- ARCHIVE - Pskov Grand Spring Tourney

[unmerged(8054)]

The Grand Princess smiled slightly as Joao turned away from her, leaning over to Volker again, "Quite the graceful loser that one. Tell me, what did you think? The Bremer was quite good I noticed... but to tip for the virgin mother, rather unorthodox isn't it?"

Tobias thought franticly, trying to recall names of noble families in Bremen. But the Grünenwalds were either not influential enough, or had never bother to attempt some trading, and he knew next to nothing about them.

"Yes, Sir Magnus did make a fine impression. But I must admit, I know next to nothing about neither him, nor his family. A minor family, I would guess, which would certainly suit well with a younger son going of on crusades.
I plan to visit him later, to find out how things are at home. Would you like to be included? I am certain that could be arranged."

 

[N Katsyev]

Inside the Isaborska

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Yeleziveta Eevanavna Melnikova sat next to her father the Count on the stands. She had hoped to see Miquel out here today and the fact that he hadn't shown as yet only further put a damper on her mood. Already not in the best spirits when learning that she would in fact not be tipped for today. Maybe she had spent too much time yesterday with her brother and Miquel...

She sighed as the Knights began their runs at the lists. She was shocked to hear that Vladimir would be forced by honour to fight the Gelran Sir Robert due to the Lady Serena giving her favour to two men. Silly girl, how did she get two knights to tip for her anyway? She had only seen her briefly, she was nothing special. She had the whole innocent and ignorant game played, all a deceptive facade, Yeleziveta was sure of it.

Fifteen rings? It must have been the impending duel on his mind thought Yeleziveta, she doubted he could have made twenty, but fifteen seemed low for Vladimir. Ivan Melnikov turned to his daughter, "This is only the warm-up anyway, none of this matters aside from the joust itself. I only hope after the duel Volodya is still in condition to joust." The Count put his hand on his daughter's hand as Katerina Polotovskaya was crowned Queen of Love and Beauty, "At least it goes to a Russian, and our Princess no less."

Yeleziveta made a slightly audible sound as a response and looked about the stands and field, looking for Miquel. He could comfort her surely with his affections. Not seeing him she turned her cold blue eyes back to her brother once more who now turned approached Sir Paul, no doubt to announce his intentions for the duel. Then he left from there toward the gates of the fortress... "Poor Volodya" thought Yeleziveta, "Off to confront the woman who wronged him, he deserves better anyway." Yeleziveta sighed once more and leaned against her father's arm, her head falling on his shoulder.

 

[N Katsyev]

Inside the Isaborska

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Pavyel grunted, overhearing Tobias invitation for Mina to join himself and Sir Magnus, he turned to the two, looking over Katya, "I wouldn't be bothered sister, your more than likely to simply be called a heathen. The man may be able to tip well, but he'd probably much rather be kissing the Roman bishop's arse than to look upon such a beauty as yourself."

Mina grinned with a bit of a laugh and turned to Volker again, her neatly kept eyebrows raised slightly, "Is this true Herr Volker?"

Pavyel smiled and shrugged, "Its all well enough to be on firm in his convictions... Still I wouldn't willingly choose to spend a moment more with the man than I had to." The Prince trailed off as the Princess Katya pointed at one of the contenders, whispering something in his ear.

 

[Mettermrck]

Joao's Pavilion​

"Chin up, girl." The frank tone surprised Serena a little and she looked up to see Count Joao standing over her, a mixture of firm disappointment with a tiny hint of pity in his eyes. He said nothing, giving her time to collect her thoughts. Only when she had dried her eyes did he continue.

"Now...I trust there was a reason for your most unseemly display at tournament today? Did it have something to do with the competing affections of Sir Vladimir and Sir Richard?"

Serena's face tightened but she nodded. When she looked up, she saw Joao still looking at her, expectantly. Finally, she relented and told him as much of the story as she felt comfortable with.

Joao sighed a little but did not take his eyes off her. "I realize now it was a mistake not to escort you to the tournament stands. That stuttering fool played to your weakness and got you into a situation you should have never been in. But we're past that. Those knights will fight, one will win, you give him your favor, and all is well."

Serena looked as if she wanted to say something, but bit her lip and said nothing.

Satisfied, Joao continued. "But crying at a tournament, Serena? Over a complete stranger?!? Are you a servant maid, milady? Hmm?" His tone hardened and his prompts grew harsh.

