We Meet Again... [Chance]

[Rodir (Auvray) Dragomire]

Trumpets sounded at the gates of the tournament grounds signaling the beginning of an event. Citizens filed in through the small gate, seeming desperate to get the best seats. Men in glinting armor and wrapped in colored cloaks sat upon their steeds. The king and queen sat upon red, gold decorated chairs as a servant read the names of the contestants.

The man was already half-way through, "Sir Brian of Gwain, Sir Galahad of Locks, Sir Percivale a friend of our dear king, and our beloved Prince, Rodir Auvray. the crowd cheered and whistled, "All 25 of you have come today to this joust to prove to us your courage, honor. and above all... to brag to your fellow family and friends." people laughed, "You all know the rules, so let us not waste anymore time. Let the jousting begin!" the man jogged away and the crowd cheered as another set up the board with the men's crests.

Rodir turned his horse and followed five others off to their section of tents where he'd wait until his turn. A guard pushed aside the curtains of the red tent, "My lord."
"Johnathan." Rodir greeted with a friendly smile as the guard bowed his head. Johnathan was an old friend of his family and has served Rodir as his guard and friend for many a year now.
"Just dropped by to wish you luck, but i doubt you will need much."
"Heh, always so honest Johnathan."
"I only speak the truth, my lord." Johnathan smiled, there was obviously a joke between them about such a thing. Johnathan had often covered for Rodir when he snuck out as a boy to do his own thing, be it visit the poor or go for a ride. He still does.
"I just hope they do not treat me any different than other opponents. Just because I am prince..."
"I doubt they will, my lord. I know none will aim for a killing blow though, heh, your father would quickly have their head." They shared a laugh before Johnathan excused himself and walked back outside to guard the tent while Rodir began to put on his armor.

[Chauncey Hylen]

It was still a strange thing to be back upon Valituer. The open plains were much different from the dense forests of Alter. Heaven's Gates, above all, just seemed all the more larger compared to the small town Chauncey had stayed in for so many years upon Alter. As he walked down the streets of the large city, however, he still remembered them well from his early childhood. A small smile came to his face at the thought of all those memories, though also some sadness since he hadn't seen or contacted any of his old friends yet. That was truly the only reason he was out and about this fine morning: to find his friends.

As he happened to pass by a few merchants, he just managed to overhear a few of their exchanged words.

"...prince will be there. It's going to be great!"

"It's been a while since the last tournament...."

Chauncey paused where he was and looked over his shoulder at their retreating figures, a curious expression on his face. A tournament? And he could only assume the prince...what was his name? Roden? Ryan? No....Well, he couldn't remember now. Maybe it would come to him.

He adjusted his walking course to take himself directly to the large arena, hearing the crowd inside already. As he came to the front, however, he was stopped by a guard. "Oh, sorry, this way is only for those competing in the tournament," the guard said.

Chauncey gave a small smile. "I'm simply here to visit a friend," he explained. "My name is Chauncey Hylen."

The guard straightened slightly in shock. "Oh! Sir Hylen, of course, come in. Be quick; the tournament is about to start." He stepped aside, allowing Chauncey to walk through. There were many tents set about and he figured they were for those competing in the tournament, but the one that caught his eye immediately was the red one, and outside it a man stood, one that Chauncey was sure he recognized. With a small, nervous sigh, he walked over slowly, nervous about approaching.

"Excuse me?" he asked politely as he stopped a respectful few feet away from the man.

[Rodir (Auvray) Dragomire]

Johnathan looked up as a man approached, a man he didn't recognize, "Yes? This area is only for those competing, and the tournament is about to start, if you have business here I suggest you do it quickly sir." Johnathan said, though he had a curious expression on his face, as if he almost recognized the man. "I feel I know you from somewhere sir." Johnathan asked with a very slight tilt of his head. A man announced a name then from the areana.
"And now our beloved prince!" the man called and in a quick moment Rodir emerdged from his tent and during his fuss with a single buckle almost ran right into this new man.
"Oh, my apologies mister." rodir said as he looked up, having stopped and his eyes narrowed in confusion, did he know this man?

