by Reiter
“Lastly, you can engage if Evard’s squire enters, even if his entrance is justified. Do you have any questions?”
“What if I enter without any of these happening and I take Evard’s head?” Annodia inquired.
“If Valian supports your action, Bruntelior’s Estate will have the right to issue a challenge.”
“And if Valian doesn’t support what I did?”
“You can be put to death if Sir Evard’s Estate requests it,” Gilestra answered.
Valian smirked, glaring at Annodia. “Dead woman walking,” he sassed.
“I think I’ve got it,” Annodia smiled. “Thank you, Lady Gilestra.”
“It has been, and will always be, my honor.” Gilestra stepped back and then drew her sword. She put the point to the ground with her hands on the pommel.
“Who is she guarding us from?” Annodia asked.
“She’s not guarding us,” Valian said softly. “As a KnighT, she has a responsibility to make sure we don’t make a run for it.”
“Seriously?”
“It’s been known to happen. It’s not too late to back out.”
“And who would take my place?”
“Yo,” Hugh was the first to speak, but as he moved to step up, he did not do so alone. The other retainers, with the exception of Kayjoe, stepped forward.
“Not interested, Kayjoe?” Annodia asked.
“You’re not going anywhere,” the man replied, and Valian chuckled. “Valian has the best of us!”
“Looks like you’re stuck with me.”
“My favorite damsel in distress,” Valian commented.
“And don’t you ever forget it!”
Sandra slapped her hand to the leather armour at Valian’s back. “Okay, that about does it. I still don’t like that you’re taking an untested weapon into combat.”
“It’s been months, Chief,” Valian argued. “Trust me, we’ve had more than ample opportunity to get acquainted.”
“I’ll take your word for it,” Sandra replied. “As it stands, you’ve got Witch and Warlock on your hips and a pretty standard round shield. Standard, but sturdy. It’ll take a few hits for ya.
“You can best believe that Evard will show up in heavy armour which will give him the advantage on defensive capability... but you’ll be a lot faster. Make him pay for being slower and heavier.”
“You know, Chief, if I didn’t know better... I would say that you just tried to tell me how to do my job,” Valian said, adjusting his arm guards.
“Well, I guess it’s a good thing that you know better then,” Sandra quickly returned before stepping close to the side of Valian’s face. She took hold of his shoulders and whispered in his ear. “I’ve sent out more pilots than I want to admit, and as a rule I try to care more for the planes than the pilots because so many star-jockeys don’t know how to care for the equipment. You’ve gotten me used to you being the exception, and I’m not ready to let go of this ride.”
“Understood, Chief,” Valian whispered. “And thanks.
“Brothers and sisters,” Valian said stepping back from Sandra. He looked at each of his family in turn and smiled. “Can we do something about the mess in here? This is no place to have a victory celebration!”
Each of the retainers cheered clapping down their hands on Annodia’s and Valian’s shoulder. the last two to do so were Quilori and Kethgeegan.
Annodia took a hold of Kethgeegan and spoke softly. “Since it worked so well the last time... say a prayer for him.”
“I can handle that, Sister. Keep his back and your own. Evard’s so-called squire is actually a KnighT.”
“Yeah, but it’s not my first time seeing him in action,” she smiled before jogging to catch up with Valian.
Standing next to one another as the flatbed transport flew from the Stake to the Ruins, Annodia looked in all directions except forward and at Valian.
“According to Desh, it takes about five minutes before you start feeling the effects of the toxic gasses,” Annodia said plainly. “Of course, with the way you move around, you may want to reduce that to three.”
“This fight is going to take more than three minutes, Annodia.”
“Prediction or suspicion?”
“Part of the plan,” he replied. “But I’m told that the area where you will be waiting will be domed with nothing but fresh air.”
The two of them were marched to the center of what looked to be the ruins of a museum. Valian smiled at the irony of the location, but did not mention it. They walked until they could see two men in all black armour standing beside their tournament escort and Geraldius. Nine view-port drones lowered into place with another five hovering high overhead.
