"What say you?" Keagan challenged the lord.

If he were to be honest, he hadn't expected the situation to fall into his lap. He had a few plans, all adaptable to what happened, but the lord's words and the great lord's words provided an arena for him. All he needed to do was lay out the challenge.

Despite his suspicions, directly blaming Lord June without evidence was impossible. The best course of action was to have someone find it for him. In this case, Lord Reede, as the affected village should be part of his territory.

Even with some evidence, being a foreigner with no power in this land wouldn't guarantee things going according to plan. He also knew how easily a lord could avoid true punishment. At best, a lord might have to pay compensation, but there would be no real punishment.

That's what a lord was, he thought. But for all their talk of nobility and honor, he knew how dirty and underhanded they could be.

Unfortunately for them, he could play that game too.

Though he didn't like relying on it too much, time was his greatest ally.

The hall waited with bated breath to hear Lord June's answer. Conflict could be seen clearly on his face. There was no doubt Keagan's offer was a way to solve his problems with him, regain his honor, and straighten the line of favor that Keagan's appearance had tangled.

It was a brute solution, for sure, and there could be many implications, but it was a solution, a much better one than Lord Reede's initial offer. Judging by the looks on the lords' faces, their mutters and mumbles, they seemed to agree too.

Lord Reede was conflicted about something. Keagan saw him glancing at the High Lord and Lady Aria, but the two remained passive, not saying a word.

"Do you think me low? That I would readily accept your challenge? I could have your head for your words alone!" Lord June roared, finally breaking his silence. His response drew shocked glances from some lords, who then looked back and forth between Keagan and Lord June as they wondered why the fierce warrior Lord June doesn't immediately accept the offer.

Keagan smirked. "Why? Afraid of a cripple?" He shifted his right shoulder, emphasizing his impaired right arm.

This only infuriated Lord June further. Before the lord could retort, Keagan added, "If you're too afraid, you could choose a champion. I don't care who."

"Your life isn't worth that much," Lord June snarled.

"And yours isn't on the line, so why the hesitation?" Keagan taunted him. Keagan knew Lord June had some idea of his strength, at very least his nephew should have told him some of it. Even with one arm, Keagan wasn't an ordinary awakened. But Lord June also understood that backing out of this challenge would further damage House June's honor. The only way he could conceivably avoid it would be to put Keagan on trial and have their authority kill him.

It was too late for that, however. If Lord June had any pride at all, he will accept.

"My lords!" A lord spoke out, his voice loud enough to silence everyone. It was Lord Lesley, who had chosen to watch what happened in silence until now.

Lord June locked eyes with Lord Lesley, his gaze heavy with unspoken meaning.

When the hall fell silent, Lord Lesley spoke out. "All accounts have been spoken, and Lord Reede has shared his decision." He gestured toward Lord Reede, who was deep in contemplation.

"Putting aside the matters of this... village," he paused, a grimace briefly flashing across his face before disappearing. "The foreigner, the one who holds our token of friendship, proposes an alternative solution. This solution would greatly benefit Lord June if he were victorious, but offer little advantage to the foreigner should he win."

Nods filled the hall in agreement with Lord Lesley's words. "But let me remind you," he said, "this is not the foreigner's land. We have laws, and we have our own authorities. We are the ones who makes decisions, not him." Sounds of agreement echoed again as Lord Lesley continued. "If the foreigner desires a martial trial, then we shall grant him one. A trial conducted by the lords of this land."

As soon as those words were spoken, grins and smirks erupted on the faces of the lords. However, some remained puzzled, their gazes lingering on Lord June. Keagan furrowed his brow, though his face remained impassive.

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This was spiraling out of his control far too quickly. If Lord Lesley's words came to pass, he would be at the mercy of the lords, his initiative and control completely would be out of his hands..

Indeed, one should never underestimate a lord's cunning. Keagan inwardly sighed at that.

Lord June gave Lord Lesley a subtle nod of satisfaction.

"No," a voice boomed unexpectedly, startling the lords. This time, the voice came from the highest seat, the High Lord who had remained silent until now. Immediately, everyone fell quiet.

The High Lord scanned the hall, his gaze stopping on Lord June as the latter bowed his head. "Should a trial come, no matter what form, it will involve only the two of you,” the High Lord declared.

"Of course," Lord Lesley answered with a bow before stepping back. As if he didn’t spoke out.

