My Princess was glaring at me.

I couldn't blame her for believing that I was the one in the wrong. Had I been standing where she was standing and seeing what she was seeing, I probably would have come to the same conclusion. After all, I hadn't had the best record for keeping my head down in tense situations. But, for perhaps the first time, my wife was wrong. This wasn't my fault.

Well... not completely my fault.

We were wandering through the combat stalls when the attack came. Alden, Deirdric, Lencel, Rig and Boldrin browsed through the weapons on display, of which there were many. I was taken aback by the sheer amount of arms on offer, from Andapan cavalry sabres to the lesser known moon shaped halberds favoured by the Queendom the west.

Boldrin had something to say about everything he touched. Waxing poetic on a dagger taken from a tribesman of the Plains before moving onto a double-ended spear that seemed to have little practical application at all. I was too distracted to notice as he shoved each into my face to sing their praises, as well as lauding their advantages in battle. The reason for my lack of interest was a simple one: My Smiths were up to something.

That was what so captured my imagination as I half listened to my former commander's musings on implements of death from across the continent. I knew for a fact that something was a afoot. Elora and Tessa seemed to have concocted some kind of devious plot and had managed to rope in Boldrin to aid them in their insidious scheme.

Truthfully, I wouldn't have noticed there was a problem at all if it hadn't been for Tessa. My mercenary's attempt to try and distract me was adorably transparent, as well as incredibly endearing. Tessa is talented in many areas, but she didn't have the type of training that Elora had in courtly intrigue and speaking half-truths. My Princess told her to grab my attention and Tessa had fallen back to the basics, going with the first thing that came to mind: Staring.

It was a terrifying and surprisingly effective method, considering it did manage to throw me for a loop. But, like I said, it was also incredibly endearing.

When Boldrin started to drag me away from them I knew I'd caught onto what they were up to, though for the life of me I couldn't figure out the why. They would tell me in time, I was sure, but until then I would contemplate on the reason for it. Curiosity getting the best of me.

It wasn't because the idea of them alone in a location that wasn't familiar and potentially dangerous was causing me to have something akin to a panic attack. No, that wasn't it all.

I checked the Bonds regularly, my inner eye peering into the all-encompassing black of my soul to make sure they weren't in danger. My hand was close to the hilt of my sword at all times, ready to draw it at a moment's notice and leap to their defence should the need arise. I knew it was foolish. At least, a part of me did. They had Vera and Annabelle with them and I knew they wouldn't let any harm befall my Smiths. Even without them, it wasn't as though Tess and Elora were defenceless, they had skills of their own to fall back on should the worst come to pass, but I still couldn't stop that old paranoia from rising up within me. It would be so easy to ignore the feeling if my instincts hadn't saved my own life so many times. I felt like there was something I wasn't seeing, something that I had forgotten but desperately needed to remember. An annoying, niggling doubt at the back of mind that refused to be ignored. It was hardly helping my mood either, with every question thrown at me receiving one word answers as my glower became all the most pronounced the longer we spent shopping. I wanted my Smiths and I wanted them now.

…Maybe that was the problem.

The attack came as I was in the depths of my depression, just about ready to sprint across market to reach them and leave the others behind in my wake. I wasn't paying attention to my surroundings, instead staring at the ground beneath my feet and trying to stop my negative feelings from flowing over the Bond. I knew what I was feeling was uncalled for and downright ridiculous, even if I was finding it almost impossible to convince my mind of that fact. It wasn't like we'd never been separated before. Shit, Elora and I had been apart for a week in Paldrum. Though, now that I thought about it, I had been unconscious for most of that.

It was at that moment, as I thought on all the times I'd been apart from Elora and Tessa, that the fucker struck. He really did come out of nowhere, which was made all the more impressive considering he was as big as a fucking horse. Rig's head rocketed to the side as the impact of the giant's heavy fist very nearly decapitated him.

Of those present, Alden reacted first, his years of warrior training serving him well as he grabbed a hold of poor Rig before he hit the ground and smashed open his skull on the hard earth beneath him. Deirdric moved to help his Knight as Boldrin threw the weapon he'd been holding at the blacksmith who'd made it, lips pulling back in a snarl as he reached for the large axe at his back. My former commander was too far away from our mysterious opponent to make much of a difference, as were the legionaries, who were fighting against the suddenly panicked crowd that strove to get away from the violence ensuing before them. Lencel, however, managed to go on the attack.

He threw a punch at our giant assailant with the speed and precision I had glimpsed only that morning in our sparring session. If the attacker had been only a little shorter, the strike would have collided with the jaw and might have ended the conflict right then and there. Unfortunately, he was a foot too low, his fist banging futilely against a collarbone, most likely hurting himself more than the person he meant to inflict pain upon.

It was at this moment that I managed to get my first real look of the man who'd punched Rig. Standing at nearly a foot taller than Boldrin himself, the man before me was the picturesque version of the warrior that children envisioned when reading stories of heroes and dragons. His body was a mass of muscle, not a single ounce of fat to be seen on any surface available to the eye. His sandy hair and light, brown eyes spoke to his youth, as did the cruel sneer that twisted his lips. He glared down at the suddenly off guard Lencel and aimed to make good on the young swordsman's mistake by sending him to the ground in the same manner as Rig himself.

Couldn't allow that.

I moved, brushing off my melancholy and feeling my bubbling anger take a hold of me. Being away from my Smiths was making me more than a little anxious. I needed to let off some steam and some fool had presented himself to me on a silver platter. Who was I to turn aside such a gift?

My own fist struck true and interrupted the giant's attack, making him reel backwards, a short bark of surprise leaving his lips. He was large, true, but I wasn't small myself. My body hitting his at least managed to throw him off balance slightly. He shook his head and make some space, glaring at me like I was some nuisance,a piece of shit on the heel of his abnormally large shoe. He attacked, running forwards like a rampaging bull and aiming to bowl me over, to finish the fight before it could truly begin.