She winced at his words but said nothing. Looking at the ground, she shook her head.

"Good. You are a noblewoman, not some emotional tart from the village. Get a grip on yourself, girl! When you are out in public, you are not Serena, the lovesick shy young woman, you are the daughter of Pedro, you are Coimbra....YOU are Portugal! As am I. And it is up to us to make a proper impression. Are you starting to understand?"

Reluctantly, she nodded.

"That's a start. You don't see me obsessing over some Pskovian lady, do you? No, of course not. One must not let one's attachments undermine that which makes you noble. I don't and neither should you. Now, I want you to stay in this tent and not to leave until I return. I'll escort you this evening to keep an eye on things. For now, there are some things, I must attend to. Are we agreed?"

Again, Serena nodded. Joao stared hard at her for a moment before nodding, satisfied. Then he turned and left her to her thoughts.

Tournament Grounds​

He needed a swift walk to relax himself. Picking a random landmark in the distance, he decided to walk to the fortress tower and back, a good distance that would drain off some of his excess energy.

That fool girl! he cried to himself. She would make a mockery of Duke Pedro and worse....me! The Queen's Nephew! Haughtily, he straightened his shoulders and posture as he walked, and struggled to put that silly lovesick Serena out of his head.

 

[HJ Tulp]

Jonker Richard was relieved. He had expected the Pskovian noble to shout and be angry at him. Instead of that he shook his hand and invited him for a drink!

"I w-w-would be honourd Sir Vlaaaaaadimir."

His uncle had always told him not to refuse a drink.

 

[N Katsyev]

Outside the Isaborska

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Vladimir's smile slowly vanished and he nodded, still good naturedly to Sir Richard, "Wonderful, I believe we both could use one." As he and the Gelran were making their way to fortress, Melnikov noticed Count Joao out of the corner of his eye walking toward one of the towers. Immediately the previous night once more entered his mind, his last meeting with the lady Syerina Pedravna, and he gave a slight sigh, he missed her already...

Social Tents​

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Vladimir motioned to a servant he had spoken with briefly last night, "Viktor, get me and the good lord a couple vodkas will you."

The servant nodded his head toward Vladimir, "Immediately milord."

Vladimir handed the servant a couple kopecks who then rushed over to the bar to fetch the drinks. Vladimir's blue eyes turned now in the artificial darkness of the tent toward Sir Richard, "So tell me, is this your first tourney?" Viktor returned with the drinks, setting them down on the table before each man respectively. Vladimir addressed the servant, "Thank you Viktor, that is all for now." Vladimir Eevanivich looked to Sir Richard for his response. Over Richard's shoulder however, Vladimir noticed the Sir Basileius... Maybe he would like to join them? Granted he'd at least be easier to understand than this Gelran...

 

[HJ Tulp]

Jonker Richard looked at liquid in the cup.
Vodka! Uncle Raymond had told him about it. Raymond had drunk it on a trip to Latvia, which was Livonia back then. He had said that it was like a angel pissing on his tongue.

"I h-have com-competed in s-s-several Tourneys but n-none as big as this. M-M-My brother is......was the champion of the family. H-H-He won in a T-Tourney in England. S-Sir Paul organised it. H-He also competed in other ggrrrreat TOurneys but.......he was at the B-Battle o-o-of the Bridge in Pru-Pra-Prussia..... now I'm the one that has to defend the honour of the family and Gelre."

The last line was spoken with that much determination that he didn't even stutter.

 

[N Katsyev]

Inside the Isaborska, Social Tents

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Vladimir nodded somewhat gravely when Sir Richard noted the Battle of the Bridge. He took his cup up and raised it before himself and the Gelran, "I have heard of that battle, a terrible tradgedy. To the honor and bravery of Gelre's fallen." Vladimir tipped his head back and emptied his cup. He set the cup back down on the table hard and motioned for Viktor to bring refills.

 

[unmerged(8054)]

Inside the Isaborska​

"I don't know, Grand Princess. I know neither the man nor his family. The only information I can give about him is based on his shield, and even that only proclaimes him a Bremer.
I've never spoken to him, nor heard rumours about him. You know, we merchant families doesn't pay that close attention to the lower nobility, not unless the control important harbours or stretches of road, and my family have never traded through Grünenwald land.

