It was the day afterward, and it was hot and muggy.

Ronald had been escorted to a cell with a barred window, plenty of straw, and a bedroll. Benarus dungeons were universally clean, at least. He had long since destroyed the torture machines his parents and brother had indulged in. Lady Fayn had not since she was fighting in the tournament. Relma stood within the stands, waiting as the time for the matches grew steadily closer.

She was going to have to fight Fayn. If she lost, Ronald would hang. If she won, Fayn would hang. Relma wasn't enthusiastic about it either.

"I can't believe everyone is so dead set on blaming Ronald," said Relma.

"I can," said Estela.

Relma looked up, surprised at her matter-of-fact response. "Really?"

"Sir Frederick and I spent a while in Artarq, remember?" said Estela with a shrug. "We had to travel through Antion. People don't like Lady Pandora or Aren much there. And they regard you as their puppet."

They thought Relma was Aunt Pan's puppet. But, of course, that wasn't true at all. Relma was nobody's puppet; she was acting by her own desires. "Why?"

Estela shrugged again and brushed dark hair from her face while adjusting her cloak. She looked nice that way. "They say she meddles in things."

"No, I mean, why would they think I'm a puppet?" said Relma.

"You were raised by Pandora and have no experience in statecraft," said Estela. "If you took the throne tomorrow, you'd have to rely entirely on advisors. So who would be Aren and Pandora? They're almost right."

"But Aunt Pan hasn't even been to Antion in years," said Relma.

"It doesn't matter," said Estela. "The Lady Rusara is held in high regard by virtually everyone. She is feared but also greatly respected. Rusara and Pandora hate each other."

"Don't display your ignorance, woman," scoffed William. "No one hates Lady Pandora. We just don't regard her as important."

Estela looked furious. Relma put a hand on her shoulder. "But she was chosen by Elranor." She was trying to change the subject before someone started a blood feud. It worked. After a glare, Estela sat back down.

"That was a long time ago," said William. "These days, people like to run their governments without listening to what a wise old sorcerer has to say."

"Well then, why does everyone like Rusara?" asked Relma. Keep him talking about himself and not Escor.

"Rusara doesn't tell people what to do," said William. "She tells people stories."

Relma blinked in surprise, quite deliberately. For all his professed dislike of displayed ignorance, William liked to explain things. It made him feel important. "I don't understand."

"Rusara never tries to throw her weight around," said William. "She just makes alliances and takes care of her own concerns. And she tells stories to children on the side.

"Pandora doesn't do that."

"What do you mean?" asked Relma.

"Have you heard of the Battle of Desora?" asked William.

"Yes," said Relma. "It was fought up in Artarq, wasn't it?"

"It was my father's earliest military triumph," said William. "He caught the Calishan fleet while it was unloading its forces and drove them into the sea. Father then quickly brooked a truce that ended the war."

"Right, I remember," said Relma. "Aren said that Argath Marn was made governor."

"Yes. Argath Marn was allowed to buy the position instead of my father, who had earned it," said William. "And he ran the place into the ground, trying to recoup his losses."

Argath never talked about his time as governor of Artarq. It predated his second stage of raids, and he didn't like to talk about even those. Even so, Relma suspected that William's perspective was inaccurate. But it was still worth hearing. "What do you mean?"

William shrugged. "He took bribes and looked the other way to criminal activity. His primary concern was profit, and he made lots of that. Father had to spend years uprooting corruption when he took command of the province. Corruption Argath had allowed to flourish.

"Now that he's done that, Artarq is profitable, and all kinds of benefits are coming in. The malas trade is flourishing, and Calisha is no longer attacking the border. Imagine what we could have done if Father had immediately gotten the job?"

"What does any of this have to do with Arengeth and Lady Pandora?" asked Estela.

"Because they put Argath in office," said William. "They intervened in the politics of Artarq to get their man put in a position of influence. And the man proved to be a huge mistake. It discredited them.

"Also, my father has neither forgiven nor forgotten the slight.

"The days of wise old sorcerers giving commands to the Kings of Harlenor are over. Anyone who wants to tell my father what they should do must have more than a long white beard and magical powers."

"Escor listens to them," said Relma.

"Escor can't even keep order in their own kingdom," said William in obvious contempt. "House Vortegex relies on Gail Arengeth to get anything done. They're only as strong as the foundation on which their reign was laid. And their foundation was of treachery and murder."