The crowed cheered as the man announced Rodir's name and a servant brought up his horse.

[Chauncey Hylen]

"I was just about to say the same to you, sir," Chauncey replied slowly, the man's name just on the tip of his tongue. He was about to say something when suddenly the prince walked out of his tent and nearly bumped into him. He took a quick step back to regain his balance and gave an easy smile.

"No, I must apologize, prince." He gave a quick, respectful bow. He caught the prince's gaze and felt like saying something, explaining who he was, but there was no time. "It looks like I have come too late to speak with you. But I shall wish you good luck now and...perhaps we shall all have an opportunity to chat later." He smiled once more to them both, gave a nod of his head, and turned on his heel to head out of the area all the tents were and then to possibly go find a seat in the arena so he'd be able to watch.

[Rodir (Auvray) Dragomire]

"does that man look familiar to you Johnathan?"
"Yes... I do beleive he does my lord." Johnathan replied, curiousness on his tongue as he watched the man walk away.
"Well, perhaps we shall find out later. You have a match my lord."
"Right, right." Rodir said to his guard as he ignored the help from the servant and hopped on his horse before turning towards the areana, putting his helmet on. As the lance was handed to him the horn sounded and the two men charged each other, wooden lances aimed for the metal armor. Silence followed and then the cracking of wood. A man fell from his horse as the victor strode away. Removing his helmet, the crowd Cheered as Rodir handed his lance to a servant before trotting back to his tent.

After he had cleaned himself up a bit he went to join his father, Johnathan stood beside Rodir with a watchful eye and a hand upon his hilt. "Wonderful match my son."
"Please father, theres nothing too grand about it, I'm just poking other men with a long stick." Rodir chuckled, his father smiled and gave his shoulder a pat before the two focused back on the remaining first round of matches. When it was time for the victors to line up for the next round, Rodir left a bit early to prepair since he was up first in the next round in five minutes.

Across the field to the tents on the other side one of the challengers, who was up next, paced outside his tent looking overly nervous. "Stop pacing boy!" a hooded figure hissed, "You'll rise suspicion." the voice almost sounded female.
"We'll never get away with this. The king will have my head if Rodir doesn't first."
"Nonsense. Injury is part of the game here boy. People get hurt and even killed in the joust all the time." the woman grumbled.
"The only area you're allowed to hit is the plate though..."
"Which is why the spike is filled with poisen my boy. Not as fast acting as most, but it will do. Just draw blood and thats the only thing you'll need to do. We'll be out of the city before they even know whats going on." she answered and the man seemed hesitant, but he was already in this too deep, there was no backing out. A horn sounded and the woman ushered the man along.

Rodir sat upon his horse as his opponent entered the ring. Their lances were handed over to them and as the horn sounded again they took their places and began their charge. As with all of the rounds, the crowd went silent as the lances took their aim. As they neared, seconds before the lances were to strike the other, rodir thought he saw a glimpse of something metal on the end of the lance of his opponent, but it was too quick and too late to do anything else.

Both lances connected with the other but neither fell from their horse as the wood shattered. The only difference between them was that rodir slouched forward a hand over a hole no bigger than the girth of one's finger in his armor. People from the crowd gasped and the king stood up, a look of shock on his face as the queen placed a hand over his mouth. Both riders returned to their tents and Rodir was helped from his saddle, the armor quickly removed and the wound looked at by the castle's physician. "You should withdraw my lord,.." Johnathan frowned.
"Curious how such a wound happened..."
"Perhaps when the wood splintered it broke the metal?"
"Perhaps..." the physician mumbled to Johnathan.
"No... i have to be back out there in five."
"My lord..."
"I won't hear of it Johnathan! It's just a scratch... that hurts like hell but still." Rodir winced as the physician began to bandage the wound with quick, skilled hands.

