Grandall and Lestith had left the Inn and headed their separate ways, with Grandall heading east to find Master Gilreth’s workshop. He thought about first bringing the strongbox with the Adamantine with him, but if the shop was closed then it would have been a wasted effort. Besides, he would just be gathering information on price and turnaround time.

As he wandered along the still busy streets of the city, he smiled at all of the people milling about, vendor carts still in full effect and children running around playing. Even though it was after dinner, the sun was still high enough in the sky to warrant a few more hours of play for them. Grandall noticed a few couples walking hand in hand on the street opposite him and immediately remembered his younger days, as he tried his hardest to woo the woman he fell in love with at first sight.

He smiled as they walked along the street without a care in the world. Shaking his head as he continued on his mission to locate the refining factory, he couldn’t help but reminisce. The ordeals, hardships and triumphs he went through to win what he thought was only a dream.

Now his wife, he takes pride in having been able to win her over, and having a daughter that filled him with more pride and joy than anything else he has accomplished in the past.

____________________

Marianne was the daughter of a relatively small merchant house, but wealthier and higher than his standing. He first saw her after he had transferred to Arestoth after the events at Infernus Pass.

He was in his teens at the time and Marianne was still a few years away from marrying age. But he didn’t care about that, he instantly fell in love and made it a point to purchase something, anything, from their shop when he could.

A boy could enlist into the Knights at the age of fifteen and marry at the age of seventeen. The events at Infernus Pass had given him a promotion and increase in pay due to his valor and meritorious action, giving him confidence that he could support her. He was only a year away from marrying age but he vowed to woo and win the heart of the one known as Marianne.

Long golden brown, wavy hair, freckles along her nose and cheeks and a smile that would melt even the thickest of frozen hearts. He would spend hours just thinking of her as he lay in his bunk and wonder just what he could do to win her over. Asking the other recruits was a waste of time, they were all either the same age, older or spent all their time on alcohol and prostitutes. He didn’t want any input from that kind of person. What Grandall felt was true love, and true love was not to be gone into with the suggestions of drunkard man whores.

With nothing to go on and no prior attempts at love, Grandall took his chances with doing what he felt was right. He would go to the store, purchase something and strike up a conversation. It was easy. All great romances started with a simple conversation didn’t they? He shook his head at the memory of his first encounter with her.

She was tending the counter, couldn’t have been more than fifteen or sixteen years old. Her curls falling along her shoulders and framing her beautiful and innocent face. He wore a simple cotton shirt and slacks. Nothing to show he was a simple Knight, but a customer. He awkwardly entered the shop where she smiled wide and waved in greeting.

The second his gaze fell onto her face…his heart skipped a beat.

Not paying attention to his surroundings, he walked into a table with items on display for sale. Knocking a few of them over. Even as a young man, Grandall’s size was abnormally large. Making all of his actions obvious and comedic most of the time. Rushing to place all of the items back in their place, he blushed.

He quickly shot a glance at Marianne after his blunder and saw her covering her mouth as she laughed. His face blushed brighter red and he smiled open mouth and exaggeratedly. A true charmer… He wandered through the shop and pretended to look at the items he wished to purchase but never took his eyes off of her for more than a moment, as to not run into anything else in the store. As he was looking around the store some more for anything that he could realistically purchase he heard a voice that made him hold his breath.

“If it isn’t the ever beautiful Marianne!” the customer said.

Grandall quickly looked to who it was and was stunned. It was an older nobleman. Easily old enough to be her father, which caused his stomach to churn and face to heat up in anger. Just what was this old man trying to do?

“G-good afternoon, Lord Stone.” Marianne said while trying not to make eye contact. Her body language screamed her discomfort.

“Always left alone to tend to the shop I see?” he said as he reached over, collected a lock of her hair and ran his hand along it.

Grandall could see the fear and disgust clear as day on Marianne’s face. It took all of his willpower to not lash out or scream in anger. He knew better than to do so against a noble. Nothing good ever came from angering them if you too were not of noble blood. Which Grandall abhorred. It also didn’t help that the Lord had two guards standing at attention just outside of the shop door.

