With the contestants in place, the referee prepared to start the final round.
Sir Charles squared up on his horse, then saluted Sir Nallon before the flag dropped and both horses trampled the packed earth of their lanes.
Something had changed to this round, Dominic decided. The horses were moving faster than usual, and when the lances hit, they didn't simply break, they shattered. Cedar didn't splinter as much as pine, but large chunks of wood flew from the impact as the two knights passed each other.
"One lance each!" The referee shouted.
Both knights returned to their spots, and the squires checked their equipment before handing them another lance.
Sir Nallon shook his arm, and the squire rushed over with a fresh shield, replacing the presumably damaged one that his knight was wearing, and then the pair moved back into position.