Was he trying to provoke Estela? "Well, that doesn't seem-"

"Oh, treachery and murder is it?" asked Estela. "As opposed to pacts with demons and slander?"

"Slander?" asked William. "Duke Borinius was guilty of treason. And if making a fool of Melchious is a sin, we'll gladly repeat it. The last true king of Escor declared Erik the Voyager, his heir. You're nothing but a house of usurpers."

"That's what you tell yourself," said Estela. "And what you tell everyone else. But at the end of the day, you increase your power by dealing with demons. You create truces with Calisha to fill your coffers with gold and throw aside your honor daily.

This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

"Your house is a corruption of everything Harlenor United stood for!"

"And what does it stand for, then?" asked William. "A backward society of thatched barns and palisades that has regressed to serfdom?!"

"Thatched barns?!" roared Estela. "And what of your glorious realm of Haldren, Gabriel? You burn villages and slaughter men, women, and children for entertainment! I assume Tanith must have learned the trade somewhere!"

"From your glorious hero, Argath Marn," said William, voice deadly cold.

"And where do you think he learned it?!" snarled Estela. "For hundreds of years, Escorians have feared your raiding ships! You killed your countrymen and burned their towns! The rivers ran red with the blood of my people!

"A mercenary with an army of brigands strong-armed our king into offering him the throne. And you think that makes you legitimate."

"A King who cannot repel an invasion does not deserve to keep his throne," said William. "But then, none of House Vortegex's accomplishments came from their own virtue. So I suppose my words fall on deaf ears."

"You think you're better fighters than us?!" asked Estela. "Haldren has been protected by the seas for its entire history! Take that away, and we'd have crushed you a thousand times!

"You're just arrogant cowards. A society of glorified berserkers wrapping themselves in the cloak of nobility. You're more Viokin than Haldrenian. Kin with the satyrs.

"And you think you can use stolen money to buy yourself a place in Antion! You're fake nobility!"

William put a hand to his sword. "How dare-"

"Stop it, both of you!" said Relma. "Save it for the ring!"

William remained deadly silent. "... You'd best hope we don't face one another in the tournament, Lady Estela."

"I would relish the chance," said Estela.

William stood and walked to the opposite side of the area. Saphra De Chevlon began to clap. Evidently, she had been enjoying the show.

"Estela, are you trying to start a blood feud?" asked Relma.

"I will not stand by while my home is insulted," said Estela.

"Estela, William is insufferable and arrogant, but he was just talking," said Relma. "Repeating what he had learned at home. There wasn't any malice in it until you started insulting him back.

"If you'd talked with him calmly and asked for an apology, he might have reconsidered his opinion. Instead, now he hates you and will double down on it. So you haven't changed him and made an enemy."

"It doesn't matter now," said Estela.

Relma sighed. "Either way, I'll be fighting you in the arena today."

"Not necessarily," said Garrick from where he had been sitting, his sword planted in front of him. "Sometimes, they bring in different rules."

Before Relma could say anything back, Davian appeared. "May I have your attention?

"There has been a change to the tournament structure. The next match will be randomized for those who remain in the tournament.

"You will each draw a number, and that will determine who you face."

He motioned to a box that had been set up earlier. Garrick stood up first and approached. Estela smiled. "Here's to hoping I get Garrick."

Garrick reached into it and drew out a box. "One."

"Lady Estela, come forward," said Davian.

Estela moved forward. Relma hoped she got a two. The whole rivalry with Garrick had been interesting to watch. It would be disappointing if they never even crossed swords. "Come on, two, two..." said Relma.

Estela drew out one and leaped. "Yes! Two."

William came forward next. He looked in a foul mood as he stalked forward and reached in to take his number. He looked at it. "Four."

Last of all came Varsus. He drew out his without expression. "...Three, of course."

Relma began to stand, but Davian raised a hand. "Lady Fayn, Lady Raleen, each of you will face another in the last round."

"Then the contestants are decided," said Fayn. "Start the damn matches."

Davian entered the center ring, where the crowds were fully assembled. They were now waiting with bated breath. "Today, my friends, we have a grudge match between two figures of legend! Two figures who have fought each other in this tournament once before! In the one corner, the runner-up to the archery contest and a Princess of Escor, Estela Vortegex!"

Estela moved forward, throwing aside her cloak as she strode into the arena. Then, turning, she drew her sword and flourished it.