The only thing peasants, common folk and in some instances upper class were able to do was wait it out and let whatever petty or selfish whim they had play out. It drove Grandall mad at the fact that they could get away with almost anything and there was nothing or no one that could do anything to stop them. It was one of the reasons he became a Knight. To protect the weak and innocent, show them that there is someone looking out for them and that they are not alone in their plight.

But as he was now, he couldn’t do anything. His rank or recognition as a Knight meant nothing to anyone. He would be nothing more than a dog barking at a dragon. He clenched his fists hard and clenched his jaws.

Before the noble could do anything else to cause Grandall to potentially lash out, the bell above the door rang out and another person entered the shop. It was someone he had only heard about but never seen in person. Commander Braddock, although at the time he was only a Captain. But his name and skill were renowned.

“Welcome!” Marianne said and bowed, taking the opportunity to move away from Lord Stone.

“Ah, Lord Stone, you are a customer here as well?” Braddock asked.

Clicking his tongue, Lord Stone turned and glared at Braddock. Even though he was a well-respected and prominent figure that was not a noble, Braddock was still one to be treated carefully by most noble houses. Lord Stone was not one of those nobles though, and his open disdain for anyone that was lower than his standing amounted to them being nothing more than dirt on his boots - unless he wanted something from them. In Marianne’s case, sexual favors.

“Well, well. If it isn’t Captain Braddock? To what do I owe the pleasure?” he said while leaning on his elbow on the counter.

“Oh, I’m just here to pick up a package that I had ordered from here a week prior. I was told that it would be ready by today.” He said and smiled at Marianne.

Grandall was appreciative that Braddock was able to avert Stone’s attention from Marianne.

“Yes, sir. I shall fetch it for you. It is just in the back room.” She said and was about to turn to head to the store room.

“Wait just a moment! I believe I was the next customer in line to be serviced. Is this establishment so crass as to ignore a customer waiting right at their counter?” Stone said, his tone filled with arrogance and made Grandall’s blood boil.

“My apologies, Lord Stone. Please, after you.”

Clicking his tongue once more, Stone turned his gaze to Marianne, and as if he had every right to do so, reached across the counter and grabbed her breast and squeezed. Marianne shut her eyes tight and cringed in pain. Grandall saw Braddock narrow his eyes but didn’t say anything. Stone continued to squeeze and massage her breasts, causing Marianne to tear up and whimper in pain.

“Leave her alone!” Grandall shouted from the back of the store.

Without taking his hand off of Marianne, Stone turned to see who it was that shouted.

“Eh? What do you want you peasant filth?” He said, the disdain and arrogance was palpable.

Marianne opened her eyes just enough to see Grandall, the tears flowing down her cheeks in pain and fear. She knew that he was a regular customer, but he never once acted out or said anything more than saying thank you, before leaving after purchasing something.

“I-I said…get your filthy hands off of her!” Grandall said through gritted teeth.

Braddock shifted his gaze from Stone to Grandall. His eyes flinched unnoticeably when they fell on Grandall. He was a large figured young man, strong build and all too familiar. But Braddock couldn’t place it.

Stone had heard enough. He roughly shoved Marianne away and reached for the sword fastened onto his belt. Grandall went tense and looked around the store for anything he could use for self-defense. He knew he had said too much and anything now would only make it worse. But he didn’t care. Anyone that would dare hurt and violate Marianne would feel his anger.

Before Stone could draw his sword, Braddock caused him to hesitate.

“Lord Stone. I realize that you are entitled to a certain level of liberty and freedom. But I believe sexual harassment and destruction of private property due to careless dueling is not among the list.” He said.

“Tch. Well this peasant filth has insulted me and I demand recompense for the slight! Either arrest him or I shall have to take matters into my own hand!”

“You. Boy. What is your name?” Braddock asked from the front of the store.

“Baris Grandall, sir.” He said and stood at attention instinctively.

Braddock raised an eyebrow and smirked. That’s why he looked familiar. Baris Grandall, recently decorated and promoted from Corporal to Sergeant after the events of Randess, now Infernus Pass. If his intelligence was correct, Mr. Grandall was quite capable with the sword. A devious plan began to brew in Braddock’s mind.

“Baris, young man. You have insulted a noble, I trust you know what that means?”

“Y-yes sir. Either I am imprisoned, pay reparations…or…fight to the death in a duel for one’s honor.”

