Chapter 17.2

While Beirn and Ashwood spent some time putting their belongings away, and freshening up a bit, the weapon master was trying out a few swords to see which worked best for him. Eirwen sat next to him on a small wall, quietly observing, until her curiosity got the better of her. "Duchess Ashwood really hates you, doesn't she?"

"With a passion. You're only two years older than Hilde, so she sees her daughter in you. Imagines what it would be like if someone treated Hilde the way I treated you. Add to that how she always liked you and really respected your parents, and it was to be expected. It was no surprise that she completely sealed the borders with Flameheart territory."

He swung a pair of swords around, holding a Verglas edge on them, carefully studying the quality before putting one aside again. "Back when my father sent me to negotiate with her, I was half wondering if he was trying to get me killed. But no, he just was a fool. Honestly, if we hadn't been in Beirn territory, I suspect she would have gone for my throat."

"I remember that. About two years ago, when she came through our territory so filled with fury that she didn't even wish to visit me. I was wondering what you were thinking, leaving the front like that, but we just made good use of the gift horse. I think that single week gained us as much as we lost in half a year."

"Yeah, I expected the front to suffer, but I had no idea my father would actually overrule the orders I had left behind. It took me a month to properly repair the damage, then to recuperate our losses... actually, I think it effectively cost us closer to eight months." While they had been talking, he had finally managed to find two swords that fit his needs.

It felt weird, discussing the war with a smile on her face. "It would have been harder if you had left behind a proper commander, but you brought all your best with you. Probably for the best, or she might have actually taken you on. Speaking of, given how much you taunted her, I assume you have a plan?"

He flashed her a grin. "Is that concern I hear? Where was that when you were deliberately egging her on? And yes, not as detailed as I could against you, but I know enough about how Rhonda and Scandlán fight. Enough to know that if I try to block them, either may end up breaking my bones, Carraig defence or not. If it comes to an exchange of lethal blows, I'll be on the losing end."

Eirwen frowned at that. "Then how are you going to fight them? Gaining more than you lose in an exchange is how you kept defeating us." She was getting a bit worried and threw Bethan a concerned look. The healer just shook her head in resignation.

"True, which works well against Verglas fighting techniques. But against brute force, I'm at a disadvantage. Especially given how for the past four years, I've gotten used to fighting your people, so my instincts may betray me. If I take them on in a fight, they'll likely crush me." He grinned viciously. "So I'll crush them instead."

She could feel how he was building himself up, his use of mana now becoming properly noticeable. But there was something performative about how he was growing the flames. As Eirwen observed in detail, ignoring the approaching challengers, she could tell that he was only having a few spirals of mana active. As if he didn't need more, yet making them clearly present, a distraction for whatever he was truly planning.

His opponents took position. Duchess Ashwood on the right, facing his left flank. Duke Beirn on the left. Positioned so that she could attack his shield hand, while he would engage his blade. A good formation, though less important now that he was dual wielding instead. Their heirs were in-between them, ready to hold the centre. Draw him in, then batter his flanks, that seemed to be the strategy they had decided on.

They too built up their mana, ready to strike the very instant the match started, their bodies already positioned to spring forward. He, however, simply stood almost at ease, both swords ready to move. Eirwen remained seated on the wall, a handkerchief in her hand and a playful smile on her face. She tossed the handkerchief and waited for it to fall to the ground.

Just before it did, she saw him raise a foot. As it hit the ground, he brought his foot down hard and released something that felt awfully familiar. And his opponents froze, their bodies paralysed. Ah, right, he used this back when he had thrown Eirwen to the ground. Back then it was but an instant. Now he was maintaining it. As his opponents struggled, he slowly stepped forward and reached out. Both blades Verglassed, their edges tapping the throats of both Duke and Duchess, drawing but a thin line of blood.

The message was clear, though. He could have killed them where they stood. He withdrew the swords and offered a bow to his younger opponents. "Greetings, Marquise, Marquis. I hope you will enjoy my master's territory." After those words, he withdrew his technique and quickly jumped back, barely avoiding an angry swing from the Duchess. "I would say this is my win, right?"

Eirwen nodded, while the Duchess grumbled. "Oh sure, only after you cut my throat you're polite?" Her heart didn't really seem in it. It didn't surprise Eirwen. It was extremely sobering to discover that your opponent could have easily killed you. "And why the difference in treatment?"

