"See how these rounds go - and you need to get through Angerona first."

"Watch me."

"Dulcie, is the Seventh participating?" Phoe calls over.

"Oh, I'm afraid not." The Seventh coughs lightly. "I had a bit of a fall this morning, and it was all I could do to get this big lump to agree to let me watch. He won't leave my side, haha!" She punches the big lump in question in the side. He bears this friendly abuse stoically.

"Hope you're having fun at least." She flashes a thumbs up then turns back to the rest of the Houses. "That makes it the Third and the Sixth for the last match of the first round! Come on down!"

She steps forward and shows her long dagger for her off-hand.

Naberia calls as well, showing an ornate trident dagger in the closed position, the Third's offhand of tradition.

When the fight's called, Angerona settles onto her heels, but doesn't close immediately, watching the Third cavalier closely instead. 

She pushes in a few steps.

She seems to be waiting for Naberia to strike first. 

All right, she doesn't mind leading the dance. She'll shift her approach so Phae gets the best angle on her form, since she's being allowed to do so, and then start probing.

Angerona has a calm, fluid style - she's good, no motions wasted, absolutely precise with her parries - she definitely favors lunges once her opponent is maneuvered into a good position - 

- But, as experienced as she is, and as good at analysis as she might be, she clearly doesn't favor a rapier in her usual practice. It'll take a bit, but if Babs is cautious about her openings and about shifting back to defense rapidly after each offense, she can get in a hit.

Feels like solving a logic puzzle. Appropriate for the Sixth, one might say.

But the reason why Babs remains cavalier primary to both the princesses of Ida is that any contestant for the other spot would have to be able to beat her at least half the time. And no one's been able to do that since she was thirteen.

Naberia takes her win with grace.

She takes her defeat with equanimity as well. "Good fight."

"You too. Almost had me a few times."

"Be on your guard next time."

"I've a trick or two left, don't worry."

"So do I."

"Then I look forward to it." She inclines her head. "Sixth."

Third. 

She heads back to Palamedes, so she can at least watch the next round. 

"Not a bad showing, all things considered."

"I definitely want another tournament, though."

"Oh no, she's caught the bug."

"There's actual challenges here!"

"We'll stick around a while then."