He was taken aback once more as I slipped to the side and sent an elbow into his chin. He threw a punch but I avoided it with a snort of derision. What the fuck was this? I felt disappointment well up inside of me, adding to my fear and paranoia. It boiled inside of me, quickly transforming into rage. I didn't need this, not today. This was supposed to be my time off. The very least this asshole could do was be good in a fight and he couldn't even do that. Fucking useless!

The fact that he was after Rig and not me didn't even cross my mind. The bastard stood between me and my Smiths. He would die today without even knowing the reason and I found myself quickly making peace with that.

The big warrior roared with rage, attacking again and again. His punches and kicks definitely showed that he was skilled, but he was so slow that it basically made no difference at all. I just kept striking him the chest, pushing him back slowly but surely as he continued to futilely break my guard. Despite our relative sizes, he was the one uselessly banging his head on the doors of an immovable fortress. He just wasn't good enough. Every failed attack only infuriated him more and forced him to attack again using the exact same method. Not just useless, but fucking stupid as well. What was the point of this?

A jab presented me with an opportunity to hurt him. He struck and I caught his arm, pulling him closer as I squeezed and twisted. He didn't try to free his limb, which I assumed he wouldn't. Instead he threw another useless punch at my head which I moved out of the way of. People like this rely far too much on their natural born prowess, believing that it gave them all the advantage they would ever need. He was a fool and he would die a fool's death.

I twisted the limb past the point it could take and heard a crack of bone for my efforts. He didn't scream at least, only grumbling as he ripped himself free and took a few steps back, a hand swinging wildly to fend off a follow-up that never came. He stopped, shocked and eyes wide as he stared at me. I watched him with amusement, my own smile just as cruel as his had been a moment before. He knew, in that moment, it was futile. I was better, he couldn't beat me.

I felt a pull over the Bond. It was from Tess.

A soothing touch, a squeeze of our golden connection was enough to bring me back to myself. I hesitated, the fury that I had felt a moment before fading away. I closed my eyes in frustration, clenching my jaw even as I did the same with my hands. I had let my emotions overwhelm me, had let the absence of my Smiths effect how I was fighting. This wasn't me. I didn't hurt just to cause pain. Did being away from them really change me so greatly? Why now, why here?

I turned back to see how Rig was doing, dismissing the large man behind me. He wasn't a threat. I could have ended that scuffle on the first pass if I wasn't so intensely focused on making him regret his decision. The young Smith was on his back, but conscious. His Knight was whispering comforting words into his ear as he cradled his head above the ground. Alden and Deirdric were both there as well, ready to help Lencel should the need arise. Boldrin himself was watching me with careful, understanding eyes. As though he could see right to the heart of the conflict inside of me. He smiled and nodded. I struggled to do the same and just about managed it. Now wasn't the time to think on why my emotions were all over the place. I had other things to deal with, the first of which would be finding out the reason for this assault.

I turned to the man to find that his arm looked better than it had only a moment before. It seemed that he was a Knight as well as a cowardly asshole who blind-sided a boy half his size. He still glared at me with a deep anger, but it was tempered somewhat by the result of our little brawl. If he tried again, he'd lose, and faster this time considering I was once more in control of myself. He seemed to know that, but I don't think that was what was holding him back. No, I think the reason for that was the young woman who was clutching the fabric of his tunic, trying to pull him backward to no avail. She might as well have been trying to move a mountain for all the good it was doing her.

She was a thin waif of a thing, with dark skin from the Yelesi sun, warm brown eyes and long, sandy hair. Beautiful, but strangely fragile, everything about her seeming gentle. At a guess, I would say they were related. Considering who Rig was talking about the night before, I came to the conclusion of who this attacker was before the girl said his name.

“Berthold! Leave him alone! He's just being nice to me!” The girl said, her kind stare marred by anger and fear as they jumped from her brother to the prone form of young Rig, “You're being an idiot!”

“I warned him,” Berthold growled, his eyes looking right through me as he glared, “He needs to learn his place.”

Something in my soul caused me to look to my left, where I grabbed a hold of a pair of gleaming, golden eyes staring at me from within a dense crowd. Yes, my Princess' glare was quite something. On any other day it would have made me wilt, but to see it now was enough to cause the last of my anger to dissipate completely. Tessa standing beside her only helping in that regard, though my mercenary didn't look half as annoyed as my wife. Instead she was staring at Berthold like he was a pig who needed slaughtered.

I needed to speak with Vera soon. If my temporary flash of wild anger had been a result of the Bond, I needed to find out how to fix it before it happened again. I couldn't spend every second of every day near my Smiths, after all. Maybe it was just a case of being in an unfamiliar setting? I hadn't felt anything like that since Tessa attacked Elora back on the trip to Dunwellen. If the Bond was beginning to assert more control, I needed to find a way to get a handle on it before I hurt someone I didn't intend to.

“Does he now?” I replied glibly, flexing my fists and near wincing at the pain I felt emanating from my knuckles. I hadn't felt it at the time, but I was sure I'd have a few bruises just from punching the colossus before me, “Can't say I know what the problem with him talking to your sister is, can't say I care much either. But he's a nice enough kid. If you touch him again, I'm going to beat you to death in front of your kin.”

Berthold sneered, straightening himself up to his full height as he looked down upon me. His attempt at intimidation was failing rather spectacularly. Perhaps I would have been a bit more wary had he done this before we fought, but now that we had I couldn't find it in me to be the least bit afraid of the man. He was a bully, it seemed, and one who liked to throw his weight around to get his way. I doubted that he'd met anyone who could actually put him in his place before. Well, if so, today was definitely not going to be a good day for him.

“I don't have time to deal with foreigners interfering with business that is not their own,” Berthold said loudly, “Stand aside and let me have words with Rig of the Burrows. It would be easier for you if you did. You don't know who I am. My father is a powerful man.”

