I awoke before the sun had risen to the sound of shuffling outside my door. I had barely been able to fall asleep after I had returned from walking Sophia home and with this I figured returning to sleep would be near impossible. Stretching as I made my way to the door I opened it just in time to see Tiran disappear around a corner. I followed him downstairs and found him sitting on the steps in the Entry Hall. He was tapping his foot and running his hands through his hair. He looked and smelled as if he had just bathed and he did not jump as I walked over and sat down next to him.

“You are not alright.” I said simply.

He shook his head.

“Whats wrong?”

“I’m facing him. Today. I have to stand in front of him and a whole crowd of people. And I can’t lose. I cannot. I’m scared of him.” Tiran said, his voice unsteady as he spoke.

I put a gentle hand on his knee.

“Tiran. I know you. You are stronger than him. You are better than him.” I said, channeling every bit of confidence I could in those words.

“Am I? He broke me. He made me believe that if I went to anyone and told them what he did to me then I would… They would… You don’t understand. You can’t. I’ve lived my life looking over my shoulder in case a man tried anything. When I told my parents who I wanted to be they beat me half to death and disowned me. They told me I was worth less than nothing and I was a disgrace. Sir Greyson took me in but… Words cut deep. And when Argan found out about me he… I was at the Bathhouse in the middle of the Night, I told the attendant I had just come from a late night training session and they let me in. I wanted to be able to feel like me, brave and true in public, not just hiding behind the doors of the Estate. It was nice… I felt so confident for a few moments there and then… then he found me. He saw me exiting the Bath before I had gotten dressed and he was waiting for me when I left.”

“A block away from the Bathhouse he cornered me on a dark street. Grabbed me by the arm and pushed me into an alleyway. I couldn’t fight back, He was imbued with magic and I was still weaker than most of the other knights. I was terrified. He ripped my shirt open and whispered in my ear ‘Ah the Lady who would be a knight. Try to resist and you’ll be on the Executioner’s Block before dawn. And the Greysons will lose what standing they have.’ So of course I didn’t fight back. He… He used me. Left me there in the dark, naked and helpless. I pulled back on my clothes and ran home. I was lucky Mother found me. She could guess at what happened to me and she took me aside and helped me clean myself and she told me it was not my fault and… and…” He broke down, sobbing into his hands.

I slid closer to him and pulled him into my embrace and let him cry. It was some time before he could breathe properly again and he wiped his nose and looked at me with red eyes.

“I’m sorry. This is behavior unbecoming of a knight I’ll just g-” He started to rise and I shook my head.

“Tiran. You don’t have to try and be strong. Just let it all out.” I said as I looked up at him.

He sat back down on the step and gave me a grim smile, thankful but clouded by memories.

“Well then, Mother helped me clean myself and she wanted to tell Sir Greyson but I begged her to not tell anyone. I knew that Father would try and fight him and he has been in decline in recent years while Argan has magically imbued strength. I didn’t know what you and Irand would have done then, I didn’t want to risk my Brothers siding with Argan. I was so scared. After that night Argan would stop me every now and then and pull me aside to have his way with me. I couldn’t fight back. I…I don’t think I could have even if I had been strong enough to stop him. He wanted me to beat you in the Duel for the Title of Champion but when I lost he… He was furious. He was rougher than normal. He hit me while he was…” I saw Tiran’s face waver before he clenched his teeth. “He hit me while he was fucking me. And then when he was done he took his knife and… he carved the Paladin’s Crest into my stomach. It had been late and I stumbled my way to Gaty’s. Let myself in the back and waited for them to find me. They did, collapsed onto a bag of flour and bleeding out from wounds. I don’t remember much of that night or the next day but they managed to heal the worst of everything. But they couldn’t get rid of….” Tiran placed his hand on his stomach and his fingers curled in rage as his face contorted into a snarl that would make beasts run in fear.

“He carved that into me to say I was his. His Bitch. A reminder that if anyone knew of what I was they would cast me out at best. And Execute me at worst. All I was good for was being his Whore.” Tiran growled, tears running down his cheeks even as the anger burned in his eyes.

I was quiet as he broke down once more, only for a few moments this time. He leaned into me as he did so and I let him pull back when he was ready.

“He broke me. He won. I don’t know that I can… I don’t know that I can face him.” Tiran said.

I was quiet for a moment before I spoke.