“Well, you’re partially correct. A duel is only reserved for nobility, so you either are imprisoned or pay reparations. A duel can only be performed if Lord Stone agrees to it. What say you Lord Stone?”

“A duel? Why should I dirty my hands against someone as insignificant as him?”

“Boy, do you wish to go to prison?”

“N-no sir.”

“And do you have coin to pay Lord Stone for the slight you have done to his honor?”

“N-no sir…” Grandall said somberly.

“Well it seems to me the only other option is to kill you outright.” Braddock said simply.

“No!” the shout took them all by surprise.

Each of them turned to look at where the shout came from and saw Marianne standing perfectly still, both hands covering her mouth in fear and her own surprise.

“Marianne, dear? Do you have something you wish to add to this?”

“Tch, a woman has no say in these matters!” Lord Stone said angrily.

“I beg to differ, Lord Stone. For it was actions done to her person that caused young Mr. Grandall’s outburst. Therefore her input is perfectly acceptable in these matters.”

Braddock once again looked at Marianne with a small smirk and eyes showing that it was ok for her to speak.

“I…I do not wish for him to be put to death. I believe it only fair he be given a chance to…a chance to protect his own honor.”

“A peasant’s honor?! Surely you jest!? Your kind have no honor to protect!” Stone shouted.

“I agree, young Marianne. But as you no doubt heard, Lord Stone has no wish to sully his hands in a duel that is no doubt a trivial and one sided pairing.” Braddock raised his hands in surrender and shook his head in an overly exaggerated manner.

“I know what you’re attempting to do Braddock! I shall not stoop to your level!” Stone shouted and pointed at Braddock in contempt.

“Surely I know not of what you speak, Lord Stone. I merely stated that a duel between one as accomplished with the sword as yourself would only be wasting his time against such a…novice swordsman, no doubt.”

Grandall noticed Braddock cast him a sidelong glance. He couldn’t help but guess at what he was trying to pull. Grandall wasn’t the best swordsman, nowhere near Braddock’s level, but he was praised by his peers to be incredibly skilled. Of course Braddock kept his mouth shut in regards to those facts. If he could escape death or imprisonment he would accept a duel in a heartbeat. He also couldn’t help but wonder if a Knight could actually be thrown in prison. But quickly pushed that thought out of his mind.

His hopes of a duel were quickly being squashed since Lord Stone was not interested in fighting someone of his low standing. He needed to act quickly…something, anything, to get him to agree to the fight. Anything to keep from being put to death over trying to help the one he loved from being violated by this arrogant pig.

“I-If you’re too much a coward to face me…I…I will fight one of your guards instead!” He blurted out.

Braddock’s eyes went wide and grinned. He was waiting for this.

“You! You dare insult me further!? You insignificant, worthless peasant shit!”

Stone’s face was beet red, the veins in his neck and forehead began to protrude from the effort he put into insulting and screaming at Grandall.

“If you wish to die so soon then so be it! I shall teach your kind what it means to insult nobility! To step above your standing and think you are worth anything more than licking the shit off of my boot!”

Once more Stone reached for his sword and began to draw it. The humming of steel sliding across the sheath caused Grandall to swallow hard. He was still defenseless.

“So be it!” Braddock shouted and clapped his hands together loudly. “Marianne dear, if you could please bring me a parchment and ink and quill please?”

Quickly scurrying to the back, Marianne went to fetch the items Braddock had asked for.

“Now, Lord Stone if you could please wait a moment for me to draw up the terms of the duel. If you were to slay young Mr. Grandall here without proper witness of a duel, it would be nothing more than murder.”

Stone clicked his tongue and threw the sword back into the sheath, the hard clacking sound filled the quiet store.

After Marianne had returned with the items Braddock asked for, he set off filling out the terms of the duel onto the parchment.

_________________________________________________________________

~~Officiated Duel Witnessed By Captain Emeris Braddock~~

Lord Snydell Stone hereby accepts the terms to duel Mr. Baris Grandall

On this 5th day of the 3rd month of the 20th year of our King.

To defend his honor, Lord Stone will duel to the death with Mr. Grandall.

Swords and only swords shall be the weapon of choice.

Terms of the victor are death of opponent.

Under NO circumstances shall either family seek reparation, revenge or

further action towards the victor.

