Duels were uncommon at present. Usually, when there was news of a duel, it was more like a drunken brawl on the outskirts of town or two high ranking nobles had enough animosity that theyd finally agreed to a physical altercation to settle matters between them.
Ewan couldnt even rember the last ti he heard about a duel in Horizon. They were so rare that when one happened, it was big news, especially if it was between nobles or wealthy individuals. As for duels between students and on school grounds, he didnt even think that such a thing happened in his parents generation.
Yet, as he watched the main fighting ring be cleared and Master McDouglass inspect the two wooden training swords that would be used, Ewan still couldnt believe it was happening.
And to Tori.
He paused and squinted. Then again, considering Toris past reputation, perhaps sothing like this was bound to happen? He debated whether he should go and get their friends, but the duel was going to start soon.
His eyes moved over to one side of the ring, where Sir Fabian von Dorn, the most highly ranked swordsman in the first-year class, was putting on a padded jacket. Master McDouglass agreed to let them have the duel, but safety precautions needed to be in place.
That ant wooden swords only, padded clothes, gloves, and helts. As for the vague first to yield requirent for calling the winner, Ewan wasnt sure how exactly that would work. How did they know when one person yielded? Would that person have to say, I yield? Or would that person simply be unable to keep going?
Ewan. He heard his na called and he looked over and saw Tori adjusting her gloves. She tilted her head, making a slight beckoning motion. He walked forward. After this, do so laps around the training grounds to let out so energy and then go back to studying.
He couldnt believe he just heard her say that. Youre about to have a duel and youre telling to go back to studying? Sotis, he wondered if Toris mind was in the right place.
Not imdiately, Tori said with a little shake of her head. Her bush of curly black hair was braided and she tucked it into the back of her padded jacket to keep it out of the way. The duel is probably going to get your energy up. You wont be able to concentrate imdiately, so let it out first.
He ran a hand down his face. I cant believe you....
Itll be fine. This is as controlled an environnt as we can get and Master McDouglass is overseeing the duel. Neither of us will get seriously hurt. She gave him a bright smile and Ewan wondered if she forgot that just minutes earlier, Sir von Dorn had pointed a sharp, tal sword at her face.
If Vice-Captain didnt stop him, Ewan wouldve brought his training sword down on Sir von Dorns extended arm. His first instinct was to protect his friend; he didnt think about the possible ramifications of injuring the second princes personal knight.
Tori seed to look at him with slight amusent. She gave him a smile. Ewan, itll be fine, she told him with the sa calm reassurance she gave them when they crossed the river. Dont worry. I wont let you regret not breaking his arm.
He squinted his eyes and looked down. Be careful.
Tori gave him another smile and pulled her helt down, over her face. She patted his shoulder and walked towards the center of the ring.
Ewan gripped the sword in his hand tight. He let out a low breath and moved to stand closer to the ring.
Be careful, Fabian! Lady Harts voice filled the tense training grounds and Ewan couldnt help but frown at her.
The vice-captain was a few paces from her and Gideon and he gave her an incredulous look. Werent you just trying to stop him from fighting? Ewan almost nodded in agreent. For soone who seed so desperate to stop the fight from happening, she had quickly turned to cheering Sir von Dorn on.
Lady Harts pretty face flushed and she shrank back beside Prince Gideon.
Here are your swords, Master McDouglass said as he handed Tori and Sir von Dorn each a wooden sword. It is the first to yield. Either one declares they yield or I decide they are no longer fit to continue. If a student appears injured, I will call the match imdiately. If the other student continues to attack, then they lose the match and I will report the aggression to the headmaster, despite the agreed upon duel. He looked across the ring, disapprovingly at Prince Gideon, who nodded in agreent.
I agree, Tori said as she lifted her sword and gave her opponent a salute. Ewan didnt think Sir von Dorn deserved it.
I also agree. Sir von Dorn didnt mirror the movent and instead turned his back to Tori and took three paces for distance.
Hes already getting this ridiculous duel, Ewan heard his brother say beside him. He doesnt have to be a jerk about it. Patrick had his arms crossed over his chest and wore a tight frown.
Ewan glanced back at the ring. Tori stepped back another three paces. Master McDouglass moved back, to a safe distance, though he was also wearing a helt.
Ready! their sword master called out. Sir von Dorn moved into an aggressive stance. Tori remained in her favorite position that seed to invite the opponent to attack. Ewan swallowed hard. Perhaps Tori did not know about Sir von Dorns ability? Fight!
Sir von Dorn, surprisingly, didnt fly into an attack. He seed to close distance, but didnt make a cut. He began to circle Tori, looking for a drop in her guard.
Do you think Tori can beat Sir von Dorn? Patrick asked him. Even I cant.
Despite his nervousness, Ewan nodded. It was a bit surprising. He thought hed shake his head and admit that his friend wouldnt be able to defeat the highest ranked first year swordsman, but he did know sothing that, aside from Tori, the rest of the people in the practice grounds didnt know.
She fought Sir Nassaun.
His brother uncrossed his arms and looked at him with surprise. Sir Nassaun? The first princes knight? Ewan nodded. How did that turn out?
Ewan furrowed his brows, ignoring the sudden clash of swords just a few paces from him. He blankly watched the two opponents put distance between each other as they realigned. I dont know. I wasnt there, Ewan said. But the last ti I saw Sir Nassaun, I asked.
What did he say?
Ewan pursed his lips. He recalled the slight grin on Sir Nassauns face. Shes really fast.