“No shit,” I said with a roll of my eyes, “Why do all entitled pricks like you have powerful fathers? It's never powerful mothers, I've noticed.”

“Daddy issues?” Boldrin laughed, his booming laughter echoing out into the near silent crowd, “That's usually the case in my experience.”

“Aye,” I chuckled loudly along with my mentor, “That sounds about right.”

“Berthold, we should go!” The girl hissed behind her brother, yanking on his arm but no longer staring at him. No, she'd caught sight of something much more terrifying. Vera and Annabelle, ghostly and threatening, were each standing behind Elora, their cold eyes taking in all before them. Yeah, I couldn't blame the kid for shitting herself. The sight of the First Knight and Smith of Venos would be enough to make me hesitate too.

“I'm not going anywhere without satisfaction, Kidis,” Berthold snapped, “I warned him.”

“What has Rig done exactly?” I asked curiously, “He's a nice lad, seems to really like your sister. I don't see the problem with letting them spend time together.”

“That's none of your fucking business!” Berthold stated, his face so livid he looked like he was going to try and attack me all over again. I was ready if he did.

“Rig visited me three nights ago, came to my family estate.” Kidis said bitterly, far too bitter for such a young girl, “Father found out.”

“Kidis!”

“That's it!?” Lencel's roar caught the attention of everyone as we turned to the fuming swordsman. He seemed divided, his eyes flickering between Rig and Berthold. I knew that feeling well. Part of him wanted to attack the man who'd hurt his Smith while the other wanted to stay to keep him safe. The Bond was playing havoc with him no doubt, yet he still remained in control of his faculties.

It was interesting to see another Bond in comparison with my own. Lencel and Rig had Bonded at around the same time as Elora and I, yet the youngest August hadn't fallen into a blood drunk rage as I would have had it been Elora in Rig's place. I always knew our Bond was different, special, but seeing such a clear example of how was interesting nonetheless, “You fucking animal! You are a wild dog, Berthold! One which is in sore need of being put down!”

Lencel drew his sword from a sitting position, the blade longer and thinner than my own as he snarled at the huge man before him. Alden and Deirdric stopped the man before he could leap at Berthold, the Ragoran pair each taking an arm as they sought to restrain him.

“I'm the animal?” Berthold sent out a laugh in response, “Your Smith stalks around in the night, goes where he doesn't belong and you call me the animal?”

“I stand by what I said, monster!” Lencel spat as he struggled in Alden and Deirdric's grasp, “Release me, now!”

“K-Kidis,” The whimpered moan came from none other than young Rig, who leaned his head up, eyes glazed and hazily seeking the woman he loved.

“Rig!” Kidis dashed around her brother, who sought to stop her, but she narrowly avoided his large hands. His left arm wasn't fully recovered yet, which allowed her to slip past me, making for the downed form of the frail Smith. Berthold made to follow, but I shook my head as I stared him down. He stopped, hesitating as he gritted his teeth so hard I thought they might shatter.

Kidis arrived at Rig's side, taking him from Lencel's arms and into her arms as she wept, the tears falling upon the face of the still confused boy. I'd be pretty out of it too if I got a haymaker from a fist the size of my own head.

“I'm so sorry, Rig, I'm sorry,” Kidis sobbed as she clutched him, “The guard must have seen you, I didn't know until Berthold was leaving.”

“I-It's alright, Kidis,” Rig smiled up at her sheepishly, “Seeing you was worth it.”

Rig was hardly the most sociable person. I can't say I'd gotten to know him well over the past day and a half. To be honest he struck me as someone who would rather take the easy road than the hard one. Someone who was afraid of the work involved with being a Smith, with being Lencel's Smith. Still, I had to admire the fact that he was trying to soothe Kidis' mind from his place on the ground.

“Kidis, get back here!” Berthold said, taking another step.

“Don't. You'll lose this fight.” I said quietly in response, “You won't get past me.”

“I know when I'm outmatched, foreigner,” Berthold snapped, “And you should know not to stick your nose where it doesn't belong.”

“Count Orin is right where he should be, Berthold,” A voice called out from the crowd. We both turned to see Sara and May August pull themselves free of the mob. Sara was the one who spoke, the two of them making their way over to Lencel, Rig and Kidis. The younger of the August sisters wrapped her brother in a hug, touching his sword hand gently to dissuade violence as she nodded seriously at her sister. I never thought I'd see May act so... well, grown up. Sara put an arm about Kidis' shoulder while placing a hand on Rig's cheek gently.

“Count Orin? Orin of Myrin?” Kidis looked up at me with at first surprise on her face, followed by awe and a little bit of hope, “The Scarred Knight?”

“Just Orin is fine,” I replied with a kind smile. She looked like the kind of girl who'd had too little of that in her life as of late, “I don't really like titles.”

“Orin of Myrin.” Berthold muttered as he looked at me, a shift in his eyes. I couldn't tell precisely what'd changed, but something had.

“You will not get past him, Berthold,” Sara said bitingly, “Finally you have met one you cannot bully. Leave. Now.”

“I do not seek to bully him, Sara,” Berthold said, his mask of cruel indifference slipping as he addressed the young woman. There was something to that. I didn't know that she and Berthold knew each other, though it wasn't so strange considering they were of about the same age, “You know why-”

“Yes, I know why,” Sara said sarcastically, “All too well. You have not changed, Berthold.”

This comment in particular seemed to affect the large man. He took a step back as though struck, his face going pale as he looked away. He seemed to be ashamed, his eyes unseeing as they looked at the hard earth beneath his feet.

His gaze had firmed again when he raised them, fixing Sara with a derisive glare, “You have, I see.”

Now it was Sara's turn to flinch.

“I am who I am and nothing will change that,” Berthold grumbled before fixing Rig with his cold, brown eyes, “Rig of the Burrows, I challenge you!”

