests upon the hilt of his broad sword. He doesn't move his eyes on Alice "Beware M'lord, she favors unarmed foes...but she seems to be feeling strong this evening."
Alice looks Harold over, though she doesn't make any sort of hostile or threatening move. "I see the only thing coming out of your mouth is filth like usual. Just like your proclaimed hospitality, where you invite someone in then harass and make fun of them for sport." She looks to Pascal, "Do not mind him, he is nothing but a joke, and everyone here knows I have never struck an unarmed foe in my life."
Pascal raises an eyebrow. "If either of you draws, I will beat you down and drag your bloody heap to the guard," he says quietly. "Now, Harold, we can defend ourselves, and in Amber, we do not attack each other on the streets." He looks then to Alice. "And Harold has mostly been a very good man in my regard. I do not know that you have never attacked an unarmed person - though I will give you the benefit of the doubt as I do with everyone else. Now what, pray tell, happened?"
Harold glances to Pascal "She drew steel on Izett in her hall, in Monsalvat and Albion she is wanted as a criminal, I await word from Brentinor as to if His Majesty will allow her safe passage there." he sighs "But as you say, in Amber we do not brawl in the streets, I look forward to the day we meet in Lyonesse, until then" he stares at Alice "You will bare the mark of a villain, and until you have the courage to face me in single combat you are a coward as well."
Alice looks to Pascal, "I was denounced, berated, lectured and insulted by a pompous and spoiled brat of a woman. She insulted my intelligence, my family, my kingdom, my land, my blood, and even my long dead parents simply out of spite. Apparently, standing up for yourself is a crime in his country." She looks to Harold. "Very well I accept." She looks to pascal, "You know this city, is there as place the two of us can have a formal duel? And will you witness?"
Pascal gives Alice and Harold a dry look. "Ahh, yes. Ask me to be complicit in absolute idiocy," he says. "Very well. You'd find someone anyways. You must both be nobility, and must find an actual authority willing to sit down for this trollop and oversee it. A sitting Baron or Duke."
Harold smiles "The beach is outside the city proper, and I believe outside the need for a formal judge."
Liam raises his hand and says quietly and helpfully, "I'm Royal and I'm unarmed. I have a pen!"
Alice looks to Harold, "I see, you wish to go there so that you may stab me in back without any form crimes being linked back to you." She looks to the others, "However, I trust that if you should both witness it, nothing of that sort should occur?"
Pascal narrows his eyes and steps up to Harold. "Sir Harold Whitecliff, Grandmaster of the Order of the Graal? Just what in the Unicorn's name was that? I told you what was required, and you, knight of the Graal, wish to find loopholes to the law? The country outside the city is in the domain of Amber still, despite what dishonorable use you wish to put it to." He lets out a breath, and turns to walk toward Liam. "If you wish to duel honorably, Liam is a Baron."
Liam says, "Terrifying but true."
Harold lifts a brow "First I am a back stabber, now I am dishonrable?" he asks Pascal "perhaps when I finish with this filth you and I can take up my dishonor in more detail...you might wish to find armor first. Lord Liam are you agreeable with this?
Pascal turns to look at Harold. "Do not underestimate me, young man," he says quietly. "You are both fools. The answer to your disagreements will not be found in steel. There is only blood there."
Alice looks to Harlod, "Actions speaks louder than fancy titles. I knew your true colors would come out." She looks to Pascal, "It is what must be done."
Liam waves a hand and says, "I am all about peace but I understand how Lyonesse works. If you two feel the need to duel, yes, I will adjudicate for you. But first blood only. No extra stabbings."
Harold inclines his head to Liam "Thank you M'lord and I feel no need to kill her, if I do she will learn nothing" he looks at Alice "and you are in dire need of schooling." to Pascal nothing is said.
Pascal takes his staff, plants both his hands over the end, and leans against it, watching the two knights without a word.
Alice looks to Liam and offers a slight nod of her head. "That is acceptable to me. If you would please lead the way."
(Travel to the beach)
The pink and sable sands of the shore of the great sea are interrupted
by a cairn, about eight feet in height, built of head-sized gray
stones, worn by the wind, the sand, and the water, standing in the
shape of a truncated pyramid.
The cairn marks the stairway of Faiella-Bionin, the great stair down
into Rebma. The green countryside, and eventually the Forest of Arden,
can be seen in a northerly direction; to the northwest, one can follow
the curve of the beach some twenty miles towards Amber City. The
distant speck of the Lighthouse of Cabra can be seen to the southeast.
Liam follows along out to Faiella-Boinin.
Harold draws his sword and lays it on the flats of his hands as he kneels to pray.
Pascal finds a rock to sit on, and pulls out a book. It's time to write.
Alice follows them out onto the beach, and she looks around the area for a moment. She moves further down the beach to give Harold some space while he prays. "Praying for your life I see."
The Grand Master rises a short time after Alice's snipe. He lowers the visor upon his helm. His armor seems to glow with a silvery hue in the moonlight. On his arm rests his shield, a Heater painted with red and white diagonal stripes the run from the top left to bottom right. In his gauntleted hand is a broad sword who's metal is so polished it seems a mirror. He looks to Liam for instruction from the martial.
Alice stands up straight, her left arm at her side and her feet together, as she slowly lifts her right arm up to point her sword straight forward Harold. Then she just remains standing there, her guard obviously down should someone try to attack her.
Pascal closes his book, looking up as the duel begins.
Taran comes here from the direction of the Queen Street and Sceptre Way - Amber City.
As Liam finishes speaking Harold moves in his shield leading his sword laid upon his shoulder in a relaxed guard moving to attack range.
