Before we can decide on my training regime for the next three days, we have to decide which of my Skills can and can’t be used in this duel. And in doing so, I see just how screwed I would be if I hadn’t worked on my magic so much in the other world.

  Almost all of my Class Skills are out of bounds, which is just more evidence that Fell, or whoever is pulling his strings in the background, knew what he was about. At least I still have access to most of the non-Class Skills I would usually use for combat.

  “And Transformation is limited to exterior changes,” Nicholas sighs. “I suppose we should consider ourselves lucky that it is permitted at all, considering it draws on our Bonds to work.”

  “Sure, but any magical Skill draws on mana, which is a fuel stored internally. How is this any different? Heck, wielding a weapon requires moving muscles which are inside our body. If the rules banned anything that uses internal resources, we’d be stuck staring at each other for the whole fight,” I snort. Despite my outward confidence, I know this is going to be a difficult fight.

  I’ve worked so hard to integrate properly with my Bound, to learn to fight with them, that to now be thrown into a solo fight is unsettling. Especially one where my healing will be forbidden.

  My Bound weren’t exactly thrilled at the news, either. Lathani and Fenrir’s excitement at hearing there would be a fight turned to disappointment when I informed them grimly that they wouldn’t be allowed to take part. Ninja, already concerned, had become almost frantic at the realisation. Her reaction was definitely the strongest of all of my Bound, though neither Sirocco nor Bastet had been pleased by the knowledge that I would be facing an opponent alone, especially not when I revealed how many constraints I will be acting under which my opponent most likely won’t be. But Ninja was the only one who needed both Bastet’s and my help and reassurances to calm down.

  But calm down she did, even if she’s stayed glued to my side ever since we returned. It’s somewhat contradictory to her previous behaviour, but I’m just going with the flow for now. Maybe the fear that I might be killed is bringing up her grief about Storm again. Of course, I’m going to do everything I can to make sure that doesn’t happen, but I understand why that might not be enough for the raptorcat.

  I pull up my status screen again and look through it even as I stroke Bastet and Ninja’s heads soothingly.

  Very little has changed over the last couple of days – has it only been two and a half days since I arrived in this world? It feels more like a lifetime. Though the fact that my Energy storage has gone up by a whopping two percent is an indication that not much time has passed. I miss the Pure Energy stream.

  I suppose I shouldn’t expect to make much progress considering I’ve mostly been walking around and talking. A pity I haven’t earned some ‘Diplomacy’ Skill or something, though.

  I did make the breakthrough to Journeyman in both Spearmanship and Blunt Weaponry, and earned the Clubs Skill thanks to my training with the guards this morning. Other than that, I’ve earned a couple of levels in my amalgamated Inspect Skill – thanks to Inspecting so many new things, I guess – and of course my new Inspect Item Skill ranked up to novice.

  I suppose I’m a little surprised that I haven’t earned a Skill for ‘political doubletalk’, but maybe I just haven’t shown sufficient competence for that yet. I reflect on Goldmine – both Lady and Heir. If anyone has such a Skill, it’s them.

  Returning my attention to the list, I evaluate my usual strategies against what Nicholas has indicated will and won’t be allowed. To be fair, although invoking a Battle of Wills against a too-strong opponent has become one of my go-to strategies, I wouldn’t use it in this fight even if it wasn’t forbidden by the rules. It’s usually a delaying strategy which allows my Bound to attack while my target is occupied. Though that thought does make me wonder something.

  “Can I use poison?” I check with Nicholas. As we agreed when making it, our Tame Bond broke automatically when we reentered our rooms so we’re back to speaking out loud again.

  “The rules forbid the use of any externally sourced substances in an honour duel – brewed, bottled, or bought. Whether you intend to use it on your opponent or ingest it yourself, the rules are the same,” Nicholas explains. “It would be different if it were an externally-acting Skill, of course, but I have none to offer you.” He sounds genuinely regretful about that.

  “And what if I bring a poison with me, but don’t actually use it directly?” I ask. Nicholas cocks a curious eyebrow at me so I expand a little. “I usually use venom from a creature as reference and then duplicate it for use on my weapons.”

  Nicholas considers that for a moment, then shakes his head with another sigh.

  “Better not to risk it. If anyone challenged the results of the duel, it’s enough of a grey area that it would come down to a vote between the Great Houses and, as matters stand, I strongly suspect that such a vote would go against us.” He gives me a sharp look. “On that note, while you must absolutely win this duel, if you can do so without revealing too much of your capabilities, that would be best.”

  I’m about to ask why, but then actually apply some thought to it and answer my own question.

  “Do you think that might be the objective of this duel? To see what I’m capable of?”

  Nicholas snorts.

  “If that were the objective of the duel, there would have been no restriction on Skills. No, if it is indeed Torrent behind this, he is most likely seeking to have you maimed in a way that is difficult or impossible to heal, or killed outright.”

  “Killing is permitted?” I verify, my jaw tightening.

  “In an honour duel? Yes. Though it is highly discouraged.” I shake my head at the bloodthirsty nature of this society. Even the samurans weren’t as short-sighted. Their class system might have been unfair, but at least they recognised that killing each other in fights wasn’t a sound strategy to ensure their village’s survival. And even in battles between villages, few would intentionally kill a Pathwalker. They were more likely to allow someone – usually an Unevolved – to die from neglect.

