The Ganut

Episode 29: Don't talk to me about honor.

The tournament continued and the favorites, Gerrard and Byron won their fights. Oswald also won his second duel. There were only 4 players left. Oswald was the only non-noble remaining. He had the highest rating. Many people had already placed their bets for the upcoming duel. Even the nobles bet among themselves. Caesar and Wila had bet 1000 krika each. He had bet on Oswald and she had bet on her brother. The duel began to the encouragement of the crowd. Oswald was severely hit in the shoulder during the first attempt but managed to damage Sir Gray's spear a little. On to the second attempt. Oswald noticed a movement from Byron as the horses got closer and braced for impact. He noticed that Sir Gray was moving diagonally in order to dodge his spear and also that he was delaying his blow by a few milliseconds to be sure to hit his opponent. But this analysis had cost Oswald dearly because Byron's spear had opened his armor. Oswald therefore decided to counter him with a strategy that he had just developed. On the third attempt, about 10 meters from the crossing, Oswald extended his spear as far as possible towards Byron. This was risky because he no longer had enough strength to thrust his spear to inflict damage. But the crowd was surprised to see Sir Byron Gray on the ground. Oswald had thrown him off his horse. While trying to dodge the spear at all costs, Byron lost his balance and fell from his horse. Oswald had just won his ticket to the final. The crowd harangued him and shouted his name in unison in the arena. Caesar sighed heavily, and gave Wila a provocative look.

The other jousters present in the arena and those who knew about it had noticed Oswald's masterstroke. Jerel, former winner of this tournament, had also welcomed the maneuver and spoke about it to Mary.

- I know this soldier. I knew he was a good swordsman, but my goodness, he jousts well!

- You know something about jousting from what I see.

- You are addressing the winner of the 41st, 42nd and 44th editions of this tournament.

- What happened in the 43rd?

- Not even congratulations for the ones I won (laughs...)

- Sorry (laughs...)

- That's what I like about you.

Sandrine's friends who saw her son laughing with Mary began to question her about the latter.

Friend 1: I think she's the first noblewoman I've seen who has this piece of trash attached to her arm.

Friend 2: Sir Fizi finally courts a young lady. She must be special. Her face is familiar to me but I can't remember where I saw her. What family does she come from again ? (she said looking at Sandrine)

Sandrine pretended not to hear the question. She had her eyes glued to the second semi-final which Sir Terry had just won.

- Well, Lady Fizi, I didn't know you were so fond of the joust. I even forgot that your son won it three times.

- He is a Fizi, a warrior at heart.

- But, who is the young lady who accompanies him today ? He still refused my daughter's advances so I would still like to know that her family will have the honor of receiving the dowry.

- Oh, Mary is not from here. She's probably a noblewoman from the neighboring cities. It's recent between the two so I don't really know her.

- That's good. We all want to know her, don't we? (she said looking at "friend 1") I'm organizing a little tea party tomorrow. You could come with her.

- Um... I don't really know if.

- Come on... Sandrine. Well, I'll ask her myself.

- No, it's okay. I will do it.

Not too far from Mary's place, Garuk and Makissi were chatting about the tournament. She didn't understand why Garuk was so captivated.

- I thought your favorite event was the Royal Race.

- It's the case.

- Seeing you gesticulate, I can't tell.

- It's just that there are a lot of qualities in the duels and that increased my interest in tournaments.

- If you say so. I only see a collection of violence justified by honor.

- I hope to be able to participate one day.

- Seriously? Why put your life on the line for simple entertainment. It's ridiculous. And don't talk to me about honor.

- What would you say about duels then?

- It's worse than anything. There is always a peaceful way. But men just ignore it.

- Look at ! There's Morak who comes to announce the start of the final!

- Pfff... Can't wait for this day to end so we can attend the theater tomorrow.

Morak took the floor and addressed the audience.

- On my left is Oswald. A young soldier who until today was unknown in the world of jousters. It is said that he is excellent at swordsmanship and that he comes from "Garchik". Hence its nickname : "the fine blade of Garchik". But it's his jousting prowess that will perhaps make him history tonight. On my right, you already know him, is Colonel Gerrard Terry. Second in command of the Sifan army, and double winner of this tournament in just two appearances ! He won the 43rd and 56th editions of the tournament. Today, he wants to win the 58th edition and thus equal the record of the great general Fizi!

As Morak presented the finalists, the betting stands were crowded. Oswald's rating had dropped considerably but was nonetheless higher than Sir Terry's. Basically, Kirk's brother participated because Byron Gray, winner of the 57th edition, had challenged him. They were supposed to meet in the final to see who was the best jouster but Oswald decided otherwise. In the royal stands Caesar proposed to Duke Kirk Terry that they each bet 20,000 krika. Caesar would bet on the victory of Oswald and Kirk, on that of his brother. But Kirk declined the bet because he was very pious and one of the gods prohibited gambling. Ervin, who had followed and heard the whole scene, decided to match the bet and bet on Gerrard. Morak had finished the introductions. The final could begin.

There was a brief silence as the two horses covered the first 40 meters before impact. The crowd was attentive. Oswald's spear had hit Gerard in the shoulder. He had damaged his armor somewhat, but the advantage was with Sir Terry in this first round. After the impact, the next 40 meters Oswald walked were painful. He struggled to stay on his horse. He had returned to the other end, but the entire arena had noticed his suffering. Gerard's spear had torn the right side of his abdomen. A serious tear which should push him to abandon. He could even lose his life if he is not treated immediately. The referees asked Oswald if he could continue. He struggled to answer as he was bleeding so much. He ended up answering in the affirmative. But the referees cannot stop the game for this reason. The candidate himself must give up. They do not want to tarnish the honor of jousters who are ready to die for glory. The signal had been given and the final could resume.