“CIBBL: Year Six - Spring: Athel Loren: round 4:

For their last spring game, the Meddlers would face the Drakwold Thicketkeepers, another newcomer to both CIBBL and Athel Loren. The rookie team was bolstered by Jordell Freshbreeze's presence as well as Vinny Valhalla's. Furthermore, Kurnous' followers had hired a wizard and a halfling master chef to top it off.

The first half started with the Meddlers kicking. Timaris, the wood elf headcoach was his nervous self, cursing bitterly before the game had even begun. Down to 2 rerolls would not make the match any easier, but still far from impossible.

After last game, the Meddlers' spirit was up. Timaris had opted for the same strategy: aggressive play and lots of pressure on the ball. Turn 1 saw the Meddlers kicking the ball loose, but the ball scatter didn't offer any good chance to recover it. Instead Beldroth decided to knock himself down. "Trees belong in the forest, not on the pitch", Mereia commented while slightly adjusting her brand new assistant coach's cap. "More space for a player able to pick up the ball", she continued. "Be that as it may", Timaris intervened, "a treeman still has its uses holding the line". "As long he's on his feet, perhaps", Mereia countered while descending her shades a bit.

Meanwhile on the pitch, a chaotic scramble for the ball had ensued. Elves were removed on both sides, but eventually the Meddlers came up on top, kicking the ball loose a second time. And now they also managed to secure it. The plan was to stall until turn 8 before scoring, but after losing the ball, Timaris urged his troops to score sooner; 1-0 in turn 7. The remaining turn changed litlle.

In the second half Kurnous' followers focused on taking down Beldroth. As a result they gave up their position, opening up both flanks. By turn 3 the Meddlers had scored a second time: 2-0. By then the Thicketkeepers' numbers had started dwindling, leaving only 9 feral elves facing a full squad of 11 Meddlers. One turn later the Keepers were down to 8 and had difficulties keeping the ball safe. Timaris urged his troops forward once again, which resulted in another ball steal, and eventually to the 3-0 final score.

Solid win for the Meddlers, but the season was probably lost anyway.

When dust had finally settled and everyone had left the pitch, Timaris Stormwing quietly moved to the spot where the dead follower of Kurnous had left its bloody mark. He knelt down, recovered a piece of the dead elf's mask and stashed it away in his flowing robes. Another item to add to the collection...”