Arena of Honor S307 Who is first?

It was a mild spring afternoon in Kingdom 179 but even though it was supposed to be a day of repose, Bearface had spent all morning at his Duke’s Killkeks command, as they were trying to sort out the grain issues and how to feed the poor farmers that had not made a good winter harvest. He had barely finished when his squire asked him to help him master his shield movements while riding a horse, which had taken too much time, and left Bearface weary, and still his day was not over as he had to meet his team to participate in Arena of Honor.

Hello, greeted Bearface.

Hello, hello, replied Lord Strandli cheerfully. Is our usual top eliminator all set to triumph also tod… 

Lord Strandli was saying when he was rudely interrupted.

No time for social niceties, rushed ChristianOr, Bearface you need as Captain, to register our team, or we cannot participate.

Bearface sighed deeply, but did as was bid, and very soon they found themselves in the battlefield, holding the Targaryen banner. Bearface, as usual, started scanning the opponents, to decide their strategy. 

Doesn’t look too bad, right Bearface? Lord Strandli commented, who as usual was itching to test out his battle prowess and show off what he was worth.

Indeed, it is certainly worth a try, said Bearface cautiously looking over his shoulder, waiting for RedImpulsive to argue in favor of trading, but RedImpulsive was unexpectedly nodding his consent, and his usual partner in crime, ChristianOr was remaining silent. Taking heart, he continued.

Try to concentrate on taking altars of Warrior and Stranger, we will aim to capture the Glory City.

What else is new? ChristianOr snorted disdainfully, but Bearface noticed she did go after a Warrior.

Since most of the team had preferred to attack Warriors, Bearface made his stand in an altar of Stranger, trying to hold it for the Targaryens.

He was just settling in, when he found himself evicted, by spears.

Hey Bearface, do you need any assistance there? Lord Strandli could not resist teasing him

No need to trouble yourself, Lord Strandli, Bearface replied politely, I will take another.

However his earlier defeat rankled him, and perversely he attacked a spear altar, seeking his revenge.

Bearface, Glory city is opening, cried RedImpulsive.

Both Bearface and Lord Strandli set out to capture it, but Bearface was faster.

First defense was easy, but Bearface noticed to his horror that someone was reinforcing him with infantry which made his attacking power less.

Who has sent infs? he called out, but he never got to find out as he was hit by Nominor, a formidable opponent, who however was using infantry and should not have been a problem.

I got kicked by inf? he asked incredulously. It was such his disbelief that he called the banners immediately and attacked the Glory City, which was still held by Nominor.

This looks more like it, RedImpulsive said happily, and everyone was set to hold. 

Please reinforce Bearface, Lord Strandli reminded the Targaryens, we still need to hold for three more minutes.

Bearface fended off the solos with ease and was starting to get confident, when a spear rally appeared. He paled but tried to rally his forces.

To no avail, he had just lost the Glory City.

Bad luck, Bearface, Lord Strandli consoled him, but no one could miss the fact that he had already called his banners and was marching towards the Glory City with a big smile.

Lord Strandli’s smile became even bigger and was calling for reinforcements.

Keks, where are you? he called annoyed, making his displeasure obvious, not taking into consideration that Killkeks was his Duke.

My apologies, Lord Strandli, Keks replied hurriedly as finally his army made its way to Glory City. I was detained with this mine shaft.

Well done Killkeks, we could use these points, RedImpulsive called happily.

Really wanted to be of help for once, Killkeks explained, as he felt guilty that his Duke work rarely let him participate and help the MBL team.

All good, Keks, replied Lord Strandli mollified by both his full GloryCity and because he easily kicked an infantry rally which had just hit him.

Take care, Bearface warned, another infantry rally is coming, this one led by Nominor.

Lord Strandli groaned. It would be so unlucky if he did not manage to hold the City, it was so rare he was getting the chance, between Bearface usually being glued to it, and ChristianOr using rally boots to be faster than him.

Targaryens cheered, but RedImpulsive once more sounded the alarm. 

Lord Strandli look out!!! Cavalry is coming!!!

Bearface called the banners, and started to prepare for the Glory City, when the rally hit.

Somehow Lord Strandli had prevailed. It was a strange day today. Infantry beating cavs, and Bearface something else was off, when RedImpulsive said it out loud first.

Where on earth is ChristianOr? he asked. It is not like her to be so quiet.

Everyone turned to look but barely had time when another rally hit them.

Woop woop, Lord Strandli exclaimed excitedly. It still has not been four minutes?

There is one more rally arriving, RedImpulsive noticed, we should be safe pass four minutes if we manage to tank it

Determination appeared in all the faces of the Targaryen team. They had come too far to be kicked now. If they lost Glory City, despite Killkeks’ mineshafts they would end up dead last.

Hold on, Bearface instructed.

Hold on you beautiful bastards just a little longer, Lord Strandli whispered.

Cheers once more erupted but was very short lived, as another rally they had missed hit them immediately after.

They had been kicked!!

Time, what was the time? Strandli asked frantically.

ChristianOr appeared, smiling broadly.

He was two seconds too late, she said.

Once more the Targaryens started cheering, except Bearface who took his forgotten rally and attacked the Glory City.

Couldn’t let him have it, he said simply and the trumpet sounded the ending of the Arena.

Bearface was still looking at the rankings when he exclaimed

How odd, i am not first in the elimination ranks

Who is? ChristianOr asked

You are, he said laughingly. 

I guess we know where you disappeared during the match, he continued

ChristianOr smiled innocently but was fooling no one

Okay okay i admit it, i might have murdered the entire map.

To many more firsts, and murders to come, Lord Strandli toasted, who had already begun celebrating their win, and everyone drank deeply and contentedly.