“And – tic – here they are–”
“On your guard, Evard Bruntelior!” Valian yelled, drawing his sword and charging from his oxygen dome.
One of the escorts took hold of Geraldius and all of them teleported out of the area. Valian stopped and stepped back into his dome.
“I don’t know about you, but I’ve had my fill of that man,” Valian remarked.
“A point of view we can agree upon, boy,” Evard replied, drawing his sword. “But it will not save you. It is time to die!”
“No, it is time for the revelation, Evard Bruntelior. It is time for you to see the ultimate truth!”
The two men stepped out of their domes and walked toward one another, sword and shield in hand.
“Hmmm, you think to use your speed. That is why you’re wearing lighter armour.”
“No, just never had my lady make me anything heavier.”
“Let’s see how fast you are!” Evard huffed, thrusting his left arm forward. From the underside of his gauntlet, an arm-mounted blaster fired. Both red-glowing blasts streaked into Valian’s shield. When they struck, his shield started glowing red with the light, getting brighter and brighter.
Valian threw his shield straight up; it exploded high overhead, taking out one of the drones.
“That wasn’t on his list of weapons!” Annodia shouted.
“Oh, but it was,” Evard sneered. “One forearm launcher. What it fires, however, is something my talent with EnerJa determines.”
“Molecular Deterioration,” Valian thought. “One of the basic talents of an EnervationisT. But the discipline normally takes longer to have that effect. And if that power comes from Evard, he either has a store of those bolts in his suit or he won’t be firing–”
“Have another!” Evard said, firing his launcher again. The bolts flew over Valian as he timed his backflip. The burst passed just over Annodia’s ducking head.
Valian came out of his dodge with Witch in his left hand and Warlock in his right. The blaster fired, striking the launching mechanism. It sparked as pieces of the device flew from Evard’s arm. He spun with the impact and Valian fired again, striking a panel on the rear hip of Evard’s weapons belt. The resulting burst caused the same red glow to start moving over Evard’s armour.
“Hmmm, seems Bruntelior failed to condition his own armour to resist his deterioration bolts. How very short-sighted of you, Evard.”
Turning about in place, Evard finally cued the locks of his suit to disengage.
Valian took several steps back, watching the large man shed his armour. There was another explosion, about three times larger than when Valian’s shield was destroyed. Evard was knocked down by the blast, but he maintained his grip on his blade.
“Careful, Evard,” Valian teased, “you’re exerting yourself, taking in greater amounts of the gas.”
“Then let us be done with this!” Evard huffed, lunging toward his opponent.
His first swing was powerful, but it was initiated too soon and Valian stepped back out of range. Bruntelior continued his attack, coming back with an even more powerful swing. Valian ducked under the blade, stepping back to establish his base.
Bruntelior lunged, thrusting his left hand forward as a Force Beam was emitted from his palm. The shimmery white ligh
t enveloped Valian’s body and kept him from moving. “Come here, boy!” Evard grunted, pulling his hand back. Valian’s body was lifted from the ground and flew helplessly to Evard who leaned forward, putting his shoulder into Valian’s chest. He continued his charge through the wall.
“This is power, boy!” Evard ranted, bursting through another wall. “This is why KnighTs are feared, respected, worshipped!” Valian was driven through a third wall and Evard stopped, throwing Valian’s body forward. “You are not worthy to be one of us, and when I am done with you, I will correct the mistake that is your Master.
“But you must first feel just a bit more pain,” Evard hissed as he walked toward the prone Valian. “You must beg me for mercy. Only then will I relieve you of the burden of this life!”
“Stay your ground and we won’t have any problems,” Wunkran warned, keeping his eyes on Annodia.
The young woman put her hands on her hips and smirked. “The same goes for you, Wunkran Prateel.” Seeing how hearing his name surprised him, Annodia decided to press her advantage. “Oh yes, I know who you are. Just how long have you been a KnighT-in-name-only? How long do you think you will have to slave away for Evard?”
