by Scarik » Fri Dec 13, 2019 3:24 am
The Black Lance of the Dark Wood is a formidable foe. Tall and broad at the shoulders, his arms are like cord wood in their tension and his feet are as agile as a goat's. He is also handsome and vigorous beyond what mortals expect.
Since the knights are afoot the dark elf summons two stallions who seem more shadow than flesh and allows his opponent first choice of steed and lance. The three challengers mount to face him though each seems to be alone there is a strange feeling as if they are watching from afar for both Rashad and Rosamund.
The valet sounds a horn and the joust is on.
The first pass sees the dark elf shatter his lance in a mighty strike in the center of the knights' shields where it draws a deep cut across the displayed arms and jars them to the base with its impact. But they withstand the blow and wheel to charge once more with fresh lances. This time it is the challenger who strikes true and the dark elf who reels in his saddle. He salutes his opponent and prepares for the final joust.
The Black Lance of the Dark Wood prevails and salutes, "Well fought, Sir Renier," The Black Lance of the Dark Wood exclaims. It has been long years since anyone has landed a point on my shield and longer still since one has stayed in the saddle against mine."
Next is the contest of the sword. The knight's square off afoot with their own blades and the stature of the dark elf becomes easily apparent. He is taller than Sir Renier though not nearly as broad across. The first exchange goes to the challenger but without enough force to rock the towering elf. Then with force that he fails to display in other contests the Black Knight drives forward and spills his adversary to the wet earth.
"That is a marvelous sword you possess, Sir Rosamund," The Black Lance of the Dark Wood says, "I expect it will be a great help in the trials to come."
Last is the mace, the newest of the knightly weapons but that which King Carolus demands his warriors master. The first exchange results in a fearsome strike that hurls the challenger backward yet not down. The dark elf nods and they continue this time with a mighty hit to the Black Knight that drives him backward but again not down. The third meeting sees the superior skill of the faerie knight spill his opponent head over heels across the field.
The Black Lance of the Dark Wood salutes and hands his dented shield to his valet, "Well struck, Sir Rashad, I admire your courage in facing me with a weapon that you have yet to master."
After the contest, though the foeknight is victorious in all bouts, he invites the challenger and companion into his pavilion and has his valet see to their injuries. He offers them meat, cheese and mead and over a light supper engages them in conversation about a great many subjects about which he seems incredibly learned and yet still curious of other interpretations.
Most surprising is his command of Scripture in Latin, Greek and Hebrew, as well as Suras in perfect Arabic.
After they rest he sighs, "Alas, I have prevailed and so my father forbids that I give you the knowledge of how to escape this place, but you have proven your quality and so my honor demands that I aid you with some assistance in payment for the sport you have provided."
There are many dangers still ahead, and the Black Lance of the Dark Wood is glad to answer 3 boons. Knowledge of what is to come, steeds to carry them, guidance on the least (or most!) dangerous paths, or anything else that he can provide.
****By some strange magic the contests are concurrent and the dark elf faces each of the 3 knights and calls the name of the best one each clash.