Igneous however sat under the shade of a lone standing tree just outside the township borders were Istudian warriors have taken up temporary residence only to await the battle that was too come, or duel to be correct. He did his best to find peace of mind as he thought strategies and contemplated as to what was about to happen.
Five minutes left his and Adridges team waited patiently but the same could not be said for Adridge herself. There were warriors surrounding them making sure they did not abandon the call to combat, but they kept their distance making sure as not to be taken as unkind by the Falconers. To Igneous who sat still with his weapons laid at his side and shield still mounted on his back, Adridge who had been giving him what looked like the death stare since the beginning of his allotted time finally loudly and aggressively broke the silence drawing on the attention of all the falconers present. “You? You are the lost prince of Noriphmy?” Igneous opened up his eyes to meet her menacing glare. “You? My fellow friend, so rash, so reckless is the heir to the throne and son of King Kohligan Sirvidain the second… Of Noriphmy?”
Looking from her to the falconers in the background giving awkward glares and back to Adridge who still gave him the death stare he simply said, “yea?”
“Yea!?”
“What do you want me to say?” he said throwing his head back.
“I don't believe you,” she said not bothering to answer. “I know what you're trying to do. I know what you're trying to do, and I am advising you not to.” Igneous was about to retort but she cut him off. “How could you act so recklessly she was going to set us loose and worn Noriphmy only now because of you your life is in danger.”
“I wasn’t lying, it's the truth.” Looking back to his team he said, “Oxinum tell her it's the truth.”
“Oxinum looking more shifty eyed than normal from having been thrown into the conversation said, “uh yea. Truth and all.”
“I still don't believe you.”
“Look at my armor. It's red and bears the markings of fire and embers. These are symbols of royalty.”
“You think…” hearing this she thought it was redundant. “That holds no credibility. I see armor like that used as antiques.” She began to go on a uncontrolled rant spouting disbelief and disappointment all the while the warriors seemed to get a good chuckle out of there current situation seeing this smaller black armored mare shout at the clearly dominant stallion.
“Listen to me,” he commanded holding a hoof up. “If you will not listen to me as a falconer then I will command you as the heir of Noriphmy.” Seeing her fall mute he began, “My father has stirred up some bad blood between the ponies of Istudious and it is my duty to see it end as nonviolent as possible. This was not reclass but a calculated maneuver as a duel between two champions is the most humane way to end a conflict especially between two nations.”
He picked up both swords and sheathed them away. “This fight will be the most pivotal moment in history as it could mean the difference between peace or the beginning of the second war, a more sophisticated war.”
“How do you know in your victory the warriors of Istudious won't revolt at of her death?”
“I don't intend on killing her.” he nodded towards one of his blades and said, “My intention is to quarter stroke her with the crossguard beating her into submission and then will she realize defeat and honor the agreement with her still able to lead her warriors but not in war.”
“But…” she said as she tried to think of an argument. “What if you are defeated? What then.”
He swallowed nodding his head as he was about to go over the aftermath of his death, “In my death, you are to warn Maces father. I will not call him by name as I don't know his but you will find he is leading this nation from within the capital. Tell him to appease the Istudians. I want no conflict and no reason for bloodshed. In my death there will still be peace tho it will be hardfought.” He looked at the worried Adridge and said, “I need you to trust me and believe that what I say will work.” Lowering his head to meet her gaze he asked, “Do you trust me?”
Looking up she answered, “I do.”
As he began to depart Adridge said, “Igneous water.” When he turned around he found Adridge covering the areas underneath his eyes with a black powdery substance. “It's awfully bright out.”
Quariomy herself rested in the open surrounded by her warriors who fully armed and equipped with some having been heavily packed with baggage while those who hauled carts of equipment fell further back by command. They kept watch as she patently waited for Igneous himself. Standing close by staring out at the tree covered, hilly valley was Morallis lightly equipped in armor that consisted mostly of mail and thick, darkened cloth allowing him to move quickly and quietly. He had a single long sword slung across his back without even the luxury of a scabbard to hold it safely.
She called out to him saying only his name. He turned to her and answered, “Yes Quariomy?”
“The time for combat is near and I need to make my final preparations that will follow swiftly in my victory.”
“Of course,” he said. “What will you have me do. Again I am fit for any dead.”
He smiled and said, “I know you are.” She turned away and looked out towards the north and said, “I need you to travel swiftly and meat with the first brigade. I trust you can lead the invasion.”
“But, Quariomy,” he began. “If it isn’t any trouble to you I would like to whiten your duel. Honors for the offer but as a friend I feel I should be there for you.”
“You think I'm weak,” she said toying with him.
“Anything but. My appearance was merely for show. I would have made them all my scabbards if I had the will. One body one sword.”
“I believe you would have, but in case you forget with the trust of the first brigade I intrusted our new weapon. The completion will be soon if not now and I want you to witness innovation in the midst of battle, as a friend. Can you be there for me.”
He took a moment and looked a bit sadden he could be with Quariomy the moment of her fight, but putting feelings aside he said, “As a wish I will do your will. I will be there just as asked.” He walked paster her and as he did he gave a final few words. “When we advance, withheld will are relent be. No mercy for the warriors of Noriphmy. By my blood and bone will it be.”
“By the blood,” she softly chimed. “Oh and please do make sure Nassera is well fed,” she said just before he disappeared. “I would hate to see her malnourished.” With a reassuring nod she watched as Morallis concealed himself behind the veil of his armor and dart off into the woods as a shadow swiftly disappearing beyond the foliage hard of to be seen unwilling. Taking a moment to herself she walked up to one of her warriors and said, “Call on the presence of Champion Igneous, our time is now.”
