“CIBBL - Y7, Autumn - Silver Division: round 1:

Rumor had it that Timaris Stormwing, head coach of Modryn’s Midnight Meddlers, had been admitted to the psychiatric ward after having suffered a nervous breakdown during last summer’s game against Morrslieb Manic Murderers. Weeks had past since then. Mereia, the assistant-coach had seized the occasion to lead the Meddlers through the rest of the season. Although she had been eagerly looking forward to just such an opportunity, she had to admit that the job was tougher than she had imagined. It was with mixed feelings that she greeted Timaris that morning, regretting his early return. But deep inside she knew wasn’t ready for the job, not yet anyway…

Timaris had an invigorated look on his face. He seemed even more excited than usual. Bowed over a pile of Mereia’s notes and reports, he was preparing his strategy for the Meddlers’ first game of the autumn season. The wood elves would play their distant cousins from Avelorn, their only true rivals in the ball game. Even though the Meddlers were in excellent shape with a full squad for the first time of the team’s history, Mereia had offered some concerns about the opposition’s wizard and mercenaries. Timaris waved it all away, underlining the intricate skill and ability of his team. To him all was clear. A victory it had to be.

The Meddlers received the ball at kick-off. For a few turns the wood elves looked for an opening. Although some players easily managed to enter Eye & Arrow’s backfield, they were all marked and not in a good position to score. “Easy now”, Timaris spoke to himself, “we’re in no hurry”. Mereia, wearing her cap backwards and black shades, didn’t agree but said nothing. She knew how Hauclir must feel right now with the constant threat of a fireball or a zap spell hanging in the air. After a few turns the thrower’s nerve broke and he chose to pass the ball to Eldain, who was in scoring range. Despite being marked, he caught the ball, dodged free and scored. “A bit early to my liking”, Timaris commented, “but I’ve learned never to complain when scoring”, he continued. “Cheers to that!”, Mereia replied, sipping from her martini. The Meddlers had opened the score, but there remained five more turns to be played.

No blood had been shed so far, but in the opening scramble of the second drive two wood elves were knocked out. Nevertheless, realizing it would be hard to contain the she-elves, Timaris urged his troops forward to pressure the ball. Then Caelir pulled of a series of risky dodges to apply an assist, but when Nimrodel launched himself in the air to get a shot at the ball, he unceremoniously crashed into the turf instead. “Loec’s balls!”, Timaris cursed on the bench. “That was an excellent opportunity”, Mereia offered, “but it looks like Nimrodels should continue to work on his dance moves”. She adjusted her cap slightly and ordered another martini. The Meddlers wouldn’t get another shot at the ball anymore. Worse, Hauclir’s hip got smashed when he moved a little to closed to the ball and the Avelornites punished him greatly for that sin. Mereia immediately sent in the apothecary, remembering all too well how her own career as a blood bowl player had ended. “Isha’s grace”, she murmured when the apothecary patched the thrower’s wound. “Looks like Hauclir’s career is not over yet”. In turn seven “Eye and Arrow” scored the equalizer, much to Timaris’ irritation, but nothing could have been done to prevent it.

Loec was with the Meddlers when the second half opened with a Blitz! Keira and Hauclir immediately rushed forwards, followed by Nimrodel who leapt across the astonished opposition and even wrestled down a dumbstruck Avelornite. But it wasn’t enough. Eye & Arrow demonstrated their speed, regrouped and secured the ball. At least, that’s what they thought. Nimrodel got up from the floor of the pitch and proved he had been working on his dance moves. With the help of Elaris he managed to kick the ball loose. Unfortunately, it landed out of his reach. Hauclir moved in as well, but even he couldn’t get to the ball.

Things were getting messy and that must have been the sign for the opposition’s wizard to launch his magic. Nimrodel had drawn quite some attention and got zapped, but Loec decided to protect him from its effects! Aryidel Wavediver moved in and allured Hauclir, who got caught in her deep eyes and forgot about everything except the mesmerizing lady-elf in front. That allowed Eye & Arrow to recover the ball and escape with it. The Meddlers needed some time to adapt and regroup, before Ethandril leapt in and cut the ball loose once more. Kivan failed to pick it up though, offering the initiative back the Avelornites.

On the bench Mereia, silently sipping her martini, saw Timaris quietly producing a tiny ivory box that had been hidden up his sleeve. Not able to resist the urge, Timaris opened the box and sniffed some powder from inside. Instantly his eyes lit up, increasing his fervor and bringing some spittle to his lips. “Kurnous’ hooves!”, Timaris cursed. “That ball should have been ours!”, he continued. Before he could say more, Mereia’s attention shifted back towards the action on the field, where the she-elves recovered the ball and ran away with it… until Tychi smacked head-first into the turf, dropping the ball. “Yes!”, Timaris cried out, “get that ball now!”. But Caelir fumbled the ball, letting it slip from his hands. Timaris jumped up and nearly entered the pitch himself, but somehow managed to control himself just in time. Mereia lowered her shades and noticed that his cheek muscle had started to spasm again.

The game seemed lost. Eye & Arrow pushed Caelir out of the way and recovered the ball yet another time. On the other side of the pitch Elaris got hit so hard he died then and there. Another promising career smothered before it came into bloom. By turn six the elven ladies scored their second touchdown: 2-1, but still three turns to go. The Meddlers prepared for a standard attack. Unfortunately, the plan didn’t account for Aryidel Wavediver. The sleek mercenary’s grace was such that even Keira fell for her charm. Distracted by Aryidel, she allowed Lydia to slip through to blitz Nimrodel, who got punched clear in the face and dropped the ball. Eldain caught it, but got himself surrounded by the opposition. The clock still allowed for some time to recover, but being so packed together the Meddlers lost oversight and eventually also the ball.

2-1 loss. Bad start of the autumn season for the Meddlers!
”