I'd never invite you to a dinner if I thought he'd insult you. But if Prince Pavyel thinks that would be the likely outcome, I withdraw my invitation with apologies."

As Tobias said so, he sure looked shamed of himself. e sought the eyes of Pavyel, trying to gauge if he held any reasonable chance of redemption.

 

[N Katsyev]

Inside the Isaborska

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Mina noticed the serious expression that suddenly hung on Volker's face. She gave him an almost piteous smile, taking his hand and holding it on her thigh, "Don't be silly Tobias, there is no need to apologize. Its probably best you meet the man yourself anyway. How long has it been since you were able to fraternise with another German man anyway? You don't need a woman around to complicate things." Mina's betrayed a playfulness as she leaned forward, her cheek against his and whispered, pressing his hand more tightly against her thigh, "And who knows, I just might miss while you are away and be over-joyed at your return tonight..."

Mina grinned and slid away from him again, her gray eyes meeting his before she looked back out over the lists, addressing nobody really in particular aside from those who were listening, the sensual tones having dissapeared from her voice "Beside, I should probably meet the good knight of Portugal and give him a proper favour for the joust."

Pavyel turned and smiled at his sister, as much in a jovial mood as usual.

 

[AugCaesar]

Katya had entered the Social tent and Thomas was awaiting her, standing tall and proud, and very very rigid. He definitely did not look excited or at all happy to be there. As she approached and he came to greet her the cause of his displeasure was obvious he walked with a slight limp, favoring his right knee. He took her hand and kissed it politely as he led her to his seet and took his across from her. He did not smile much but did keep his eyes focused on her. He spoke differently than he had the last time they spoke, outside the Kremlin under the snow. This time he sounded rushed, and fake.

"Princess, first I should like to apologize in person to you as a host of this tournament for the grievances caused upon this noble institution the day Sir "Coeur de Lion" arrived here. It has grieved me and all of my party that such things occurred." He paused and put his hands out on the table before him leaning back in his chair with a slight sigh,

"Regarding the whole affair of this tipping, indeed I personally wished to come her and tip and joust for my country and to ask for your favor, but I was delayed at the Kremlin." He looked a bit angry as he continued, "That damn Sir George forbade me to go, saying that would leave him with no attendants, and so forth, and that if I was hurt or killed he'd be the one paying for it in England," he calmed again and spoke more softly," Well I managed to convince the fool I would not joust, and that I would watch alone and alas he let me come here, be it much later than my friends, and "Couer de Lion.""

He paused now and seemed to be searching his mind, god it had been a long few days he thought in his head, so much to think about he could not even find the words he needed to say. Finally they came to him and he continued,

"Regarding the whole favor issue and the tipping, indeed I intended to come and ask you for your favor on the knights behalf, for as you know he is mute, but he found your beauty to be striking, for obvious reasons, and wanted only to tip with your favor, unfortunately the knight I was going to ask you for it you were at once occupied with your friend Vladimir, and then chasing after some other man." He paused now and his face looked pained as he shifted his knee, though it was apparent some of the pain came from the thoughts that accompanied his next words,

"Well the next time I say you, you did not deign to speak with me, by your noble prerogative. I apologize for seeking an audience with you at an innopportune time, and in the future shall only bother you when called upon, or when it is of important matters. If it is your wish I can forget one day, and count it as a happy memory." He sat there staring into her eyes, which had caught him during his speach and as always mesmerized him, he awaited her answer his mind struggling with the burdens it held.

 

[I Killed Kenny]

The social tent:

After weeks and weeks of Training even when when the joust had oficially began, he desieded it was time to finally some social activity so he entered in the social tent... But he didn't know anyone... He when to a corner seeing what was happening... Maybe somebody would start some conversation with him...

 

[Auspend]

Sir Siegfried von Schlager sees to the well being of his temporary ward, the lady Eva-Maria. Then, seeking reconciliation with the Lord Master Herald for his horrendious faux-pas on his arrival he makes his way to the social tent where he hopes Sir Paul may be relaxing. Upon entering he doesn't see Sir Paul, but does see the Pskovian knight slam down an empty cup on the table. Thinking this is the person he wants to be around, von Schlager approaches the table with the Pskovian and the Gelran. He speaks with a heavy german accent.

"Guten Tag gentlemen. I see there's some good drinking going on without me. We can't have that now, can we? Mind if I join you? I'm Sir Siegfried von Schlager of the Rhineland Palatinat."