“You will shut your mouth!” Wunkran shouted. “You are not worthy to speak his name. It is your man that is falling to my master!”
“That’s not how I see it,” she said calmly. “Just know that you set the parameters for this. Keep your ground and things will remain friendly between us.”
“Hmmm, the boy tries to stand,” Evard remarked, watching Valian roll over on his hands and knees. “I will say this much for you, boy... you have more gumption than the man who trained you. More grit. But not enough.”
“Funny,” Valian panted, getting up on his hands and knees. “In relative measures, I would have thought I at least exceeded Evarzon.”
Evard’s face slowly twisted with rage as the two men locked eyes.
“Wouldn’t you agree?” Valian inquired, smiling coldly.
Evard screamed, running forward in a charge. He had been made to swallow so much since this idiotic challenge was made. Now, the focus of his ire had reminded him of a very old pain, and Evard would destroy him for it. His sword swung low, scraping the bogged ground, sending mud forward as the blade passed through the fading image of Valian.
“Whoops,” Valian said softly, swinging his foot to catch the ankle of the stumbling Evard. The large man fell face-first into the swamp water and mud. “That looks like it might’ve hurt, Evard. Should we return to the domes so that you can catch your breath? You know, you’re not as young as you used to be. Men your age should take their time.”
Evard lifted his head from the bog and he screamed in rage. He turned to look back at Valian to see that he was untouched... not a speck of dust on him. Evard then looked at himself and he was covered in dust, debris, water, and mud.
“Don’t worry,” Valian said, setting himself to fight. “I think you already know it’s not a beauty contest. “You would’ve never made it to squire with those looks!”
“Swarm!” Evard yelled, swinging his sword in a wide, horizontal arc. Shafts of black, sparkling light flew from his blade.
Valian stepped forward, blowing out slowly as he swung Witch in front of him. First down and to the left, and then back. Trailing behind the circuited blade was a wave of Force Energy that formed into a barrier that blocked the black streaks.
“Have to thank you for the donation of the Force Energy,” Valian saluted Evard. “That’s not one of the food stuffs I gave my blade while we were getting to know one another. Yours is a particularly hearty form!”
Evard got up and left his feet in a Force Energy assisted leap.
“Finally,” Valian thought, leaning forward and swinging his sword into Evard’s.
The clanging might have reached the auditorium without the benefit of the transmission feed, and the small burst of light blinded most from the view of what happened. When the light died, they could see Valian and Evard, both still standing. Valian’s guard had held.
“Surprise, fool,” Valian hissed. “You’re not the strongest man you know! My father was! He’s not here to show you himself, but he gave me a portion of it. Tell me what you think of this!” Valian pushed forward, sending Evard to his back.
Evard rolled to his feet, amazed that his body had lost a test of strength. He could not remember when that had last happened.
“Come now, Evard,” Valian fanfared his blade. “Evarzon is awaiting his day of vengeance.”
The large man came forward, swinging down into a solid and unyielding block. He then came around from the side, but again his blow was intercepted by Valian’s sword and nullified. Evard spun around, coming forward with a thrust. Valian hammered it down into the ground. Valian’s left hand came away from the pommel of his sword, smacking Evard across the face. His helmet was removed and he was lifted from his feet by the power of the blow.
Evard landed on his back and slid to a stop. Sitting up slowly, Evard started coughing. Already the swamp gasses were beginning to weaken him.
“This shoulder strap,” Valian said, pointing at the leather strap across his chest that was glowing blue. “You’ll never guess what it does. What would you say if I told you that it was a gift from Ulreejun Jorkethian, given to me on the day I was knighted? A gift that was originally meant for another student of the Elder KnighT... your son, Evarzon. What if I were to tell you that the one thing your boy coveted most was your incredible strength? And that this was designed to make him even stronger than you.”
“Then you are cheating!” Evard coughed. “Augmentations are not allowed in this contest!”
