Trapped in Another World With No Magic

Chapter 112: Customs of Mattarglos, Round One

The shuttle lowers towards the ground as Daniel watches over the pilot golem’s shoulder through the cockpit. Hekate squeezes under his arm to also try to look, cheering, “This is so exciting!”

“We’ve traveled a couple of times, haven’t we?”

“Yeah, but this is different! We’re arriving as honored guests! Look!” She points at the crowd visibly gathering. She adds sassily, “Also, the Empire didn’t count.”

“Your Grace, they don’t seem to understand that we need space to land.”

“Just ease down slowly, Ucahote. They’ll figure it out.”

Daniel watches the many gatonines, boruans, and shenwulves in the surprisingly large crowd. As the shuttle gets closer to the ground, he can see them moving, seemingly pulling each other back. “Landing zone clear, your Grace. Touchdown in three, two, one…” Daniel can feel the shuttle jostle as it settles on the ground. He pats Ucahote’s shoulder, though he’s still not sure if physical gestures mean anything to the golems. “Good work, as always, Ucahote. Once we’re all clear, please return to the airship and remain on standby.”

“It will be my pleasure to serve, your Grace. By your leave.”

“Thank you.” Daniel and Hekate leave the cockpit, and everyone else is stretching. They didn’t have to ride in the shuttle for more than a few minutes, and it’s nowhere near as uncomfortable as an Earth airline.

Daniel leads the way off of the shuttle and down the ramp, immediately looking at the roof of the shuttle. “Arachne? Are you alright?”

“Yes, Father.” The massive, spider-like death knight relaxes her grip on the roof of the shuttle, carefully climbing down. This causes a murmur of awe to spread through the crowd, and some gasps of nervousness.

Daniel asked Xyreko to have a dress made for the death knight to look a little less intimidating, which helps. The light blue gown looks bulky and elegant on her massive frame, and contrasts nicely with her dark purple exoskeleton. 

Hekate follows Daniel down the ramp, and then Doephluev. Both of them are wearing the newest outfit design Daniel had made. It consists of sheer leggings, white for Hekate and a bright red for Doephluev, and matching Mary Janes style shoes. The skirt is fairly simple, pleated and coming up over the blouse around the middle of the midriff, with two gold buttons roughly around the kidneys. The blouse is double-breasted and has a sort of crisp, military look, at least to Daniel’s eyes, and two rows of gold buttons with small Fievegal sigils on them line either side of the front. The blouse is short-sleeved, and to accent the outfit, they’re wearing matching separated cuffs that rest on their wrists like bracelets using an elastic band to stay in place. And, like the blouse and skirt, the gold buttons on the ‘floating’ cuffs have the small sigil of the Fievegal; a tiny emblem of Hekate’s silhouette.

Doephluev also volunteered to wear decorative glasses, which gives her a surprisingly intelligent and officious look.

“Mine looks better,” states Hekate as she wraps her arms around Daniel’s forearm.

Doephluev snipes with a casual retort, “My Love made this style for me specifically, your Greatness.”

The feldrok empress grits her teeth as she grumbles, especially when Doephluev reaches for Daniel’s other arm. But, Reignleif swoops in swiftly to snatch his arm. She is wearing a slightly fancier white dress capped with her blue mantle, and she murmurs softly, “Mukori is kind. He has relaxed your leash, but you should still be respectful.”

The archoneldwyn simply folds her hands in front of her abdomen, putting on her business smile. “Of course, your Grace.”

Daniel’s entourage forms up, with Neith circling wide to escort the group and keep a wide field of view while Roeta and Magnir blend in behind. The obvious eye-catcher is Arachne, which is intentional, and Daniel decides now is a good time for the Hekate game. “Joke’s on all of you. Arachne’s is the dress I wanted to design.”

Hekate and Doephluev both gawk with a simultaneous utterance of “Gah…!”, while a handful of the citizens of Mattarglos approach; likely the Grand Premier or their representatives and possibly other chieftains or regional leaders.