Any action in contrast to these terms shall be dealt with with impunity by the Capital Knights

Authorized by Captain Emeris Braddock.

__________________________________________________________________

Braddock lifted the parchment and blew onto the ink to help it dry since there was no pounce to be used.

“If you wish to read over the terms as I have written them you are welcome to do so, Lord Stone.” Braddock offered the parchment to Stone.

“Shouldn’t be necessary!” he waved away the parchment

“Very well. Just so that there is a verbal understanding in case Mr. Grandall is unable to read. The terms state that the duel shall be fought with swords and only swords. The terms of victory are death of the opponent. Nothing more. Nothing less.”

Braddock looked to Grandall and saw him visibly tense up and swallow hard.

“I trust you are ok with the terms of victory, Lord Stone? Death…”

“Yes, you imbecile! I said it was not necessary. I shan’t lose to this trash.” Stone glared at Braddock.

“Very well. Now if you would sign at the bottom here, please? You as well young Grandall.”

After Stone had signed his name he quickly pushed by Braddock and went outside. Grandall could see him waiting in the street just outside sword drawn and brandishing it in preparation.

“If you could sign here, young man? Do you know how to write?” Braddock asked.

Grandall walked to the counter and held the quill in his hand. He was shaking. But he was not afraid. This was his chance to punish a noble for looking down on and making those not fortunate enough to be born into a higher house. To teach them how they are nothing more than people, just like him…and Marianne.

He looked at Marianne with stalwart eyes, shining with confidence. Not taking his gaze away from her beautiful face, Grandall signs his name, larger and at an odd angle than what could be viewed as acceptable. He didn’t care. He placed the quill back into the inkwell and began to walk to the entrance.

Coming to a dead stop just before leaving he turned with a look of terror.

Braddock was wondering when he would realize it. Grandall was too caught up in the moment, and just now realized he had no sword. He chuckled and shook his head.

“Marianne dear, if you could bring him a sword? A good one. Something tells me he’ll be needing it. And do not worry about payment. I shall take care of it after this is over.”

Grandall had heard this and turned to Braddock with his brow furrowed in confusion.

“W-why are you doing this for me?” he asked.

“Oh? What makes you think I’m doing it for you, Mr. Grandall?”

“Then why are you doing it?”

“Because I believe it takes courage to stand up for what you believe is right. Courage I see in you. Sergeant Grandall.”

Grandall’s eyes went wide. Braddock knew his name and rank. He knew exactly who he was. If he knew, why put him into this life or death situation? It didn’t make sense. Shouldn’t a commanding officer attempt to prevent the death of a subordinate? Not encourage it?

Before Grandall could push the issue further, Marianne emerged from the back store room with a rather large sword. It was a hand and a half, or Bastard Sword. She had to hold it in both hands due to the weight and size of it. She came to stand in front of Grandall, awkwardly looking at him then quickly away. He could see her cheeks flush red. He was no better, his palms were getting sweaty and he felt hot.

She held the sword out in front of her, trembling from nerves and the weight of it. Grandall took it in one hand, resting it atop Marianne’s, unintentionally. He could feel the warmth of her skin, the softness that was clearly a woman’s, and it made his heart skip a beat. When he grabbed the sheath firmly, she let it go and quickly hid her hands behind her back. The timid and shy appearance of Marianne made his heart soar. She was so adorable, innocent, and he would move mountains to keep this moment forever.

“You two about done?” Braddock said sarcastically. One eyebrow raised and shaking his head.

“Oh…y-yes. T-thank you.” Grandall stuttered over himself as he attempted to thank Marianne.

He pulled the sword out of the sheath with one hand and inspected it. It was beautifully crafted. Certainly something that he would never be able to afford. The blade was pristine and not a single sign of use.

“Is that sword to your liking then? Or is it too large?” Braddock asked.

Typically a bastard sword wasn’t the first choice in a duel, it was too heavy and unwieldy in a simple one on one duel.

“No. This is perfect. Exactly what I wanted.” Grandall said, not taking his eyes off Marianne as he said it.

Braddock pursed his lips and wondered if they were still talking about the sword.

“Best we head out there before Lord Stone thinks we’re plotting against him then.”

