"Makes sense. I wouldn't expect you to ride in a carriage anymore than I'd expect myself to."

It's just...freer, and more fitting for a Knight like himself, to ride a noble steed than riding in a carriage like some sort of fancy noble. Even if the end result of this is that he'll end up a prince.

"To breakfast then."

Hopefully it won't be too much of a nuisance before the day's events. Once up in the box, he can probably expect to converse with his majesty, but that's a lot more comfortable than conversing with all the random suitors looking to make a buck.

He'll escort her to breakfast.

 They  entered the   dining  area, the   sun looking  down on the  pool, The Emperor  and Consort were  dressed in leathers,  the two sitters in  fancy dresses.

  almost  all the  folks  at the table were dressed in 'fine' clothing. Only  Sir Navis, From  Mouri was  dressed in leathers. He smiled at  Luthien  and  Princess Dala.

 so?  at least  some one understand this is   a  Martial  Holiday...

Snya   looked down her nose to  Sir   Navis.Not  of  of Us   would  look to weild a weapon, if the City were  attacked...some would have to lead!

 Dala  took her place   at the 'end' of the  Sisters., Luthien next to her. She  gave a   condescending  smile,..some of us  would lead, by example, on the walls with our brave  troops,  ending the lives of those who would dare to attack our great city.


 Snya  sipped   some juice...this from  the one, who had to be recued, not so long ago?

 Dala fended it off,this is true... but i learned from my mistakes, and i have learned to use weapons..and? I....at least.... have sent  foot on the  ground outside the  walls, without a carpet laid before me...

 Nelk  said  in a stern manner that belied his smile.Enough, My daughters?... eat  so we may  proceed to the Arena..

 luthien  and I will be riding ...

Sir  Navies  spoke up...indeed? If  i may, i would   like to ride  with you both?

 You may...

Luthien's leathers actually look brand new. After all, he's not one to wear them in the field, they're only for events like this. If it weren't for etiquette of the courts, he'd default to being shiny and covered in plate, which he is only too comfortable with. But he learned a very hard lesson from the last time he wore plate, and was rather foolish.

He does feel a bit of a kinship with his fellow Knight, "Martial holidays make more sense to people with martial backgrounds. Those who've never had to fight for their lives against people trying to kill them will never really understand what it's like. The Captain encounters people trying...and failing...to kill him just about daily."

Luthien nods at the idea of being on the walls, though he'd definitely be shiny for that event!

"Any warrior can be captured, if an opponent gets lucky. That's why many warriors invoke the Sisters before battle."

Even though he invokes the Huntress instead.

He smiles pretty broadly at Sir Nevis for that.

"It's just better riding properly. They didn't spend all that time training us to ride horses for us to waste it in carriages."

  He leaned over and said  quietly to  Luthien...there  will be something to note, when the princess  stands  and makes her  way to the sands. how many of these fools in the finery will attempt  to join her, in effort to best her...or appease her?

  Sir Navies  took a bite of   some  toasted bread that he dipped in  egg yellows.mI may join in the  'fight of the free"... at the end of  the  day, 20 prisoners who are deemed battle worthy  are Picked..They wil fight   Volunteers from the crowd... if they are slain..well.. that is on the gods?  If they lose and are not slain, they go back to  working the orachards   and  sihing the river, or Building ships... if they win, they will be  given 5 gold  coins and the sword that they used  and will leave the  city.... if they Kill a Volunteer.. yhe  same  will be provided, but..they will be asked if they wish to join our  army or navy

In reply to Luth (msg # 816):

"Oh, that kinda thing is obvious, particularly when untrained people try to ride a horse. Somebody's going to think there's nothing to it, and I imagine at least one will fall off. It'll be worth a laugh at least."

He's kinda looking forward to that kind of thing.

The fight of the free?

Luthien isn't super clear on how it works, so he observes instead of volunteering. It looks like it's about fighting prisoners, but he wants a little more information. There's a lot of customs of Ironmound he's not totally clear on.

To Sir Navies, "It sounds like you're volunteering to be an executioner? I'm not totally clear on how that works."
This message was last edited by the player at 20:32, Thu 25 Aug 2022.

