The crowd hushed as Rylan stepped into the center of the arena, his armor glinting under the high sun, reflecting the intensity of the moment. His opponent, a seasoned squire named Garrick from the Northern territories, entered from the opposite side. Garrick was known for his brute strength and aggressive tactics, presenting a stark contrast to Rylan’s more calculated and graceful style.
The master of ceremonies raised his hand, signaling the beginning of the duel. “Combatants, salute your opponent and begin!”
Rylan and Garrick faced each other, saluting with a respectful nod. The tension was palpable as they circled, eyes locked, each waiting for an opening. The audience leaned forward, breaths held, as the first clashing of steel rang out across the arena.
Garrick made the first move, charging forward with a powerful overhead swing aimed at Rylan. Rylan sidestepped swiftly, parrying the blow with his lighter, quicker blade. The force of Garrick’s attack sent a reverberating clang through Rylan’s arm, testing his grip on the hilt.
Rylan recovered and countered quickly, his sword darting forward in a series of rapid thrusts that Garrick barely managed to block. Rylan’s strategy was clear—keep the larger man off balance and exploit any gaps in his defense.
Garrick growled, frustrated, and launched a series of aggressive attacks, each more forceful than the last. Rylan danced back, his movements fluid, dodging and weaving through the strikes as if part of a deadly ballet.
The crowd watched, mesmerized by the display of skill and stamina. Lilian, her hands clenched in her lap, watched Rylan with a mixture of pride and anxiety. Celeste, ever watchful, kept her eyes intently on the combatants, ready to intervene should the magical bounds of the duel be broken.
As the duel wore on, Garrick began to show signs of fatigue, his attacks slowing slightly, his breaths coming heavier. Rylan, sensing the shift, pressed his advantage, increasing the speed and complexity of his attacks. He feinted to the left and then spun, delivering a solid hit to Garrick’s side, which was met with a grunt of pain from the larger man.
Garrick staggered but recovered, his expression one of grudging respect as he adjusted his stance, now more cautious. He attempted a cunning move, trying to lock blades and push Rylan physically, hoping to use his weight to his advantage.
Rylan anticipated the maneuver, however, and disengaged at the last moment, causing Garrick to stumble forward. Rylan used the moment to tap Garrick lightly on the shoulder with the flat of his blade—a clear point in traditional dueling rules.
The master of ceremonies called out the point, but the duel was not over. According to the academy’s rules, a match required three clear points to conclude, or one combatant to yield or be incapacitated.
The match continued, each combatant now showing wear from the intense exchanges. Rylan’s breathing was controlled, but sweat beaded his forehead, his focus never waning. Garrick, visibly tiring more so, became slightly more reckless in his swings, his frustration mounting.
Rylan dodged another wide swing, stepping in close to land a quick, sharp jab to Garrick’s chest, scoring a second point. The crowd cheered, the excitement palpable in the air.
With two points against him, Garrick’s strategy shifted; he became more defensive, trying to draw Rylan into making a mistake. But Rylan remained patient, his eyes sharp, reading Garrick’s movements and waiting for the right moment.
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It came when Garrick overextended after a feint by Rylan. Quick as a flash, Rylan stepped around the blade and tapped Garrick on the back, a third and final point clear and undeniable.
The master of ceremonies stepped forward as Rylan and Garrick separated, breathing heavily. “Point and match to Squire Rylan!”
The crowd erupted in applause, some standing to cheer. Rylan and Garrick met in the center of the arena, shaking hands in a show of mutual respect.
Lilian exhaled deeply, her heart swelling with pride as Rylan turned to salute the audience, his eyes finding hers. In that moment, she knew that not only had Rylan won the duel, but he had also solidified his place as a true knight of the realm.
Celeste nudged Lilian’s arm, a low purr in her throat. "He did it," she said simply, her voice full of pride.
Lilian nodded, her eyes misty. "He really did. And he was magnificent."
As Rylan's victory celebration continued in the arena, with the crowd's applause echoing through the stone structures, Lilian made her way down to the field to meet him. His face was flushed from exertion, a broad smile spreading across his features as he saw her approaching.
"Rylan!" Lilian called out, her voice mingling with the sounds of celebration. He turned, and his smile widened even further when he spotted her.
"Lilian, you came!" he exclaimed, opening his arms to embrace her. The hug was warm and heartfelt, a reflection of their deep friendship and mutual respect.
"I wouldn't have missed it for the world," Lilian replied, stepping back to look at him with proud eyes. "You were incredible out there, Rylan. Truly a knight in spirit and skill now."
Rylan's cheeks reddened slightly at the praise. "I had a good reason to do my best today," he said, glancing around at the still-cheering crowd. "Knowing you were here, watching, it gave me extra strength."
As they walked together back towards the seating area, Celeste slinked over, her cat form graceful and quiet. "Well fought, young knight," she said, her voice carrying a note of approval that was rare for her. "You've grown much since the last time I saw you train."
"Thank you, Celeste," Rylan replied, bending down to scratch behind her ears, an action that brought a soft purr from the dragon-cat. "I've had good teachers, and even better friends."
The trio moved to a quieter part of the arena where the celebration was less intense but still filled with the joyous atmosphere of the tournament. Nathaniel joined them, clapping Rylan on the back with brotherly affection.
"Exceptional performance, Rylan. You've honed your skills well," Nathaniel commented, his usual reserve softened by the festive mood.
"It means a lot, coming from you, Nathaniel," Rylan responded, his respect for Lilian's brother evident in his tone.
As the group settled into a less crowded corner of the arena, the topic of conversation shifted from Rylan's immediate victory to future plans. Rylan shared that his formal knighting ceremony was scheduled for the coming weeks and he extended an invitation to everyone present.
"Lilian, Nathaniel, Celeste, and of course, Pip," Rylan began, his gaze sweeping over his friends, "I'd be honored if you would attend the ceremony. It wouldn’t feel right without you all there."
"We wouldn't miss it," Lilian assured him, her voice firm and sincere. "Just let us know the details, and we'll be there."
"Speaking of future plans," Nathaniel interjected, "this victory could open many doors for you, Rylan. Have you thought about what you might want to pursue once you're knighted?"
Rylan took a moment to consider the question, his eyes thoughtful. "I've been considering several options, but I'm particularly interested in joining the royal guard. It's a challenging position, but I think my skills and training could really make a difference there."
Lilian nodded, supportive of his ambition. "You would make an excellent guard, Rylan. Your courage and integrity are exactly what the royal guard needs."
The group continued to chat as the sun began to set, casting long shadows over the arena. The discussion was filled with laughter, shared memories, and plans for the future. It was a fitting end to a day marked by triumph and camaraderie.
As they finally prepared to leave, Rylan turned to Lilian once more. "Thank you for being here today, Lilian. It meant everything to me."
Lilian smiled, reaching out to squeeze his arm. "Always, Rylan. We're here for each other, no matter what."
Together, they left the arena, the day's excitement settling into a warm, contented glow. As they walked back to the carriage, the stars beginning to twinkle above, they were reminded of the enduring strength of their friendship—a bond that, like Rylan's new title, would only grow stronger with time.