“Seriously, Sunny,” I said as she checked the bandage around my barrel, “I’m fine. It aches a bit, but I’ll be fine.”
“You’re not fine,” Twilight said as she jumped onto the bed on the other side of me, “You have eight cuts, some quite deep. What more, his claws were covered in venom!”
I blinked at her, “Venom!?” as I felt my scratches start to feel like they were burning.
“What!?” Sunset exclaimed.
“I did the scan twice,” Twilight said and frowned, looking at me. Last time I saw her that pissed… had not been her, it had been Midnight. Her mane wasn’t moving, but it wasn’t far off.
“What kind of venom?” Sunset asked, her ears against her head as she swallowed.
“Nothing deadly,” Twilight admitted, “It’s a slight paralytic, it seems like he only intended to slow you down. Dull your reflexes and make it harder to move. Would have done exactly that to a pegasus or a unicorn. An earth pony wouldn’t be nearly as affected and Page’s an alicorn. It luckily didn’t do anything.”
Sunset looked exactly as pissed as Sparks at the moment.
I felt too tired to be pissed and laid down fully, resting my head between my hooves. I didn’t like having to do that. Even to an arsehole like that.
“He made it, right?” I asked after a moment.
Sparks nodded, “I heard the doctors said he’d live.”
I didn’t like her tone. I had never heard her talk like that before. Shifting, I put my wing across her and pulled her down with me, “Let it go, Sparks,” I told her, “It’s over.”
“He cheated,” she still grumbled, but she settled down, her side against mine.
“Didn’t help him,” Sunset said and laid down as well, keeping a hoof width between herself and my injured side, “Still got his tail kicked up between his ears.”
“Let it go,” I sighed softly, “I just want to put it behind us. I’ll be fine.”
“...You will,” Sparks said, “In a couple of years, even the scars will be gone.”
“Mmm,” I agreed, starting to drift off to sleep. Suddenly, I found myself in the dream realm and the ache from my side and flank disappeared.
I still felt tired though, but not in body. In spirit.
“Page.”
I smiled and looked up at Luna as she walked up next to me, looking down at me, “My Sky.”
“I see that you are victorious,” Luna said quietly, her wing settling across my back and resting her head against the top of mine.
“Yeah,” I answered quietly as I leaned against her.
I told her all of it.
By the end I was curled up next to her, my eyes closed and my head against the side of her neck, “I hate hurting ponies. Or griffons…” I said softly, “I even disliked what I did to Tirek. I like fighting, but that’s not the same thing.”
“No, My Page, it’s not,” Luna said gently and sighed against my mane, “But sometimes it is necessary.”
“But this… this wasn’t.”
Luna frowned, “It was necessary in the same way as when you defend yourself against somepony trying to conquer your lands. It’s not your fault, but somepony is going to get hurt, no matter what. All you can do is to try to make it so it’s not your ponies.”
I sighed and closed my eyes, “It’s not the same.”
“But it is. Would he have given up? Did you have any other choice?”
“I could have told him to buck off and just left for Equestria,” I said quietly, “It… would have hurt pony-griffon relations, but… bad enough to justify this?”
Luna shook her head, “Page, he will live. You said so yourself.”
“Without the use of his right foreleg. That joint is never going back to normal.”
“Sometimes… such can be the price of learning,” Luna said quietly, “At least this time, nopony else but him got hurt.”
“Yeah,” I agreed and sighed softly, “I still don’t like it.”
Luna sighed with me, “Nopony likes it.”
“Bet Sombra would have.”
That got a snort from her, “Very well, My Page,” she said with a small grin, “Nopony sane likes it. Don’t compare yourself to that evil pony.”
I’m just saying, I’m seeing some parallels.
Shaking my head, I stretched, “I… should wake up again,” I finally said, “You have things to do and I need to make sure Sparks and Sunny don’t do anything stupid.”
“Stupid?”
“They were upset,” I admitted, “No, not upset. Twilight was furious about the venom and-”
“Venom?” Luna asked, raising one eyebrow, “What venom?”
“The… venom his claws left in the scratches?”