“Yes my princes.”
Turning to all the warriors that have gathered around loudly announced, “Gather around and witness me against the Prince of Noriphmy.” She took them down the path and into the town were as the warriors gathered along the border easily encircling around the entirety of it with sheer numbers alone, and when she looked she found Igneous standing just on the other end fully armored and weaponized.
“Your word Princess,” he commanded.
“In your victory the conditions will be met. You have my word,” she answered back. “Your, ‘friends,’ are not to be harmed for the duration of this fight and I ask that they have the same respect.”
“You have my word,” he shouted back.
“General,” she bellowed.
From a sideway ally a heavily armed warrior with a helm that concealed his face entered and took up stand. “Our duel will now begin on my mark,” he shouted for all to hear. “Champion Quariomy?” She gave him a nod and then he said, “Champion Igneous?”
“Ready,” he said as he withdrew one sword and his shield holding it out towards Quariomy.
“Brigade! Skirmish Formation!” At his command the encircling warriors raised their shields creating a wall insuring that no participant would try to escape. The general shifted his eyes from one to the next and with his horn shot off a white signal and retreated and joined the ranks of the his fellow warriors.
As Quariomy began to lower her head and take more of a fighting stance she said, “I will be the wielder of the blade of your death.” Igneous studied her as she did the same with him. “Before the edge makes way through flesh there will be a confession of truth,” setting one blade to her side she set the next broadside across her face just below her eyes.
As he raised his shield just below his face with his sword high above his head he saw that from this distance that something wasn’t quite right. It was only a feeling, but that's all it ever is, a feeling. “A confession of truth?” he said not moving, continuing to study her. “What are you a mystic?” Steady gaze, unmoving, confident, strong. ‘Ambitious,’ was his thought.
“No,” she simply said. “I am far more real than even your greatest desires.” She took one step closer, one which Igneous mirrored closely. “I require one look… just one.” She flattened the blade she held before her face giving her eyes a deeper dimension Igneous felt all too much.
A few moments more and Igneous having been tired of the wait fainted a great thrust attack. even from his distance, flipping the sword back into its position having only decreased the distance by some. She did not flinch, nor move. None aggressive, highly reactive. She was waiting, and with ambition patients was not unheard. It was clear to Igneous that he would have to make the first move otherwise this would last for days. “Right then,” he said preparing himself. “Seeing this is how it will be let me project my next attack.” After all it's what she wanted so why not give it to her.
He closed the distance marching up to Quariomy with shield raised and sword ready till he was just out of striking distance. Tho it seemed reckless, for the most part Igneous was not careless.
Suddenly he closed the short distance flicking his sword down leaving almost no time to react. Quariomy effortlessly raised her sword blocking it as she jumped backwards dodging a shield bash from Igneous. Darting back and forth she ran around at high speeds and lunged back at Igneous were as he bounded out of the way getting his thrust attack deflected while also blocking the next attack.
She attacked again while he did a partial retreat only for him close the distance tackling her with his shield. He jumped back as she swiped at his hooves which allowed her to scramble back up to her hooves. Were as she got rushed again and knocked back down to the ground.
Faised Igneous stepped down on one of her swords, blocked a parried a swipe and bashed her face with the shield. She tried to roll away but was met with another blunt attack from his shield. “Who taught you to fight?” Igneous shouted as he delivered another blow. “Your sloppy, over confident. How dare you challenge a fully trained falconer.” Looking down on his work she seemed to be incapacitated only giving him a glazed look as she lay on the ground covered in mud. He backed up a bit and said, “fool me for a second.” he flipped his sword holding it by the blade in his magical grip and said, “Let me draw out your true power.” His shield dropped as he raised his the blade intending to quarter stroke her face, and in an instant he mercilessly brought it down with all his might.
To flinch would be a mistake. In an instant Quariomy raised her only sword blocking the attack and as she spun to her hooves she summoned a long sword and bring it around to the undefended Igneous plunged it straight for his chest.
With Igneous looked away in defence Quariomy stared deep into his eyes as the sword continued its trajectory. For that instant Igneous felt robbed by her gaze alone. Something inside shifted, felt disturbed. He felt like an open book just by her and he never once in that instant felt helpless. The moment passed and Quariomy looked down to see her dark blade had not penetrated his armor but instead was held at bay by an Identical sword to the one blocking her existing blade. “You think I'm carless?” he asked knowing she had forgotten the second blade at his side.
She looked back up to him past the blades locked in defence and smiled. “I have your confession.” Leaning in closer she said, “I thought your name was redundant.” Faster than Igneous thought she could manage, she disengaged dropping her existing blade taking only her dark summon with her holding it in mouth. Holding it in the air again once she gained some distance with mud clearly coating her armor and fur. “Now let's try again, properly this time. Mabie this time I will get your full confession... Kohligan.”
Igneous twitched having heard the name. With indignation he connected the hilts of his sword making them one. Picking up his shield he said, “You shouldn’t toy with your prey less you expect to go hungry.”
“Only your cornered,” she said as she slowly began to circle around him with nothing but a glistening dark longsword she pointed away and two the air slightly dragging behind her. “So, all the more to be weary of your animalistic fury?”
He looked down to her dropped sword, as he held his own weapon above his head with his shield held out front. “Animalistic,” he scoffed as he carefully planned his next move. “I prefer the term predator...” He noted her second dropped blades position. “Because,” looking up to her he smashed the shield down on the tip of her dropped sword flinging it into the air and as he batted it straight for Quariomy he shouted, “I am a hunter!”
She darted out of the way and as she charged she saw Igneous flip around and pick up her dropped sword holding it by his teeth and a split second later they clashed.