Chapter 56:

The young man was clearly well-taught with the blade. I watched as he tested his borrowed weapon, swinging it back and forth, and noted how the balance on his feet shifted with each swing. He had practice and a decent amount of talent. But as we moved to engage, I saw the hesitation in his first swing at me. Interesting. Had he never been in a fight for his life before? It would be unexpected if he had, seeing that he was the son of a count and clearly sheltered. If he thought I would actually accept the honor duel, well, the fact that I had didn't really say much for the odds of his plan working.

Even as I barely moved my blade to deflect his blow to the side, he recovered admirably. I watched as rage, hate, and grief filled his eyes. His next swing was less hesitant but a lot more foolish. It was a powerful overhand blow intended to chop my head in two. Still, it left him overbalanced, presenting an opening I could have easily finished him off with. But I didn't. Instead, I ducked to the side and watched as his blade smashed into the ground. He recovered and slashed at me again horizontally. I deflected and dodged, his blade skittering over mine as I continually sent it flying down into the dirt.

I held my sword with a balance a little farther back than I normally would—slightly more defensive and quicker to react—as I stymied his every move. I hadn't struck yet. It felt weird for this to be so final, to actually kill someone in a duel. In Valhalla, after a duel, I could track the person down and have a drink. If I killed him now, here in this combat, he would undoubtedly have the option to go to Valhalla. But would he take it? I had no idea. Looking into their religion wasn't something I had done so far. They prayed to gods, but which gods? I had no idea. Luckily, no one seemed to be superzealous, and I had been mostly left alone on that front.

Sure, I'd killed people since I had come here, usually in combat. I hadn't executed the king or the count, his father. But this was different. This was a little more than a boy. After a couple of minutes, the man's anger fueled him. Still, I could see the steam starting to run out as I continually stayed on the defensive, doing nothing more than redirecting the blows as if I were a sparring partner. I tried talking.

"Tenor," I said calmly. "I don't know what you hoped to accomplish with this plan, but you've gotten as far with it as you're going to."

He didn't answer.

"You are not untalented with the blade, but you have no experience. You're clearly practiced. Your stance is good, and your strikes are measured if they are a little too aggressive, but that can be forgiven. But you don't fear death," I said, leaving a cut a few inches below his eyes. It was nothing, not even an inch long, but I could have made it so much worse.

The anger in his eyes flared up once as if trying to push away the fear that was creeping into his posture.

"You attack like a young man. You are reckless. Impatient," I continued. I understood how this might sound, given that I looked barely a few years older than him. But it was true, and the people around the arena could hear. They had been cheering for both sides as the opening clashes of the duel had happened. But as it became clear that I wasn't exactly fighting, the crowd had grown eerily silent and listened to my monologue as I casually deflected this young man's increasingly desperate attacks.

"I know it is unlikely that you could ever forgive me for taking your family's title and lands, but I really don't want to have to kill you," I said casually. "Unfortunately, though, when uprooting a tree, you need to pull it out by the roots, and you are one of your father's roots. If I leave you alone, you'll be back with an army eventually to come and kill me, or you'll train as an assassin until you can sneak into my bedchamber. No, I don't think I can leave you alive. Not as you are now. I don't plan on crippling you, though. I would consider having you swear to service."

I sent a prayer to Loki, hoping this would work. "I will allow you to forfeit this duel with your honor intact. Do you swear to—if you swear your soul to Loki," I said, hoping the name wouldn't cause any uproar. "I might be able to send you on your way."

Surprisingly, I heard Loki's chuckle in my head. "Oh, that is interesting. It won't be any better than them coming to Valhalla after they die, but if he swears his will to me rather than Odin, yes, that would give me a significant amount of influence."

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Sadly, the boy wasn't having it. His attacks only became more reckless as he grew increasingly tired. I looked around and saw the confused faces of the crowd. "Well, it was worth a shot," I said.

The rest of the fight was little more than an execution.

***

Still standing in front of the king, I finished my explanation of the documents I had presented him. "And then I rode here as soon as possible."

The king leaned back in his throne, and the audience of the court around him broke into muttered whispers at my account of my findings and the brief explanation for the siege of Roderick. The king stroked his beard as he considered.

"You have done us a great service. We would like to discuss potential rewards with you privately. You will have the honor of dining with us tonight," the king said.

I bowed in gratitude. "Thank you, Your Majesty."

"Before you go, We heard you had a duel with the previous count's son."

I nodded in confirmation but didn't have anything to say. "Pardon, my king," I said after a moment or two of awkward silence, not wanting to seem too belligerent. "I didn't hear a question in that."

The king smiled. "There was not one. But we are curious as to why."

I frowned, trying to think of a reasonable explanation. "It seemed more kind than having him executed for treason, Your Majesty," I said after some thought.

He nodded. "We were told quite impressive stories of your swordsmanship. Perhaps we could interest you in fighting an exhibition for the court at some point."

I bowed. "Perhaps, Your Majesty."

I was surprised the king was bringing this up in public court, but he must have had his reasons. I was quickly dismissed, and the court was adjourned early as the king had much to think about after my report. I returned to rest at the family manse for a few hours before dinner, where the captain met me with a few men in middle age.

"These were some of your late father's advisors who retired soon after his death. I have told them how you have recently seemed to have grown up more, and they would be willing to try working with you again," the captain explained.

I gave them all a deep bow. The three of them looked surprised. "I apologize for my childishness and wish to move forward as if we had never met before," I said, hoping this ploy would work. "I am Count Fenrir Alaric. Your service is greatly appreciated."

The captain looked mildly surprised, and the first man stepped forward to introduce himself.

"I was your father's chamberlain," he said. "My name is Victor, and I will at least help you find a replacement for your current one."

"I thank you, Victor."

His master of coin and legal advisor also introduced themselves as Caleb and Logan, respectively.

"Good. I think we have much to talk about," I said as I ushered them into the seating room. "I have just come from public court with the king and have a private meeting with him over dinner. There are many things I wish to discuss."