The gasp that ran through the crowd was audible to all and I raised an eyebrow at the man, even as I flickered my eyes over to my Smiths. They had yet to intrude and I could understand why. They could add little to proceedings beyond making things more complicated. Elora, at least, seemed to understand that. Tessa was another matter, the only thing holding my mercenary back from skinning Berthold being the presence of my wife's hand on her arm There was clearly more to the social dynamics here than I was seeing and I didn't want to interfere where I wasn't needed. Best to let those involved play things out. I noticed that the legionaries were now standing behind Rig and Lencel defensively, ready to support them should the need arise. They looked unsure of what to do. Rig was hurt, but he wasn't of the August family. I'm sure the reputation of Berthold's father played a role in their hesitation.

“Say what you wish, Berthold,” Sara said, sounding strangely sad, “At least I still have my honour.”

The giant snarled into the air, “I do this for my honour. For the honour of my sister! I don't expect an August to understand that.”

“No, Berthold,” Kidis shook her head, “Not like this. Never like this.”

“Kidis. You must understand, I-” He made to move around me again and I made to block him again. He drew himself short and stared at me. His anger had dissipated upon hearing who I was, but no small amount of resentment had taken its place, “Orin of Myrin. I have heard tell of you being in Yelmora though I didn't know it was with the Augusts. If even half of what I've heard about you is true, then you have my respect. But this is not Venos. You do not know our ways.”

“Perhaps not,” I replied, “But I'd like to see this one play out. Another step and you'll find out just how many of those stories about me are true.”

Berthold made to respond but was interrupted by Lencel, who jumped to his feet, “You would challenge a man while he is on the ground and bleeding? You are worse than an animal. Just an ignorant rat without a shred of virtue. I accept on Rig's behalf! I will tear you apart, Berthold Gaius.”

Berthold sneered, “There is that famous August wit. No wonder your father held onto his senatorial seat for so long. Come then, Lencel, be broken to pieces and your Smith alongside you. You cannot defeat me.”

“L-Len,” Rig said, the panic in his voice clear to all, “You can't.”

“Don't fear, Rig,” Lencel said with an eager smile, taking a knee and clasping his Smith's hands, “Berthold is all brawn and no brain, like you always say. He struck you, we cannot let that pass. We can beat him together.”

“No, you can't,” Kidis whispered, the horror in her voice clear to all, “Rig didn't tell you?”

Lencel frowned in confusion, “Tell me what?”

“I have a Resonant Gift, Lencel,” Berthold said, his smugness returning as he smiled at the young swordsman, “A Strength beyond your means to match. You will lose to Kidis and I.”

Now that was interesting.

I shot a look to my Princess, catching her staring right back at me, her eyes widened in surprise. I would have smiled if it wouldn't have been so inappropriate. I felt my blood stirring once more as I appraised Berthold and his Smith with a new appreciation. I knew it wasn't easy to make a Resonant Gift. It required total belief. For a pair like Berthold and Kidis to make one, despite their differences, was extraordinary. She must truly believe that her brother was the strongest man who had ever lived. If that was the case, then of course she was sure he would beat Lencel. I had matched Knights who had graduated from the Hall with my own Resonant Gift of Strength. I couldn't help but feel curious as to how mine stacked up against his.

My efforts to keep my smile contained failed soon after I met Tessa's steely gaze. She was gazing at me with flushed cheeks, anticipation clear on her face.

Just like that, I knew what I needed to do.

“Kidis and I planned on revealing it today,” Berthold chuckled, “What better time to do it than against you and your Smith?”

I turned back to Kidis, looking down at her. She refused to meet my eye but I didn't need to see her face to know what emotion dominated her features, “You must fight?”

“She must-”

“I didn't ask you,” I said quietly to Berthold, who quieted down with a glare. He wasn't as stupid as I first thought he was, “Do you have to fight? Against Rig? Why not refuse?”

“I cannot,” Kidis said, though the words seemed to come with great difficulty between gasping sobs, “I cannot refuse my brother. He is my Knight.”

I nodded and shrugged, “Very well.”

“If you do not wish to fight me, then swear on your father's name that Rig will not longer go near Kidis. That is all I ask. A fair price to avoid humiliation, don't you agree?”

I looked to Lencel then. He looked pale, conflicted, his eyes moving to Rig and then over to Berthold. I knew the choice he was measuring in his mind, knew the pain of the decision he was about to make. If he fought against Berthold and lost, it could end with Rig getting hurt, in ways that he could not yet foresee. He didn't seem the sort to care for his own safety, but caring for your Smith was another matter, one which was tied directly to your Bond. Shit, a minute ago I was about ready to kill Berthold because he had interrupted me thinking about Tessa and Elora. My actions

had little to do with helping Rig.

I could change that now.

“It hardly seems fair for two Knights who Bonded near the same time to fight when one possesses a Resonant Gift,” I said loudly, so all could hear, turning to Elora and silently asking for approval for what I was about to do. I knew she agreed from the small smile on her face, the loving look in her eyes, “Why not me instead?”

“You?” Berthold said sharply, his gaze running the length of me, “I'll be the first to admit that you got the best of me in our brawl, Count, but you are hardly a worthy substitute for the great disciple of Frankel.”

“Is that the case?” Sharply spoken and delivered, my Princess crossed the distance between us in an instant. She was in her full facade of Princess of the Realm, her haughty gaze measuring Berthold and finding him wanting, “You should be honoured, Berthold Gaius of Yelmora, that my husband deigns to challenge you. You would do well to show your respect.”

The crowd suddenly began to mutter amongst themselves, putting the pieces together in their minds as they came to the conclusion as to Elora's identity. Spirit, they must have all thought this was some kind of play. But then again, given a few of them actually bowed towards my wife in awe it was pretty telling that they didn't. I frowned as I thought back to Sara saying my name. I don't remember getting any bows.

Not that I was bitter.

