Broken Tower Saga: The First Swordsman

Wrik and Dairyl talked for a little until Lily came back with the other maidens. The tall woman had an unreadable expression on while the other maidens were mostly silent with worry. Some of them seemed to think Wrik was stupid to choose the duel where all the odds will be against him. 

"Everything is prepared as you wanted," Lily said, coming before him. "About two hundred men were hidden in the mountains, and the things you wanted."

"I see," Wrik said, nodding. "Did you get any air about our enemies?"

"Yes, I noticed few other men—they should be from our enemies. I told the men to remove anyone other than us if they can do it without making a fuss."

Wrik nodded. "Now all we need is to wait."

"I don't think you have to wait long. They are coming soon," Lily added. Then she noticed Wrik was not in his armour, only in the cloak and fur clothing, though he still had the sword on his shoulder. "Why haven't you prepared yet?"

"I have plenty of reason," Wrik gave an excuse well enough that Lily did not question him. He had a purpose in not dressing as well. Maybe he would not have to put on the light armour if Arjamith choose a battle without equipment. That would be quite disadvantageous to him, though he was not worried. 

It is going to be a battle of his wit and how he will outwit the huge man. Armour or no armour would not matter. His only fear was if the guy shamelessly chose something like Armwrestle or like who can jump the highest. Wrik had a plan, but to apply the plan well and succeed, he needed time. An Arm wrestle would not be enough for him to buy that time.

As Lily said it, Arjamith came with his men just after a few minutes. Precisely ten escorts, just as Wrik demanded, though he would not be surprised if most of them were on the mountain, hiding like his men. The huge man was armoured like he remembered, with red and a tint of dark colour armour and his weapon just as long—a spear behind him. He had a smile on his lips when he saw Wrik. It appeared his injuries had healed quicker than Lily. 

"Outlander, I came," Arjamith said. 

"I can see that," Wrik said flatly and saw all the maidens tense up. Other than Lily, all of them could not meet his gaze. Even Dairyl was a little uncomfortable. 

"As the rule of our clan, we need a judge of the duel," Lily's voice echoed in everyone's ear. "I, Cameliliel Eliza D'borge, volunteer myself as the judge if both participants permit." 

Wrik sucked in a deep breath. "I agree," he shouted.

Everyone's gaze was turned towards Arjamith, who was still closed-mouthed. He seemed to have no mind on how the Duel went, only looking at one among the maidens who stood beside Wrik. 

Wrik frowned and saw Dairyl was looking down on the snow-filled ground. Even Lily, who was unreadable a moment ago, tensed up after seeing that. Her eyes showed a worry that Wrik never saw before. 

The tall woman bit her lips and said loudly again. "Do the challenged one have any problem?"

Arjamith finally came back to Lily. He gave Dairyl a last look and said. "I have none."

"Very well," Lily said as she walked in the middle between the two parties. "Let me remind both the Challenger and Challenged one of the rules of the duel. As being the challenger Wrik Everknight you have the privilege of choosing the duelling ground." 

Wrik nodded and heard Lily continue. 

"And what Challenger Wrik Everknight had chosen as the battlefield?"

"The entire mountain," Wrik answered quietly. 

"What?" some men behind Arjamith protested out loud. The entire mountain was over tens of miles long. How would it be the duelling ground? Even Theiron and his men who were kept in the dark protested—it appeared they did not know the immensity that would happen here. Not that anyone reminded them.

Arjamith raised his arm to silent his men. 

"And what wager does Challenger Wrik Everknight has chosen?" Lily continued.

Everyone's attention turned to Wrik again, who was only looking at the two and a half metre tall man. He spoke loudly among the stare of the crowd. "If I win, Arjamith Adam D'borge will have to kneel and admit his wrongs to Camililiel Eliza D'borge." 

"This is outrageous.. . ." The men behind Arjamith yelled again. 

While Lily was startled. She did not know Wrik would wage something like that. She had not asked him, she only asked for help to deal with Arjamith. Steadying her composure, she opened her mouth again to the enemies. "Does the challenged one have any problems with the wager?"

Arjamith smiled cruelly to Wrik and to Lily. He seemed to think it was a cumulative plan made to shame him. But he had no worry. "I have none."

"Very well," Lily said. "Now, as the challenged one has yet to choose his wager. Challenged one, Arjamith Adam D'borge, what do you wage in the duel?"

Wrik looked at Arjamith waiting for what he was going to choose. Not just him everyone else was waiting. Seriel was chewing her nails, looking at her brother. While Aeriel was calm on the outside but her eyes were narrowed. Dairyl looked at between Arjamith and Lily, fearing.

"If I win, Camililiel Eliza D'borge will be my slave for eternity," Arjamith said finally, with a tone of coldness. His eyes were looking at Lily, flashing with coldness. 

Dairyl feared this the most. All the maidens' expressions turned ugly and so was Wrik's.

"This is not possible," Wrik said immediately. "The duel is between me and you. You could not wage on others."

"It seems you do not know about the rules of the Mah'shai D'borge clan, Outlander," Arjamith laughed and said slowly. "Ask the judge if what I chose is allowed or not?"

Wrik's eyes narrowed, and he looked at Lily. 

Lily nodded. "Those who stand on the sides of both parties can be part of the wager too."

She feared this before but still had not told Wrik about it. She was already at war with Arjamith and the clan. What did it matter? If she loses then her fate would be the same as a slave, if not worse. 

"What? Why didn't you tell me before?" Wrik asked, coming close to the judge. If he knew earlier, then he would have never chosen this path. "I can not allow this," he shouted. Even though he had confidence in his plans, he could not wage someone else's life in it.

"Oh," Arjamith smiled cruelly again. "Your consent did not matter much anymore. You had your time in choosing, now the only person who can reject it is Camililiel herself."

"Lily, reject it," Wrik burst out at Lily. What types of damning rules does this clan have? 

"I can not," Lily said, shaking her head. She looked towards the enemies again and announced. "I agree with the wager." 

"Why?" Wrik asked, gritting his teeth. 

Lily did not answer and continued to do her job as the judge. "As one of the privileges of the challenged one, Arjamith Adam D'borge gets to choose the way of the duel."

Even though Wrik knew this, his face still darkened. This was now about Lily and her life. If this bastard was shameless enough to choose something like arm-wrestling, then he was bound to lose. Though he could reject it, but it would waste a golden opportunity like this.

"Let's see how thick is the blood of the Mah'shai D'borge clan in your veins," Wrik said in a voice loud enough that everyone could hear. He poked where the Borgemen were arrogant the most. They were a proud bunch about their ways and blood—Wrik had to hit where it hurt the most now. "Let me see how much honour is still left in your blood." 

"Outlander, you don't have to do that," Arjamith said slowly, looking at not just Wrik but all of them. Lily, Dairyl, his sisters. "We, the Mah'shai, do not dishonour a duel. At least I will not." 

His voice reverberated in everyone's ears. 

"According to the legends, in the battle thousands of years ago, our clan was betrayed by the Maha. The entire Maha tower isolated us in a far corner where living was a daily struggle. We lived in a desolate land for years, earth as hard as cold rock. There was never rain in the years, but we still survived. The authorities we were given are taken from us. Even the Maha mana, the primal energy of the Maha, was denied from us.

"For the way of the battle, I choose the fairest way. A duel without Maha mana."

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End of the Chapter: The Duel.

Next Chapter: A Battle without Maha mana.

Vote if you enjoy this chapter. The battle will be a surprise in the battle.