Arachne replies in a tone that could almost seem smug, “Thank you, Father.”

Hekate and Doephluev both glare up at her, and the death knight only glances down at them with her eyes, staying focused on the approaching group.

“Greetings!” calls out a young female gatonine, who is dressed as a knight. She has what Daniel would describe as cestus on her gauntlets; extra durable punching plates over her knuckles. “I am the knight Veiranoei, guardian of the Grand Premier, Kalegrynten.” She bows with her hands gesturing towards an older male gatonine behind her. He is wearing a long coat as more of a mantle, with his arms crossed in front of him and an amused smirk.

Gwenesphia steps closer, and she whispers, “Nobility of Mattarglos don’t boast with rank or family, but with strength. They won’t acknowledge us unless we fight.”

Daniel nods. “Thank you.” He bows slightly, since his arms are taken. “Good afternoon, Veiranoei and Kalegrynten. I am Daniel, and this is Hekate and Reignleif.” He goes through introducing everyone, and they take the cue to bow or curtsy, depending on their nature. He sticks to first names, in accordance with the introductions provided by Veiranoei. He realizes that he should have had Neith, Magnir, or Roeta introduce them, but it’s too late now. The Grand Premier looks pleased enough, showing his teeth in a toothy grin now. Daniel continues, “I have come to meet with you as requested, and negotiate peace and trade agreements.”

Kalegrynten chuckles. “A most amusing proposition, Daniel. But, we have our own way of doing things, as your slender missies may have told you.”

“I am aware. Before anything, respect must be earned through a duel, yes?”

The Grand Premier gives his biggest grin yet, ecstatic that Daniel not only came, but agreed to their simple social norm. “That’s right.”

Daniel keeps his composure, but he’s definitely nervous. He has grown rather fit since coming to Zenkon due to his constant activity. And, though Daniel is significantly taller than Kalegrynten due to gatonines being a little shorter than average human height on Zenkon, he has the physique of a professional MMA fighter. He likely weighs twice as much as Treia or Gwenesphia, putting his weight easily close or over Daniel’s, even with his relatively short stature comparatively. 

Kalegrynten adds suddenly, “Though, I must admit, you’re not quite what I expected for the Harbinger of Calamity.”

Daniel grumbles in English as he cups his face with his palm, Reignleif still clinging to his bicep and elbow. “{Oh dear god…}” Even his own companions look at him for an explanation, and he sighs. He looks at Kalegrynten with an easygoing smirk of his own. “Have you met many Harbingers of Calamity?”

The Grand Premier cocks his head, before he bursts into laughter.

Geirahoel, having drifted close and standing just off to the side of Hekate, calls out, “It is true! Daniel is the Harbinger of Calamity.”

Still laughing, Kalegrynten agrees warmly. “I believe you. It’s all the more amusing.” He calms down, putting his fists on his hips as his tail sways back and forth. Given the speed and pattern, which is mostly lax and smooth, he is in an especially good mood. “I think we’re going to get along well, Daniel. Shall we go to the arena and test our mettle?”

“After you.”

Just as the two groups are about to move, Veiranoei objects. “I am sorry, but I can not allow this. I will fight in place of the Grand Premier. No matter what the stories claim, if you truly are so strong, you should be able to best a mere knight. Otherwise, you do not deserve the honor of facing our Grand Premier in a duel.”

“Veiranoei, do not speak for me,” growls the Grand Premier himself. “They came all this way at our request.”

“That only serves to suggest they acknowledge our strength,” retorts the knight. “They have done nothing to prove their own to us.”

“That is not what we agreed to!” calls out Treia. “Daniel was to duel the Grand Premier, not be subjected to trials of whimsy.”

“Whimsy!? And who are you, who turned your back on your homeland!?” snaps the knight in retort.

Treia steps forward, snarling, “I am the only thing standing between you and a merciless conquest if you do not respect…”

Daniel pulls free of Hekate and Reignleif to put his hand on Treia’s shoulder, halting her. She looks up at him. “Daniel…?”

