[Steppes] Chivalric List at Steppes Warlord

[Sparhauk]

Greetings all,

I would like to thank all of the fighters, marshals, heralds and water
bearers who helped make Steppes Warlord XXXVII a complete success!  We had
78 combatants in the list, which is a pretty respectable number by any
accounting.  The semi-finals and finals were some of the most interesting
fights I've seen in a long time.

Going into the semi-final round, Duke Drake and Sir Lochlan each had a
loss.  Duke Aaron, with no losses, fought against the current champion to
ensure his mettle was tested and found strong.  Lochlan and Drake strode
onto the field, each a commanding presence in his own right.  They circled
and fought, as much a physical contest as a mental match.  With every pass,
skillful attacks were met with brilliant counters. Save one, when at last,
Sir Lochlan emerged victorious by striking the valiant Duke the seemingly
fatal blow.  His Grace crumpled to the ground.  Fear not, surgeons were more
than capable of reviving him off the field.

After a brief rest, the two would-be champions vied again to win the day.
His Grace, Aaron McGregor came forth, his fair and virtuous Olivia inspiring
him.  Met by Sir Lochlan Dunn, equally as driven by the beauty and love of
his faithful wife, Gwen.  They sized each other up, each taking the measure
of the other.  They clashed, great thunderous roars, as lions battling.  The
Duke circled his prey, looking for a weakness.  Finding none, he springs,
hoping to take advantage of the ferocity of his attack.  Again, the brave
Knight stood his ground against a barrage of blows that would have fallen a
lesser man.  Over and over they clashed, each probing the others defense, as
precisely as two doctors looking for lumps.  Finally, showing amazing
prowess, Sir Lochlan lunged and thrust into the eyeslot of his noble
opponent.  The first point was his.

After a brief delay to remove the sword and bandage his eye, the two
combatants met yet again, for the final point, and to the victor, one of the
most prestigious titles in the Sable Lands.  Hard fought was this final
battle, both men showing the slightest signs of exhaustion after such a
heavy day of battling to get to this fight.  Each saw his goal but a single
stroke from his grasp.  Each against such a worthy adversary, knowing any
mistake would be his last.  An epic battle, deserving of the exhortation of
bards, such that women cry and men beat on their breasts to know of the
gallant deeds done that day.  At last, Sir Lochlan struck a second blow, the
only two to fell the Duke that day.  The Duke fell.  Lochlan alone had taken
the day.

A hearty congratulations to our newest Chivalric Hero, Sir Lochlan Dunn, Our
Steppes Warlord. And vivat to our noble competitors, who made this tourney a
wonderful and challenging gauntlet!

In Service,

Lord Geoffrey Sparhauk