The reactions of Kidis and Berthold were just as dramatic. They came to much the same conclusion as the crowd, with the younger of the Gaius siblings squeaking as she looked up at the radiant form of my wife. Berthold lowered his head slightly, as though acknowledging her presence without showing the respect she was due. It was a slight, but a minor one. Clearly there was more to the man than met the eye.

Tess, as though released from some invisible spell, all but ran up to me and shoved Berthold away with a fierce snarl, her hands falling to the daggers at her waist, “Challenge or not, touch him again and your sister will have to carry you home in fucking pieces!”

I grasped a hold of Tessa's arm gently, ready to stop her should her fury overwhelm her reason, even as I took Elora's hand in mine, “I'm fine, Tess. I have given my offer. What say all of you?”

“Orin, I cannot allow you to do this,” Lencel said insistently, coming up to me and bowing from the waist, “It would shame me. Rig is my Smith. It wouldn't be right for me not to fight for him.”

I smiled gently at Lencel, “It isn't a fair contest if you fight him, Lencel. You have great skill and I'm sure you are a very powerful Knight, but I know better than most the power of a Resonant Gift. Berthold is setting you up to fail. We have not known each other long, but I consider you a friend. Let me fight for you and your Smith. One day, you can return the favour.”

Lencel choked back a reply, his head falling as he curled his fingers into fists. He hated that I was right, hated having to rely on me to help him. I could understand that. I also knew that his need to protect his Smith outweighed the need to protect himself. He wouldn't put Rig in danger, not if offered another way. I was giving him that option.

“Why do this, Orin of Myrin?” Berthold asked quietly, “You are not of Yeles.”

“Maybe I see a little of myself in Rig,” I said, looking to my Princess, who smiled at me sweetly as she squeezed my hand, “And honestly, compared to some of the shit I've been going through over the past few weeks, this is pretty simple to resolve. If I win, you no longer stop Kidis from seeing Rig. If you win... well, you won't win.”

“That isn't my decision to make,” Berthold barked bitterly, “My father has told me to see it done and so I will. Your defeat works as well as Lencel's, either will do. If I win, Rig will stay away from Kidis. You cannot beat me.”

“You may have one Resonant Gift, Berthold, but I have two,” I laughed as Tessa grinned at me and Elora smirked with pride, “You will lose.”

“Two... Two Resonant Gifts?” Lencel's jaw near hit the floor, as did those in attendance that knew of such matters with the exception of those who were already aware. Rig stared at me from the ground, hope in his eyes.

Berthold snorted, his disbelief clear for all to see, “An obvious lie. No Knight has two Resonant Gifts.”

“Then it should be an easy victory for you,” I said with a shrug, “Let me do this, Lencel. Your Smith will be free of Berthold by the time it is done.”

Lencel seemed to be staring at me in a new light. A hint of something there that hadn't been present a second before. He smiled, looking relieved, hopeful, as he bowed his head, “Then Rig and I will accept your aid, Count Orin. Thank you.”

“This is a farce,” Berthold mocked as he shook his head, “But I will accept the terms. Beating the famed 'Scarred Knight' will only make my victory all the greater. I will speak with my father and arrange everything. Make your way to the Senate building, Orin of Myrin. That is where you and I will meet.”

“As you wish,” I said with a smirk, showing the man that I wasn't intimidated in the slightest. I found an ember of excitement well up inside of me, taking hold as it grew into a steady flame. I was looking forward to this, to seeing a Resonant Gift beyond my own and Vera's. The fact that it was of the same type as my own only stoked the flames all the more.

“Kidis, come!” Berthold snapped as he spun and began to walk away, the gathered crowd hurriedly separating to allow his passage.

The young woman looked to Rig once more, stroking his cheek as she took a deep breath. She handed him over to Sara, giving her a hug before getting to her feet and making to move past me, Elora and Tessa, “ Good luck, Count Orin.”

The words were hollow and without emotion. She believed that I stood little chance, despite knowing who I was. I shook my head in frustration, “Take heart, Kidis. You'll see Rig again by day's end.”

“If only it were so simple,” Kidis said sadly, “Thank you for trying.”

The young woman curtseyed politely to the Princess before doing the same to Vera and Annabelle, who still stood back near the edges of the crowd. She followed her brother into the throng and disappeared from sight.

“Five minutes, my love,” Elora sighed and slapped my shoulder affectionately, “We were gone for five minutes and you challenge a man to a fight.”

I grinned at my wife, “Couldn't do nothing, Princess. I'm a sucker for a love story. Ours is a good one. Should give Rig the chance to live out his own.”

Elora laughed and shook her head, kissing me once before we separated, “You are something, my Knight.”

“I'm never letting you out of my sight again,” Tessa grumbled, looking at me pointedly with folded arms, “You cannot leave well enough alone.”

“Come on, Tess. This'll be a good fight. The guy has a Resonant Gift, how could I say no to that?”

My mercenary sighed, “I understand, it'll be good practice if nothing else. But it isn't your place to interfere.”

“I agree with Tessa,” Annabelle said as she and Vera finally arrived, “This is Lencel's fight, not yours, Orin. We have enough eyes on us already.”

Lencel looked ashamed when the First Smith said that, looking down and away, the look of self-loathing on his face plain for all to see, “I am sorry, Orin. If I lost, Rig would lose her. I wasn't sure if I could win.”

I clapped a hand on Lencel's shoulder, “Like I said, Lencel, he was building you up to fail. There is little point in fighting if the odds are skewed against you.”

“Lord Orin,” The voice belonged to Rig, who pushed himself up and looked me in the eye. I was glad to see that he was looking better, his voice sounding stronger by the moment, “Thank you for saving my Knight.”

The young man jumped up in my estimations once more, “It's fine, Rig. What are friends for?”

“So you followed my advice then?” Boldrin laughed, “You found the biggest fucker you could and challenged him to a fight.”

“Aye, seems so, boss,” I chuckled, “I'm just hoping he can hold up long enough to make me sweat a little.”