 

[unmerged(9167)]

Miquel walked to the Countess and spoke as he bend to kiss her hand,

Hello, Beautiful Liz. How is your day? Did you sleep well? Is your brother okay? I heard that he got only 15 rings.

Then he looked over her beautiful form and smiled. He enjoys being around her.
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Sir Basileus was having fun watching the tipping as he judge of which is most skilled thus most worthy to be challenged.

 

[I Killed Kenny]

Markos looks to Sir Siegfried

Oh finally a noble German he says laudlly I am Markos von Wittelsbach, a distance cousin of your liege of Platinate... how are the lands of the Rhine?

 

[unmerged(3110)]

Late in the evening when the 'ostaler is sure that EVERY lady has gone to bed there is a comotion at the back of the "Riders" Social tent as the girls from next door come in to do the dance of the seven viels. A recently aquirde eastern erotica.

A sign precedes them.

The music starts and the nine girls start to dance under the suppervition of thier Madame.

When all is bared the star atractions return.... Annalise and Jasmine. Contortionists extraudinaire

Jasmine definatly winks at the new knight from Jerusalem. He's cute.

Non of the Tourney staff of any consequence are present.

 

[HJ Tulp]

"To their honour!" said Jonker Richard van Barel and immediatly after emptieing the cup in his throat he had to cough.
"Ughe, t-t-that's ahem eh s-s-strong stuff if I m-m-may say so. Ughe." then a knight walked to their table and said:

"Guten Tag gentlemen. I see there's some good drinking going on without me. We can't have that now, can we? Mind if I join you? I'm Sir Siegfried von Schlager of the Rhineland Palatinat."

"H-H-Honoured to meet you s-s-sir. I w-w-wouldn't re-really mind. M-May I introduce to yyyyyou my brother in a-a-arms and h-hounour and prime op-op-opponent S-Sir Vli-Vlo-VLadimir? Ch-Champion foooooor Pst-Pskovia and one of the contenders for Lady Serena's favour. I'm Jonker Richard vvvvan Barel by the way. And if I may say so Sir Vladimir......it looks like your excellent vvvvvvodka helps a bit against my stu-sti-stutter."

 

[I Killed Kenny]

The Bavarian Knight looks to the ladies present...

Oh my God I didn't saw so much beauty united in one room for a LOOONG time and I didn't had... erg... ya know for a LOONG time... I really wanna talk with some of them after the dancing

 

[N Katsyev]

Outside the Izborsk Fortress

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The Grand Princess along with the two servitors who had accompanied her and a number of orderlies made their way toward the pavilion of the Count Joao of Portugal. She had decided at the tipping that if this man would honour her by declaring his intent to tip for her, that she should at least give him a proper favour to wear during the tourney itself. That very favour she wore around her neck presently, the long emerald green scarf wrapped around her neck, the tails of which fluttered behind her with her hair as she walked.

Upon arrival and inquisition of those attending the pavilion it was found that Cout Joao had gone for a walk. A number of orderlies were sent out to search the tourney grounds for the Count and to of course bring him back to meet with the Grand Princess Polotovskaya. Mina turned to one of the attendants as they waited, speaking forcefully against the wind, "I wish also to speak with the Lady Serena Nunes, if it is possible."

 

[Mettermrck]

Joao's Pavilion​

Serena was resting in the Pavilion when she heard the Grand Princess' party approach. Hearing Joao's servants inform them of his whereabouts, she immediately bustled about the tent, making sure she was presentable, and arranging herself in as dignified a fashion as could be done.

She heard Mina request her presence, so she quietly emerged from the tent, and curtsied gracefully to the Grand Princess - after all, she was a ruler, and deserved proper respect.

"Your Highness. You honor me with your presence. How might I be of service?"

Tournament Grounds​

Count Joao was resting on one of the ramparts near the far tower he walked to earlier in the day. He was enjoying the cool air sweeping over the battlements and indeed, was appreciating the solace.

Hearing footsteps behind him, he turned and eyed what appeared to be a messenger coming towards. Hmm, the livery of the Pskovian House. Seems important enough, he though to himself. Told that Grand Princess Mina wanted to meet him, he nodded and followed the messenger back towards the Pavilion.

The side of his mouth curled as he walked through the tent, looking forward to meeting someone of high station.