My opponent held up their hand and my foot froze, and I stepped back accepting his surrender. The crowd cheered as I left the arena. I’d drawn a larger crowd with each of my fights while the nobles might have disapproved of my style of fighting the common people seemed to enjoy the brutal nature of my fights.

Aisha and Kalin were waiting in the tunnel, and I met Guinevere again. She cast Aisha a sidelong look and the other woman looked away hurriedly.

“Ready to go?” I asked Guinevere extending my arm to her.

“I am,” Guinevere said, and we stepped out into the sunlight and busy tourney grounds. “I received an invitation today; the King is holding a ball the day after tomorrow.”

“I wonder what happened to his other ball,” I said with a small smirk.

“That kind of joke is beneath you,” Guinevere admonished me.

“Its really not,” I said. “What does this have to do with me?”

“I’d like you to attend,” Guinevere said. “I’m going to have to be around Arthur a lot and I need your support.”

“Then I’ll be there,” I said.

“We’re going to need to get you a different outfit,” Guinevere said. “They aren’t going to let you walk in with your armor and your clothes aren’t suited for this type of social activity.”

“I can make more clothes,” I said with shrug.

“No,” Guinevere insisted. “Your going to need to dress a bit fancier for this, they won’t even let you in if you aren’t dress appropriately.”

“What are you suggesting?” I asked.

“I’m taking you to a tailor,” she said. “He’ll get you suited for the evening.”

I let out a sigh. “Fine, lead the way.”

Guinevere pulled me along into the city and we stopped at one of the glass and steel modern-looking skyscrapers. We entered into the building and she led me past various shops in what closely resembled to a mall to an establishment with a simple sign on the front.

Gentleman’s Royal Attire

Taking me in we were immediately assaulted by well-meaning attendants who ushered us into a waiting room. Soon a tailor burst into the room.

“Your highness!” he said, taking Guinevere’s hand and bowing low over it. “How may we help you today?”

“I need to get my…friend, some clothes,” Guinevere said hesitating as she tried to refer to me.

“Of course,” the tailor said looking me over. “Is he your bodyguard we could fit him in your house colors.”

“I’m her boyfriend,” I said my voice coming out a growl.

“A boyfriend?” the tailor questioned perplexed. “But her engagement to the prince...”

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“Has competition,” I cut him off. “I need an outfit for the ball the king is hosting, Guinevere thinks you’re the guy to get it together. Show me what you got.”

My words were short and direct and the man snapped to. Opening closets bringing out a mannequin with a gold and scarlet suit on it.

“No,” I said looking it over.

“But sir this is the latest fashion…” he protested.

“It’s the gayest thing I’ve ever seen,” I said. “And trust me I saw a lot of it where I come from. Why are the sleeves so poofy?

“I will eliminate anything with…poofy sleeves in further selections,” the tailor said removing the mannequin and pulling out another. This one’s outfit was burgundy with sleeves that extended down past the wrist.

“I’m not wearing that,” I said. “Its burgundy, and the sleeves are way to long. Bring me out something black, grey, with maybe some accents in other colors.”

The tailor nodded and brought out a few more suites.

“I like the sleeves on this one,” I said pointing to one. “This one’s collar and vest look all right and I like the tail coats on this one.” I pointed to the individual sections, the tailor nodding and moving them to the side. He brought out a selection of cloth before me and a selection of dark colors.

I selected the colors I wanted, and he nodded, moving them to the side.

“We can have a prototype done in a few hours,” he said.

“I need to get back to the palace,” Guinevere told me. “Are you good to wait here on your own?”

“I think I can manage,” I agreed. “See you tomorrow?”

“See you tomorrow,” she agreed.

The scent of jasmine lingered for a few minutes after she left as my measurements were taken. The door was opened, and I left the fitting room. Sitting in the waiting room I twiddle my fingers looking out the massive glass out at the city.

I was alone in the waiting room until a man in dark black and grey tunic with fine leather boots came and sat by me.

“Sir Ishmael,” he said nodding to me. “I caught your duel recently I must say good work.”

“It was just the same as every day,” I said shrugging.

“Oh not that tourney trash,” he said laughing. “I meant your duel to the death, I must say, that the way you finished it was most surprising. You should have seen the looks on their faces when you walked away, it was marvelous. If you’d be interested, I have other such…. opportunities for you to participate in.” He extended me a small square of paper.

I took the business card. “Opportunities?” I asked.

“Blood sport,” the man said. “Real fights for people who appreciate the proper sport not this trash they serve to the commoners.”

“Doesn’t sound legal,” I said.

“Laws are a funny thing, they only exist if someone cares enough to enforce them,” the man said standing and extending my head. “Its up to you to participate or not but I think someone like you would fit in very well in our society.”

“Maybe I would at that,” I said shaking his hand.

I was brought back into the fitting room and they brought out my outfit. I stepped out of my armor and pulled on the suit. I looked myself over in the mirror. While my outfit did look like a cross between Dracula and Geoge Washington, I did like it.

“I’ll take it,” I said.

“Excellent,” the tailor said beaming. “Give us a day or two to finish the stitching and we’ll…”

“Hell-Dragon’s Armory,” I whispered under my breath seamlessly connecting the section together and reinforcing the entire suit. “No need,” I said smiling at the tailor as his eyes widened. “I’ve got it from here, send me the bill and I’ll have it taken care of.”

Minutes later I stepped out of the building and was greeted by Aisha.

“I have your schedule for tomorrow’s duel,” she said taking up a position on my left side.

“Excellent,” I said. “How did you know where I was?”

“You stand out, people talk,” Aisha said. “You’re the talk of the city since you’ve been seen with Dutchess Guinevere.”

“She is a striking woman,” I agreed. “I’m hungry, do you know of any good spots around the city to eat around here?”

“I’ve heard of a spot,” Aisha said. “But it’s expensive…”

“Not a problem lead the way,” I said.

Aisha took me to a fancy outdoor restaurant in a large square of the city. The buildings were all towering things of steel, glass, stone, and hubris. We sat down and a waiter came by with a menu.

“I’ll have the steak rare and the mashed jarish,” I said not sure what I the last thing even was. “Order whatever you want,” I told Aisha.

She ordered and we waited for our food.

“So how are you liking the city so far?” Aisha asked.

“Its good,” I said. “The architecture isn’t what I expected but the gargoyles are a nice touch.”

Aisha looked at me strangely. “What gargoyles?”

“Well shit,” I said drawing my weapon.