The World Dragon's Heir

Chapter 623: No Backlogs

Dawn came far too early, but Dominic had the prize for the winner ready, and a backup made, just in case something happened to the first one.

That wasn’t likely, as it was going to stay in his storage cube until it was time to hand it out, but there were no guarantees after that. Any number of mishaps could occur, or there could be a draw in the final round of the joust, due to some sort of chivalrous act.

If that happened, it would be a pleasant surprise to everyone if he had two top prizes ready.

"Your Grace, I’ve got the morning schedule for you. Breakfast is in twenty minutes, followed by a commencement speech for the joust. Following that, we’ve got the preliminary matches leading to the first round.

Anyone who has won a tournament in the past two years gets a pass on the preliminary rounds, so we’ve only got eighty men for that round. Each match in the preliminary round will be three courses, and any Knight that scores a point advances.

It’s the Royal Protocol, to get as many Knights as possible into the first round of the tournament proper.

For us, it’s a bit troublesome. However, we have worked a schedule for the event to run all week, allowing for downtime and recovery. We also have the trolls and witches on hand with healing abilities. Should anyone take a major injury, we have a triage tent set up, and they can be treated between rounds.

The Royal Rules allow for up to thirty minutes to recover between tilts if an injury is taken, and that will inevitably slow things down.

Everyone wants to impress their King, so we fully expect them to be going all out.

That means more injuries, longer waiting times, and some idiotic acts of heroism that would not normally be seen in a tournament."

Dominic laughed at the Veiled Maid’s description. She was not wrong, but it did make things sound more troublesome than they had yesterday when he was meeting the Knights.

"Alright. Who is the first on the jousting list? Did we assign the opening tilt, or did we have them draw lots?" Dominic asked.

"They drew lots an hour ago, and now they’re finishing their final preparations.

The first tilt is between a Knight named Lars from Mitfield, and Sir Martin, one of ours. I believe that he’s near the far eastern winery."

Dominic shook his head. "No, he’s over near Potato."

"Right. I’m surprised that you remembered that."

Dominic laughed. "Potato’s wife is funny."

"He is competing, by the way. About halfway through the preliminary rounds. He’s up against a Knight from Witheton."

"It sounds like it will be a good time. Alright, I will eat and get a move on, so I’m not late for my own event. That might be a bit embarrassing with the Kings in attendance."

"They’re waiting for you in the formal dining room downstairs. Or, they will be by the time that you get dressed."

Dominic pulled his shirt over his head and ran a hand through his hair, which fell perfectly, making the maid sigh.

"Magical hair is unfair." She muttered.

"Right? It works out very well for me. Alright, I’m dressed, hit me with a shot of the most subtle scent blocker or perfume you’ve got."

The maid laughed. "You smell like laundry soap and books anyhow. What were you up to last night?"

"Making an extra reward for the winner. I was in the Library most of the night. That’s the smell of books. Is there anyone else at breakfast that I should be aware of?"

The maid shook her head. "No, just the Kings, their Advisors, your Advisors, and the Emissaries. The Duchess is out for the morning, on patrol with her Royal Guard."

"Emergency call? Or a routine patrol?"

Dominic heard the maid laugh quietly, and nodded in understanding. It was an "Emergency Call" that amounted to taking a long patrol of the border, which would conveniently bring them back just in time for the opening ceremony, or perhaps just after it.

He couldn’t blame her. She’d been locked in the house with her brothers for weeks. By now, even the best of friends would need a bit of time away from each other.

It was odd being at the formal dining table without Alexis beside him, but it didn’t take long before Dominic had others at his table. His four new Advisors all came to join him, as well as Prince Fahad, who looked particularly excited.

"Ah, fine morning, isn’t it? I hear that one of my Royal counterparts will be partaking in the event today." The Axbridge Crown Prince greeted Dominic as he sat with his plate already loaded and a maid following him with his drink.

"Actually, not. Today is the preliminary round. Anyone who won a tournament in the last two years is exempted. So Prince Damien won’t be competing until tomorrow."

Fahad sighed in disappointment. "What a shame. Then I suppose that Sir Whitbury isn’t up today either?"

Dominic nodded. "That is correct. He won again just last month."

"You know a surprising amount about the tournament circuit." Fahad noted.

"I spent a few hours chatting with them the night that they arrived. I caught up on some of the gossip. Otherwise, I would barely know anything about the event that I’m hosting."

"Who do you think is the favourite to win this time?"

Dominic shrugged. "From what I’ve heard, it would be Sir Nallon of Shersdonia. However, the fan favourite is one of the local Knights, Sir Abe."

"Potato?"

"That’s the one. Apparently he has some history in the sport as well, and he’s got a previous win from before he joined the military. Plus, he’s got the sort of personality that makes all the locals love him."

Lord Blackwell cleared his throat to get their attention. "I hate to interrupt, but we have a request from Pops that he insisted had to be given to you before breakfast was over."

He passed over a piece of paper, and Dominic opened it to find a list of metals.

"Ah, Pops needs upgraded metals for armour repairs. That’s a personal specialty of mine, so I’ll have to drop them off for him before I get to the stadium.

That’s why he needed you to give it to me now.

If not, he won’t have it ready when the first jousters come in with damaged armour. We can’t have a backlog on the very first day, especially if the piece is unwearable."