Along the curve of the beach in the setting sun, rides a figure in pale shell-white armor on a galloping horse. Hooves throwing up sand in a spray behind him, the stallion is definitely running as fast as it can. As the rider nears, the 'shell' motif of the armor only becomes clearer. On the edge of the sea, the Knight of the Waves reins in as he nears the group. The horse takes the chance to walk gratefully, and the knight reins in to wait near Liam and Pascal. The visor is not raised, nor any greeting made. The Knight simply...watches, the chalice-on-a-sunburst crest on his shield catching the last rays of sun.
"Good evening, Taran," Pascal says quietly from his seat on a rock out here.
Liam looks between Alice and Harold and makes a 'get on with the fighting thing' gesture. "You can duel if you wish. Then we can go get drinks."
Liam sounds like he is very interested in drinks. Despite sitting there and glowing.
Harold points his sword at Alice "As you wish" his voice booms from the helm "You remain unwelcome in Monsalvat and Albion. Never think you may threaten those under my protection as though you had the right" he slams his sword into his sheath "Should you decide you have a taste for honorable combat tell him" he waves at Pascal. Then turns and walks from the field "see me when your worthy."
"I wouldn't bother, actually," Pascal says with a slight smile. "I wouldn't deliver the message." He stands up. "I think drinks sound good, Liam."
Alice slowly drops her sword back to her side before she growls at Harlod. "You filthy dishonorable dog. Obviously, you know nothing but bloodshed. Get back over here, and we shall fight you coward!" This time she grips her sword with both hands, as clearly she wishes to fight, after being insulted so.
Liam is still sitting there. He says, "Guys, either fight, or don't fight."
Harold turns and draws his sword "come then Curr." he stands ready about ten paces from Alice.
Alice growls as she moves to Harold though she takes her time approaching. "Only an honorless thug would take a gesture of mercy then spit in their face, and claim they won." She swings her sword upward in long powerful arch, it was clear that she did have some skill, and impressive strength.
The Grand Master is here to fight not talk, though skilled Harold meets the larger blade with his own smacking it high and ducking under closing inside the range of the much longer weapon warding it's edge away from his person. His foot work shows a direct approach to battle climbing into his foes shoes with them.
There is the small jingle of horse's tack as Taran's mount paws the sand with a hoof. A shell gauntlet moves to calm the beast, stroking the neck. Observing all the forms and customs obeyed.
Alice sweeps her sword back across as she tries to keep him from getting to close. Though she doesn't back up, instead she steps forward, as she tries to force him backward with powerful strikes of her sword.
Sword meets shield with a thunderous clash, Harold's advace slowed, the heavier weapon and Alice's strength seem to force Harold to bend back. As her sword is locked with shield Harold fires a swift slash aimed at Alice's thigh. Do to the awkward position he might lose accuracy, but the blade fairly cuts the air with it's speed and force.
Alice slams the shield with all her might as she tries to push it back as she growls loudly, it was clear she was getting very upset. It made her fighter hard, but she grows a little more sloppy and she barely gets away from the slash at her thigh. The armor dents in from the glancing hit, and its clear her armor, and likely her sword and not nearly the quality that Herold uses. Though no blood is drawn so she continues.
Harold goes on the offensive as he sees that Alice is unbalanced. He fires a shot at her head, the glimmering sword whistling at her. No sound from Harold beyond his calm steady breathing the grunts from the force he putt's into the blow likely lost in the din of battle.
Alice ducks down as the sword passes over her head, a blow that might have taken her head off if she wasn't careful. She takes a step back, as she grips the sword tightly before she thrust the great sword forward, trying to get it past that shield.
As the blade thrust Harold drives the flat of the shield hard against the sword aiming to drive it point first into the sand. He with holds his own blow this time.
Pascal forms a cluster with Liam.
Taran joins Liam.
Taran murmurs, the tone solemn and sonorous within the white helm.
Alice sees what Harold is trying to do, and puts all her strength into slamming the sword up into the shield, to try to knock Harold back over. There is a loud crash as the two items slam into each other, though the sword isn't made well to hold up to that sort of abuse, and begins to crack before falling out of Alice's hard grip.
Harold lays his at Alice's throat, he makes not a twitch. His icy blue eyes watching Alice for any sign she might go for a back up weapon "Martial" his voice booms "I have no wish to spill blood, as none was spilled in Argent Hall, I wish a judgment."
Liam stands and looks at Alice and looks at Harold and then asks Alice: "Do you yield to Sir Harold?"
Alice doesn't have a spar weapon on her, though in a real fight she would likely continue with her fist. However, this wasn't a real battle, it was a dual. She remains still except for her head as she looks to Liam and gives a slight nod. "I do."
Pascal shakes his head and murmurs something quietly to Liam and the knight.
Harold lifts his sword and takes three steps back before sheathing his weapon. He lifts his visor and walks to Liam tugging off a gauntlet and offering his hand "My gratitude to you your Excellency, I know your mind is more properly on other things." he says quietly.
Taran - mounted - walks his horse forward. "A victor is determined," he says, stationing himself between the former combatants. "As no terms of victory were formally declared, but a desire was stated, I propose that the victory be understood as a failed appeal of the banishment of the Lady Alice from the lands of Monsalvat and Albion. Does this seem a fair interpretation of the contest and reward for victory?"
Liam shoves his hands into his jacket pockets as he stands up. "I declare Sir Harold the victor of this duel. I think Sir Taran's terms are fine."
Pascal nods slightly. "It seems fair to me."
Harold shakes his head "acceptable" he says and walks down the beach toward the city proper.