  Sir Navies  gives a shrug,that is  simplistic  way to say it..but it  hits, close to the truth. There  are  three times of prisoners who take the chance at comabt release... the first, are those who  have lost all hope, and  cannot take the chains any longer. The middle of the group, are those who thing they can make a new life for themselves if they can escape the prisoner of war camps...The Last group are the hard core   enemies  who do not  what to aid us, by toiling  for   The Emperor..so they take the chance, and figure, if they cannot be free, they will take one  of us  with them

Hmm.

"I see. And what is appropriate attire for such volunteering?"

He doesn't wanna go get his plate armor before the trip if it's inappropriate.

 Sir Navies  shrugs when it comes to such things, The Emperor likes  the   field to be balanced.. so every one with  wear  leather..shorts  swords  and Bucklers.it  does  give  an  edge to  Pirates though, since they used  that collect ,most times.

That setup again. The same one Olen wanted to use.

"I keep wanting to use what I was trained with for these things, and I keep finding I can't. It's a little frustrating. I suppose I'm going to have to spend a lot more time getting used to that style of combat...unless...is there anything on my terms? Is there something like a Joust?"

 Sir Navies  shakes his head,not that i am aware... Ironwood  has  build themselves  as seafaring warriors,, so  short swords and  bucklers  with leather  come into play?.. Those   Troops  of the Iron mound regulars have  everything from Leather to plate..depending on stations and   thier  unit. Honestly? I feel  they do not want to see  people in plate  bash  each other., blood is  easier  seen  from leather.

 when The Emperor  is ready, we ill have to make out way to main gates, to ride   'behind' the  carriage as if,  in escort.

"That is a bet I would take. I'm going to see if I can get his majesty to host a joust at some future date. I think people might find warriors in gleaming plate with lances on mighty steeds more entertaining than that. But it doesn't look like I'm going to get my wish today."

So, it looks like this isn't really his time to do his thing, but...he's fairly confident he could get his majesty to agree to host a joust at some point.

He nods at the departure stuff.

Abaout  an Hour, and the Emperor    stands...Time for us to  make ready to  take the ride to the  arena.. I wwill meet you all out the  make  game in the courtyard...

 Dala   takes a bite of  some tart...we will wait a bit..and go straight to the Gates, Antok should have our horses.

Luthien was plenty ready to go, so he maintains Dala's escort to the horses...when she's ready to go.

He finds himself going after a chocolate or two again.

"Right."

Well, he's definitely gonna have some fun today.

At the Main Gate. there were two rows  of  Ironmound Regulars on  horseback, 8 to each side of the   road..the  Royal Carriage  in the middle of the road  awaiting the  Emperor, Consort and  two of the Daughters...Axe Handle  and some pale looking   fellow is  spellcaster Robes  joined them

Antok  stood   in front of   a squad  of  10  men, in polished armor, who would walk directly behind the  carriage.

 6 horses  were held by handlers  waiting   for Luthien, Dala and the Rest.

 Sir Navies stood by 'his' horse  as he waited , dutifully . for Dala to Mount up first.

 Dala refused the 'mount stand', or  any 'hand up, as she  , fluidly mounted in her leathers..

In reply to Luth (msg # 826):

Luthien does notice the order of operations...the Princess mounts first, then it's his turn, and so on. Luthien has a fine white steed for the event. Once mounted, he can only wish jousts were a thing in Ironmound...but...not yet. That's a thing he'll have to fix later.

Still, Luthien looks quite comfortable on horseback...it's also one of the things he missed, working with the Captain. The captain took backroads so often he made riding a horse impractical. He figured his goddess would eventually send him a different steed that he could actually use following the Captain around...but that hadn't happened yet.

Regardless, there was something satisfying about having a proper steed again.

It will be an enjoyable ride.

  Teh  Gates  opened, the Horsemen on each side of the  wide   avenue that would lead to the Main Gates.  rode  slolwy,  they were there  to  get people to  move out of the way. not  to  knock them out of the way.

  The homes and estates   near the palace   did not have much int eh way of onlookers.., Those ehaded to the Palace  for business were not on the road  this  day, as the  holiday , all but shut  down Royal Business.

 it  took  10, 15 minutes to make the turn and head  towards the  Bridge.. troops , from the gate guards   lined the Bridge.. 100's of people stood  and watched.

