Kate noticed the young night was polite and headed to the creek as did her brother. It was no doubt they wanted to get cleaned up before joining the party. Kate opened the gate and let them pass. She called to them, "You both won the crowd's hearts. No shame in giving your best. You both should be proud. You are equally matched and well trained. Swordmaster should be proud. I know you both are disappointed. There is always next year."<br/><br/>Kate was then greeted by five maidens all talking at once about the match. "This one will go in the history books. There has never been a tie."<br/>"They are both equally skilled. How long was the fight?"<br/>"The set a new record of 11 candle wicks at least."<br/>"Nope, I brought my sand timer it was 15 minutes when the fight master blew his horn."<br/><br/>Kate closed the gate behind the laden squires, "It was a fair fight and I will hear Jon talk about how he nearly won for a year. Motto got a hit just as a draw was called. Papa, will not allow a fight to finish after fifteen candle burns. This was a heart stopper. The town will be talking about it for a long time."<br/><br/>The young ladies helped feed the other knights. Kate sat on a log bench and held a plate of food in her lap. The squires brought their knights a change of clothes. Lyons had ordered new uniforms. They were green with gold epillips and each held the crest of House of Lyons over the left breast. The looked alike as one unit. This was a new fashion for many lords. Lord Lyons did not like red scarlet. Too easy a target he thought.<br/><br/>Kate was happy to at last speak to her father's elite. They were specially trained to guard the manor. The mage had watched many arrive as young boys, orphans, fatherless, and sons of fellow knights and townsfolk. They wanted their sons brought up by Lyons. He used many tactics from his training in the pits. He would not allow fatal or maiming blows.<br/><br/>After she ate Kate was kept busy with healing cuts, bruises, and bruised egos. She knew how each man fought and advised on their weaknesses. It was late afternoon before Jon and Motto headed to the Boars Tusk Inn. Kate saw them together sharing a joke in laughter.<br/><br/>"There you two are. Still friends. Heidie's is the best place in town to celebrate. You both bested twenty-six of your fellow knights. That is no easy feat."