“Do you truly have two Resonant Gifts, Orin?” Lencel asked curiously, the wonder returning once more to his voice, “I've never heard the like before.”

“He does,” Vera said as she placed a hand on Lencel's arm. The touch of the woman he so loved caused the Knight to simultaneously blush to his roots and freeze in place, “I have seen them both many times. Have no fear, the chances of Orin losing are minimal. You did the right thing, Lencel. Only a fool tries to fight when he has no chance of winning.”

I didn't like how she threw a glance at me as she said that, but at the very least her words seemed to help ease some of Lencel's inner turmoil.

“Berthold shouldn't be underestimated,” Sara said defensively, which I found more than a little strange considering she had been disparaging him moments before, “He is strong. Maybe not as skilled as Lencel, but his Knightly powers are beyond what one his age should possess.”

“And you know this how, sister?” May asked the question, her eyes narrowing at Sara, “I do not recall you ever having met the man before today. Is there something you're not telling me?”

Sara flushed to her roots and looked away, a mixture of shame and embarrassment making an appearance, “It doesn't matter anymore.”

Yeah, there was a lot to this that I wasn't seeing. Seems that Berthold's problems with the August family didn't stop at Rig. In any case, it wasn't my business. The upcoming fight, however, was, “Ready for a brutal fight to the death, Princess?”

“Always, my Knight,” Elora said with a roll of her beautiful eyes, “It's becoming quite the hobby of ours.”

Sara paled, “It isn't a fight to the death, only until one or both the combatants can no longer continue.”

Tessa raised an eyebrow at the woman, “He knows. He's just trying to be funny.”

“Trying?” I protested, pulling a laugh from Tessa for my efforts, “Still, we should get going if we want to catch them. Berthold seemed pretty excited so I suppose the fight will be soon.”

“I will lead the way, Lord Orin.” Lencel said solemnly.

*

After getting a hold of the horses that were still near the entrance to the market, Lencel led me and the others through the streets of Yelmora once more, the crowd dispersing soon after Berthold left with Kidis in tow. It was strangely comforting to be back in a city again, much like it was when I returned to Myrin after my time with the band. The sights and smells had changed, true, but the atmosphere stayed much the same. Though, I had to admit that the sense of joy in the air was something of a new experience to me. The last time I'd felt something like this in Myrin was during Elora's wedding to Cellus and that was marred by the events that took place at the ceremony itself.

Perhaps this day would be marred in much the same way.

I shook my head of the thought. This coming fight was hardly comparable to the one I'd had with Craven. This was an overprotective young man who needed to be taught that he was wrong. It wasn't so hard to put myself into Berthold's shoes. After all, I was protective of my brothers and sisters at the orphanage. If that was his only reason for attacking Rig then maybe reason could have won the day, but there was some other influence that pushed the giant Knight onward. His father at a guess, though why he was so averse to Rig was a mystery to me.

“Never thought I'd ever see someone larger than Boldrin,” Tessa said to me from my left. We had decided to walk through the streets instead of riding, which I was thankful for. Leading my war horse by the reigns was much more tolerable than the alternative, “The guy is fucking huge.”

“Aye, they make 'em big in Yeles,” Boldrin said with a grin, “I ain't seen anything like it myself.”

“Berthold's father is a large man as well,” Lencel supplied helpfully.

“Kidis takes after her mother,” Rig sighed dreamily, “She's perfect.”

“End it quickly, Orin,” Vera said to me as we walked, “Don't give him time to figure out what you can do. I would wager his Strength is greater than yours. Our Gifts compound on our natural abilities. I wouldn't be surprised if he could reduce a mountain to rubble with a punch, considering his size.”

“Kidis must really love her brother,” The Princess mused as all eyes were drawn to her, “There is no other way to make a Resonant Gift. The feeling, the belief, it must be pure.”

“She does,” Sara said with the smallest of smiles, “He took care of her when she was younger. She's frail, needed special care as a child. Berthold was always there for her.”

“Okay, how do you know that?” May said, looking more than a little hurt, “We tell each other everything, Sara. Why won't you speak to me?”

“Later, May,” Sara replied with a hushed whisper, “Now isn't the time.”

The younger of the August sisters looked like she wanted to do the exact opposite of that, but managed to grab a hold of her tongue at the last moment. Quietly fuming as she glared at her sister.

“Kidis has the same weakness that her mother had,” Rig explained as we walked, “Her heart hurts her sometimes. It's gotten better over the years, though. There was a time when going through something like what Berthold just pulled would have brought on an attack. Becoming a true Smith has made her even stronger! She's a lot better than me, better by a mile!”

I couldn't help but smile at Rig as he continued to talk about Kidis; Her favourite colour, foods she preferred, the one dress she wore at their graduation ceremony. It was hard not to get invested in their relationship. There was a purity to it that warmed my heart. It only reaffirmed my decision to fight for him. He deserved to be happy and so did she, it seemed. Even being struck by Berthold had done little to dampen his spirits. I think my agreement to fight had also helped.

“Her mother died when she was little,” Rig said, his lips tugging downwards before his smile returned, “But she hasn't let that stop her even once, and as much as I hate Berthold for the way he treats her, I know he loves her. Their father is to blame, he's the one behind this, I'd wager.”

I'd come to much the same conclusion myself as I looked to Sara, “I can't say for sure, but I'm almost positive that Berthold didn't want to do what he did. I think he went though something like that himself once.”

The Lady of August froze.

“I went through something similar,” I said, taking my Princess' hand in mine. Elora glanced at me fondly, a deep red touching her cheeks, “A relationship between a commoner and a Noble is pretty much taboo in Venos. It happens on occasion, though. One between a commoner and a Princess? Now that is unheard of.”

“You made me yours when we were young, Orin,” Elora said with shining eyes, “We just didn't figure that out until we were grown.”

“Aye, I suppose I did,” Spirit, did I love this woman.