 Shouts   of  ' GODS PROTECT  THE EMPEROR" were heard, But more then ones a cry   of ' THE GOD'S BLESSINGS ON THE PEASANT PRINCESS !"

  Dala  would look at wave.. people would cheer.

  Navies  closed in on the other  side of  Luthien.Those  people.. who shout out, that name?  They do not relize, who good that is? Most royals  have never  seen a Pesant... If the City was every breeched.. The Masses   would  flock to her, before, even, the  Emperor.

In reply to ride (msg # 828):

"People don't care what you know till they know that you care. She cares."

Part of why he loves her.

   Crossing the bridge ,  Luthien can see that path that leads  to the Docks  where 'The Walk The Plank" rests.

 Navies looks   past Luthien...Strange Place  down that way. .. Docks, and  places  where  those of lesser stature hold court.

Luthien has a rather wry look on his face when he replies...

"All that is gold does not glitter,
Not all those who wander are lost;
The old that is strong does not wither,
Deep roots are not reached by the frost.

From the ashes a fire shall be woken,
A light from the shadows shall spring..."
This message was last edited by the player at 17:30, Fri 09 Sept 2022.

,, they  turned   down the  avenue   , heading towards the  Arena ..The sounds  of  Buzzing  , from the  Bazaar , and people  filling in the streets.

  The  Arean   could be seen  to the left, alot  further  down the  Road, a Lake off to the   right  side,  as well... smells  of  tar as   they neared the  Arena  as the   Ship Building  areas  grew  closer.

The lake...perhaps they'll be fishing again soon.

Luthien kept a decently sharp lookout on the way around him...

Shipbuilding...Luthien hadn't done much sailing, but there it was.

Not too much longer before they arrive.

 the ride  took  a good  hour or  so. with the carriage  taking its  time, and the troopers, 'gently'  making way.

 Dala    rode  closer to Luthien for a moment.I am told , my grandfather would throw  coins to the  people iin the streets. But it resulted in  people fighting, and sometimes killing each other. It also bred  some ill will, for those who were not  close  enough  to 'be seen', by the Emperor Father tries  to be more  'effecient ' in his giving..

 Navies   Nodded  as he heard   Dala..That is truly wise. while giving  gifts   are a grand  gesture, those who are left out, feel slighted, I am sure the treasurey, does not have enough to  cover all the subjects...

Dala snorted...there is a heavy truth in that, especially  when  we house  30 some  suitors who eat and drink, without payment.. the horse veers back to her  spot.

 Navies   lowers his head,It must be a burden, indeed... The wagon was making its  turn, into the  street  that lead to the Arean.. The  high wall  , looking  more  impresive,,and the sounds  of music   and crowd  noise  , coming from within

In reply to Luth (msg # 834):

"One of the proverbs I was taught...there will never be enough gold in all the world to satisfy greed. They teach us to look for certain qualities in those we want to help, lest our charity be thrown into a black hole that will never be filled. Ingratitude is one of the most obvious key indicators...most people instinctively recognize that one. But there are more subtle things too. Even after helping, everything must be kept on the down low, because envy will also rise up."

Greed makes helping harder than it has to be. And what helping is done often has to be done subtly lest envy take those not helped. Greed and Envy are 2 of the 7 deadly sins for a reason.

  The  carriage, at last, turned into the  road leading to the arena . Peopel cheered  along the way, it was good to see the cheers  were not   given for 'coin thrown' or   Troopers  'encouragement'.

 The peole seemed  glad to see them..

 Luth to Arena>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

< <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<from Arena

  once they  reached the  Palace there people  'in line" for the chance to party, were different from the  local citizens, and  'peasants'.

  People in finery , that could  pay for a  month's  food  for a family. Anf  That was the Men!

 the   called out begging the Emperor  to allow them in..brave  folks  tried to demand, the chance to get in, wailing  on how much they spent on their clothing.

 Dala   moved her  horse  closer to Luthien,If i had it my way,all those people  would ahve to work on the  docks  for a month, ebfore they were permitted  into the palace. Its like ants wanting to get into the picnic.

Sir Navies  grins  at   Luthien, he bows his  head to Dala,You are  wise beyond your years, Princess...