“What scratches, you said you were unhurt!?” Luna exclaimed, her wings raising high as she glared at me.
I may not have told her exactly everything.
I shifted slightly, “Seriously, Luna, it’s nothing serious. Just some scratches on my side and flanks, they will barely even leave any scars.”
Luna looked at me for a long moment before she got up, “I’m going to talk to Sunset or Twilight,” she said and started to sift through dream portals.
I quickly jumped onto my hooves and trotted after her, “No, wait up, Seriously, I’m totally fine!”
Damn it! I had hoped not to worry her!
I moved around before her, raising my hoof against her chest to stop her as I looked up at her, "I'm sorry," I said quietly, "I just didn't want you to worry about things that couldn't be changed."
Luna paused and sighed softly, "Didn't you learn your lesson about that before?"
"I know, I know."
She shook her head and frowned down at me, "Show me."
I flicked one ear and then let my dream self match my physical one and I flinched slightly as lines of fire it felt like ran across my shoulder and a bit down my barrel and across my flank just about my cutiemark.
Luna looked at me for a long moment, one eyebrow raising, "Just some scratches?"
"They'll heal, none are very deep or hit anything important," I told her, "Both the doctor of the airship and Sparks says the same. Most are just skin deep."
Luna looked unhappy but nodded, "I just don't like seeing you hurt," she said as she pulled me close with her hooves and wings.
"I'm not a big fan of it either," I admitted, leaning against her as I banished the scratches. I’m going to need to deal with them when awake, I didn’t need to have them hurting in my sleep too.
Nice
Why don't you heal him then?
There will be more hate from him and his relatives for making him disabled, crippled.
He didn't use venom to kill Page, but to slow him down and make him fall, so he could be quickly defeated
If he wanted to kill him he would use some extremely venomous venom or deadly poison.
This is a good bargain chip for some supplies to his little enclave.
Good chapter
"Hello, Mr. Weapons Smith, thank you for agreeing to see me on such short notice."
"It's no trouble. What seems to be the problem, Mr. Chekov?"
"Well you see, Mr. Smith, it's my gun; it just won't seem to fire."
10996644
At this point, Page deserves to be poisoned. He clearly needs to learn to not act like a child, and to actually take his own position seriously. This was a moment were he should have thrown his weight around and told the griffon to fuck off, not roll over and acquiesce to the duel. So if he experiences long-term consequences for trying to fit the idiot-ball into his mouth, then it'll be to his own benefit.
10996644
Where's the Chekhov's gun? I can't seem to find it in this chapter.
10996653
Yes! I've been trying to figure out how to phrase what's wrong, and that's exactly it. He's been skating by on the excuse that he hasn't gotten badly hurt yet, and I'm worried at how tragic things will have to get before he takes things seriously.
His perspective and behavior baffle me in ways they never did in prior chapters or even prior stories. Indeed, everyone had something wrong with them to let this happen; Page, his herd, Amber, Blackfeather, and all the princesses.
I just don't understand them here...
More story, though, by all means.
Thanks for sharing your writing here, Hiver.
10996700
It's less chapter specific, but rather aimed at the story in general. Rexasauruses have been mentioned numerous times without doing anything. The Yetis showed up, everyone's been completely and utterly paranoid about them, and they've stayed above board. Then Razorwing showed up with a stupid and cheating plot to duel Page, and this too has amounted to nothing.
Paralysic venom. That is a breach of duel tradition.
He probably dishonored his familie name and get disowned to save the Griffon nations nobel faces. One dishonorable house cant be allowed to bring the honor of a nation / race down.
10996625
That not how honor codes work. His familie could lose there nobel status when the king hears of this.
He was also probably not do to cowardess. Dying do to his poisen would have been extreamly embarassing.
He attacked royaly only under strict honor code. Others he would never be allowed to even touch the head of a nation. He will probably be banished or receive a live sentance in prison to save the nations face. Not to would be a message that Griffons dont care about there antic tradition, there honor code or any respect towards ALLIED forces/nations in general.
"Non-lethal" paralytic venom or not, Twilight, Sunset and Luna have every right to be super pissed about it.