'First Sword.'

A touch in my mind, a blanket that wrapped itself around my roaring black flames and caused warmth to run through my body. I didn't know what it was, not yet. It had first appeared when I'd awoken that morning with Elora in my arms. Something was changing inside of me. There was a pressure that had been absent before, one which presented itself in the form of my Sword of Stars. I could almost taste it, could almost feel Rionna in my hand. I'd used something this morning against Tessa as well, a movement technique that had seemingly appeared in my mind overnight. It was linked to the dream I'd had as I slept, but I couldn't quite picture it. I was close to figuring it out, though.

That was another reason I wished to fight Berthold. Resonant Gifts aside, I felt like something was begging to be released. I felt like Bonding with Elora would allow that to happen. The promise of power was an inciting one, but I tempered myself, as I had been doing for most of the day. Some part of my soul knew I needed time to figure out exactly what this was. It seems my time would be up soon, however.

“If I can love and marry a Princess despite being a peasant orphan from the Commons of Myrin, you should be allowed to be with who you wish, Rig. I'd be honoured to help you do that.”

Rig flushed, his eyebrows pulling low as he met my eye with his, “Thank you, Count Orin. I was rude to you and yours when you arrived, but I want you to know that you will always have a friend in me, win or lose.”

“A friend in us both,” Lencel elaborated from his place next to Vera, “Should you ever have need of us, you must only call.”

I inclined my head to both of them, taking their oaths with the heaviness they deserved. Nothing mattered more to a warrior than his word and I was pleased to see the same intensity reflected on Rig's face as was on Lencel's. The boy thought himself not a fighter, yet he'd been brave enough to stand up and fight for the one he loved. He was worthy of the title.

We continued on our way, keeping a slow and steady pace. The reason for our walk was two fold in that we didn't want to beat Berthold and Kidis to the arenas and the crowds made it all but impossible to safely ride through on horseback. When the break came about an hour later, it was into a square that stood directly below the huge palace-like Senate building. I could definitely tell it had been the castle of a King before transforming into the seat of democracy for the Republic/

The gleaming stone of the palace rose high into the air, a large wall surrounding the entire structure, which I found a little strange considering that the walls around Yelmora itself had been torn down hundreds of years ago. The sheer amount of people walking around made the market look quiet, the air tinged with the smell of spices and cooked meats as sellers at stalls hawked their wares to those that passed them by. I grabbed Tessa's arm on instinct and pulled her closer to me to avoid losing her in the crowd. The ten legionaries would stop people from passing between them, but I didn't want to risk losing either of my Smiths in the mob. Knowing I could find either of them again with a glance to our Bonds was irrelevant.

Tessa went along with my touch, pushing herself up against my left as Elora did the same on my right. Thankfully, the presence of Legionaries in full armour was enough to make those around us move aside, but I did catch occasional glances being thrown at us from curious bystanders. It was human nature to wonder who was behind the wall of steel that approached them.

“Where do we go now?” I asked Lencel as he employed much the same method to stay close to his Smith as I had myself, Rig attached to him at the shoulder.

“If Berthold has already spoken with his father, we should only have to speak with the challenge official. He'll be near the arenas,” Lencel grimaced as he continued to walk forward. We each followed behind him, the roar of the crowd something even I was unused to, city boy that I was. I'd never seen the like before. The Festival truly must be like a holiday for so many people to be around in the middle of the day.

It was then that I caught sight of the arenas.

It wasn't just one circle of sand, as I'd once thought, but four constructed mini-coliseums, each capable of holding hundreds of people at a guess. They amounted to a large hole being carved into the ground, ringed with stone and then filled it with sand. Sturdily built wooden stands seemed to have been erected to encircle the grounds so bystanders could view the carnage below.

I had seen a similar set up in the Andapan capital once, though that was year round. The use of slaves in gladiatorial matches was normalised there, though I'd heard people could volunteer for such activities themselves. It was a barbaric practice, with slaves outlawed in every other country except for the Empire. It was a well known saying that Ingemar had been built on the backs of the nations around it, people stolen from their homes, families torn apart by greed.

I looked ahead to see Lencel speaking with a man who could only be the arena official, the bored look in his eyes and yawn on his lips letting me know that he didn't much like his job. But the more the young swordsman spoke, the more animated he became as he began pointing behind him eagerly, his eyes flashing to me greedily more than once. Lencel nodded and retreated back over to us, the two Legionaries who'd joined him following suit. He looked a little pale.

“Seems Berthold has already told half of Yelmora that he's fighting Orin,” Lencel said with an annoyed shake of his head.

“Quite the feat in an hour,” Annabelle said with narrowed eyes, “I wonder...”

“When are we fighting, Lencel?” I asked, “I'd rather just get started.”

“At half past eleventh bell. We have a few minutes yet, Orin,” The young man hesitated, “Are you sure you wish to do this? I don't want you to feel that you are being forced into something you do not wish to do.”

“Your words are kind, Lencel,” Elora said, “But I can promise you that my Knight is exactly where he wishes to be.”

“Besides, if I beat Berthold then I won't have to worry about challenges, right?” I said with a smile, “He seems to be well known for his battle prowess. How many could hope to beat him?”

“Not many, especially with his Resonant Gift,” Lencel replied, “Me and perhaps three or four others would think to challenge him, but we couldn't be sure of victory.”

“Orin can be.” Tessa stated, “My... He doesn't lose.”

“You don't have to convince me, Lady Tessa,” Lencel said with a smile, “I learned just how good he is when we sparred this morning.”

“That reminds me,” I turned to my Smiths as Lencel went over to Rig and the others to explain what was going on, “You two gonna tell me about what you were up to today?”

“I have no idea what you're talking about, my love,” Elora stared at me directly, her answer instant and concise. I narrowed my eye at the love of my life.

“Boldrin was trying way too hard to hold my attention. For someone who lied to me for most of my life, he's fucking terrible at it,” I said, my gaze moving from Elora to Tessa, “You two are up to something.”

