Saved By The Mad Duke

"Black Flame’s mercenary as his champion. What an idiot! He must have used all of our little Aideen’s money to hire that mountain of a man!"

Valon slapped his pale, bony hand over the wooden surface of the platform’s rail and released a loud giggle which only agitated Aideen even more.

Although the mercenary’s strong frame was indeed quite fearsome, Tillian seemed to be completely unbothered by it.

Scratching his chin in a contemplating manner, he looked the man before him up and down, then turned back to the Count, and stretched his lips into an arrogant grin.

"I must admit you have selected a rather fine champion, Lord Constantine. A member of the Black Flame guild, very impressive."

"The law dictates that I am allowed to assign as my champion whoever is willing to fight for me! I did not break any rules by hiring a mercenary!"

Count Crueder’s high-pitched, nervous voice echoed through the quiet jousting arena like thunder. The Duke raised his eyebrows as if to make the Count understand that he, indeed, saw no issue with him remaining on the platform instead of fighting, then ran his gloved hand through his blond hair, and grinned again.

"I had no intentions of accusing you of breaking the rules. However, you should bear in mind that a champion is still not my final opponent, Lord Constantine."

"What is that supposed to mean?" The Count widened his eyes in bewilderment, turning to the King to seek clarification, "Your Majesty?"

Euris offered the man a brief nod and explained, his eyes still locked on Tillian’s confident stance,

"His Grace is right. The duel of honor is the duel to death. If in the midst of fighting, your champion refuses to put his life on the line and surrenders, it will still be you who will have to remain in the arena until the duel is over."