Edith
**King Dennon Bigsby
The Royal Balcony, The Mizzen**

Dennon smiled at Bradai's reaction. "I apologize. I didn't mean to offend you by comparing you to my wife," He said, not at all seriously.

"She's been alright since returning to Ibethiel. She's quite handsy-" His eyes widened. "I mean, she likes to have a hand in everything." Dennon quickly corrected himself. "Yes. I think she likes having things to do. It feels more like everything is running smoothly, whereas with the plague, everything was at a standstill. Everyone is a bit tense with the mercenaries soon to go North, but the queen is very confident."
Ora
Arin Cragton
The Mizzen, Tonate Proper, Southern Isles

Arin couldn't help the burning sensation that began to build in his cheeks. The knight had won, simple as that. Why was he trying to risk his chance at the next round? 

"Thank you." He couldn't speak loudly. Something had formed in his throat. He couldn't figure out if it was out of anger or embarrassment, but something felt like this was just the knight feeling sorry for him. The scars on Arin's palms began to itch as a guard walked over with a sword. 

"Gift from Valkrin Farensun. Says for you to know all of tha Mizzen is watchin'. He's bettin' tha cap'n is gonna win though." The guard said, before turning and walking off of the field. 

Arin took the blade, and drew it out of the sheath. He admired the handiwork. The amber handle was worn, but clean. It held a fine edge, as if it were sharpened consistently by someone who knew how to care for a blade. He turned the blade in his hand to gauge the weight. 

*Top heavy, but usable. Unfortunately the knight's blade was probably forged for him. I have to focus if I want to defend myself.* He thought to himself as the sunlight reflected into his eyes from the blade. He placed his helmet on his head as he readied his sword and walked towards the center of the field. He could feel the crowd's eyes piercing into his very being. 

"Brightwater, was it? Thank you. I mean it." He said as they drew close. The crowd grew silent as the two circled each other. Arin's sword arm tensed up as his nerves began to build. The tension in the air was palpable, before with a swing of a blade, everything shattered.
Terence
Captain Jax Brightwater
The Mizzen, Tonate Proper, The Southern Isles


"That's 'Captain,' to you, kid, until you either kick my ass or survive."  Jax winked with a chuckle, spinning his sword in his right hand and taking a riposte stance out of *En garde*.  He looked his opponent up and down, finally close enough for a proper glance without his helmet.  His armor was patchwork, it looked like bits and pieces had been accumulated over the years from different sources, even the sword was borrowed.  He'd be slow, maybe even clumsy, but Jax was in no better position, wearing a suit of armor that was meant for sitting on a horse and taking hits to the shield.  Jax concluded that whoever made the first move would have the upper hand, and he needed to see what this boy was capable of.


He leapt forward and the pair clashed blades briefly.


*Good.  How about this?*  Jax thought, attacking again.  The last blow striking a pauldron and bouncing off.


*Just as I thought.  Slow.  Keep to your forms Jax.*  He continued his assault.
Ora
Arin Cragton
The Mizzen, Tonate Proper, The Southern Isles

Arin chuckled. "You may be a captain out there, but to me you're nothing more than a man in a shiny suit." He said, catching Jax's initial blow on the flat side of his blade. With a simple push, he knocked Jax's blade aside and frowned. *He's toying with me.* He thought, before moving his sword to block an attack. A blur of silver and he caught the blade with the flat of his sword again, yet as soon as he blocked that swing another struck him. Arin grit his teeth together before flourishing his sword and switching his stance, placing his sword arm behind his left hand and lowered his weight a little. As Jax came for another strike, Arin blocked it with his armored forearm, grimacing as it carved a dent before striking quickly in return. 

*Just a dent. I can't feel any damage to my arm. Stupid idea, but it accomplished it's only purpose.* He thought, before quickly taking a step forward and performing two quick swings of his blade, spinning to connect the last one. 

They had both taken hits, though none were serious. For every blow Jax had struck, Arin had connected one of his. Arin took a deep breath as they circled each other again. "Brightwater! You might be decent at sword fighting, I'll give you that. Maybe we should take this a little more seriously." He said, smiling before drawing his blade up to his chest. He quickly began attacking, using strong blows to batter at Jax's defense. Every angle he could find, he struck at, but Jax matched him blow for blow. 

*Damn it. I can't break through.* He thought, swinging again. He caught one of Jax's counters and slid his blade down the edge of Jax's sword before thrusting his blade. His eyes widened as the blade didn't encounter resistance, but quickly felt why.
Terence
Captain Jax Brightwater
The Mizzen, Tonate Proper, The Southern Isles


Arin, unfortunately, fell right into his trap.  The two of them had dueled, and while a few strikes had struck home, they were mainly focused around his armored chest and shoulder, for once his strange suit was an advantage.  After lulling Arin to confidence, Jax moved quickly.  The trap was simple, something they taught cadets at the academy during bouts.  When Arin struck at him, he fainted a block, instead dropping all resistance and letting the blade fall through.  A small sidestep, and a lunge, and the pommel of Jax's sword flew directly into the faceplate of the kid's helmet.  He followed through, putting his whole weight into the younger man with his shoulder.


A crash rang out, and Jax brought the tip of his blade inches from Arin as he stood over him.


"Yield."
Ora
Arin Cragton
Mizzen, Tonate Proper, Southern Isles

Arin coughed blood again, falling backwards as Jax struck him. He felt himself falling, but before he could catch himself the strong embrace of the ground had already swallowed him. Stars flickered around the edge of his vision, but he remained conscious. His sword clattered to the ground beside him. 

Arin couldn't catch his breath. A dent had been knocked into the armor by the ground, and it prevented him from taking deep breaths, which only made him try to breath deeper. The sharp point of Jax's blade quivered right above Arin's eye, mere moments from dropping and ending his pain. Arin toyed with the notion, before exhaling. 

"Last time I was in this position, it was a woman holding a knife... Not a man. I think I prefer the woman." He said, before glancing past the sword and looking up at Jax. 

"I yield, Captain. No use dying over a simple tournament." He said, acknowledging Jax's win. Arin listened as the crowd roared. Many cheered, some expressed their displeasure that the Islander had lost. Arin grinned wildly though. Two great things had come about through this tournament. He now knew who his father was, and someone he could speak to about actual work was now standing in front of him. He rose slowly, taking the helmet off. He watched as Jax was led to the middle of the field, and shook his head, laughing again. 

*Wasn't gonna win anyways...* He thought to himself, turning to leave the field.
Terence
Captain Jax Brightwater
The Mizzen, Tonate Proper, The Southern Isles


Jax grabbed the hilt of his sword and stowed it at his side.


"You got spunk, kid.  If you ever want to put it to good use outside of the Islands, come find me in Astoria."  Jax said, helping the younger man to his feet.


It was a joyless victory, certainly lackluster compared to the previous round between the Raven Knight and the Hog Knight.  Jax didn't even raise his hand in victory as they called his name, simply nodding and waving at a few select places.  Aleks was waiting with Argon's lead to accompany his mentor to the catacombs again.


"You did well, ser."  He attempted.


"Against a boy no farther in his training than you.  The Southerners think so highly of themselves they put squires against the Eclipse."  He wasn't angry, just disappointed that anyone would let something like this happen.  There was a close call in the first round, and now the Pirate King toyed with the lives of children.