Dueling Egos|Neo'anar | New Anarlina

[Kender Bard]

Court.

It was a dull affair, as most were, though Twilight had extended invitation (request) to the provincial lords to attend him in a dinner that night and most had shown up. Delilah had even shown up, which excited comment amongst the Firegemmers who had taken a liking to court as well as a few Anarlinans.

Things were wrapping up now, and so conversation and attentions were rapidly drifting and more and more people turned more favorably to simple socializing. One newcomer had in fact gone from several small knots of gossipers to inquire and speak soft but politely. He was a handsome man, though his dress and speech made him difficult to place. He was tall and built like a swordsman, and in fact carried a longsword sheathed and peace-tied, the scabbard made of black leather and tooled with silver and set with rubies. He had long dark brown hair and almost sleepy, laconic brown eyes. His speech was soft and cultured and pleasant to hear.

After making a few rounds he tentatively approached the land lords, though stopped a respectable distance, once the guards seemed to get a touch edgy at his approach. He laid his eyes upon Zira. "Would you be the Lord Wintersong I've heard of?"

[Darastrix]

Zira looked at the man with an expression of mild surprise. He hadn't done anything of particular note lately to attract attention that he was aware of, though Thuoth only knew what the courtiers may have found to talk about in the meantime. He cast a glance in his husband's direction, but Zack, currently chatting with Dusk, only smiled and gave a slight shrug; this man was a new face to him as well.

"Most likely," Zira replied, "though having a husband tends to confuse matters a little. He's been referred to as Lord Wintersong as well on occasion."

[Kender Bard]

The man seemed, briefly, frustrated but the moment passed and he was smiling politely again. "I seek the Lord Wintersong who is an excellent and worthy swordsman."

This got the attention of Sain, who was near Zira, and he gave Zira a small nudge with his arm. "Zira is the one you want then. He's quite a match in a spar."

The man beamed brightly. "That... Is precisely what I wanted to hear. I'm looking for someone of a skill with myself to cross swords with and your name came up. I would like the pleasure of challenging you to a duel later at a time of your choosing. Soon, though; I won't be in Anarlina long. I'm merely passing through. I make a habit of challenging renowned swordsmen in my travels though. My hope is to find someone who can actually either beat me or at least make the duel interesting enough that a win is satisfying."

[Darastrix]

His name had come up? Not Sain's? Or Jonathan's? Or had others been mentioned and the man picked him over the other suggestions? Either way, it was both surprising and flattering, and he flushed with pleasure. He knew he'd improved over the years, he hadn't realised that those outside of his circle had taken note. That was...nice to think about. Very nice, in fact. To actually be recognized for his skill.... And the fact that this man was rather handsome didn't hurt, either. Forces, he was spending entirely too much time with Schuldig.

"I'm not sure I'd call myself 'renowned,'" he replied, trying to keep his thoughts from running away with him, "but I'd be happy to accept. Might I have your name?"

[Kender Bard]

The man smiled and gave a small nod of his head. "My name is Cadogan. I eagerly await your pleasure on the dueling field. When you're ready to cross blades with me, send a message to The Sunstar Inn of where and when and I will meet you there."

With a deep bow, he turned and left, his business evidently concluded.

Sain chuckled, grinning for his friend. "Well! I certainly will want to be in attendance for this spectacle. Be sure to notify me when you do duel him. Maybe he'll go a round with me afterwards eh?"

[Darastrix]

"I'm surprised he didn't ask you to start with," Zira admitted, though he couldn't help but look pleased with the situation. "I'd imagine you, Jonathan, or Emerald would be the first ones to come up in conversation regarding worthy swordsmen."

[Kender Bard]

"Well I guess that you're one of the elites now," Sain chuckled. "I'm glad for you. And who knows? Perhaps our fearsome reputations intimidated him and he thought he'd have better luck with someone just slightly less trumpeted. If that's so he's about to get a rude surprise."

[Darastrix]

Zira smiled and ducked his head a little at the praise, but didn't try to argue. "I wish my father were here to see this," he murmured. His father likely could see, but it would have been nice for him to be there in the flesh. He shook himself from that thought and tilted his head at Sain. "Where would you recommend we meet? I can't have the duel at Widor; it would seem unfair to him."

[Kender Bard]

"You could have it at my place," Sain told him. "The courtyard is certainly large enough and then I get to be host to you. Rebecca would love it, I already know. We could invite our friends over and have a good deal of fun in the process."

[Darastrix]

"And you could show off how big Heath is getting to us all," Zira added with a light laugh. "I think it sounds like a fine idea. When would be convenient? I was thinking of the afternoon after next; I wouldn't want to keep him waiting too long."

[Kender Bard]

"That seems good to me," Sain replied. "It'll give us time to set up. Not that Rebecca needs much preparation. Following a gathering she always immediate sets about prepping for the next one. We'll be prepared. Do you want to handle the invitations or shall I?"

[Darastrix]

"Since you'll be the host, I think it would be best if you or Rebecca did," Zira said, "though I'll send word to Cadogan myself, of course."

[Kender Bard]

"Consider it done," Sain replied.

---

The day after the next, at the appointed time, the Brandt manor was in full swing celebration though it was a smaller, modest party. Sain had invited the best swordsmen of the Anarlinan upperclass to come witness the duel. Cadogan was a bit late in arriving, however.

"My apologies," he told the room at large when the servant escorted him out to the courtyard. "I'd become engaged in conversation with an old acquaintence and lost track of time."

[Darastrix]

When Zira had noted everyone Sain had invited to watch the duel, he'd wanted to kill Sain. Well, not kill, but he'd made a point to frown disapprovingly in his general direction. He'd been expecting Sain to invite members of his extended family, maybe Erik and a few more knights, but not so many other skilled swordsmen (though, to be fair, Zira would likely have found two of the best upper-class swordsmen to be too many). If he ever got into a similar situation again, he'd send the invitations.

And then Cadogan was late, which he didn't honestly mind. It wasn't a duel of honour or anything serious. Worst case scenario, he supposed, would be that he didn't come at all, in which case he was sure Sain would be happy to duel him instead. Maybe even make an impromptu little tournament with everyone else there. That could be fun.

When Cadogan finally arrived, Zira just smiled and stepped up to greet him. "It's quite all right," he told him. "Had I known you had a friend in town, I would have suggested you bring them along."

[Kender Bard]

"She has business elsewhere, I'm afraid," Cadogan responded, smiling. "But I'm really quite eager and ready to go if you are."

"I think it's time for the main event if Zira is agreeable," Sain remarked, lifting a goblet as he did so.

Cadogan glanced around at the assembled and smiled thinly. "Actually since this is apparently going to be a spectacle, how about we make a small wager to make it interesting? If you win, I will give you my sword." He pulled it free of his sheathe and laid it on his palms, holding it out for inspection. The sword was a breathtaking beauty in craftsmanship; almost silver with its bright sheen, ornately covered in black marks of beautiful, wild designs up the length of the metal. The pommel was wrapped in black leather and sported a nice sized ruby at the end.

Jonathan almost drooled, looking at it. "Take him up on it!" he was quick to urge Zira. Others joined the sentiment. A wager would certainly make the whole affair that much more interesting!