Twilight needs to do some research on Griffin dueling etiquette. I'd bet that if Griffin culture considers duels to be an honorable way to settle disputes, then using such an underhanded way to win would put a sizeable stain on the public image of whoever used it.
Losing the duel may not hurt Razorwing's status. Duels back in the day were not just about the winning. A big part was showing that you were 100% willing to fight for whatever it was. There is a big difference between someone spewing verbal threats and someone who steps into the ring to throw down.
Razorwing felt his honor was hurt by Page and that the only way to restore it was by dueling Page. Not necessarily by beating him in a duel, but JUST by fighting him.
Win or lose, if it becomes publicaly known that Razorwing used venom to try to win it could hurt his reputation far far worse than simply letting Page's "slight" against his honor stand.
Twilight, this catbird was an asshat and he hurt your stallion. Time for some well deserved revenge using research and rules!
10996719
The Dino Predators killed several guard ponys, they are in fear of them so mutch the entire city shut completly down if they are nearby. If that is not a fired gun than you missed the shipcanon big holes...
Also, ones the Griffon doctor gives his report to the King ,Razordullard is boned. He damaged relations between allies by:
- Attacked a Pony in Equestria. That was a royal families consort.
- He claimed a honor duel against a lead pf a nation ,than cheated.
- He cheated and didnt even win... That guy disgraced there nation and race, wile messing with royalty.
In medevil sociaty he would be executed or banished and than assasinated for the Griffon empires honor code satisfaction.
- He keeps giving Equestria reason to stop trade and actualy start a war. Repeatingly...
Hes finished ones the King come to 'talk with him'!
10996653
Page would make more sence if he become a father to mellow down so mutch. Otherwise i really dont she why he become so... Soft. Especially after guards dying for him and under his wing. He should rather be like your Phasmatodea to kick ass, take names, expose there bullshit and take Luna for some hoofholding 🤝
Remember when that robot crushed that guy's head in the matrix cartoon? Good thing Page's hooves missed his melon.
10996757
There was a matrix cartoon? Holy st, how have i not known this?
10996761
Dvd set of storys They are on youtube if not taken down again
C'mon, Page, chicks dig scars!
Venom on the claws. I KNEW IT! Fat lot of good it did, but I KNEW IT!
*Amber walking into the room from the balcony*
Page: Oh Amber! I didn't notice you were gone..
Sunset: Anything wrong?
Amber: No my Lady. I was just checking and securing the perimeter...
...WHAT AMBER WAS ACTUALLY DOING WHILE NO PONY WAS LOOKING...
*Amber visited the local griffin hospital where Razorwing is recovering*
He's lucky all he got are a couple of scratches. An unluckily rake could disembowl him, and I doubt most grifs would care until it bit them in the flank.
While Page may not mind that the stupid catbird cheated, the king most definitely will! Razorwing has pretty much betrayed their traditions and themselves for doing what he did with the venom. And don't think that the King won't JUST stop with removing his title and lands. His cheating makes Griffons look even worse to Equestria for what he did and the king may have to order Razorwing's execution to repair their reputation.
10996653
Not to mention it would almost certainly be a breach of the agreements regarding a duel. So even beyond the ridiculousness of challenging a head of state on a diplomatic visit, with basically no notice and dictating terms, we then have this. In real life, wars could easily be started over such a thing.
This entire plotline has just been idiotic, overhyped (why is a fucking random griffon made out to be such a threat), and even now it still lingers. And now we get some nice wangst about how Page doesn't want to hurt people.
Next we'll probably have another 5 chapters of Page moaning about his scars, being emo, and listening to Evanescence.
Ugh.
King kitty birb: so...he cheated...in a honor duel?
Twiggles The purple: Yup, poisoned his claws with a paralytic
King Birb kitty:... aight, call in... The Vet
*gasps all around*
Vet: yer majusteh?
King Tweet meow: Dumbfucker broke ~Da Rules~... Declaw him....and clip his flight feathers
Vet: yer will be done Milurd
10996919
Love how you change his name but making sure we know its him 👍
10996803
Yes, "chicks", not "mares"....
