“CIBBL - Y6, Summer-Athel Loren Green Thumb: round 1:

Timaris Stormwing, owner and head coach of Modryn's Midnight Meddlers, looked at the future with rare confidence. "Today", he stated, "the team is ready for a new trophy." He was addressing the players minutes before they would take to the field, facing the Zenzoat Stranglers. "Long have we been waiting and Loec knows he's snatched many a victory from our hands", he continued. "Last night Isha sent me a vision and I have seen great triumph!", he shouted. By now Mereia, the Meddler's former star catcher turned assistant-coach, had arrived at the dug-out as well. She adjusted her cap and shades, listened to Timaris' ravings for a while and then walked on, installing herself on the bench with an icecold martini. In her few months as assistant-coach she had already got used to the man's ramblings and decided to largely ignore it alltogether. She installed herself comfortably at the edge of the field, enjoying the summer sun.

Meanwhile the opposing Zoats had shown their ugly faces on the field. The game was about to start. Full of confidence Stormwing instructed his elves to kick despite having won the toin coss. The Meddlers started ferociously. Ethandril killed a Juven in turn 1, while Beldroth held the line on his own. The elves applied high pressure, putting two tackle zones on the ball carrier. By turn 2 Hauclir blitzed the ball loose, but snaked a dodge, causing a turnover. No matter, next turn Morlanna moved in and hit the ball loose once more. The rain and tackle zones made it difficult to recover though. Still, Timaris carried a confident halfsmile on his regal face, making Mereia chuckle. "Arrogant fool", she thought by herself, sipping her martini and enjoying the spectacle from a comfortable chair near the edge of the field. The Meddlers kept applying pressure while dodging around the dumbstruck zoats. Next turn Hauclir once more hit the ball carrier and this time the ball was evacuated to saftey. By turn 5 Ethandril ran in the first touchdown: 1-0.

The elves kicked the ball deep on the ensuing kick-off, pushing the zoats back to their own half of the field. The isolated ballcarrier tried a desperate pass, but the rain and general zoat clumsyness made it fail. The Meddlers didn't hesitate to capitalize on the ball loss. Before the four-legged animals even realized what happened the lead had been increased to 2-0. "I knew it", Timaris exclaimed. "Mark my words Mereia, this time we'll realize great results". Mereia took off her shades and glanced at Timaris. "Don't get your hopes too high, these zoats are just another rookie team. The real challenge follows later." The head coach turned his head towards Mereia's corner. "Oh, I know. This is just a warm-up. But a spectacular one nevertheless." He continued witnessing the ongoing match.

The second half had started. This time the Meddlers received the ball. Since it was still raining no passes were risked. The elves steadily advanced, punishing the zoats from all sides. By turn 3 Ethandril ran in the 3-0. Meanwhile the zoats had already suffered 4 casualties. This resulted in only 7 zoats being fielded on the next kick-off. Since the opposition didn't have the bodies to protect the ball, the elves didn't struggle to steal it once more. A few turns later the final score was on the board 4-0!

A great start of the summer season for the Meddlers!

Only Mereia noticed how Timaris lingered on the field after the match had ended. His stealthy moves led him to the exact spot where the young zoat had died in the very first turn of the game. Timaris inspected the field and pocketed an item. Even Mereia's eagle's sight didn't allow her to see what it was...”