Most lords exchanged looks and wondered why the High Lord had only spoken now, but no one dared to utter their thoughts aloud. Keagan stared at the High Lord, lost in thought.

With the High Lord himself having spoken, a resolute expression hardened Lord June's face. The decision was clear now. "I accept your challenge," he declared.

Keagan gave an inward nod. However, his thoughts were consumed by the High Lord's calculating gaze. It felt as if the High Lord had been assessing him, and after all this time, had finally reached a conclusion. Keagan released a silent sigh at that realization. Some men, Keagan thought, were simply too clever, calculating, and cautious. Yet, he couldn't deny that things had turned in his favor because of it.

Lord June's words were met with a chorus of delighted mutters and mumbles. Many, eager to see the foreigner pay for his words, were vocal in their anticipation. However, some remained silent, not foolish enough to express their opinions freely.

The High Lord then stood up, silencing everyone with his presence. He grabbed the long sword leaning against his seat and stepped forward a few paces. "A duel requires a weapon," the High Lord declared, throwing the sword towards Keagan. Keagan easily caught it, his brow furrowing in thought as his fingers felt the familiar hilt.

Keagan wasn't the only one perplexed. From the corner of his eye, he caught Lord June's face contorting briefly in a grimace. Other lords exchanged glances but didn't dare voice their thoughts. Lord Reede's expression remained puzzled. When Keagan looked towards Lady Aria, he saw her, for the first time, respond with a slight shake of her head as their gazes met. It was as if she didn't understand either.

Keagan's eyes narrowed slightly at that.

"Before the sun sets, the duel will take place. Be ready," the High Lord said to Keagan. He then turned to Lord June. "Or your champion, Lord June. However the day ends, your problems will come along with it."

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Lady Aria gazed towards the field. Seated in the stands with her grandfather, Lord Reede still had some matters to attend to and hadn't joined them yet. With the day drawing swiftly to a close, things had been arranged promptly.

They were in a training yard—a circular ground used for sparring—that would serve as the arena. More and more people, lords, ladies, and even servants, had gathered to witness the duel.

"Grandfather," Lady Aria began, a touch of curiosity lacing her voice, "why did you hand over the sword to him?"

Her grandfather, the high lord, paused for a moment, stroking his beard thoughtfully. "Because, my dear," he finally replied, "the sword was always meant to find its way back to its owner, one way or another."

Lady Aria raised an eyebrow. "So you just return his things to him?" she inquired, she wasn't against it, she just didn't expect for her grandfather to return it so easily.

Lord Wyan shook his head, his gaze lingering on Lady Aria for a moment. "No," he declared, "I will have him teach us of his lands and his knowledge before I do."

The High Lady raised her eyebrows and nodded. "If the foreigner dies on this..." But she was cut off.

"He won't," the High Lord simply said.

Lady Aria was surprised by her grandfather's conviction. His words instilled confidence in the foreigner's strength.

"Lord June is a fearsome warrior, not a common awakened. His techniques place him above an ordinary awakened. Moreover, he has years of experience on him. Yet you believe the foreigner can win." She paused and added, "What do you see in him?"

The High Lord made a slight smile. "We'll see some soon enough."

There was a pause, the High Lady saw Lord Reede coming to join them. "And this matter of the village? Do you think...." She asked, in a whisper.

This time the Lord Wyan returned to his aloof nature. "It is up to what Lord Reede can find."

A wave of mutters and mumbles erupted through the yard as Lord June entered, clad in his full armor and wielding his spear. His imposing warrior's presence elicited gasps of amazement and surprise. To be so readily prepared for a duel with a foreigner was a sight to behold.

Curiosity spread through the crowd, particularly among those who had heard whispers of the events leading to this duel. It was clear Lord June wasn't taking the foreigner lightly. Lord June dressed in a way as if his life was on the line. This, in turn, sparked renewed questions about the foreigner's true strength.

A streak of orange then caught Lady Aria's eye as the foreigner himself emerged onto the field.

Her brows furrowed in surprise. He still wore the same clothes, lacking any armor. For a man staking his life, he sure didn't wear any protection. His sword was strapped to his back as he crossed to the opposite side of the arena and took his position. The sunlight seemed to catch the orange streaks in his black hair, making them glow, and his eyes gleamed even brighter. Lady Aria found herself captivated by his unique appearance, a flicker of anticipation sparking within her to learn more about his homeland.

The brief lull was broken as the referee stepped forward, his booming voice signaling the start of the battle.