Chapter 6A The Squire's Joust
As the Parade of Arms came to its close, knights returned to the sidelines, with many doffing their armour to observe the competition to come. Some knights boasted of their squire's daring, none louder that Ser Otto of his eldest son Ofren. It was the wealthy highborn squires who drew the eye , in fitted armour and astride steeds as steady and fine as their knightly masters; Duncan Tullison, Edric Mallister, Horas Banemark, Forrest Frey, Cedric Ravensong, and Timos Serbera all represented their Lordly fathers in the joust.
Other squires were claimed noble lineage, but only indirectly. The likes of Daveth Darry, Valen Vance, Darvil Blackfin, Roderic Charleston, Lyman Whaler, Donmere Wallain and Jerom Pierce represented knightly fathers of noble lineage. Other, humbler squires rode as well, including Ayron Kettleblack and Draco Heddle.
Sixteen in all, they rode toward the podium in front of the noble stands; upon the podium stood two figures, a veteran knight and robed cleric.
As the inferior of the competitions, it fell to Lord Lyman's Master of Arms, Ser Edam Ward, to announce the listings of the invent. Nearby loomed the Most Devout, Father Mattheus, whose presence quieted the raucous crowd into reverent quiet. Ser Edam announced what many had heard rumored before the tourney, "Father Mattheus, of the Most Devout of the Seven, himself anointed with the holy oils by the High Septon himself, has agreed to mark the occasion of House Lychester and House Connington by anointing the winner of this Squire's Tournament with the oils of knighthood, once he has been dubbed by Ser Adham, with the knights of House Lychester to stand vigil over the Sept for their night of prayer and contemplation. Let no man doubt that the champion will have proven himself a man of knightly honour, chivalry, and valour."
Ser Edam went on to announce the first round pairings:
Timos Serbera, to ride against Edric Mallister
Duncan Tullison to ride against Cedric Ravensong
Horas Banemark, to ride against Darvil Blackfin
Forrest Frey, to ride against Valen Vance
Daveth Darry to ride against Ayron Kettleblack
Jerom Pierce to ride against Donmere Wallain
Ofren Kettleblack to ride against Roderic Charleston
Draco Heddle, to ride against Lyman Whaler
This message was lightly edited by the GM at 11:00, Thu 03 Feb 2022.