[D4, LA, EVENT] The Joust II: The Helm Show

[Cearnach]

The mid-day sun beats down harshly on the heads of the assembled grandees, and no few common folk of the area, as they wait for the firs public part of the tournament proceedings to commence. A long space has been set aside in a field hard by the west wall of the palace, and already one can see the lists taking shape, with workmen hurriedly fashioning risers to hold the great and the good who will come to watch the show.

Today's show, however, is hard against the wall of the palace, where the Earl Marshal and a pair of heralds sit behind a table, waiting for those who have registered to appear.


JOUST EVENT

The helm show is an occasion when all joust participants show up for inspection without their helmets. This gives the viewers a chance to review them and, if any are found guilty of reproach, name them.

The accused is permitted to defend their honor, but if the accusation is proven, they may not participate in the joust. They may also be taken in by Johnny Law.

In order to divine the correct formula for the accusation, an accuser must make a successful Tourney roll. The following are the customary reasons to accuse a participant:
• Arson
• Cowardice on the Field
• Excommunication
• Leading a free company
• Murder
• Oathbreaking
• Piracy
• Robbery
• Slander or dishonor of women
• Usury
• Violation of Churches

An accused knight who manages to beat the accusation (for example, through a trial by combat or successfully refuting the charges), loses -10 glory for the total they gain during the joust for the cloud of suspicion that has descended upon them.

A successful challenger gains +10 glory as a champion of righteousness.

[Geoffrey of Tournemine]

Geoffrey presents himself in his armor, free of helm, and sees this as part of the pomp and formality. He sits atop his mount, the very image of a handsome knight.

[Simon IV de Montfort]

In his full set of armour, Simon de Montfort looks like what one would expect of a Barony, save for his growing height. He sits atop his horse silently, looking over the crowd while his eyes are still covered. Silently he indulges himself, casting judgement and forming impressions of individuals within the crowd.

...When reminded by his valet that his helmet must be off, he sheepishly removes it.

[Margaret de Beaumont]

Margaret comes to watch the joust, but finding both knights that have thus far presented themselves to be honorable men, she simply goes and sits in the stands.

[Waleran de Beaumont]

Not long after Margaret's arrival, cousin Waleran de Beaumont strides up to the staging area, his helm tucked under his shoulder. He is not the most imposing of knights, but he is an important one nonetheless, and there is a lightness to his step that sets him apart from the heavy tramp of some of the other knights. Clearly, this is a man that knows something of moving in armor.

[Miriam Yarchi]

She moves also into it, for a moment trying to see if some of these knights are about to engage in some foolish behaviours that would amuse her, after all this is about some of theirs that are hypocrits being harmed by that.

[Simon IV de Montfort]

Margaret comes to watch the joust, but finding both knights that have thus far presented themselves to be honorable men, she simply goes and sits in the stands.

Spotting his aunt in the crowd, he gave her a smile and a nod.

Of course he wanted to do a lot more like run over, say hello, and chat about the good times, but there was a tournament to attend.

[Geoffrey of Tournemine]

Moving to just beside Simon, he nodded to the man. "You know Lady Margaret then? A lovely woman. Saer de Quincy is a fortunate man," he says in a pleasant tone.

[Simon IV de Montfort]

Moving to just beside Simon, he nodded to the man. "You know Lady Margaret then? A lovely woman. Saer de Quincy is a fortunate man," he says in a pleasant tone.

"My Aunt." Simon replies with a curt nod. "Do avoid abbreviating Margaret, though - my ear still burns from the one time I did it in my youth."

[Geoffrey of Tournemine]

"I would not dream of it. I never abbreviate a woman's name unless asked to. It is part of her, and the whole of a woman should be appreciated and respected," he replied. The entendre was actually entirely unintended and he seems oblivious to having said anything that might be taken as inappropriate.

[Simon IV de Montfort]

"I would not dream of it. I never abbreviate a woman's name unless asked to. It is part of her, and the whole of a woman should be appreciated and respected," he replied. The entendre was actually entirely unintended and he seems oblivious to having said anything that might be taken as inappropriate.

As it turns out, Simon was equally oblivious to such a thing, if it indeed existed.

"A respectable position, Sir - I'm mostly just sharing stories to calm my nerves." he chuckled, though it sounded like distant thunder due to the nature of his voice. "I suppose this isn't your first tournament?"

[Geoffrey of Tournemine]

As it turns out, Simon was equally oblivious to such a thing, if it indeed existed.

"A respectable position, Sir - I'm mostly just sharing stories to calm my nerves." he chuckled, though it sounded like distant thunder due to the nature of his voice. "I suppose this isn't your first tournament?"

"It's not," he confirmed.

"But I also don't make a habit of them. This time, to support the King's crusade fund and ride for my sister, Constance of Brittany, I shall participate. Been a good two years, hope I haven't forgotten the rules," he says with a chuckle.

"We still poke each other with unusually long sticks right?"

[Simon IV de Montfort]

"It's not," he confirmed.

"But I also don't make a habit of them. This time, to support the King's crusade fund and ride for my sister, Constance of Brittany, I shall participate. Been a good two years, hope I haven't forgotten the rules," he says with a chuckle.

"We still poke each other with unusually long sticks right?"

"I awfully hope so - 'tis my first, and if not then I have no idea what I signed up for."

[Geoffrey of Tournemine]

"I awfully hope so - 'tis my first, and if not then I have no idea what I signed up for."

He smirked at Simon. "You'll do well, I'm certain. Probably better than me. The joust is not my strongest event. More of a melee guy, where I can swing an axe around. So when you unseat me, remember to it gently. We may end up facing each other a few days later."