He says calmly and stoically, “I came here knowing I would likely lose a hand-to-hand fight. It is no secret that the citizens of Mattarglos are all valiant warriors; the gatonines, the shenwulves, and the boruans alike. I have yet to see crawdistes in combat, but I have little doubt they are quite mighty as well.” He nods to the handful of crawfish-like amphibians nearby. They’re bulkier than he is, and they have the pincers of a crawfish, so he certainly wouldn’t want to be in a boxing match with one of them. He continues, “If you just want to duel to see if I was willing to respect your traditions, then we can duel. But, if you wish for the power of the Fievegal to be demonstrated, then we will be happy to oblige.” Daniel puts his hand on Kaeralegier, and his elemental companion -the light spirit Vaarskahana- begins hovering around him.

“{Oooo! Will you be wasting even more of my mana, Daniel?}” murmurs Kaeralegier’s voice in Daniel’s head. She sounds a little facetious, like her meaning could be sarcastic or excited.

“Forgive her, Daniel,” appeals the Grand Premier. “No disrespect is intended, I’m sure, but traditionally, in contests, the Grand Premier is the last to fight. However, I did invite you with the intent to duel you myself…”

“I’ll do it,” replies Daniel. “If victory is the exclusive condition of our negotiations, though, I won’t waste any more of our time. But, if you simply wish to have a series of duels, I don’t mind.”

Kalegrynten nods respectfully in agreement. But, Neith suddenly speaks up. “My Liege, I must insert my own thoughts on this matter. If this knight insists that you must earn the honor of facing her liege lord, then the same should be true of ours. Allow me to fight in your stead for the first battle…”

Daniel chuckles. “Are you insane, Neith? It’s not necessary. I’ll do it myself.” The human mechanic pets Hekate’s head when she approaches and hugs his arm again. “I insist on no armor or weapons for either of us, and no magic.”

“What a coincidence; that is the only way to truly gauge one’s strength,” replies Kalegrynten with his warm grin once more.

The groups move into an arena nearby, which is just like the Roman coliseum of Earth, but a little smaller and less elaborate. The floor is sand, and it’s rather clean, so Daniel hopes bloodsport isn’t a regular occurrence. From the sounds of it, it’s more akin to a boxing or MMA fight that he has gotten himself into, rather than a gladiator battle.

Daniel strips his jacket off as well as the sword. He starts to take the scarf off, but Vaarskahana clings to his face, shaking her head vigorously. 

He hesitates. “You can’t interfere, Hana.”

She nods, still clinging to his cheek. Daniel asks, “Good Sir Kalegrynten, do you object to me being accompanied by this elemental? She will not interfere, but she is temperamental. It’s obvious when she uses magic.”

“Well, Veiranoei? You wished to battle Daniel first. Do you object?”

“No. He speaks the truth. An elemental is an honest being. So long as it does not interfere, I do not object.”

“Thank you,” replies Daniel. He removes the rest of his equipment, wearing only his pants and scarf.

Treia and Gwenesphia send Daniel off with gentle markings of paint on his chest. Treia whispers as she paints, “Remember, she’s a gatonine, Daniel. We specialize in acrobatics, but our size doesn’t mean we aren’t strong.”

“I remember.”

“She’ll try to use leverage against you,” adds Gwenesphia. “You’re a big, heavy target, so the goal is to get you to the ground as quickly as possible.”

Daniel nods. “Thank you both.”

While Daniel’s gatonine consorts were painting their marks on him, Veiranoei also strips down, wearing her semi-baggy medieval-style pants and what equates to a tube-top of fabric tied over her modest chest. Not that I intend to aim for it, but I hope wardrobe malfunctions aren’t cause for death.

Daniel raises his fists, taking a ready posture as he cautiously approaches the gatonine knight. 

“Go Daniel! Kick her butt!” cheers Hekate. Her voice is more distinct than the audience cheers, who have filled the stands.