“Tiran. I can't understand what that was like. I can't, all of this is so new to me and I haven't had to deal with anything like what you went through. But, I know you. I've seen you grow up here. You are so strong. Not just of body but of mind. He didn't win. Not yet. He thinks he's won, he thinks he broke you, that you won't face him. But I believe you can. And I believe that when you best him you can claim back the pieces of you that he did hurt. You are so much stronger and kinder than him, please don't give up on yourself before you've even tried.” I said quietly as I leaned against his shoulder.

He was quiet for a time and we sat there on the steps in silence while I waited for him to say something. When he did his voice was cracked and shaky, little more than a whisper.

“You really think I can beat him?”

“I do.”

“Then I'm doing it. You were always a good judge of people's strength.” He said with a slight laugh.

“Well I mean, Argan relies on the power the Church gave him. Without it he's weak and anyone who has to hurt others to make themselves feel strong is pathetic. I truly believe he cannot hold a candle to your strength. Plus I sculpted you pretty well I think.” I said with a small laugh.

He returned the laugh and looked himself over.

“I do look much better now don't I? Not so scrawny. Though I think that was part of my charm.”

“Oh no Lady Lasya will be so disappointed to see you have more muscle now.” I said with feigned concern.

He laughed but a blush overtook his face. I leaned in with a mischievous grin.

“You like her?”

“She was always nice to me. And she would come watch us spar. Though, I don't think she would accept all of… this.” He gestured to himself.

“I don't know, she and Sophia were pretty good friends and she talked about you quite a bit.” I said pushing my mind back to the few social gatherings I had been to with Sophia.

“Maybe… Maybe after today I’ll talk to her. See if she might feel…” He trailed off as his face flushed.

“Oh? Don’t want to talk about your crushes but bug me about mine?” I asked, pulling on his cheek.

He gave a small laugh and a smile as he pushed my hand away.

“Of course, no one likes to gossip about themselves.” He said as he leaned against my shoulder and we looked down towards the front door.

“Naravie.”

“Hmm?”

“If… If I lose. If it starts to look like he's going to… to kill me. Will you step in?” He asked, his head resting against my shoulder.

“Of course.” I said softly.

“Thank you…” He replied as I felt his breathing slow and he fell asleep leaning against me.

I gave him a few moments before I carefully picked him up and carried him back to his room. He had a few hours to rest still before the duel and I leaned against his bed after I had returned him to it. My own eyes fluttered and I was asleep before I knew it.

I was awoken when the door opened and smacked against the wall. My eyes snapped open and I saw Irand standing in the doorway.

“It's time.” He said simply as I stretched and yawned.

I could hear Tiran stirring up on the bed and as he rose to his feet I could see the determination in his eyes. I didn't know whether it was feigned or not but I smiled at him and he gave me a grim look.

I left him to get dressed while I made my way downstairs to where Mother and Irand waited.

“What about Father?”

“He is going to walk with Tiran to the Arena. He had some last minute words of wisdom.” Irand said.

I nodded. I would have asked about Breakfast but as it was I don't think I could stomach anything. The three of us headed out into the dark morning air and made our way towards the Arena.

It was a large circular stone structure with a sand filled pit in the center. It had been the place where Tiran and I had dueled for the Title of Royal Champion. Where I had barely beaten him. The three of us made our way into the stands where we found the Royal Knights all present and waiting in disciplined silence. We took our seats next to them in the front row and the only acknowledgement they gave us was a few curt nods. We sat there for the better part of an hour anxiously waiting as more and more people filtered into the Arena. By the time of the Duel it was absolutely packed with people. Some were sitting on the steps or standing in the top rows as there were no remaining seats. Nearly the entire Kingdom was here. When Ruhn and Raya were announced, Mother and I remained seated while everyone else stood in respect. After the audience was seated Ruhn spoke in a voice that was commanding and booming within the Arena.

“My people! Today we witness a Duel between the Royal Champion of Calanai and the Paladin Champion of the Church of Purity! They oppose our cooperation with the Dragon of the Western Mountains to protect our people from the army that approaches us! The result of this Duel will determine whether or not we will accept the Aid of the Dragons! Now… The Paladin Champion Argan Tarand!” Ruhn announced as Argan stepped out from one of the gates in the pit below and the crowd erupted in applause.