She got his sword! Soone cried out and the brothers both focused on the ring in front of them. A wooden sword was tossed to the ground, and Tori was keeping close distance between her and Sir von Dorn.
She grabbed the blade of the sword, around the foible and held it across her body as if it were a short quarterstaff. She began to use it to hit various points of Sir von Dorns body and head with the poml or simply use the blade as a club against his body; whatever opening she saw, shed take.
It seed an almost reckless onslaught of attacks that didnt belong with a sword. Sir von Dorn seed at a loss without his weapon and he just stood there, taking the hits. Everyone grimaced.
Tori took a step to the side and slamd her poml beneath his chin. Ewan could hear the onlookers let out a hiss. A second later, she was behind Sir von Dorn. As he was still reeling from the hit, she realigned herself so she was facing his back. Her left hand returned to the poml and Ewan bit his lip.
Lady Hart scread.
The cut ca down hard and fast, hitting the back of his right shoulder and dragging down across his back. At the very least, it would leave a bruise across Sir von Dorns back, padded jacket or not. He heard a grunt as Tori raised her arms and thrusted, the blunt tip of her sword pushing Sir von Dorn forward. He lost his balance. Fell to his hands and knees, and Tori pressed her point against his back, right behind his heart.
Guevera wins! Master McDouglass made the call at once and rushed towards the students.
Tori took a step back and lowered her sword as Sir von Dorns arms gave way. The hit on his shoulder likely caused the pain that weakened his arm. He fell onto his side and let out a cry.
What did you do to him! Prince Gideon appeared in the ring, skidding to his knees beside his knight as he looked at Tori with hateful eyes.
I made him yield. Tori spoke with such casual indifference that Ewan shuddered. She remained standing, her sword still at her side as she watched her opponent taking shallow breaths on the ground. I win the duel, Mr. von Dorn. She almost sounded as if she were mocking him. Are you satisfied?
Ewan rushed over to get a better look. He narrowed his eyes and drew his head back. Sir von Dorn was grasping his sides and curling up. The most celebrated first year swordsman was laying on the ground, beaten in less ti than it took to instigate the duel.
Ewan let out a low whistle and looked at Tori, impressed and relieved. Sir Nassaun was right. You really are fast.
Tori shrugged. She handed her sword to the vice-captain and then lifted her helt off.
Sir Nassaun? Prince Gideon looked up and narrowed his eyes as he knelt beside Sir von Dorn. How do you know my brothers knight?
Tori gave Ewan a look of disapproval and Ewan looked away. He didnt think it was a secret, but it seed Tori didnt want to make it well known.
Hes my brothers underclassman, Tori said. She tugged off her gloves. You know who my brother is, dont you? Kasen de Guevera?
Master McDouglass was kneeling on the ground, inspecting Sir von Dorn. He gently helped the young man up and let out a low breath. Lord Kasen is more than on par with any imperial knight. Lord Sebastian is even more skilled than Lord Kasen.
Patrick furrowed his brows. Lord Sebastian is the reason they no longer have the anniversary tournants, isnt he?
Ewan heard the stories, but was too young at the ti that they happened. He only knew a little. Tori cocked her head to the side, looking equally confused.
What did my brother do?
Master McDouglass began to help Sir von Dorn to his feet as Prince Gideon ca to his knights side to try to support him.
The imperial couples anniversary tournants were a week-long tournant, where anyone can sign up and try their skill against imperial knights for a prize. He looked at Tori with an unreadable expression. Lord Sebastian was in his last year at Lyce. He went through 148 imperial knights in that week, without a single loss. He then dedicated his win to his sister.
Ewan wished soone dedicated their win to him. Tori had two brothers and he had three and two sisters, yet no one dedicated anything to him. He looked over at his friend. Tori had furrowed her brows.
Sebby wouldve been...seventeen?
Master McDouglass looked almost pained at the reminder. They nicknad him the monster.
Toris lips pulled into a line. She then looked back at Sir von Dorn. He was trying to stand. His legs were uninjured; Ewan didnt see any attacks to his lower body. His upper body, however, was a different story.
I hit his torso multiple tis and the last cut went across his shoulder. Soone should take him to the school infirmary to make sure nothing is seriously hurt, she said.
Lady Hart, who was standing close by and looking at them with a worried and frantic expression, grabbed her skirt and twisted the fabric in her hands. She looked at Tori accusingly. Did you have to hit him so hard? She sounded choked up.
Miss Hart, he pointed a sharp, tal sword at my face, Tori said in a dull voice. Let assure you, he was not holding back when he attacked.
Co, Master McDouglass supported Sir von Dorn on one side. Well go to the infirmary to have him checked. They hobbled away with Lady Hart tailing after them.
Ewan looked at Tori. Howd you get his sword?
Twist the cross guard around his wrist and entangle it, grab your blade, twist your sword up and towards you. It pries their grip and loosens their hold. Their only other choice is to try to grab it, so you have to be fast, Tori said. Also, a sword is limited in close distance, so I had to change its use to fit into the range.
Was Sir von Dorn seriously attacking you, Tori? Patrick asked.
Tori took a deep breath and nodded. Yes, but I dont think hes fought a lot of people outside of a tournant or one-on-one setting.
Why do you say that?
Tori glanced up at him and his brother. He pauses a lot after a cut or attack and it takes him a bit longer to step back and realign. When youre surrounded by enemies, you dont stop. You just keep moving or youre a sitting target.
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