Veiranoei remarks as she circles and studies Daniel, “I’m not familiar with such a specific strategy, but I hope you won’t be too aggressive on my rear.”

Daniel chuckles. “It’s a figure of speech. She’s just cheering for me to win.”

“I see. Then, I must assure you I will not go easy on you.”

“I’ll do my best as well.”

Kalegrynten stands in front of a throne-like seat raised just above the level of the sand by a simple dais platform. He declares loudly, and the audience falls quiet, “Warriors of Zenkon! This is an honorable duel! The two combatants will fight with the strength of their bodies and the skill of their hearts. The first to surrender or fall unconscious will be defeated. Healers are standing by, but the combatants are strongly encouraged to avoid crippling or mortal injuries on their opponents. So long as the battle is fought with honor, both warriors will stand with their heads held high for observing this sacred tradition of Mattarglos.” He then holds out his right hand, shouting, “Now! Warriors! Speak the sacred oath!”

Daniel listens carefully to Veiranoei, since he is caught off guard, and she notices him. He mimics her holding her hands to the sky, and she calls out, “I am a warrior of Mattarglos!” “I am a warrior of the Fievegal!” “I swear on my life I shall fight with honor!” “I swear on my life I shall fight with honor!” “Blood and sweat are the paint of a warrior!” “Blood and sweat are the paint of a warrior!” “I offer mine in this contest of strength with my honorable opponent!” “I offer mine in this contest of strength with my honorable opponent!” “I am Veiranoei, and watch me pursue victory!” “I am Daniel, and watch me pursue victory!”

The audience cheers, and Kalegrynten nods in approval.

Daniel says in a low tone loud only enough for Veiranoei to hear, “Thank you, Veiranoei.”

She smirks. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She assumes her fighting stance, and Daniel does the same. Thank goodness for singing cadence in the military, but thank you, m’lady, for going slow enough for me to keep up.

Daniel has two primary advantages in the fight: his weight and his reach. If he’s going to stand a chance of winning, he’ll have to use those advantages carefully, because they also mean that he’ll have more difficulty getting off of the ground if he falls.

He also has to watch carefully for her movements. She’s going to spring at him with speed that polished human reflexes would struggle against.

Daniel waits until she is crossing her right leg over in front of her left as she stalks in her cautious circle, and he kicks into the strongest forward step that he can.

She swiftly starts to solidify her footing, shifting her own balance awkwardly. She was just about to spring her attack on him.

Daniel kicks off of the ground as soon as he plants his forward left foot, whipping his legs forward in a drop-kick towards her waist. Veiranoei yelps as she lunges back, and the blow is softened greatly, while Daniel flops onto the sand of the coliseum floor. Daniel pivots to keep his front towards her while scrambling up to a kneel, and she is already capitalizing on his double-edge attack. She darts around wide, staying ahead of his pivot while she closes the distance and tries to kick for his head.

But, he wasn’t racing to get to his feet; he was racing to get to a crouch. He manages to get his left hand up to block as the kick darts in towards his jaw, and he can feel the impact. He’s also shifting his own weight forward while extending his legs explosively, sweeping his off-hand arm under the leg after it softened the blow to his head.

He coughs and feels a little dazed, but he keeps moving, springing forward and tackling Veiranoei, her right leg trapped in an awkward leverage position thanks to Daniel hooking his hand under her thigh, while his right arm wraps around her back under her left armpit. 

She grunts, “Guh!” She tries to elbow and claw at his cheek, but he protects his face by pressing it into her abdomen. She’s strong, and he can feel pain bolting through him, but she feels like she’s lighter than Treia.

I wonder if Treia is putting on weight from the food or the rum. Too early for the other reason, I would think…

He lifts Veiranoei up as high as he can, using the momentum to jump at the same time, leaping forward to drop. He swings  her down onto the sand, landing his own collar and torso on her abdomen. She coughs and gasps as she cries out, momentarily stunned by the sudden and forceful attack.