Grandall followed Braddock out onto the street where Lord Stone wait, a rapier in hand and a scowl full on his face. He also noticed there was already a crowd gathered to watch what they believed to be a simple slaying of a peasant foolish enough to talk back to a noble. He didn’t know why, but it angered him.

Normally something like a duel would be performed in a secluded area where the nobles, their attendants and a few witnesses stood watch. This was only done to keep the act of a noble dyeing from being too public and the reason for such duels private. In this particular case, the second Stone waited for him in the middle of the street and brandished his weapon in preparation, he had already chosen the location of the duel. And as the noble that was slighted, it was his right to do so.

“A word of advice, Sergeant? Lord Stone may look like a pompous ass, but he is a very capable swordsman.” Braddock said in a way only Grandall could hear.

Grandall swallowed hard, hearing someone like Braddock commend someone on their swordsmanship made him worry.

“It’s fine…So am I.” Grandall finally said.

Braddock instantly smiled, smacked him on the back and ushered him forward into the street.

“Ladies and gentleman!” Braddock raised his arms into the air and addressed the crowd. “This is a duel officiated by myself, Captain Emeris Braddock of the Capital Knights. It will be a fight to the death between Lord Snydell Stone and Mr. Baris Grandall. To reiterate the terms of the duel. Swords will be the weapons of choice. And death will determine the victor! To any that are uneasy at the sight of blood, I implore you…leave here.”

Braddock’s voiced boomed and echoed through the streets, what should have caused some people to leave at the prospect of blood and death, only served to add to the already large crowd of onlookers.

Grandall looked among the crowd and began to get a bit nervous. All of these people would watch him either kill a man…or be killed himself. It was then that his eyes fell onto Marianne. Her hands clasped together, look of concern and worry full on her face and staring at him. In that instant everyone and everything around him disappeared. All he could see, hear and cared about was her. He was doing this for her. He would not stand for someone like Stone sully her image.

Steeling himself for what could be the fight of his life, he drew the sword from its sheath once more. His large frame and muscular build allowing him to wield it easily with one hand. He swung it around effortlessly in the air, the whirring sound as it sliced through the air caused a wave of murmurs from the crowd.

Stone seeing this flinched slightly. Even though he looked to be a typical peasant boy, his strength was something else. And the way he brandished the weapon was cause for concern. What should be a sword heavy and large enough to require two hands to wield effectively was being waved around like a toy.

Braddock stood between the two in the street and looked at each in turn.

“Are you two ready?”

“Y-yes…” Grandall said hesitantly.

“Let’s get on with it! I have more important things to do!”

“Very well. Begin!” Braddock yelled and quickly moved away to stand beside Marianne.

Grandall immediately lowered his stance, legs apart and knees bent, and brought the sword up to his face, horizontal with the ground.

“After I’m done dispatching you, I shall enjoy taking out my frustrations on that bitch you so foolishly overstepped your bounds for. I’ll be sure to plough her so hard that she’ll scream my name in pleasure. Then when I am done with her, I will have my guards take their turn breaking her.”

Marianne cringed at the words and turned her head in disgust and fear.

Grandall’s eyes went wide. He was fuming. His breathing was labored and he could hear his heart beating loudly in his ears. His face contorted in rage and he lunged straight at Stone.

“Idiot…” Braddock said silently.

Before the sword made it anywhere near Stone, he quickly shuffled his stance to the side and thrust the tip of his rapier forward in an attempt to skewer Grandall’s neck. In a split second decision, Grandall let his right hand go of the blade’s handle and threw his head back and to the side. The tip of Stone’s blade gashing a straight line across his neck, deep enough to draw blood but not inflict any significant damage.

Grandall quickly regained his posture and jumped back, gaining some distance from Stone. The man was arrogant and had the personality of a well-used outhouse, but he knew how to handle a sword. Braddock was right. Grandall would have to think things through. He almost lost his life in the initial moment of the duel because he was provoked….rightly so, but he needed to keep calm and think things through or all his bravado and confidence would be for naught. And Marianne would be…he shook his head and didn’t want to think of it.

“So the little shit knows how to avoid being skewered to death at least. But it’s no matter…this will end the same way regardless.”

