#bergen_county

The flags drop, and they charge. Star moves speedily...

Dag gets lance in harness. Third go, she's feeling good!

And then suddenly, there's this twist of a wrist, expert shove... and Dagmar finds herself out in the a good five feet behind Star's tail. She's been unhorsed!

And Star has lost her troll!

Star rears up a bit, and shows her teeth at the other rider, prancing between the two.

Brekke was watching that, and she frowns.

Dagmar sits up, blinking.

Before spinning to nibble at Dagmar. Connor is also dashing over!

Dagmar rises, taking off her helmet. Those who know her well might recognize the stiffness of her posture - it's not injury.

"Victory to Ser Rayeux de Beaumayn"

She takes Star's reins and croons. "Shhh... shh, it'll be okay." (ping)

She lips at Dagmar’s arm.

Ser Rayeux trots up "A fast horse, a strong arm, and a stout heart. Respect, young lady, however you may feel now, you have right to be proud"

Nadeen says "Oh no, please don't take the horse"

Aiden frowns and murmurs to Nadeen, “Has she the random?”

"She does. And he must accept if it be fair. otherwise only the rich could joust her"

Nadeen then says "And if she doesn't, the others will chip in"

She bites on her lip and nods.

"I have a favor to ask of you, thouogh it may be trying," Ser Rayeux asks "In exchange for any ransom of your horse?"

"A favor for the ransom? So I can keep Star?"

Brekke is watching this negotiation carefully, but she is too far away to hear it.

"Of course. I ask of you, a dozen of your award winning cookies. Not as insult to your horse, but because they looked tastey and I was late to get to them, and because I see you in a few years jousting still... and I do not iwsh you discouraged. That would be a loss to the sport. You were born to ride"

She breaks into a relieved smile. "Of course. Absolutely! Thank you!"

Connor beams and bows to the grey beard.

Brekke notes the smile and relaxes.

"you are most welcome" He inclines his head "And besides. When your chiefatain unhorses me. she'll let me off out of honor... and I'll be ahead by some wonderful cookies"

Nadeen sits down with VISIBLE relief

A little chuff of laughter. "Chief'll do the honorable thing, always, yeah." She holds out her hand. "Good deal, and thank you."

He shakes her hand firmly "Again, most welcome." his eyes sparkle

Vali grins "Good representative of the house"

And 10 minutes later... Brekke unhorses Ser Rayeux on the second pass

"As was..foretold" he says looking up "I hope. Riveting shot"

Dagmar tends to Star, making a lot of fuss.

Brekke nods. "Ser, you were gracious to Dame Dagmar. I thank you for this. Please keep your horse without need for ransom, as a gesture of my gratitude."

"You are kind" he says and rises up "And you did not even ask for cookies. I come ahead this day"

With Dagmar unhorsed, she's out of the contest. And Siv claps her on the back "You were great, i mean, first year jousting! ANd you got half way"

“You did so good Dagmar!”

Connor crows. And it’s not a lie!

Brekke shakes his hand, and then returns to Rivervale's side of the list.

"I was so scared for a minute there. I'm gonna make him two dozen..."

“I’ll make him some too!”

"Well, they are Pup-kin cookies..."

the crowds thin... Doomwind seems unstopable, and relatively quiet, almost troll ish. She brings many victories for Teaneck

“Is that old lady horse okay? She was panting like me when I run around the lake until I fall down.”

"I am worried about her, yeah."

"The satyress seems cool, too."

Brekke makes certain to have a word with Dagmar. "You are satisfied with your riding today?"

"Mostly. Wish I hadn't lost, but.. glad it worked out?"

A firm nod. "Good. You were a very strong competitor, and you deserve to be pleased. You make Rivervale proud."

Many fans have had some scares today. One pooka swears he almost lost his 401K