But of course, Daniel is causing damage to himself as well, and in this case, sand splashes from their impact and scrambling, catching his left eye. He tries to change posture to get control of one of her legs for a leg lock or some other submission move, but she manages to scramble away from him, kicking him back and scooting away until she can climb to a kneeling position. Both of them are now kneeling, catching their breath as Daniel cautiously nurses his injured eye. 

The gatonine knight pants heavily as she coughs intermittently. Her voice is suddenly raspy and weak from the impact, and she murmurs, “I didn’t expect that… Nicely done, human.”

Daniel pants heavily as well. He didn’t hurt his chest, thankfully, but his shoulder is aching a bit, and he used a lot of strength in a blitz attack in hopes that he could trap her in a hold that would decide the match.

She adds, “I took you for a sloppy fist-striker. Or, maybe just amateur.”

Daniel chuckles shifting to start standing up, and she wearily climbs to her feet as well. “Guilty,” replies the human mechanic. “But, I doubted that would work on you.”

She smirks. “Guilty.”

Daniel rolls his shoulders as he feels the burn and ache in his back and the back of his head and part of his cheek. His left eye is still pained and watery, so he’ll have to be careful. But, he can pretty safely assume most of her attacks are going to come from that side.

Daniel brings his fists up again. This time, he’ll test the waters with a couple of swings and see what her response will be.

Daniel has reach, and he jabs twice with his right fist. She easily dodges, taking a couple steps back to stay out of his reach. She also is circling to his left, and he keeps her in front of him.

When he tries to lunge towards her with a left punch, she swats his extended arm and swoops off to his blindside. He can see movement, but he can’t brace for specific attacks.

Pain shoots through his left knee when she kicks him swiftly, and he tries to turn, but she uses her hand to block his offhand, guiding herself to stay in his blind spot as she uses her right fist to punch his ribs several times. Daniel stumbles away from her forward, but he suddenly hip-checks backwards, and she coughs when his backside rams into her waist. Daniel spins right as fast as he can, swooping his hand out to try to grab any point of leverage he can. He grips fabric and holds firm, using it to try to control her position and drag her in front of him. She punches and hammers his arm, trying to force herself closer and swing at his shoulder and face as well, but his arms are much longer than hers, and he has a solid hold on her top. Veiranoei hops on one leg as she swings her right leg up to kick him, gripping his arm. Daniel keeps his head back, avoiding her kick narrowly, and in a quick thought, he lunges forward and lowers her some, tipping her body over her leg so she’s no longer able to stand and is now hanging from his arm. She growls and grunts in frustration, her ears folded back expressively. Daniel can also hear Hekate and Gwenesphia cheering, while Treia is taunting him. The rest are watching with either amusement, caution, or nervousness.

Daniel doesn’t let go of her top, using it to control her as he starts to maneuver her right leg to give him position to leverage her into a hold, and she seems to realize what he’s doing. She tries to squeeze his wrist, which is painful, as well as use both legs to try to push away from him.

Suddenly, the grapple breaks, and Daniel flops backwards onto his back as he yelps in surprise. He manages to roll with his fall, narrowly managing to backroll into a kneeling crouch again. He pants as he catches his breath, focusing on his feline opponent. He was certain he managed not to let go, and he checks his hand.

He pales a little at the sight of his right fist, which is still closed firmly around a piece of fabric. It doesn’t look like it tore, so it must have come apart at the simple knot she had tied it closed at the front. He glances at Veiranoei who is scooting away from him, catching her breath and starting to rise.

It’s then that she realizes it, too, and she screams briefly, covering her chest with her left arm. Her face fills with color, and she glares at him in embarrassment and anger.

Oh jeez… I’m going to die now, aren’t I? He does focus his gaze on her face to avoid staring at her and angering her further. He’s not a shounen protagonist, so he is able to keep his focus on the fight that doesn’t seem to be over yet. He saw a scar from an apparent stabbing that he hadn’t seen yet, but it’s none of his business. 

His business is the gatonine knight that just scrambled to her feet with a yell. “Grrraaaahhh! You’ll pay for that, Daniel!”