[Chauncey Hylen]

Once Chauncey came into the viewing area of the arena for the audience, he managed to find a good spot to watch from just as he heard a hush suddenly fall over the crowd, and he quickly turned his eyes up seconds before the two lancers plowed into one another. He waited anxiously for the winner to remove his helmet and gave a happy grin to see it was the prince. His eyes looked over the crowd, curious if his parents were here, and he spotted them in the section the richer folks sat at, chatting away with some others that Chauncey could just barely remember.

He watched the tournament with interest as the rest of the competators came and went, flinching from time to time when blows were dealt and giving small cheers for the victors. He recognized a face here and there, but it had been fifteen years since he had been on Valituer--his parents had returned a few years before he did--and so it was hard to remember everyone, especially since they were now full adults instead of kids.

A smile came to his face as he spotted the prince come out once more to face his next opponent. As Chauncey looked over at the other lancer, however, he noticed something peculiar on the point of his lance. Was that...something shiny? He hardly had any time to look at it before the horses charged and the two blows met, the wood shattering. Chauncey was hit with concern when he saw the prince bend over, apparently injured, but...that was common in these tournaments. Injuries always happened when you run at someone with a wooden pole. But something didn't seem right about the whole situation.

Frowning to himself, Chauncey quickly got to his feet and slipped away, heading for the back of the crowds to slip around into the tent area. Luckily he passed by the same guard from before, so he had no trouble getting inside. His eyes scanned the tents and he spotted the other lancer just as he stepped into his tent; as much as Chauncey wanted to go to the prince, he felt he didn't quite have the right to do so yet, not until he spoke with him again to explain who he was, and hopefully he'd remember. So he decided he'd perhaps try to see if something was up, though his hopes weren't all that high. Grasping his bow, he whispered a few words to it as he headed for the tent; the bow gave just a barely visible glow and all the noise around Chauncey that reached his ears instantly intensified. He winced slightly at first, but with a couple of quick arcane words, the power of the spell settled down, and he stood silently next to the side of the tent, trying to listen to see if maybe the man would speak inside, say something of what went on, if anything. Chauncey had no idea if anyone else would even be in the tent for the man to speak to, but it was worth a try.

[Rodir (Auvray) Dragomire]

The man and the hooded woman sat inside the tent, well the woman sat, but the man paced. "There... I've done as you asked... i'm dropping out."
"Noo!" the woman hissed, her voice dry and cracked, "I can't do this... as unnoticable as this may be... if I hit him again and leave yet another mark, they'd get suspicious. I'd rather like to keep my head."
"You are in this too deep boy! Either follow through with the plan, or back out now. If you're caught now, you'll die either way in the end. Listening to me is the only way you get to live." she hissed and the man frowned, having stopped in his pacing.
"Now... get out there." she growled as she stalked out of the tent and away into the mass of people. The man sighed before stepping out of the tent as well, grabbing the reins of his horse.

---

"Rodir... please, I strongly suggest sitting out."
"No Johnathan." rodir grumbled, back in his armor, and walking out of the tent. His wound was bandaged but he still felt a bit woosy, though he wasn't sure what it was from. He hadn't lost a great deal of blood. Pulling himself back onto his steed he took a moment to settle himself. "Rodir..."
"I won't hear of it johnathan, that is final. do not challenge me again." Rodir frowned and with a sigh Johnathan sighed and gave a nod, "My apologies, my lord." he replied and Rodir headed off towards the arena.

Rodir was handed his lance and sat upon his horse waiting for the horn to singnal the beginning of the match.

[Chauncey Hylen]

Chauncey listened carefully, a feeling of dread creeping over his heart. He didn't like the sound of the conversation, and as he heard the woman tell the man to get out, he whispered a few words to his bow and his hearing returned to normal. Looking about, he waited until the man was gone before hurrying off to find the prince's tent. He stopped when the tent came into view, but he only stopped because he saw the prince already on his horse not very far away, speaking with the man that had stood guard outside his tent before.

With his heart pounding in his ears, Chauncey hurried over and stopped infront of the prince's horse. "My lord, I am sorry, but I must urge you to not go out there!" he exclaimed, slightly breathless just from how fast his heart was beating. "You are in danger from the other man you are about to joust with once again. I again strongly suggest that you do not go out there and risk injuring yourself further than you already have been." He stood firmly where he was, looking up at the prince boldly.