Stone taking the advantage, lunged towards Grandall, the tip of his blade a blur and almost impossible to follow. Grandall’s body moved before his mind could think of the proper counter though. The edge of the blade deflecting the tip of Stone’s rapier, sending it veering harmlessly to the side of his face. But before he could celebrate the defensive response, Stone pulled back and thrust forward once more. Quicker and quicker. The thrusts were relentless and it was all Grandall could to do keep them at bay and not be stabbed multiple times in the process.

He was confident in his swordsmanship, but perhaps he had bitten off more than he could chew. Grandall fell onto his back and quickly rolled away from the onslaught of Stone’s rapier.

“Hahahaha! Is that all you can do you worthless shit!? Run away?” Stone said, holding his hands to his side in surprise and amusement.

The look on his face made Grandall want to wipe it out of existence. His smug laugh and arrogant voice grated on his entire being. Never has be wanted to hurt someone so much before. His breathing was out of control. He had barely done anything and he was starting to sweat profusely and could barely keep himself steady. Why was he so tired? It didn’t make sense. He was able to perform drills for hours at the barracks and never felt this exhausted.

“Clear your mind and remember your training you idiot!” Braddock yelled.

His arms were crossed over his chest and he did not look impressed. The scowl that covered his face made Grandall swallow hard. His training? What would his training do to help him in this obviously one sided match? His body felt heavy, he was breathing out of control and he could barely hold his sword anymore. He couldn’t think straight...Of course.

His training was to prepare himself and clear his mind. Remove all nonsense from it and breathe through your nose, out through your mouth in a simple rhythmic pattern to keep from getting thrown off. Grandall stood up straight and took a deep breath in and closed his eyes. He repeated it once more and began to stretch his neck. Then his waist and arms across his chest.

Stone had no idea what he was doing but decided it would be a good time to strike. The fool was bound to die anyway. Just before Stone’s blade lunged forward towards Grandall’s neck, he opened his eyes. He had just cleared his mind of everything except the fight. He played the previous attacks in his mind over and over. He could see it now. The pattern was the same each time. Typical of a noble. Their method and training was repetition and strict adherence to proper form. While it would serve them well and good in a duel or for show, Grandall had fought for his life, against monsters and other humans.

His fighting wasn’t for show. It was for survival. It was kill or be killed.

Grandall lifted his sword up, swinging it in an arc, letting the weight of the blade do the work, easily deflecting the tip of the rapier to the side. He knew that Stone would do the same thing. Pull back and strike at his chest. Sure enough. The tip of the rapier rocketed towards his chest. Once more Grandall arced the blade with one hand and deflected it effortlessly.

Stone stepped back in surprise. His eyes filled with worry for some reason.

Grandall lowered his stance once again. Legs apart, knees bent and sword horizontal to the ground next to his face. Taking a deep breath through his nose and releasing it through his mouth. Once more. The third inhale, Grandall lunged forward at Stone. The speed was unlike the first time he performed the action. Whereas Stone was able to effortlessly dodge it the first time around, the tip of Grandall’s sword made contact with the silk fabric of Stone’s vest, slicing a gash right into it. Not missing a beat, the sword swung right towards Stone’s stomach, using his brute strength to change the direction of the blade.

Braddock smiled. It was a sword maneuver he had instructed the trainers in the barracks to teach those that were of able body and strength to do so. Braddock knew in that instant that Grandall would be just fine.

Stone pointed his blade at the ground and held the hilt of his sword with his free hand, blocking the edge of Grandall’s blade from coming into contact with his body. The force of the blow knocked him onto the ground though. The crowd began to mumble and some began to laugh. This caused Stone to become furious. Quickly standing up and stepping away from Grandall. He knew that he wouldn’t be able to keep this pace up. For some reason the scum in front of him was a different person. But he would not lose…he couldn’t lose.

Stone lowered his hand and his lips began to move. Grandall couldn’t hear anything, but he readied himself for an attack regardless. He made sure to keep the blade in his peripherals while focusing on Stone’s actions. Before he could figure out what Stone was mumbling, a shout rang out among the crowd.

“Stone! You dare…!?” Braddock began to say.

Grandall turned to look behind him, he was directly between Marianne, Braddock and Stone. What could Braddock be so upset about? His face was filled with rage, Marianne’s face began to change as well. Her eyes went wide and her mouth opened as he hands came to cover it. Grandall realizing he needed to focus on the fight, something was wrong. The second he turned his attention back to Stone, he saw a line of water hurtling towards his face. Aqua Cutter. The bastard had used a chant!