I had expected the Church to outfit him with every relic they had but this… I could feel the power radiating off him from up in the stands. He was equipped with Shining Steel Plate Armor with the symbol of the Church of Purity upon its chest and helm. Charms and pendants hung from various points upon his armor but the items that I could feel the most were the sword and shield. Just looking at them made my skin crawl.

This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

‘Weapons tempered in Dragon's Blood. From an age long past. They are dangerous to us, they can sap our strength just by touch. He is making a statement.’ Mother growled in my mind.

I clenched my teeth, hoping that my changes to Tiran's body would not make him vulnerable to such weapons. Ruhn raised his hands to calm the crowd before he spoke again.

“And now the Royal Champion, Sir Tiran Greyson!” Ruhn thundered as a grin flashed across his face.

The Crowd cheered for Tiran as the Gate opened below us and he emerged into the Dawn's light. He was clad in the Black Armor that Mother had fashioned for him but now a long Red Cape hung from his back. Emblazoned on it in gold, real gold, was a symbol I didn’t recognize. It was a Dragon coiled into a crescent with the wings flared outward. And looking at it closer it was not any Dragon, it had the same horns as Mother and I. I looked up as Father joined us and he gave me a grim smile.

“We felt that since we were throwing our lot in with the Dragons we needed a new Crest for the Family. I hope you’ll forgive the secrecy on it but we wanted to surprise you.” He said as he took his seat.

He was trying to lighten the mood but I could see the tension in him. He was worried. Looking down the row, he wasn’t the only one. Mother and Irand both had their jaws set as they watched Tiran step out into the Arena. I turned my attention back to Argan as he cleared his throat as the crowd’s cheers died down.

“Now your Majesty, you cannot truly wish for me to fight this… person. I mean truly she is not even fit to be a Knight. This would be a farce of a duel as it stands and I would face your true Champion. Where is Sir Siran Greyson?” He asked, his voice booming through the Arena as he brought one of the charms to his mouth and spoke into it.

Ruhn didn’t respond but frowned at the Paladin.

“I mean truly, you send a Woman masquerading as a Man to fight as your Champion? How deep the depths you will sink to…” Argan said and murmurs spread through the crowd. “Shall I reveal Tiran’s true name….? Lady Ivali Natari! A Disowned and disgraced noblewoman cannot serve as your Champion! So I ask again where is your true Champion?”

Father was on his feet and leaning over the edge of the Arena before I realized he had moved.

“You insult my son Paladin. Bite your tongue or you will face me instead!” Father roared, his voice every bit as loud as Argans with none of the Magic.

The murmuring in the Arena went quiet and I saw Ruhn rise from his seat and look down into the pit where Tiran hung his head.

“Is what he says true Sir Tiran?”

I could see Tiran shaking before he responded, his voice carrying to the crowd in the stillness.

“Yes.”

The Arena was as still as a Winter’s dawn. Ruhn looked over the crowd and made a point to look down at Argan.

“Well, would you still fight? I have always known you as Tiran, and you have proven yourself to be the finest Knight in service to this Kingdom. With Sir Siran unable to participate in this combat, I would still choose you to do this.” Ruhn said, his voice filled with unmistakable hope that Tiran would say yes.

Tiran looked up at him and I saw a smile cross his face. It vanished as Argan exploded with Rage.

“You cannot truly be accepting her to fight here. The battlefield is no place for her kind and she has violated the laws of the Kingdom to be here! She has impersonated a Man to claim her position! She should be sent to the Gallows for such! Now where is your true champion?!” He roared, almost rabid with his anger.

“You will hold your tongue against me, Paladin. If Tiran is who you say he is then it matters little to me. He has trained to defend our home as much as any of the Knights who serve under his command. If they still agree to serve under him then he is their Captain. And as for Sir Siran, he is-”

“Legally unable to participate in this competition.” I said as I stepped up onto the Arena’s edge.

I felt every eye in the Arena on me as I spoke but my gaze was fixed on Argan.

“I, unfortunately cannot fight you myself Argan, as the Matriarch of House Greyson I am not permitted to engage in formal duels. I do wish that I could but I am more than content to let my Brother thrash you instead.” I said with as much bravado as I could muster.

The crowd devolved into whispers again as I stood there upon the edge of the Arena with Argan looking up at me with a mix of Disbelief and Rage. It took him a moment to regain his bearings and a mocking smirk took over his face.

“Well I’ll be. The Little Dragon of the Western Mountains is Sir Siran Greyson? You are looking a little too… feminine to be Siran ma’am.” He said with a mocking laugh.