  But that’s the effect of a society which expands beyond a village, I guess – power and influence become more important while attachment to others in the wider society weakens. Killing becomes just another consequence borne by others in the pursuit of one’s objectives. Not that I’m innocent of that myself.

  “I see. I’ll watch out for that, then,” I promise, pulling my mind back to the discussion at hand. I’ll have to be more careful about injuries since I won’t be able to heal myself during the fight.

  “You must. Now, regardless of Torrent’s possible involvement and objectives, the reality is that you will be performing in front of any nobles who wish to attend.” He gives a bitter smile. “I doubt that there will be many who choose to miss it – including any of your competitors who are currently present. Of course, as much as this might be a risk for you, it is also an opportunity.”

  “I understand,” I tell him. “Show just enough to prove that people should take me seriously, while not revealing everything I’m capable of.” That probably means I should keep my Lava-Shaping under wraps – though to be fair, I probably shouldn’t use that in a palace anyway.

  “Precisely,” Nicholas agrees. “A show of force can act as a deterrent, but only a fool allows his enemies to prepare for all of his cards. Now, which weapon would you like to use?”

  “I’m permitted only one?” I check.

  “Indeed.”

  The answer is obvious – my highest-ranked weapons Skill and one that I’ve been working on for over a year already.

  “Spear,” I answer firmly. Nicholas inclines his head.

  “That is a good choice. What if it comes to a close-quarters fight?”

  “Then I can borrow Bastet’s talons or Lathani’s claws with Transformation,” I shrug. Nicholas nods in approval.

  “I will inform Mathis that he will be released from usual guard duties in order to have the time to prepare you. Heir Fell is known to be an excellent swordsman – you will have to work hard to potentially stand a chance against his martial abilities.”

  “Then perhaps I should work on my magical ones instead,” I suggest. “Three days of preparation with the spear won’t be able to compete with years of training.”

  “You will need to prepare both,” Nicholas tells me firmly, then he pauses and his eyes go distant. “Sarran is approaching – he should have some information for us.”

  Now that Nicholas says it, I realise that I can feel Sarran’s approaching presence too – we’re still connected. Though how Nicholas knows is a mystery – he’s no longer part of the Bond network.

  Sure enough, Sarran enters the room a minute or so later – I felt the Bond break as he entered the door to our section of the palace.

  “My lords,” he bows to Nicholas and then to me.

  “What information do you have for us?” Nicholas asks briskly. Sarran doesn’t take offence but immediately straightens up and launches into it.

  “I was unable to gain confirmation of any manipulation on Lord Torrent’s part, but it is undeniable that he is pleased with the events. His Majesty and Lady Goldmine appeared curious but unfazed, as did Lady Flameform. Lord Forestheart is concerned.” The mention of Forestheart reminds me of the question I wanted to ask Nicholas, but I hold it back for now.

  “Expected,” Nicholas comments. “And no more than I saw myself. Did you manage to collect any information about Heir Fell and his fighting style?”

  “I did." Sarran continues with an explanation similar to Nicholas' earlier assessment. Then he continues in slightly more detail. "He tends to be armoured in fights, but lightly. There are multiple indications that he favours a speed build over strength, but that he has put a good number of points into Intelligence too. It is unconfirmed, but likely that he has neglected Wisdom in favour of Intelligence, and Strength in favour of Dexterity. His Willpower and Constitution are unknown.”

  “He’s a physical fighter – it’s more likely he’s put points into Constitution than into Willpower,” Nicholas muses. “What of the Skills he imbues in his weapons and armour?”

  “He seems to favour non-elemental attacks or attack-enhancers and general resistances,” Sarran informs us. “It is likely that he has a healing Skill imbued in a piece of his armour, and there are multiple more general Skills which his family is known for – stunning, short-range teleportation, reflection of damage back onto the perpetrator, health leeches, and more. However, I did manage to determine that the number of Skills each piece of equipment can be imbued with are limited. He should have no more than four Skills that he can use with his armour, and no more than three Skills that he can use with his blade.”

  “Well, that’s something, at least,” Nicholas replies thoughtfully. Up to seven Skills when I only have my weapons Skill and Shaping Skills available to me is going to make it…challenging. But manageable. Hopefully. “Try to find out what Skills he has imbued in his weapon and armour.”

  “I will, my lord,” Sarran promises, “though such things are often kept as close secrets.”

  “I’m sure they are. Just do your best. If you can’t find out Heir Fell’s specific Skills, find more information about the Skills his family has shown in the past so Markus can prepare for them.”

  “As you wish.” Sarran hesitates. “Do you wish me to stay or to go?”

  “Come, sit,” Nicholas instructs, gesturing at one of the chairs in our circle. “Join our discussion – your insight as a swordsman and experience as a fighter is invaluable.” Sarran quickly takes his seat. Before Nicholas can start talking again, though, I decide to ask my question.

  “What’s the deal with Forestheart? You said you didn’t want to tell me in the Hall, but we’re not there anymore.”

  Nicholas looks at me with a neutral expression.

  “No we’re not.” He closes his eyes briefly. When he opens them again, his face sets itself into harder lines. “You are right to ask – as my heir, you should know the story. It happened in my grandfather’s time – when the previous Lord Forestheart decided that it would be a good idea to kidnap my grandmother and father and threaten the then Lord Titanbend with their torture and death if he didn’t swear the subordination of our House to Forestheart’s.”

  here!

  here!

  here!

  here