[Simon IV de Montfort]

"Funny - I prefer the sword myself. Were this a melee competition, I imagine we would put on a grand display."

[Geoffrey of Tournemine]

"That comes later, but rest assured it's coming," he says with a chuckle. "Who did squire with?"

[Simon IV de Montfort]

"Squire with?" He thought upon the answer.

"I'm of Squiring age myself, so I never had the chance."

[Geoffrey of Tournemine]

"So you taught yourself?" he asks curiously. "Even with the Beaumonts as family?"

[Simon IV de Montfort]

"Oh, you mean training - no, I was mostly trained by a variety of trainers in France, including my Uncle Amaury de Montfort, although I was never officially a squire. Please, forgive my misunderstanding."

Simon offered a short bow as apology.

[Geoffrey of Tournemine]

He nods. If he hadn't squired then it makes sense he wouldn't think of it that way. "Always seems to be an uncle that handles the martial training no?"

"So no battle yet either I imagine. Not with the crusade looming."

[Margaret de Beaumont]

^

^

^

Noticing the two handsome young knights noticing her, Margaret waves languidly from her seat, the motion smooth and fluid, accenting her lines well. Then, she notices her tutor enter the stands and waves to her as well, motioning her to come and join her, patting the seat behind her reserved for servants. Hildegarde can stand her watch from below, her stern face a fine counterpoint to those of the handsome young men.

Whether Miriam ascends or not, she imperiously beckons a servant, giving the servant two small things, one kissed.

The servant runs down the stairs to the list at a respectable trot, making sure to not get themselves in any paths of horses or the like. The servant will approach Simon first, then Geoffery.

To Simon, he gives a pressed white cinquefoil, symbol of House Beaumont, highlighted with faint red lines where her lips pressed briefly.

To Geoffery, he gives a fresh-picked genista.

To both of them, he says, "Lady Margaret De Beaumont bid me give you these tokens of her affection and licenses you to wear them for your first test in the lists. After, you are to speak to her again." Then runs off. He's not HER servant, after all, but he was, of course, happy to do what the beautiful Earl's daughter wanted.

^

[Robert Whitehands]

Arriving as the servant scampers off, the Earl Beaumont joins his daughter and associate in the stands, casting an appraising view at the assembled knights as well as those come to view. His eyes suggest he's looking carefully at almost everyone, though if he catches the eye of cousin Waleran, a small grin and nod of respect is given.

To Margaret he gives a side-eyed look. "Picking favorites already, daughter?"

[Cearnach]

William d'Aubigny, heir to that house, presents himself for the Helm Show. His armor is quite good and in great condition. Considering that the d'Aubigny's famously did not ride out in support of either party in Richard's rebellion, it is unlikely that the young man has ever seen real combat. But of course, that does not necessarily mean that he makes for a poor tourney man.


Not long after, John Castle, representing the Warrennes, rides up. A true Saxon, Castle has a certain tension in his shoulders, as though he expects to be called out just for his ancestry. Given the inclinations of some Normans, he might not be entirely wrong. He is a big man, with sandy brown hair and a lantern jaw. You get the sense that getting hit by this guy would be an issue.

[Ranulf de Blondeville]

Ranulf de Blondeville's arrival causes a bit of a stir. His powerful young body is encased in heavy armor, and the trademark three haystacks of his arms are visible on his shield. His eyes dart from knight to knight as he surveys the competition with not a little angst. William d'Aubigny actually looks offended by the glare, but does not speak up.

[William de Braose]

Riding for Hertford is William de Braose, Lord of Bramber. Sallow-cheeked and tall, his murderous reputation leads people to give him a wide berth. Unlike Ranulf, however, he shows no one any hostility. Simply waiting, like a spider in its web, for something to happen.

[Geoffrey of Tournemine]

The flower received a polite smile and nod, of course. He tucked the token safely away so that it might be worn at the proper time as instructed by the lady.

[Margaret de Beaumont]

To Margaret he gives a side-eyed look. "Picking favorites already, daughter?"

She blinks at him, looking for all the world as if such an action shocks and perhaps appalls her! Then she bursts into laughter, the bell-like sound ringing for but a moment.

"Of course I am, Father. Our Cousin Simon, of course, he is a handsome young man and powerful in his own right. And Geoffrey, there, a grandson of the Plantagenet himself! Both seemed wise choices.

I'm pleased you've come although, I must say, I almost expected you to be down among the young Errants, vying for glory and reliving your younger days everyone talks about."

[Constance of Brittany]

To Geoffrey, he gives a fresh-picked genista.

*ALERT*

Entering the stands, Constance of Brittany has the perfect view of some slattern giving her brother a favor.

"Who's giving my brother a fucking favor?", she asks her attendant. "What the actual fuck? Go down there and fix this."

The breton girl nods, taking the specially prepared scarf bearing the arms of the Duchy of Brittany down the stands as quickly as she can. She presents herself before Tournemine. "Duchess Constance wishes for you to bear her favor, Sir Geoffrey," she says. "To the exclusion of others."

[Geoffrey of Tournemine]

Taking the favor offered by his sister, he nods to the servant. He had not discussed the tournament with any but her, so he would simply have to clarify later. Family was everything to him and he had given her his word.

The scarf is put on with some doing in his armor, and he bows his head to his sister giving her a charming smile that seems to say I can't turn it off.

[Simon IV de Montfort]

To Simon, he gives a pressed white cinquefoil, symbol of House Beaumont, highlighted with faint red lines where her lips pressed briefly.

Simon donned the flower as appropriate, following the example of Geoffrey, seeing as he had done it before. He does move to ask him about it but at the intervention of the servant, he bides his tongue.