“I don't know what-”

“I bought you something.” Tessa blurted out as the Princess whirled on the mercenary.

“Tessa!”

“He's about to find out anyway,” Tess said with a shrug.

I blinked, “You bought me something? Like... a present?”

“Something like that,” Tessa, nodding before her steely eyes flashed over my shoulder, “You'll find out soon enough. Looks like we have company.”

I turned to glance in the direction my savage Smith was staring and caught sight of two familiar faces. Berthold walked forwards like he going to his grave, Kidis wearing a matching expression on her pixie like features. The reason for their change appeared to be the man walking beside them.

Standing near to the same height as Berthold and as tall as Boldrin, the older man was clearly the father of the Gaius siblings, dressed in fine silks and walking with a straight back as he moved towards us. His eyes locked onto Rig first, the look of disgust clear as he gifted Sara with the same. I noticed he hesitated when he caught sight of Vera and Annabelle. The First Knight and Smith of Venos returning his steady stare with cold indifference. I had been on the receiving end of that bone chilling glare more than once aand knew its effect, but the Gaius patriarch didn't seem to be stuck for long before he continued on his way. His gaze finally finding my own.

He was testing me, this I knew. Clearly this man was a warrior much like his son, one who had seen many battles in his time. His sense of superiority was most likely a result of said experience. He looked down on me as he came a stop, my one eye meeting both of his. He was trying to take my measure and he was failing. His eyes flickered to Elora at my side, before raising an eyebrow at Tessa's presence.

“Princess Elora, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance,” The man bowed deeply. His tone had a strangely mocking aspect to it, like he didn't respect Elora's title despite the efforts he was making to show otherwise “I am Roman Gaius.”

“A pleasure, Mr Gaius,” My Princess replied frostily.

“I thought it best to introduce myself,” He said with a smirk, “I'm sure you've heard my name once or twice in the halls of the Venosian Palace. I do a good deal of trading with your country.”

“I can't say that I have,” Elora replied politely, with an edge of dismissal to her voice, “To my own detriment, I'm sure.”

Roman Gaius snorted, his eyes fixed to those of my wife, “I'm sure. Princesses are hardly Queens, after all. I'm sure many things deemed important slip your notice.”

“Oh, nothing escapes me, Roman Gaius,” Elora replied, her eyes filled with the power she had held since birth, the power of the crown, “At least, those few things that I don't consider beneath my notice.”

I noticed Roman's jaw tense and couldn't help but smile.

“And this must be your husband, Orin of Myrin,” Roman's eyes found mine once more. The strength of that stare was something else, but it didn't seem to have the effect he wanted. I think he fully expected me to wilt as his son and daughter had, yet I remained unmoved by his pathetic attempts to get under my skin.. Once you've been suspended in the air by a pissed off Queen of Darkness, every other form of intimidation seemed somewhat laughable in comparison, “I've heard that you challenged my son to a duel? Is this correct?”

“Actually, he challenged a lad half his size to a duel,” I corrected with a smirk, “I felt it was my Knightly duty to teach him the value of chivalry.”

Roman laughed, the sound a empty as he himself seemed to be, “Well, boys will be boys. He does so care for young Kidis. Do you believe yourself up to the task?”

“Oh, I do,” I said as I took a step forward, “It helps that he doesn't really believe in what he is fighting for. I think if it were up to Berthold he would be happy to allow young Rig to spend time with Kidis. Only a fool would deny their feelings for each other.”

“I don't see it myself.” Roman said easily, “I'm sure Rig is a fine young man, but my daughter is beyond him, I'm afraid. I wish him well, of course.”

“As I said,” I frowned at the man, “Only a fool.”

I saw the tightening of his jaw, saw the fury touch at the edges of his irises, but he didn't let loose with his emotions. He seemed the type to keep them tightly controlled, contained. It seems I was right, “I have made all the arrangements with the appropriate officials. I'm sure the battle will be one to watch. I look forward to seeing my son crush you, Orin of Myrin.”

“Strange, that,” I called out to Roman's back as he spun around to walk away, “For you to arrange something like this so quickly. It almost seems as though you've planned it in advance. Though, with a different opponent I'd imagine.”

Roman hesitated for the briefest of moments before continuing on his way, his wake pulling along the grim Berthold and Kidis.

For the briefest of moments, I met the giant warrior's eyes with my own. He looked nothing like he had during our brief exchange at the market. Instead, I saw a sad and lonely young man who had been pushed too much, who was a little broken inside. In fact, he reminded me of how his sister looked while she stared down at the broken form of Rig in her lap.

He mouthed two words before turning and following after his father, a comforting hand on the back of Kidis' back even as the young woman turned around to look at Rig one more time before they were lost to the surrounding crowd.

“Do you think this was planned?” Tessa whispered to me, “He wanted Berthold to fight Lencel?”

I shrugged, “It makes sense. From talk last night, Calliston is in direct competition with the man. Having your son beat his would make a twisted sort of sense to someone like him.”

“But why not just challenge Lencel, why Rig?” Elora asked the air, her eyes narrowed in thought before she answered her own question, “I assume it is to make a point about Kidis while also embarrassing Calliston. It seems that Roman Gaius is using his son.”

“Did Berthold say something?” May asked no one in particular as we gathered as a group once more. My eye was still focused on the spot the giant had been a moment before.

“I'm sorry,” I said to the others as they turned to look at me, “He said he was sorry.”

Yeah, there was definitely more to Berthold than met the eye. Maybe by helping Rig, I might be able to help him as well.

Honestly, I was just happy that some crazed lunatic wasn't trying to kill me and my Smiths. Mending some broken hearts seemed pretty fucking easy compared to fighting God-like Knights and running from an age old institution that wanted my head.

Who knows? Maybe I'll be able to have some of that promised fun that Calliston was going on about.