[Rodir (Auvray) Dragomire]

Rodir stared in shock as this stranger jumped out in front of him. Johnathan's hand gripped his sword's hilt, but he moved little. After the shock wore off, Rodir chuckled, "aaah, is everyone bold today? This man must be horribly deadly if two people have told me not to face him again." Rodir said, his tone grew serious towards the end. "And why is it YOU are so intent to speak against me stranger? How deadly can this man possibly be to cause someone to stand in my way?" Rodir asked looking down at the man before glancing up to look across the arena towards his opponent who was just picking up his lance, taking his place on the grounds, waiting.

[Chauncey Hylen]

Chauncey let out a long sighed and relaxed his stance only slightly, though kept an eye on the other man whom he noticed had a hand at his hilt. He looked at the prince for a long moment before speaking. "I only care so much because I do think this man a threat to your life, sir," he continued on. "I eavesdropped on a conversation he had with what sounded like a woman in his tent, and it did not sound too polite." He paused a moment, eyes flickering to the guard and then back to the prince.

"I used to live here fifteen years ago before I left to go to the Alter Islands so that I could study at the Phoenix Academy. I believe we used to be friends, prince, when we were much younger, though it's been too long. My name...is Chauncey Hylen." He waited anxiously, his heart continuing to pound loudly in his ears and his eyes focused intently upon the prince's face.

[Rodir (Auvray) Dragomire]

Rodir frowned as this man spoke about having eavesdropped on his opponent. A terrible act but Rodir found it hard to be angry when it was to protect him. He seemed torn as he stared across the feild at his opponent. Then... tthe stranger gave his name. Johnatahn's eyes widened in surprise as the man gave his name and his hand dropped from his hilt. Yes... yes now he remembered this man! Rodir stared down at this Chauncey Hylen for a moment, his mind working to remember their said friendship. As he stared down at Chauncey, stared into his eyes, realization crossed over his face.
"My lord... this is..."
"I know... Johnathan..." Rodir mumbled and then his features softened, "Heh... haha, aah, Chauncey? Chauncey Hylen?" Rodir answered in a more cheerful tone and then reached past the armor and shirt to pull out a heavy stringed necklace, braided and with little jewls on it. "I beleive this was something you gave me... before you left. I had forgotten who made it some time ago, but I knew it was important to me... so I never take it off..." Rodir said and then let the necklace drop, he grew more serious then though.
"I need you to swear to me Chauncey Hylen, swear on your own life that what you are telling me is the truth. That this man is truely an enemy to me..." Rodir said, staring down from atop his horse in an intense gaze.

[Chauncey Hylen]

Chauncey gave a nervous chuckle when Rodir pulled out the necklace; he was shocked the prince still wore that thing. He remembered that day clearly, rememberer being sad that he had to go, and remembering that he had made that necklace just for Rodir with his mother aiding him with her excellent jewlery-making skills. His stomach fluttered slightly, though he wasn't sure of the exact reason for that.

His smile faded as the prince grew serious and he gave a curt nod, his eyes glued to the prince's. "I swear it upon my life," he said solemnly, truly believing in his words and thinking--knowing--that it was the right thing to say.

[Rodir (Auvray) Dragomire]

Rodir nodded swiftly at Chauncey as he swore to his words and then kicked his horse out onto the feild, ignoreing the offering of the lance. He trotted his horse up halfway across the feild, "Guards, arrest that man." Rodir ordered. The crowd gasped and the guards, though seemed hesitant in expression, didn't in movement. The man dropped his lance and quicly turned his horse around and heeled it hard as it galloped out of the arena. "Rodir! What is the meaning of this?!" the king's voice shouted above the crowd which soon went quiet, "It was brought to my attention that that man had been plotting with another to kill me. This wound is proof enough of that. Investigate his belongings left here, see what can be found."
"And who brought this to your attention Rodir?" the king asked and glanced around.
"Chauncey Hylen, father." Rodir said slowly and the king raised his brow, "Chauncey... is here?" he mumbled and glanced towards Rodir's tent.
"Very well..." the king said then stood up, "The tournament will be put on hold for the remaining of the day, we will resume tomorrow." he announced and the crowd of people began to dispears.