“Yes indeed I am. A bit of a choice on my part. I feel better than ever though. I realized when I was going through the changes of becoming a Dragon, to protect this Kingdom and its people mind you, I did not particularly like my body so I decided to change to something that fit me better. Now I would be more than happy to fight you Argan but unfortunately my hands are bound by the Law in that regard.” I said in a mocking tone as I paced back and forth along the edge of the Arena.

Tiran was watching me with a mix between relief and shock. I smiled down at him before I returned my attention to Argan and raised a hand.

“House Greyson recognizes Sir Tiran Greyson as a Son of the Household and as a Knight in service to the Crown.” I said as I saw Father nod in agreement at my side.

The arena was silent for a moment before a voice from across the way called out in answer.

“House Tarand recognizes Sir Tiran Greyson as a Son of House Greyson and a Knight in service to the Royals.” Sophia’s voice rang out through the arena.

Argan turned back to give her a long glare and I could see him baring his teeth at Sophia as she stood up in the crowd. She gave him a bored smile.

“If he is as weak as you say then you will defeat him quickly and prove it, will you not?” She said, the challenge for him to argue all but dripping from her words.

I smiled to myself as I realized how she had played it. As her Father was still alive he was still the Patriarch of the Family, but Sophia’s Mother had died when she was young making her the Matriarch of the Household. In truth Matriarch’s only held as much power as their male counterparts allowed them to, but in Sophia’s case she had taken some initiative of her own by voicing that stance. Her Father could not voice an opposing stance without making it seem that House Tarand was divided, which the arrogant old fool was even more loath to do than stand against the Church’s Wishes.

Lord Tarand made no acknowledgement of his Daughter’s statement as she took her seat next to him once more and Argan’s attention was pulled back to Ruhn as The King spoke again.

“Well then, I ask the noble houses of the Realm if they would accept Sir Tiran to fight on their behalf. Who will stand in support of this young Knight?” Ruhn asked the gathered audience.

There was a brief roar in the stands as everyone began speaking at once amongst themselves and I could only look about, anxiously awaiting the result of their deliberations. It was nearly five minutes later when the thirteen other major houses each stood among the crowd. Only two houses showed signs of opposition. The rest stood in acknowledgement of Tiran.

“Well there you have it Argan. The people accept Tiran as he is. Now to address all of your complaints so you cannot cry fowl later on…” Ruhn cleared his throat before he addressed the crowd in his Regal voice. “Now hear this Decree, Any who wish to undertake the trials of Knighthood may do so. Be they Man, Woman or another. Any who bar the path of one who wishes to take the trials will be reprimanded to the full extent of the law. Now then, I believe I have spoken enough. Begin the Duel!”

There was a rush of excitement through the Crowd as Ruhn made his announcement which quickly faded as the Call to action was heeded in the Arena below.

Argan made the first move, rushing forward and swinging at Tiran's neck with his blade. Tiran ducked down and brought his shield crashing into the Paladin's gut. Argan staggered backwards a half step from the force of the blow but it didn't faze him for long and he hammered away on Tiran's shield with his blade. Tiran was forced down onto one knee from the force of the blows. Even with his augmented strength he struggled to keep pace with Argan. Enhanced as he was, the Paladin might be a match for me or even for Mother.

Tiran took his spear and thrust forward with it under the barrage of blows. The point drove its way through the Plates on Argan's leg and crimson blood flowed from the hole as Tiran pulled it free. Argan didn’t seem fazed by the hole in his leg as his elbow smacked the side of Tiran’s head and sent him sprawling across the Sand. He was quickly back on his feet but there was a trickle of blood coming from his mouth as he stood on his feet shakily.

Argan charged him and Tiran barely managed to avoid Argan’s Blade as it carved a groove into Tiran’s chest plate. Tiran swayed on his feet but took a moment while Argan recovered from his charge to center himself and breathe.

Argan braced himself to unleash another Barrage of attacks but Tiran was ready this time, stepping aside from each of the blows with supernatural speed. This was more akin to how he had fought me when we had dueled for the Royal Champion’s title, with him using his superior agility to keep away and let his opponent wear themself down. Argan was stronger, that was easily seen, but Tiran was far more maneuverable. As Argan took a moment to breathe after none of his blows managed to connect, Tiran wore a bloodied smile and made a mocking gesture. It worked and Argan let out a roar that shook the stone beneath us as he lashed out once more. He made a running leap at Tiran and even to me he was a blur. Tiran managed to bring up his shield as Argan's own crashed into him and launched him backwards with inhuman force. He connected with the stone wall on the far side of the Arena and I could see the stone crack behind him. His spear clattered to the side when he collided with the wall.

