Practice makes perfect.

[Rhalius]

((thanks.  ))

After a long practice session, the three friends catch their breath while looking up at Cedric, who is still smiling and not at all tired.

Cedric: "You all fought well, but you three need to learn to stand as one. Don't rush the attack just because you have greater numbers. Plan your attacks just like when you fight alone, and learn each others strenghts. Trust each other and work together, and you three will defeat me one day."
They listened and considered these words of wisdom.

Gate guard: "A Lion Knight approaches!"

A bit surprised everyone gets back on their feet to be presentable for the guest. A grand Lion Knight in shiny armor arrives at the castle, riding a beautifull white horse.

The soldiers quickly pick up the weaponry laying around and bring it back to the weapon racks, while the knights look up at the visitor and Cedric adresses him with a smile: "Well met friend. what brings you to our castle?"

Lion Knight: "The honourable prince Edward the Lion is most eager to hear King Phillip's response to the alliance that his knight signed in his name. He send me to take the message and deliver it to my prince."

The knight dismounted from his horse as he spoke, to be polite and stand on the ground as equal to the other knights and not above them.

Cedric: "Well you certainly are fast, the three knights who met prince Edward arrived but a few hours ago. I am not quite sure if the king has his response ready yet."

King Phillip, Queen Dominique where watching the courtyard for quite a while however to see their knights train, alongside Baron Black tower and Lady Blacktower.
"It is alright Cedric, send him up here." The king spoke calmly and gestured with his hand to Cedric, not wishing to raise his voice like a fish peddler.

Cedric glanced up at the king, then back at the Lion knight with a smile. "Well it seems the king has granted you an audience, best not make him wait."

[Rhalius]

As the guard captain escorted him to the king, the Lion Knight glanced at the knights as they resumed training. They sure seemed dedicated.


As he arrived before the king and queen, he bowed politely.

King Phillip: "Welcome to my castle, you can tell your prince Edward that I fully support the actions of Roderick. Let our kingdoms be known as allies henceforth!"
Lion Knight: "Thank you, your majesty. When do you wish to speak with Prince Edward about how we can help each other out?"
King Phillip: "I am planning a tournament to honour this new alliance. Before you leave I will make sure you will get the invitation for prince Edward and his knights so you can deliver it to him personally."

Lion Knight: "A tournament? I see.. so that is what are your knights are training for, noble king?"
King Phillip smiled: "Yes, all of them wish to participate. Sir Cedric has been the ruling champion for many years now, the winner of the tournament will get to challenge him. In recent years he has stopped participating in the full tournament because the people already knew he would win. There is still a reward for the winner of the tournament even if they don't defeat Cedric. Prince Edward will be the guest of honour at the tournament, and we encourage you and the other Lion Knights to participate in the tournament. We will send invitations to many competitors however, the more the better!"
Lion Knight: "I will make sure to participate, your majesty. Looks like I'll need to do some training of my own once I get back to my liege."
Baron Blacktower: "My herald Pierre will hand you the invitation, it was a pleasure meeting you and we look forward to seeing you at the tournament."

After saying his goodbyes to the royal court, the Lion Knight picked up the invitation for Prince Edward and made his way back down the stairs.
It seemed the knights where still very busy training, practicing on horseback as well now!

With invitation in hand and looking forward to returning for the planned tournament, the Lion Knight left the castle and went on his way back home.

[Rhalius]

Roderick, Frederick and Henry where trying their best, each of them wanted to win the tournament.

Frederick: "Henry already won a tournament, so its only fair that one of us wins this one." *coughs* "me." *coughs*
Roderick smiled: "I agree, but it sounds like you might have catched a cold. Best you sit this one out and cheer for me with the crowd!"

When Henry joined them, they stopped figthting for a moment to catch their breath.

Henry: "This is going to be a great tournament. So many knights to fight with on friendly terms and I am curious about the reward."
Roderick: "Hopefully it's not a bossy princess like with the last tournament you entered. Never thought I'd ever see you running away scared."
Frederick: "I'd have done the same to be honest.. marrying a bossy princess seems more a punishment than a reward."
Roderick: "I am sure King Phillip is more sensible with his prizes, besides he doesnt have a daughter to give away and lady blacktower is already married."
Henry: "Let's just all agree to do our best and we will see who will win, if it's not me, it better be one of you two!"
Frederick and Roderick agreed, and they all smiled and shook hands on it before returning to training.

Within several days, the Lion knight returned to the castle of Prince Edward and was greeted by the guards.


Inside, Prince Edward was discussing strategy with some of his other knights.

Prince Edward: "Ah you have returned, what news do you bring us from King Phillip?"

Lion Knight: "He accepts the alliance, my lord. And they are planning a tournament in honour of the alliance. I have the invitation for you with me."
Prince Edward: "A tournament hm? how.. interesting. Of course I will attend, and I want my best knights to participate! Show them the courage Lion Knights are known for! Now go train, only the best may participate!"
Lion Knights: "At once sire!"
The knights leave the room, and the Prince is left with his own personal guards.

He gestures to one of his guards to come closer.

Guard: "Yes sire?"
Prince Edward: "Summon my guests, we have a great many things to discuss."
Guard: "Right away sire!"

The guard hurries to gather the guests and sends them to the prince, slowly they walk into the room.

Ranulf: "You wanted to speak with us?"
Prince Edward: "King Phillip has invited me for a tournament, I shall require each of your talents during during this visit.. theres a great many things to discuss so lets get to it."

It seems Prince Edward is up to something.. but what could it be? and who will participate in the tournament?
All of this will be revealed in the next story, when the tournament starts.

For now this is the end of this chapter of the story.

((hope everyone enjoyed it, sorry for all the delays. Next time I'll write it down in advance before starting to post stories so it can be done faster.))

[Rhalius]

No one has any comments? 

[Birdie]

I love the picture where he meets the king and queen, with the trumpeters above 
And the one with prince Edward and two other knights sitting at the table, in full gear, with their helmets on: those two guys look really funny 

I'm looking forward to the tournament!

[Georgeag1972]

Very nice pictures and story. My favorite photo is that one with the lion knight infront the king!! Wonderful picture!!
Looking forward for what is comming next! Thanks a lot.

George.

[Rhalius]

Thanks!  Really happy myself with how sharp the pictures turned out, there used to be a few blurry ones in each story but they all turned out sharp for this one.

[Lynx]

How could I've missed this part!?! Though I love your pics and collection, I always love the dialogues the most..I know how difficult it is to write a realistic dialogue and yours are always outstanding. You create real characters with a personality. The plot and storylines are great too. I can't wait to see what's next. Great work, Rhalius!

[Rhalius]

thank you, been wanting to make a few edits since I noticed some little mistakes and a sentence somehow being cut off but it cant be edited anymore.
With the stories I try to recapture the characters and atmosphere of how I used to play with them as a kid, and expand on it.

The next chapter is long overdue and I've been wanting to get started on it, but I really want it to be something special and more grand than the earlier tournament I have done. Already have the tournament stage, some steck houses and now also the museum to do a lot more with the surroundings, but I'm still trying to get a few additional jousting knights to use as participants. Waiting for a seller to show me the additional sets he has available aside from what I placed a bid on.
As soon as the stuff arrives that I plan to order, the story will start. 

[playmovictorian]

What a wonderful and captivating epic tale 

The pictures are really beautiful !

You are a great story teller 

Karim