"Attention everyone!" Aeon said raising his hands. "House Aegis and house Pallas have agreed to provide some extra entertainment for the evening. Two of our conscripts will duel to first blood."

The crowd applauded and cheered at the presentation.

"That is not all! A heavy wager has been placed upon this duel. If Lady Aegis wins, I will give up Orochi Hungers, but if I win, Lady Aegis has agreed to be courted by me." Aeon proclaimed to the crowd bring even even more cheers and sounds of suprise.

"Clear an area for the two warriors!" He said as Linx and Orvius walked to the cleared area of the floor.

Linx pulled both of his daggers and settled unto his stance and the dragonkin pulled his glaive from his back.

"Begin!"

- linx pov-

Linx knew it was rigged the moment that snake spoke. He was at such a severe disadvantage because of the scales of the dragonkin. They were notoriously difficult for breaking through.

"Begin!" He moved to the right as quickly as he always moved as the glaive swung around and missed him by an inch. He couldn't get touched by that thing. The dragonkin were not known for speed as much as brute offense and defense. Sorin would have been a better match up, but stupid politics.

He darted in and slashed at the dragonkins stomach. He turned and let the blade spark off his scales. Linx got his distance and dropped to all fours for a moment with his daggers baring his fangs. He looked at the dragonkin who just tapped his belly and grinned a reptilian grin. Then they clashed in earnest.

The glaive came in and Linx went to deflect it bracing for impact. To his surprise it was easily deflected. It felt like he was facing someone slightly stronger than Cain. Sorin his WAY harder than this.

He hesitated causing his opponent to set up another strike. He deflected this one easily too. He began to move faster and faster weaving lines around the dragonkin. Scratches and sparks began flying all over the dragonkin from strike after strike. He felt if he kept striking he might get through, but that is when it came out of nowhere.

A serpent like tail tripped him up causing him to stagger as the dragonkin swung down with the base of his glaive into the leg of linx. He felt the impact then the snap, then the tingling sensation. There was no pain. We slashed at the tail which uncoiled and letting Linx go. He shot across the ring they had or he tried. The moment he placed weight on his right leg it collapsed and then he felt it. His leg was done and broken bad.

The corner of his eye he saw another swing incoming. He had first through it was the blade for the first blood strike but it was the blunt end. He tried to deflect it, but couldn't without his base. He mitigated some of the impact. Then the strikes came faster and faster. Without his leg he couldn't keep up. Another impact got through slamming into his upper arm. He felt it break and then pain. Then it got much much worse.

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- Sorin's pov -

The moment he heard the break, he knew it was done. Linx kept fighting and they had first thought he was going to cut the beastman nut they were wrong. He kept swinging the blunt end of his glaive and finally got through breaking Linx's arm.

This wasn't a spar. This was a set up, sabotage, and act of cruelty. He felt his hand curl around his blades knuckles going white as his anger built. A hand touched his and pushed it off his blades. He looked back at and saw it was Euryale. She nodded her head.

He looked at her, she was white with anger. "Be still. If you do anything and violate the sanctity of the duel, you will be executed."

He let his blades good and continued to fume.

- Euryale's pov -

What had she done? In the short week she had these three she had grown to like them even though they were conscripts. They were hers. With Sorin's help and she thought begrudgingly, his guidance she had grown to see them as part of her family. She had grown to begin to care for them. Now in her arrogance and foolishness she had let herself be outmanuevered.

She had lost. It was now just a message being sent to her. She was now going to have to court this insufferable ass, but worse, Linx was going to be severely injured and out of the exam. He will maybe even be crippled all because of her.

The room was silent now. She looked up at the fight. Linx had gone unconscious.

Nobody clapped. Aeon stalked over aggressively. Sorin shifted quickly in front of her, hand on his blades.

"Out of my way slave!" He shouted.

"I'm sorry my Lord. Your current emotional state is potentially a threat to Lady Aegis and I am charged to protect her person."

"You dare defy me?!" He shouted.

"He but follows the command of the one who has charge over him." Euryale said.

"Cain! Reeger! Retrieve Linx and take him back to the estate. Fetch medical personnel."

She then looked back at Aeon. "I will honor my word as I am of house Aegis. You have acted very shamefully today and you will not enjoy the courtship that comes." We go.

"Don't walk away from me! Aeon said reaching for Euryale.

Sorin stepped in and deflected the hand away. As he did a naked blade came flying in. Sorin instinctively put his barrier up. The sword slammed against the barrier causing a sharp retort and the blade was deflected away and into Aeon.

"I've been attacked! Euryale's conscript attacked me!"

"Be silent! I saw what happened!"

The assembly immediately bowed low. As Euryale and Sorin saw who it was Sorin dropped to his knees and bowed his head as a slave does when approached by royalty. Euryale bowed low.

Prince Amaru.

"Lord Aeon. What I witnessed was disgraceful. Get out of my sight." He said to Aeon who rose looked at Euryale with a read seared face and ran from the prince.

"This could have been something rather enjoyable, but marred by politics and cruelty. Rise Lady Aegis."

She rose as commanded. "You have my condolences. Your exam will be much much harder now, but i think you will manage well enough. Your family is powerful.

Euryale bowed "Yes your majesty. I shall persevere."

"Good!" He looked around.

"This is a party! Get back to it."

Euryale and her party began making their way to the exit.

"Bastard, do you know who my father is?!"

Sorin had lost the bet, but nobody was in the mood for games now.