The first day of the Royal Tourney proved as thrilling as anticipated, and the amazing pageantry and colour of the festivities was surpassed only by the action in the lists.
Before the eyes of the Young Dragon King Daeron, along with the Princesses Daena and Rhaena, Ser William Waxley and the royal party, and many lords, ladies, knights, squires and smallfolk, (including Lord Manfred Dondarrion, the Ladies Elyn and Aisling Ryswell, Marian Stark, Jyana Arryn, Kellyn Lannister, Carmella Dondarrion, Reyna Saltcliffe, Ammena Piper, Rosalind Hill, Ryssa Waters, Keira Sand, the knights Bryon Waynwood, Seth Blackwood, Stevyn Locke, Jonn Lannister and many others) knights both famous and less well-known gathered at the Tourney Grounds for jousting.
After the initial bouts, in which the field of contenders was whittled down, Prince Cadan Martell unhorsed Ser Bryon Waynwood before Ser Axell Farman then managed the feating of defeating the famous Iron Serpent, Ser Dagur Saltcliffe. Seth Blackwood was unhorsed by Ser Elmer Crakehall, then Ser Janden Melcolm then unexpectedly vanquished Ser Bonifer Buckwell of the Antlers. Ser Corrent Gargalen, Lord Davit’s son, unhorsed the Valeknight Ser Triston Templeton, heir to Ninestars, to the delight of the Dornishmen in attendance. The Dornish elation ended as the son of the Lord of Griffin’s Roost, Ser Almer Connington, unhorsed Ser Jossart Vaith, heir to the Red Dunes. Ser Aidan Dayne, Knight of the Twilight, met Lord Whalon Rosby, and dumped the Jousting Lord handily. In a shocking outcome, Ser Endros Buckler defeated Ser Olyvar Oakheart, the Green Oak of the Kingsguard. Prince Cadan Martell was hammered from the saddle by Ser Elmer Crakehall, and left senseless for a time, though it appears the Prince will recover.
In the second round of jousting Ser Axell and Ser Janden faced off, and after many tilts Janden finally prevailed. Ser Almer promptly unhorsed Ser Corrent, and Ser Aidan defeated Ser Endros. In the third round, the Griffin Knight and the Knight of the Twilight faced off in what promised to be an epic bout between two famed jousters, but the match ended abruptly as Ser Almer unhorsed Ser Aidan in one pass! Ser Janden, continuing an amazing performance, took down a Boar of Crakehall, Ser Elmer!
And, as the final two contenders met to much acclaim, Ser Almer Connington prevailed over Ser Janden Melcolm! Along with the generous purse of five thousand dragons and the honors of the first day’s jousting, Ser Almer was bid by King Daeron to crown the Queen of Love and Beauty. Some thought he might name Keira Sand, the young lady with whom he has been associated, but in a gallant (if unexpected) move, the champion offered the crown to little Princess Rhaena to much acclaim! If the second day is to match the first, then this will be a famous Tourney indeed! Day 16 of Month 6, 159 AL.