The weapon master simply smiled. "You are neither the first Duke nor the first Duchess whose throat I cut. But I haven't done so with a Marquis or Marquise yet, and I have no intention to develop such a habit."

"You shouldn't make a habit out of cutting Dukes either!" Hilde burst out in laughter at her mother's outburst, which made it hard for others to hold their laughter. Bethan barely held it in as she came over to treat their injuries.

Duke Beirn, on the other hand, studied the weapon master carefully. "You're a monster. That was a Frost Giant technique, wasn't it? So you even made their abilities your own? And here you are, completely fine."

He shrugged in response. "I wouldn't exactly say fine. That took almost all I have. At this point, at best I have a single bout left in me." He flashed Eirwen an inquiring raised eyebrow. Tempting, tempting.

She shook her head. "I'm tempted, but I should entertain my guests. Fortunately, they have barely broken a sweat, so won't need to freshen up again. As for you, that's the second time you used that technique. So go explain it to the knights and teach them how to deal with it. Report to me after dinner. Well then, will the four of you join me?"

First, they ventured to Eirwen's office, enjoying tea and some snacks while catching up. It was nice to ignore their ranks for a while, something only possible in private. Once the royal delegation arrived, Eirwen would need to behave the way a Duchess should, with barely any equals present. Until then, she could finally act her age a bit. Both Hilde and Senach took the time to gossip about various nobles their relationship drama, while their parents just sat back and watched. It felt nice to forget the past four years for a moment.

At dinner, with the Verglas and Iceheart nobles joining in, most conversations touched on business. Planning joint efforts to deal with border-crossing bandits, obtaining and distributing goods required for rebuilding, timelines for slowly standing down their forces. While tensions obviously remained, the four dukedoms now being at peace did mean they could stabilise their outward borders. Detailed plans would take time, but at least the intent was there.

After dinner, the older and younger nobles formed smaller groups and idly talked while enjoying their drinks. The weapon master mentally checked with Eirwen, verifying her intentions. After her confirmation, he entered the hall and went over to her side, standing at attention while she conversed with the Duchess and Duke.

Eirwen could see the frustration build within Duchess Ashwood, who chose to act on it before she burst. "You. Weapon master. What is your plan here? After everything that happened, you're just going back to being Eirwen's lover?"

The room fell silent, everyone listening in, as he shook his head at the Duchess. "A nameless untitled fool like me? Of course not. I'm her suitor." Before the Duchess could snarl at him, his facial expression lost the smile, developing a mild frown as he dropped the humour. "And trust me, your Graces, I understand where you're coming from. There's nobody in this room whose forgiveness I deserve."

He moved his eyes around the room, addressing them all while still standing at attention, channelling just enough mana to make sure all could hear his voice well. "I do not believe I have the right to stand by Eirwen's side. I do not deserve a second chance. But if she is willing to offer me one, I have neither the right nor the desire to decline it. So I will support her with everything I have, while slowly trying to rebuild our relationship and once more claim her heart." As if he had ever lost that.

His eyes moved back to Ashwood's. "I know my place. Once the royal delegation arrives, I will act it. My role is that of her weapon master, ranked below the nobles and above the knights. I will command them subtly, making clear to all that our loyalty lies with her, not me. And I will not intervene while nobles futilely try to court her, eagerly attempting to fill the gap I left."

A smile slipped back on his face as he tilted his head. "Far more entertaining to watch them embarrass themselves, no? Besides, Eirwen can take care of herself. She doesn't need me snarling at a bunch of fools, when she has proven plenty of time just how sharp her own tongue can be." He winked at her and took a step back, exiting the conversation. His intent now clarified, with her blessing.

Eirwen could tell the Duchess was still conflicted, but eventually she just shook her head and sighed. "I disapprove, but he has a point. This is your choice to make." Her eyes regained some of the sharpness as she continued. "But if he breaks your heart again, just let me know and I will gladly set him straight. Next time, I'll be ready for him."

Eirwen laughed as she felt a mental shiver from the weapon master. "Thank you for the offer. I will gladly let you take out your anger on what's left of him, if that were to happen. But enough about my love affairs. How's Hilde doing? Anyone that caught her eye yet?"

"Your Grace!" Flustered as she was, the Marquise still kept up her manners, as she complained with a blush. Senach immediately joined in on the teasing, while the Duchess grumbled about her daughter. It was nice, pretending that everything was already back to normal. She couldn't wait until they actually got there, with him by her side.