"And in the other, a silent master of bow and sword, the champion of one tournament already!" said Davian. "I give you, Garrick Estov!"

Garrick made his way forward, his massive blade propped over one shoulder. As he took a position across from Estela, he brought down the sword. It struck the ground, which cracked beneath the force of the blow. Cheers came from all around.

"I'm going to make you pay for what you did," said Estela.

"It was your choice to accept the challenge," said Garrick. "I am not responsible for your inability to keep a steady hand."

"But you are for this," said Estela.

The match began, and Estela charged. But this was no berserker onslaught like what William and Raynald had used. She didn't make a sound as she unleashed a series of stabs. Garrick dodged and weaved backward beneath the onslaught.

Then he attacked back, the air whistling with the speed of his blade. Estela ducked under it, and several dark hair tufts flew apart. She brought her sword around to strike at his float. Garrick stepped back, and the blade missed his eye by inches.

"Wow, Estela is really keeping Garrick off his footing," said Relma.

"Still, it's only a matter of time before he uses his winds," noted Fayn, interested.

Finally, there came a pause in the combat as both blades clashed. Garrick slid back and drew his sword. "So, your skill with a blade equals your archery skill.

"No matter-"

And then he was forced on the defensive again as Estela attacked with slashes and thrusts. Taken off guard, Garrick had no chance to strike back and could only defend. Something that was difficult, given the size of his weapon.

"Isn't Estela supposed to let him summon their full power?" asked Relma.

"Lady Estela is taking this personally," said Saphra with a laugh as she clapped. Relma mentally imagined her drinking red wine. Then again, Relma had never seen Saphra drink or eat anything this entire time. "It's a vendetta, not a match. Maybe one of them will die. I'd just love for things to get bloody!"

"You might show some concern for Garrick," said William. "I expect we'll miss him less."

Relma ignored the bait.

Garrick soon began to tire as Estela struck again and again. He tried to distance himself, but Estela was on him again. With wide strokes, he tried to keep her at a distance, but she moved around them.

The crowd seemed to like what was happening.

Then, suddenly, Garrick lost his grip on his sword amid a swing. It fell to the ground, and Estela stepped back.

"Yes! She's got him!" said Relma.

Estela lowered her sword, and Garrick remained silent for a moment. Then he kneeled to grasp it. Even as he did, Estela surged forward and put her sword to his throat.

"Well, that was pragmatic," said Relma. "Was that cheating?"

"Yes," said William flatly.

"Technically, no, William. There is no rule that you have to let the other contestant retrieve their weapon. It's just etiquette," said Varsus. Estela decided Garrick didn't deserve it.

"What she thinks he deserves means nothing," said William. "There are rules of conduct that do not change. Whether you have to follow them or not.

"Why do you think I spared Cirithil when I found him instead of painting the walls red with his blood and priests. There are things you should and shouldn't do and unwritten codes of conduct that must be upheld. Garrick has rights, and Estela has violated them."

Relma had to admit William made a decent point. It sounded wonderful, but she felt that the codes of conduct were vague. Vague enough for William to interpret them in his favor. Just like Estela was doing now.

Is it too much to ask for someone to write this all down?

"They aren't that concrete," said Varsus.

"They are real," said William. "And if you never uphold them, they will die.

"Either a knight's code means everything to him, or it means nothing to him. It's that simple."

"Estela has Garrick at her mercy!" cried Davian. "Princess Estela is victorious!"

"Well, the judge doesn't seem to agree with you," said Relma.

"Of course, he doesn't," said William. "He's taking his own side. Naturally, he'll rule in her favor rather than risk Gel Carn having no finalists. Davian has an incentive for Estela and against Garrick. It can't help but affect his judgment."

There were a great many cheers, oddly enough. Relma assumed that, given Garrick's poor sportsmanship, this was satisfying for some. Others could have been more pleased.

Garrick and Estela returned. Garrick was quiet, while Estela merely looked angrier, despite her victory.

"Well, that was the usual Escorian discourtesy, I suppose," said William.

"Turnabout is fair play," said Estela.

"Whatever helps you sleep at night," shot back William. "Remember that you have lost this tournament, no matter who is declared the victor. Your cheating disqualifies you in spirit."

Estela seethed and seemed even angrier.

If things kept going this way, one of them was going to kill the other. Relma had to stop that. The last thing they needed was a blood feud between House Gabriel and House Vortegex.

Again.