Dragon Jousting

Glimmer’s gold dragon scales shined in Princess Blissa’s face as she soared through the air in flight on her back. Only royalty could afford to have pet dragons, while the rest were for the knights as war dragons. Big red and gold regal dragons that matched the striking look of the knights. Gone were the days of horse jousting while dragon jousting was more brutal and deadly than ever. Sure the knights were belted to the dragons and there was a giant mat in the arena area to catch the falls, but not everyone ended up landing there when they fell. Glimmer soared over the jousting arena as the competitors were announced. She missed the exact introduction of the names because she was looking down to find the castle’s fool. He was entertaining the guests in rounds before the main event started up.

“Isn’t he just so charming,” Blissa’s sister Jellia commented on one of the competitors.

“Yeah sure thing, Jars is so wonderful,” she replied distractedly.

“His name is Jaris. They just introduced them. Try paying attention,” she rolled her eyes.

“Yeah well you can marry him then,” Blissa flew over to watch the scene play out. Whoever won got to marry the princess, but Blissa found it all ridiculous. The prince should be someone with brains, not brawn. He has to become king and make decisions for the country after all.

The joust started and Jaris the knight won the competition against Bart the knight as his belt was cut by the competition and he went flying off in the distance. It was the final round and he was the winner. Everyone screamed and complimented him and his dragon Freya. If all these idiots can do is cheat, then it is my turn, Blissa thought to herself. “Hold on with your applause,” Blissa interrupted everyone’s excitement, “There is still one more competitor.”

“We have made it through all of the knights,” the king announced.

“Father, Gerald still has to go up against him,” she explained in all true sincerity, but of course the rest of the crowd thought it was a joke and laughed hysterically.

“Well, there is nothing stopping the fool from mounting onto one of the dragons and trying,” the king waved the idea to proceed. Gerald’s eyes went wide as he chose one of the knight’s dragon and fitting into armor with a lance in hand and flew up for the ready. Blissa made Glimmer glow with magic as an indication at Gerald that she was going to use it for him. Gerald understood the reference and confidently flew right at the arrogant Jaris when the match began. With the strength of the Princess magic, Jaris slipped out of his belt from the forceful blow and flew off his dragon onto the pad below in embarrassment.

“Not fair, I know the princess used magic on him!” he groaned when he sat up.

“You cheated too when you used the point of your lance to cut the last competitor’s belt,” Blissa confirmed to the crowd.

“There is no rule against using magic for the suitor you want to win. This is valid. Gerald will now become prince and the wedding preparations will be made,” the king clapped his hands while the crowd moaned in confusion, quickly realizing this wasn’t just another joke to embarrass the fool for fun.

“Why me?” Gerald flew up to Blissa in the confusion of his triumph.

“You are no fool. You are the only one with enough wit to command these armies. They only called you a fool to keep you down because they are all insecure and intimidated,” Blissa scanned the crowd in an intimidating manner herself while they all finally nodded their heads and cheered for the new couple. “Now that is more like it,” Blissa approved.

“Guess I can have Jaris,” Jellia flew down to comfort the fallen knight.

“Feels so nice to be cheered in a way that isn’t mockery,” Gerald beamed while they both flew away on Glimmer back to the castle to dress Gerald in a more princely manner.