#bergen_county

"Hm." Brekke stands still for a moment, considering the field. Then the Grimhand picks up her helm and takes her axe in hand, and goes to meet her opponent.

Sir Thelwyf is shorter than any grown troll, but he is solid muscle. He looks up at Brekke "Baroness" He gives the slightest of bows.

"Knight," she replies, giving an even shorter nod. "I understand you had some choice words for our Rover after your match."

"Yes, I told him not to be ashamed for falling"

Said casually

A brow. "And that he was a credit to his people." She reminds him in the manner of one reminding an evasive child.

"Oh yes, " A nod "A commoner troll? Quite a credit within that context" A brow lift "If you believe he is not a credit and should be a shamed, perhaps you should take it up with him?" A shrug "After I defeat you"

"He is a credit within any context," she corrects him firmly. She doesn't even dignify the rest of his comments with notice.

The Referree says "All right, everyone all ready?"

Brekke gives a nod to the referee that is notably more respectful than the one she gave Thelwyf, and she turns to step away and put on her helm.

folks gather up, interested. Brekke IS the local favorite, with many considering young Dagmar as the one who might one day take the mantle, but there is a certain appeal to the stranger who comes into town and surprises all.

Sylvi has moved to stand near Dagmar. "She's gonna demolish him. He's an asshole."

Demolish him? The Aesin's twohanded blade lashes out, wounding Brekke's leg for the first stroke... but Brekke gets her counter stroke.

It's a good first strike...but Dagmar might suspect that Brekke let him have that first shot, as it opened up his entire right side. Speaker makes a low hummm through through the air as it arcs and finds the foe's ribs.

It is to the credit of the knight, or perhaps his armoror, that no ribs break, but oh yes he felt it! He whips his two handed blade about, and finds a groovee in her armor, but not in a vital area

she is bleeding, but then, he is no doubt one large bruise under his armor at the side

Olgar calls out "You got this, Chief!"

A grunt, but not exactly one of pain. Almost...amusement? A quick step to the side, and Speaker arcs again, connecting hard across his shoulder blades.

"Rivervale Rocks!" Sylvi calls out, then smiles over to her dad.

Vali whispers to those near him "She's working the same side, it will throw off his balance for two handed full swings, in fact, I think she's setting him up so any right to left swings will be weaker and weaker..."

Indeed, both shoulder blades take the blow, but one more than the other!

He's strong, for a sidhe anyway, and tough, but mastery of swordsman ship is not always mastery of tactics. While he varies his moves, his attempt to disarm Speaker with a strike to her hands comes from that 'weakening ' side.... and she holds on, the grimhand tolling almost as if to say that was a mistake on his part

Brekke raises Speaker above her head as that grim bell rings out, and DOWN comes the blade, her weight committed to the blow that's aimed to land where neck and shoulder meet.

Speaker doesn't speak often, but Brekke imagines it just gave a satisfied grunt of approval as it clashes down and drives the Aesin to his knees! Perhaps Brekke should not admit this, but there is something satisfying about teaching the arrogant a bit of a lesson. Sir Thelwyf should surrender, but pride suffices, and he thrusts out for the leg he hit before, the blow is imperfect but heart felt. Brekke admits that is going to be sore after this fight

However, this fight is essentially over, one more blow will do it, and the Aisen is done

She gave her other opponent the opportunity to yield. In fact, she did that for each of her opponents so far today. But not now. The final blow she delivers directly across his helm, an almost casual gesture but with the power of a line drive -- a slap with a battle axe.

And down he goes!

"VIctory, by knock out and the inability of her foe to continue fighting, Chieftain Brekke of Rivervale!"The judge announces

Hopefully, he landed in a particularly muddy spot.
Sylvi cheers, vindicated!
Brekke salutes the crowd, turns and makes a gesture of honor to Olgar directly, and then goes off the field to where the healers are. Her limp is minimal, but that's largely from force of will.

Sylvi watches carefully to see what the reaction will be when the sidhe comes to.

Olgar gives a troll salute back, one of the most respectful he has ever given

And he says to his daughter "Get her a bit of spring in her coffee, hon. She's rather it from you than a healer here I bet"

The medics are putting the Aesin on a cot and wheeling him off.

Dagmar notices that Squire's eyes are now HUGE!

"Good idea, Dad." Sylvi hurries off to do so.

In the healer's tent, Sylvi pushes her way through until she gets to Brekke. "I've got this," she assures the healer about to attend her, and she works a quick bit of Spring into a mug with some complicated finger motions and genuine admiration. "That was awesome."

"Mom, you were amazing..." Siv comes in then sees Sylvi on it "Ah, good. Keeping it in the family so to speak"

Brekke gives a raised brow, but accepts the mug. "He is skilled, but not as skilled as he thinks. Thank you," she adds as she drinks.

A bit of a grin to Siv. "I did the job." Then more quietly, "Keep watch for retaliation."

"Yeah," Sylvi agrees. "He's petty."

"He's an ass" Siv observes but nods to both "You do know tiara and Dagmar will likely be the next match? that could be close. "

"Ah." Brekke nods. "I will want to see that." She tests her leg.

Her leg feels, restored! Sylvi's power over spring has grown

"Yeah, you have to fight the winner" Siv observes "That will be weird if it's Dagmar"

"My thanks, Freeholder," she says with a nod to Sylvi. Then to Siv, she says, "Not weird. We have sparred before. It should be...interesting. If it happens."

"Come, let us watch." She leads the way back out of the healer's tent.

And out they go to watch...

Meanwhile, Kerri notices there's someone new in town! Well, in tent? A new cook , the banner she doesn't recognize. clearly soemone has a patron

Well, of course she needs to make the rounds and greet visitors. She goes to see who belongs to that banner.

"Glory be" the woman behind the counter beams, a chef's hat of green on her head, despite the fact she's african American, there is no denying she's an Clurichaun! "Would you be Dame Kerri O the Hearth?"