Ban laughed and replied, “I’m sorry, I didn’t intend to disturb you guys' passion... talks.”

She decided to size up Dave as well while walking past him.

Ban went near the blacksmith and asked her, “Are my orders ready?”

The blacksmith nodded.

“Good.”

Ban laughed again and continued, “The people were getting desperate there, after all... who wouldn’t be after experiencing weapons made by someone of your... talents.”

She looked at Dave as soon as she stopped talking, stopping her onslaughts of laughter and replacing it with a smile as if she was smirking at him.

No, she was smirking at him. Dave couldn’t know why this unknown stranger he had never met before could ever possibly show such hostility towards him, but he wasn’t known for his capabilities in handling situations like these and he knew it.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t introduce myself.”, said Ban while looking toward Dave. She jolted backward as soon as she said those words.

“I’m here to deliver the shipment which my employers put in here.”, she continued.

Dave noticed something was off, but he didn’t really have anything to go from it.

“I see.”, he said, trying his best to not give away his suspicions.

“If I may ask you, why did your employers order something out here...”, he continued. He put up his hands to show his surrounding areas.

Before Dave could add to what he was saying. Ban added her words, “So far away from other places of... civilization?”

Dave nodded.

Ban started to laugh again which put Dave in a shocked enough mood that it was visible on his face.

She noticed this and smirked, “Don’t get me wrong. You saw it for yourself, didn’t you?”

“When you swung that sword, I’m sure you were aware of how talented our blacksmith is. A talent like hers wouldn’t be found anywhere...”

“So, your employers make do?”

“Hahaha... yes. They do.”

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Dave went near the blacksmith and said, “Then why don’t you leave this place and go to some other place where your talents would be much more appreciated?”

“Sir... This village is my everything, I can’t leave it. I was born in it and... I just cannot... Forgive me.”, she replied.

“Oh...no, you don’t have to apologize...”, said Dave, flustered with where his own curiosity landed him.

“Sir?”, asked Ban.

Dave looked back and replied, "Yes, I’m sorry for the late introduction but I’m a knight from the capital.”

“Oh! A knight! Forgive me for my rudeness earlier, sir.”

“It’s fine”, replied Dave. “I hope you continue to talk to me as you have.”, he added.

“Don’t mind if I do!”, replied Ban putting both her hands on her neck and losing whatever respect she had shown a few moments earlier.

Ban smirked and looked toward Dave, she clasped her hands and spoke, “Do you mind if we have a duel?”

The sudden challenge shocked Dave but his inner warrior came out and subdued it.

“I don’t mind but isn’t this a bit sudden...?”, He questioned.

“Sir, I am a humble escort warrior, but I’d love to challenge a knight, especially a knight such as yourself... Please let me.”, she replied while taking out two of her daggers.

“Very well. Can you pass me the biggest sword you have?”

The blacksmith complied and threw her biggest sword towards him, or at least tried to before it fell on the ground.

“Sorry...”

Dave picked it up without missing a beat.

“This will do.”, he spoke while cleaning the dirt off the sword.

He took his position and not a moment too soon Ban came towards to attack him but was kind enough to say, “Here I come!”, before attacking.

Dave laughed and parried her blows, no matter what she did, Dave had an answer.

Attacking from any direction was futile, his sword was always waiting for Ban, but he didn’t attack. He simply stood his ground. It’s as if he was an impregnable wall.

Ban started to laugh again.

“This is what I’m talking about! HAHAHA”

To any bystander the laugh could be seen as someone being mad or crazy but not to Dave, he realized what Ban was after. A good fight. So, he smiled as well.

“Let’s get serious!”, said Dave failing to control his excitement only for him to see that Ban had already put down her daggers and put her hands up.

“What...?”

“I’m sorry sir, but I have a delivery to make. I am very thankful that you indulged my... my wish.”

“Oh.”

Ban took the things that she needed on her carriage and spoke, “I hope we’d be able to fight to our best ability one day.”

Dave nodded.

“Then I’ll be off.”

Ban didn’t look back and took away her carriage.

Dave couldn’t help but feel disappointed, it wasn’t very knight-like of him to actively enjoy fights, but he can’t deny that he did.

“There’s nothing wrong with it.”, he thought to himself before saying his goodbyes to the blacksmith and heading back to the feast.

Meanwhile, Ban had found herself back on her campsite.

“So, how was it?”, asked Dit who came running to her as soon as she arrived.

Ban smiled and asked the slaves to take care of the carriage before speaking,” It's fun, I’m glad he didn’t disappoint...” while looking towards the village.

She smiled; Dit didn’t like what his sister was doing but that’s who she was. He hoped that they’d be able to overcome this challenge as well, as they have overcome them in the past. Together.