“And yet I have spoken it aloud and the judges are not stopping the bout,” Valian countered. “I’m sorry, this is so unfair of me: making this a test of wits. We both know you’re weak there. Odd you weren’t able to say that Evarzon coveted the power of position more than physical strength. I never even met your son, and I know more about him than you do! That’s the real point of anger, isn’t it? How you loathe what you see in every reflective surface! Don’t worry, you’ve got plenty of company in that regard.
“Master Jorkethian tried to reach him,” Valian reported as he paced. “... he tried to teach him... but all your son ever saw was the power of the KnighT. Like you, he only ever believed in power. Like you, he broke the ancient code, and he was punished for his ineptitude.” Valian moved his left foot forward, fanfaring his sword to his right hand. He extended his left hand forward, allowing FantasioR to generate in his palm. “Well, as they say... like father, like son!”
Evard strained his eyes, looking at the pinkish light surrounding Valian’s hand.
“FantasioR,” Valian explained. “The energy used by DreamCasteRs when they weave their illusions. Actually, it’s a bit more complicated than that, but why bother to explain such things to a corpse.
“You might be wondering how I am able to get into your mind,” Valian added. “I’ve been there ever since I smacked both of your swords! Surely you remember that night.”
Realization fired in Evard’s eyes as he forced his body to move. He lifted his sword and was five strides into his charge when he stopped, blood coming from his chest and back. He looked down at his wound to see a circuited sword slowly coming into view. The false image of Valian faded as the real Valian turned visible, at the end of a thrust attack that had run Evard through.
“Not yet, Evard,” Valian urged, twisting the blade. The lines of circuitry in the sword glowed a bright white, burning into and through Evard. The large Master KnighT screamed in anguish.
“Now!” Valian hissed, pulling the blade free of Evard’s chest. He spun around, performing a masterful horizontal swing, removing the head of the Master KnighT.
No!” Wunkran yelled, reaching for his blade. He bolted into a desperate sprint, leaving the area in four easy strides. Before he could reach the first hole Evard had made, Annodia struck him in the small of the back with he
r fist... a fist that was only slightly aglow with Power Energy. Wunkran’s body carried forward out of the old museum, splashing into the swamp water.
Valian lifted his left arm, opening a channel to Lady Gilestra. “Execute the arrest,” he commanded, sheathing his sword and holding his right arm out for Annodia.
“We were already in position,” Gilestra replied. “The Twins sent the package, and the Countess is in custody.”
“We are on our way,” Valian stated, wrapping his arm around Annodia’s waist. The shoulder strap flared with an even brighter light and the cloak Valian wore bore him aloft.
“This is a pretty cheap way to get me close, don’t you think?”
“I’ve got to get mine in before Desh makes an honest woman of you,” he quipped.
“Well done, Valian.”
“You as well, Sister. But this isn’t over yet.”
As Valian had hoped, no one asked where the young Tournament Champion had gotten his information. The fact that he had proof and witness testimony was enough for the Emperor who ordered the arrest and incarceration of Countess Lusorra Necaltiere.
“We will have to speak with you in detail, Countess,” TrenGal said through gritted teeth. “It will not be an enjoyable experience for either of us, but we will have the truth.”
“We shall have to see, Your Majesty,” Lusorra smiled. “My turn at this is over, but I am hardly going to divulge anything more to you. I think you know that.
“And as for you,” she said, turning to face Valian. “... I do hope your victory formals wear well at the funeral! Give the Duke my best!”
“Odi!” Valian cried. “I need that portal now!”
“By the will of Kyorvesior!” the fair-haired woman shouted out, lifting her hands to form a portal. A black-gloved hand emerge from her chest and thumped the air, sparking a portal to life.
“Ungh!” Odiadahdri grunted as she staggered back. “Hurry, Master! The portal is challenged. Can’t... hold...”
Valian lunged forward through the portal as Sandra barked, “Hit it, kids! Vassa, do your stuff!” After two flashes of light, Odiadahdri collapsed to her hands and knees with only Sandra, Cedric, Kyle, and Simio left to tend to her.