His shield fell to pieces, split into chunks of useless metal from the force of Argan's attack. His right arm was hanging limply at his side and I could see him gritting his teeth to keep conscious through the pain. As Argan rushed forward, swinging his sword for a death blow, Tiran shot to his feet and braced himself against the wall. As Argan reached him I saw Tiran's spear pass through Argan's stomach and emerge from the Paladin's back. Argan's blow had buried his blade into Tiran's shoulder and the stone behind him, not deep enough to sever the arm but enough that crimson blood was already running down Tiran's chest plate.

I thought that might be it. Argan needed healing soon or he would die and the Church could scarcely afford to lose its Champion. But he let out another roar, not that of a man but of a wounded beast, and pulled his blade free of the stone. Tiran looked up as Argan raised his sword and the Arena went dead silent.

I heard Tiran say something but couldn't hear what it was as he rose to his feet and a blast of heat pulsed from the Arena. I saw the humans beside me recoil from the heat but Mother and I didn't even blink. Down below Argan was reeling, clutching at his eyes as he stumbled backwards. The charms on his armor had either been reduced to ash by the heat or melted into so much slag. Argan's empowerments were gone and Tiran stood before him wreathed in gold and red flames. Tiran took off towards Argan and with his good arm delivered one solid punch to Argan's exposed Jaw that sent the Paladin flying into the air and he landed some ten feet away on his back, still struggling to try and rise to his feet.

Tiran marched to his side and spoke in a voice all could hear “Yield.”

Argan's answer was heard in the silent arena as a whisper.

“Never.”

Tiran straddled Argan's chest, using his knees to pin the Paladin's arms and he proceeded to use his one functional arm to deliver blow after blow to Argan's face. Each punch blowing the sand around Argan's head away. But everyone remained silent as Tiran let out broken cries each time he delivered a blow to Argan, each accompanied by an accusation of what Argan had done to him as the flames poured off of his body.

“Violator! Assaulter! Arrogant! Rapist! Fucking! ASSHOLE!” The last blow was delivered with such force that the Arena shook and Tiran’s voice broke as he screamed it out.

He struggled to rise to his feet but managed to stay standing as he looked up to where Ruhn was in the stands. The King rose to his feet and spoke in his commanding voice once more.

“The Match is decided. The Church of Purity’s objection to our cooperation with the Dragons is ignored.”

Ruhn gestured to the priests who were waiting in the Arena’s entrance and they rushed out onto the field to Argan who was lying motionless in the sand. Tiran limped towards the exit and when I was about to jump down to help him he gave me a glare that made me think better of it. Mother, Father and I rushed out of the stands and down towards where Tiran was heading while Irand sought out the nobles he had been discussing things with yesterday.

We found Tiran slumped in the waiting Area, he was bracing himself against the wall and he barely managed to raise his eyes to us as we reached him. The flames that had surrounded him were gone and he looked utterly spent.

“I won.” He said, his voice still hoarse and broken.

“You did.” Father said simply as Mother and I guided him to the bench of carved stone that was in the area.

A brief inspection of his wounds proved him the most resilient man I had met. His face was heavily bruised and he was missing several teeth which Mother waited until most of the crowd had departed before she went back into the Arena and found them so that she could use her magic to reattach them later.

His armor was all but ruined but Mother said it was far easier to mend than create and that she was glad it had served him well. His chest was horribly bruised where Argan’s shield had crashed into him and his back was already a sickly yellow green when we got the armor off of him. His right arm was broken in at least three spots and when Mother was checking it he let out a cry of pain before passing out.

After he lost consciousness Mother wove a handful of spells over him, she said they were mostly to mend the broken bones in his arm and his cracked and shattered ribs. She couldn’t stop the bleeding like she had when I had been stabbed since there weren't any true open wounds but she was able to use a spell to slow Tiran’s body down while he rested to allow his body greater time to repair the damage. She said we would need to watch him until the bruising and swelling faded but he would most likely recover within the Week as long as he rested. I carried him back to the Estate and made sure he was tucked in comfortably in his room before I began my watch over him. My Brother, Knight Champion of Calanai.