rodir turned his horse around and headed back to his tent, "Only a guilty man runs." Rodir frowned as he dismounted and seemed to stumble a bit. Johnathan quickly grabbed hold of Rodir, "The wound has taken a toll on you my lord, please, come inside and rest." Johnathan said and without a word from Rodir led the way inside the tent, though glanced at Chauncey before disappearing behind the flap, as if saying he was welcomed in.

Inside the tent, the physician seemed troubled as Rodir was helped out of his armor, the wound relooked at. "This is not normal for a wound such as this, Look here how the skin around it is turning black..." the man said and glanced up at Rodir, "How does it feel my lord?"
"It burns... not just the wound but... around it..." Rodir murmured and the Physician nodded as he turned to a wooden basket filled with supplies of all sorts.
"This may sting a bit sir, but I need to know that it is only a wound with nothing else." he said and Rodir nodded as the physician lifted a small vial filled with clear liquid. Pulling out the small cork he held it over the wound and dropped four droplets around the edge. Rodir clenched his teeth to hold back a small cry of pain, "Damn that stings!" rodir cursed.
"I am sorry my lord..." the physician said and then his face grew with concern, "This is no ordinary wound, my lord... the lance was dipped into poisen... poisen designed to kill..."
"Can you help him?!" Johnathan asked with concern just as the king entered the tent,
"How is he?"
"Not too good in all honesty my king. The lance was dipped in poisen, i can heal him of it... but I must go back to my home to mix the ingredients."
"Be quick about it than!" the king snarled and the physician nodded, bowed, and quickly left the tent. The king then turned to Chauncey, "I thank you Chauncey for preventing any further harm to come to my son... I only wish... you had found out sooner." the king said to the man before kneeling down beside Rodir awaiting the physician.

Rodir seemed troubled as he slowly adjusted himself in the chair, wincing slightly. "Chauncey... what did you hear, or see exactly? I have no intention of letting this man and his follows out of this city alive." the king asked looking back at the man.

[Chauncey Hylen]

As Rodir headed off, Chauncey stood silently outside of his tent, arms folded over his chest. He looked up when Rodir returned and winced just slightly to see him stumble. At the look from Johnathon he walked slowly in after them, looking about curiously before focusing his gaze on the prince. He stood in the corner, not wanting to be in the way, and placed a hand on his bow to keep himself calm.

He listened silently the the physician and his heart skipped a beat in worry. Poison?! Damn! He looked at the ground with a grimace, feeling bad for having not caught it sooner. However, he was glad he did manage to warn Rodir, otherwise the prince very well could have ended up dead.

His head snapped up in surprise as he heard his name, a little confused for a few moments before realizing the king was speaking to him. He calmed down and gave a small bow of his head to him. "So do I, my king," he murmured and looked away again, almost feeling like some heavy weight was on his shoulders. He perked up again when he heard Rodir's voice and thought about it for a moment, recalling what he had heard.

"Well...I believe the man first said 'I have done as you asked' and then insisted on trying to pull out since he was afraid of being found out and killed," Chauncey explained slowly, thinking back on it as he spoke. "Then a woman responded to him, saying how he couldn't back out now otherwise he would be killed, and that he better listen to her to live. He gave in and then left the tent."

[Rodir (Auvray) Dragomire]

"This woman, Chauncey... what did she look like? Did you see her at all?" the king asked as Rodir just looked at Chauncey with eyes that showed pain and fatigue. Johnathan seemed angry beyond anything, "i will lead my men after these people, my king." Johnathan said and quickly turned around and rushed out of the tent, the sound of a horse could be heard before it's hoof beats faded away. There were more than enough guards outside and around Rodir's tent, all on high alert.