Braddock knew immediately what was coming, but Grandall had no idea. He couldn’t help but think he had a long way to go before he could be on the same level. The only thing Grandall could do was try to dodge, but if he did, there was a possibility that Marianne could take the full force of the attack. Braddock would most likely do something before that happened…but he couldn’t take the chance. Wouldn’t take the chance. Instead he decided to try and deflect it or at least slow it down.

Grandall leaned his head back and raised his sword so that the edge of the blade was horizontal to the ground and just below his chin. He would use the flat of the blade to veer the Aqua Cutter into the air…it should work. Should. He hoped. As the force of the Aqua Cutter collided with the blade of his sword, he had to use all his strength to keep it in place and not cut himself on it. The spell did just what he was hoping, but not as effectively as he had hoped. The brunt of it certainly was deflected by his sword, but not before the tail end of it sliced across his cheek, along his eye and to his brow.

The Aqua Cutter whirled into the air above the crowd and clear of Marianne. Grandall could see she was safe through the eye that wasn’t sliced across and covered in blood. The force of the impact caused him to fall flat on his back, his head tilted back to see Marianne safe and upside down. Her face was still covered in terror, he knew why though. His senses were heightened, he could hear the footsteps of Stone coming closer, quickly. If he didn’t act fast, he would be run through on the ground.

Kicking his left leg across his right with tremendous force, he used the centrifugal momentum to spin on his back, lifting his legs into the air and over his body until he was able to flip onto his feet, then using all of his strength swung the sword with both hands at an angle from the ground to the sky. A loud clang rang through the air, a shower of blood sprayed across a few of the onlookers, the ground, and Grandall.

The strength, speed and quality of the sword he was given severed Stone’s hand, as it moved to pierce his stomach while he lay on the ground. The trajectory of Grandall’s sword cut along his forearm, across his chest and finally his neck. He was dead before his body hit the ground.

Grandall was panting, still standing with his sword in the air, blood dripping along its blade and watched as Stone’s body hit the ground and began to pool blood beneath it. Before Grandall could register that he had won, the crowd erupted in cheers and celebration. Lord Stone was among the worst of the Nobility. Rude, arrogant, petty and felt entitled to everything he laid his eyes on.

As Grandall lowered his sword at the realization that it was over, the two guards that Stone was accompanied by ran towards him with swords drawn. He couldn’t move though. The adrenaline in his system had been used up and was incredibly weak. Just as he was about to come into range of their swords, a figure stepped between them.

“If you dare disobey the terms of the duel you will have me to answer to. The second that fool broke the terms by using a chant, he had forfeit all rights to victory. If Grandall here wasn’t the victor, I would have killed Stone myself.” Braddock said, the threat in his voice caused them to tremble.

The two guards quickly sheathed their swords in response.

“Now, collect your master’s body and take him to his family so that he may have a proper burial. And let his household know…if there is any attempt at retribution, I will bring down the full might of the Capital Knights upon their heads. Nobility or not. An agreement signed upon shall not be ignored.”

The guards quickly picked up Stone’s dead body and quickly placed it into the carriage he arrived in. Then rode away towards his estate.

Grandall was spent, he sat on the ground and tried to catch his breath. The gouge on his face now starting to sear in pain.

“Well, that didn’t exactly go as smoothly as I had thought it would. But congratulation Sergeant Grandall, on your first victory.” He smiled.

Before Grandall could say anything, Braddock held up his finger to his mouth to silence him.

“And to the victor go the spoils…”

“Wha…”

Just then he felt someone press a cloth to his eye.

“Argh!” he shouted, reaching up and grasping a soft, warm and small hand.

“I’m so sorry! I just…I just wanted to stop the bleeding!” Marianne shouted.

In his good eye he could see Braddock smirk and walk away. The voice belonged to Marianne. It was music to his ears. Grandall turned to look and make sure it really was her.

And the second his gaze fell onto her face…his heart skipped a beat.

_____________________________

Grandall was grinning like a fool and then realized that he had made it to his destination. A tall smokestack was churning out massive plumes of smoke from a large stone building. It was time he found out just what Master Gilreth could do for them, and entered the workshop.