𝐖𝐀𝐑 𝐎𝐅 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐒 ― 𝘢. 𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘳𝘢𝘨𝘰𝘯

𝖙𝖍𝖗𝖊𝖊

  𝕬𝖛𝖎𝖘 sits in the stands beside the King's throne, watching as the knights file into the arena before Uther goes to address them. "Knights of the realm, it's a great honor to welcome you to the tournament at Camelot. Over the next three days, you will come to put your bravery to the test, your skills as warriors, and of course, to challenge the reigning champion - my son, Prince Arthur. Only one can have the honor of being crowned champion. And he will receive a prize of one thousand gold pieces," Uther announces. The crowd begins to murmur at the chest that was opened, revealing the prize. Uther continues, "It is in combat that we learn a knight's true nature - whether he is indeed a warrior or a coward. The tournament begins!" All knights but Arthur and his opponent fall back to where they entered. As Uther makes his way to his throne, he stops and whispers in Arthur's ear. The Prince straightens as his father sits down. 

  The squires take both of their capes and put their helmets on for them, handing them their shields before getting off the arena. The crowd claps in encouragement. Avis shifts in her seat when Arthur is the one to make the first move, slashing his sword down on his opponent who luckily lifts his shield in time. The green knight slashes in retaliation but Arthur jumps back and blocks the second blow with his sword. The two exchanged hits are either dodged or blocked until Arthur squares up to his adversary. The air is tense until Arthur makes a swift move that the knight cannot catch up to despite his best defense, especially when Arthur snakes around him and elbows him directly in the helmet, sending the man down. Despite her best efforts, Avis sighs in relief and claps in celebration. 

  The time goes by as knights from all over the kingdom try to fight their way up the ranks. One knight in particular - Knight Valiant, if Avis recalls correctly - seems rather successful in his attempts. In the end, it is only a handful of knights left to have the honor of greeting King Uther and Lady Morgana.

  "It is such an amazing test of skill that I begin to wonder why you ever gave up your knighthood, Mathias." Avis gazes up at the Steward with a teasing grin from their place beside King Uther.

  The man chuckles lightly at her statement, "I believe that is a story for another day."

₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪

  The second day of the Tournament is as exciting as the first, with Knights from all over the Realm fighting tooth and nail for their place in the finale. One fight in particular, however, left everyone thirsting for more. Knight Valiant - who had been a force to be reckoned with up to this point - was struggling with Knight Ewan. Their swords were lightning fast, desperate to get a hit but striking nothing until the two separated and stared each other down. Knight Valiant - being the brutal force he has proved himself to be - goes in for the kill but his moves grow predictable to the level-headed Knight Ewan. Cheers and clapping flood the arena, the fight making the crowd eager for a victor. It isn't until Knight Ewan puts himself into a precarious position that Knight Valiant takes advantage of by hitting his opponent with his shield while both of their swords were locked together. Knight Ewan falls, losing his helmet, and although he isn't quick enough to stand up he does put his shield up when Knight Valiant towers above him. From Avis's seat, all she sees is the backside of Knight Valiant, and when he straightens up to reveal Knight Ewan on the ground with his shield by his side, her eyebrows furrow. The victor delivers one final blow to the seemingly unconscious man before taking off his helmet and grinning at his adoring crowd.

  Gaius walks into the arena, observing the man, and flagging over two guards to take him to his laboratory. Avis shifts in her seat, looking over to Mathias who chats with a man beside him. Everything in her screams to question Gaius on what happened but her duty makes her stay rooted to her seat. "Are you okay, Avis?" Morgana inquires, adjusting her fur collar.