#bergen_county

As Dame Dee Lorean and Dame Hammerstrike each ride out, there are hushed breaths in the stands, low mumurs, and , of course a few chatter box opinions in the crowd

Sylvi's been able to get back to the joust, since Gerd is face painting.

She spots her mother moving approaching as well, stepping away from the stands reserved for nobility. Good. Dagmar will be glad she's watching.

Along with Kerri is a redcap girl. Out of the armor and outfit she wwore and instead in blue jeans, shirt, and jacket, she isn't easily reocognized as the Balor's Squire. It would appear she's hanging close to the new Chief

Sylvi grins a bit as Rivervale seems to have picked up a new stray.

Dagmar is in full panoply - Gwydion gold-and-green armor, with Rivervale's heraldry painted on her shield, and Symon's favor tied around her arm. Star arches her neck, high steps & tail like a banner.

Dame Lavender wears the mantle of Silverwolf on her half cloak and sash. Her helm has a crest allowing room for her horns. Her own horse stamps in anticipation

While Sylvi is curious about the redcap, she's more eager to refocus on the joust about to happen! "Woooo! HAMMERSTRIKE!"

Madern's voice can be heard, "DeLorean, hit 88 and get us back ..to victory!"

("Aw, Ernie, come on! That's whatcha got? Nah, that ain't trash talk! Listen, DEE, y'all show that oversized tin can what we do to cranberry sauce!")

Under her helm, Dee smiles at a nocker's call

And another voice is heard, the high herald annoucing "Ladies, Gentlemen, and all in between, we come at least to the last match of the great Pennons Joust. The WINNER will get a pick of one of THREE Fine fae steeds for their hold's use , the laurel of victory, and a purse of dross... and, of course, ever lasting glory. Dame Dagmar Hammerstrike of Rivervale Lodge now will face Dame Dee Lavender D'Lorean , Piercing Thorn of the Steelgarden of Silverwolf!" At this, more cheers and whoops, before the Herald resumes "Knights, be ready, when the flags drop, unleash yourselves!"

Sylvi goes from loud cheering to a sudden hush as she waits and watches the flags.

And the flags drop, someone yells "SMASH EM!" Another yells "JOUST CLUB!" but.. those are only barely heard as two sounds like thunder on the land move to clash each other

Kerri is watching from the side of the ring, one hand lightly resting on the girl's shoulder, not to control so much as to check location...and perhaps reassure.

Ever amazing on horse, the slightly crippled Satyr brings her steed to a proud dance and charges, thinking she has her peer's measure when the canny troll dips her shoulder throwing off what should have been a steady point to a mere skiff, no lance broken, no point granted to Silverwolf... alas for Lavender, the same can not be said of what she endures...

Dagmar's shoulder dip also works as a kind of feint, or at least allows a sublte shift of her own lance, and it manages to hit center mass on the Satryess. One may joke about strong thighs in a satyr woman but suffice to say, Lavender is not thrown off her horse... even as she sails through the shrapnel of the broken lance tip. There is no denying first point belongs to Rivervale, but they say it anyway

"First Round, RIvervale 2" The herald announces

"Rivervale!" Kerri calls out.

"Oh boo hiss" A familar voice says with playful annoyance behind the Chief. Nadeen joins her at the railing rather a fine box, perhaps for a distaste for skunks.

Dagmar raises the remnant of her lance in a salute to Lavender, before trotting back to her side where COnnor is waiting with a new one.

"Baroness!" Kerri says, clearly pleased. "I was wondering if you were here."

Lavender salutes back, a grin on her face even if she also fears she will fail her lieges. Don't be a baby, Lavender. You are lancing against giants... that's SOMETHING!

Lances replaced, the next round goes on

Nadeen smiles "My old friend against my champion? I wouldn't miss it, but... they're about to go again"

"So they are," Kerri agrees and then goes silent again.

The next banner drops, and once more the knights become one with their steeds, once more they close in like rival thunderclouds that will not share the same space long! Lavender lets loose a yell at the last moment, no words, just a howl of exultation to be in the greatest sport known to the world as a champion, and this time it is HER lance that splitters against Dagmar's heart or at least the armor that covers it. Dagmar hits in return, but not as solid a blow as she would like and feels herself twisting, threatening to fall of Star... if she can stay on, she wins, 3 -2 but if she should fall, all is lost!

A collective gasp from the audience!

"C'mon, Dagmar...." Sylvi murmurs.

Kerri watches as impassively as she can manage.

The idea , the NOTION that Dagmar might lose Star by falling off is unthinkable ,though in truth the Joust Club sister would not put too dear a ransom on her, nor would the Baroness Nadeen, one might worry about the Baron Aiden. Long has he coveted the finest of horses, and there is no doubt that Star is among the finest.... oh, what Ailil plots might arise to hold onto such a horse? The Gwydions in the stands can only wonder, as all their pride relies on their House sister of Rivervale!

For a moment , it seems that the very saddle Dagmar is on might come lose and betray her, but this saddle was prepared by no ordinary Squire, no! This saddle was put on using the Shadowpaw Double Knot Friendship technique!! And the knot of such will not unbuckle at even the hardest of blows easily. Indeed, the harder the blows that come to bestest buddies, the more such a knot seems to hold on!

And Dagmar rather than falling over to the side to be dragged, grips her steed tight with legs and hooking one hand to that secure saddle and HOLDS ON! Long enough to have the passage of the two warriors go by each other, BOTH Still on their horses

A high pitched cheer of relief from a certain former cheerleader!

Star is a trained war horse, indeed, trained at the same stables as Dee’s Mount, but honed by Dagmar! The sturdy mare leans to one side, helping ensure Dagmar’s balance.

Kerri exhales and murmurs, "Oh, thank the Dreaming."

"A mighty blow, but Victory, at 3 to 2, goes to Dame Dagmar Hammerstrike, Bolt of the Storm, of RIVERVALE!" The Herald declares!

More cheering from Sylvi! Other voices in the crowd start chanting "RI-VER-VALE! RI-VER-VALE! RI-VER-VALE!"

Star prances, knowing the cheers are for HER.

Aren't they always?

Dee’s stallion snorts at Star indignantly…

Nadeen sighs "Another loss. I guess I'll just have to replace her" Even as she applauds politely, "A pity. She's loyal"

At the edge of the stands, Simon awaits, glowering in pride. He lifts a hand to Dagmar, a little wave of beckoning?

It is good Symon has his earplugs for the roars grow deafening and flowers are thrown.

"Oh, now, Nadeen. We both know you don't mean that." Kerri is still clapping and beaming with pride for Dagmar and the barony.

She squints and tilts her head at Symon.

"I don't, and even Aiden wouldn't" Nadeen admits "He's fond of her loyalty and knows a master equestrian when he sees one, but I DO worry we may recruit another lancer ... and the poor satyr will take that hard if so. "

He doesn’t look worried or distressed, but gives her a little wave once more.

She pulls Star up beside the stands - between being mounted and her own height, she can get reasonably close.