He doesn’t have time to apologize, and she is dead-set on continuing the fight, in spite of the partial handicap. It doesn’t stop her from fighting at full capacity, but she’s keeping herself covered while she can.

She darts in fearlessly, and Daniel can barely get back on his feet. She moves faster and more recklessly than before, and he manages a backhand fist that stumbles her when it hits her arm over her chest, but she springs right back in, punching and kicking him relentlessly all over; ribs, thigh, back, shin, arm, ribs, shoulder, chest. She is a hailstorm of melee attacks, occasionally switching hands to attack from different angles, and Daniel is on almost entirely defense. She swoops low as he tries to grapple her again, and she kicks his knee hard in the back, dropping him to a kneel. Before he can stand back up -the pain gives him a long pause as he grunts-, she springs onto his back, wrapping her arms around his neck and legs around his waist, with her chest pressed to his back.

Daniel thoughtlessly never let go of the fabric top, which is little more than a long strip of fairly durable fabric, and she has turned her attack on boxing his ears and trying to squeeze her arms under his chin to choke him out. She growls in Daniel’s ear, “You really are a sly one, aren’t you, Daniel? I heard what you did in Mornistae…”

Daniel has to stay focused just to stay conscious as he feels the pressure closing in around his neck and his head growing light.

One last thought hits him, and he takes the fabric in both hands, swinging it in a U-shape over his right shoulder where she whispered from. He can feel her lean back, but he gets it behind her head, and he swiftly pulls forward. Her chest presses against his back firmly as she grunts, pulled forward by the fabric. Her sleeper hold relaxes a touch, granting Daniel just enough time to gasp in a breath.

He keeps pulling the fabric forward, looping his fists to cinch it down by wrapping loops over his fists one at a time, and even against her trying to pry herself free and maintain her own leverage, he can feel her chin touch his skull.

Daniel stands up from his kneel, growling and roaring to surge as much of his strength as he can. He steps forward and leaps, swinging his legs out to drop as far as he can; landing his butt on the sand.

A painful strike hits his skull, and the body clinging to his back goes limp.

Daniel releases the fabric and the weight slides off of him as he flops to the other side, coughing.

It seemed like a good idea at the time, but a moment of horror suddenly hits him. The fight was meant to be nothing more than a friendly duel of honor. 

He scrambles back up and whirls to face the unmoving gatonine. He rolls her onto her back, instantly putting his cheek over her mouth and nose as he watches her chest. He can see her chest moving slowly, and her breathing is a bit erratic.

“Healer! Get the healer over here now!”

Ryuogriar doesn’t hesitate, sprouting her wings seemingly instantly and flying to Daniel and Veiranoei in an instant. Daniel adds urgently, “Ryuo, quickly. She’s breathing, but I don’t know how much damage I did.”

She sighs. “Mukori, you are forgetful…”

“Mukori, please…”

“That’s all I wanted, Mukori.” She is already in the middle of casting a powerful healing spell, which will stabilize and massively boost the body’s self-healing to an impressive rate. 

Hekate, Geirahoel, Wenlianna, Doephluev, Treia, and Gwenesphia jog closer, while Kera’tai and Aoloan walk closer. Hekate is the first to withdraw a blanket from her void pouch, a miniature version of the void bags that she's wearing on her belt. She covers the inadvertently exposed gatonine, and then backs up to stay out of the way. 

Vaergraes, Arachne, Aramellianna and her other daughters all remain in their seats. As for the Einherjars, Magnir stays with those who remained seated, while Roeta follows the group like a lady in waiting, and Neith walks even more slowly, keeping distance so he can see the whole picture.

For their part, Kalegrynten and a handful of Mattarglos citizens approach, with two who specifically are carrying shoulder bags. They're both women; a gatonine and a rather young boruan, since she's not even Daniel’s height. They drop to their knees next to Veiranoei to attend to her. She's still unconscious, but her breathing has stabilized.

Hekate asks, “What happened to her? That didn't seem like a very strong attack.”

The Grand Premier is crouching as Ryuogriar keeps her magic going. He gently touches the unconscious knight's jaw. “You'd be surprised how fragile the body is if you target the right points. Though, I'm surprised at the effectiveness of Emperor Daniel’s tactic.”

Daniel watches Veiranoei intently. He obviously did everything he could think of to win, but some things he should have known better.

“Professional wrestlers in my homeland used grapples similar to that to jolt the opponent's brain in their skull, which can knock a person out. But, direct hits to the jaw or temples can be deadly. I'm sorry.” Daniel lowers his head to Kalegrynten. The gatonine lord is quiet for a moment. “I see. That is why you did not simply assume she fell unconscious.”

Daniel nods once. “Mukori?”

The platinum dragon smiles as she releases the healing spell. “I am no expert of anatomy, but I can tell injuries were healed. I… do believe she narrowly escaped death.”

Daniel winces. It’s a joke Ryuogriar might make in order to make herself look good, or by extension, Daniel for taking the extra precaution. But, in this case, she is being truly sincere, which makes him feel sick to his stomach. He replies softly, “Thank you for responding so quickly.”

“Yes, thank you,” adds Kalegrynten.

It takes a few minutes, but Veiranoei finally wakes up, coming out of it in a slight daze. “Wh-What… happened?”

Kalegrynten asks gently, “Do you remember your name?”

She nods. “I’m… Veiranoei of Evening Peak.” She looks around with her eyes, noticing everyone around her. She adds, “I… was… duelling the human… Daniel…”
“That’s exactly right.”

“Did… who won?”

The Grand Premier scoffs. “Daniel did, I’m afraid. It seems he is worthy after all.”

She sighs, seeming to relax a little. “It was a surprising fight…”

Kalegrynten pets her forehead gently, nodding in agreement. “I’ve always known humans to be feisty, but it seems a dragon slaying sorcerer can still fight like a warrior.”

Daniel chuckles, “You flatter me. If she was as tall as me, I wouldn’t have stood a chance.”

Veiranoei smiles, looking at Daniel. Suddenly, her face turns to a scowl, though, and she touches herself, finding the blanket covering her. She makes sure to keep it covering her and she painstakingly sits up. “Regardless of the fight,... you have proven the rumors true.”

“What rumors?” asks the Grand Premier.

Daniel answers for himself. “That I strip princesses naked in public. Though, in this case, it truly was an accident. I am sorry, Veiranoei.” He bows his head respectfully to her. “Please forgive me.”

She grits her teeth and grumbles quietly, while Ryuogriar remarks, “You have nothing to be ashamed of, young Veiranoei. You are quite shapely and well balanced.”

The gatonine knight glares at the dragon, her cheeks still burning pink.

Wenlianna is kneeling now next to Daniel to dab his injuries on one side, while Geirahoel does the other. The Magic Artisan adds pointedly, “Daniel also didn’t have a choice with Princess Erimaya. He saved her life, and he needed to remove her corset to do it.”

Hekate nods in agreement. “Good thing, too. She’s now my best friend.”

She then steps in front of Veiranoei. “Now then, Daniel abided by your traditions of Mattarglos because you insisted, and he’s that kind of person. So, it’s only fair that you abide by the traditions of the Fievegal.”

Veiranoei flinches, and Kalegrynten looks up with concern as well. He glances at Daniel, who shrugs, unsure of what Hekate is thinking. Most likely, it will be harmless enough.

Of course, Daniel also has a large outstanding debt accrued by the number of times he has played the Hekate game.

The young feldrok girl looks at Daniel, giving him a devious grin as she straightens herself up as tall and as proud as her small frame will allow, fists proudly on her hips as she puffs up her androgynous chest. She declares in her ‘empress’ voice, “I, Empress Hekate fell Lawson decree, that since you challenged Daniel to a duel and lost, you must submit to be his consort. Mwahahahahaha!”

******