Page: "Um... why are all those Griffon hens following me around...? "
Sunset: "They just want to flock, Page. "
Page: "Uh, why are they all drooling when looking at me!? "
Twilight: "You're still a little slow, Page. "
Page: "Wait...I thought you guys said I was completely recovered from the poison! "
Luna: "NOT what we're talking about, My Page. "
Page: "Oh, c'mon! Which is it!?"
*meanwhile, back at the Crystal Empire*
Cadance: "♪One little, Two little, Three little birbians...♫ "
I'm reminded of Einstein's claim about human stupidity, and that higher-order infinities exist to describe Razorwing.
You know, between his alttitude and cheating in an honor duel I think he should be reported right about now. Needlesly provoking a foreing ambassador is not enough, but with cheating right now I will be surprised if there will not be a summary execution for being SUCH an idiot. King wouldn't want bad air between griffons and Equestrians, and this creates plenty.
Well well well, while we were all looking at the deadly, Razorwing jumped for a lower rung. Nasty, and quite possibly legal. After all, he was still unarmed and we have no confirmation to my knowledge that such poisons aren't allowed in an honour duel, especially if they are a short term affair.
As ever, character interactions and continuity shine as Hiver's strengths, the dialogue flowed nicely and felt true to character for each of them. Page in particular once again displays that common middle class trait (at least for those of us hailing from jolly old Blighty) of not wanting to be an inconvenience to anyone.
Getting people worked up over 'a few cuts' would be an inconvenience, and so he avoids it. Hurting someone in self defence badly enough that the aggressor has been left lame is an inconvenience, so he feels bad for it. Almost getting in someone's way in the corridor? Inconvenience! Apologise at once! It's a habit he's had since the start and likely one drummed into him since he was old enough to talk, so it'll probably take a lot to remove, and even then should probably only be moderated rather than excised. After all, polite deference is an excellent noble and diplomatic trait, so long as one also knows when to draw the line.
10996625
Coming from a qualified chemist; a poison so toxic that it could kill from a scratch would almost certainly have killed the deliverer as well if applied via a bare claw. As for healing, I don't recall Page ever knowing anything more than basic first aid. Even Luna has only been shown fixing cuts and bruises, so serious magical healing it might not be possible at all, or be the domain of powerful artefacts.
10996754
Page isn't a head of state, only a consort to one. He is however a visiting dignitary and landed noble in his own right, which does make things a bit hairy on the diplomatic front.
No grammar jackboot today.
Just to play the Devils advocate here. Razorwing seemed to be very hung up on the insult to his honor.
Perhaps somebirdy/someone saw the duel as an opportunity to, 1, get rid of Page ( Storm King, ?? )
2, Drive a wedge between the Griffons and Equestria. ( who? Yetis , Griffon supremist, ???.)
Poison is wiped on Razorwings claws during the preparation for the duel, in the claw polish say. He knows nothing about it but if he protests who will believe somebirdy who cheated in an honor duel.
Yes he might be stupid enough to try it anyway but he also knows what this would do to the family name if caught.
10997087
You missed him become married to Luna become Prince and leading Equestria for 2 weeks so Celestia could go on vacation?
As well as founding Nocturnis and saving a entire tribe so ruling Equestria and helping Luna out ?
I know it wasnt a real option besides him hate to rule in general...
Still he is officaly Prince Page. Co-Ruler to Celestia & Luna. Indisposed do to a Tribe of Ponys needed saving by Alicorn Intervention.
10996653
And if "GFY" is not a viable response:
10996941
"Do your part for international diplomacy, Page!"
this story is getting more and more retarded.
10997112
In order of your points:
A Prince-Consort is not a head of state. Nor did he marry Luna for a title. Beyond that, Page's own title after he dumped the old one was similar to Twilight's, a titular position without any real power outside of being Luna's go-to stand-in in the same way Twilight is the default for Celestia (barring the outcome of a certain bet).
Standing in for a sovereign does not make you a sovereign in your own right, the term you are looking for is 'regent'. That is to say, they rule in the name of the head of state during the time they are indisposed (or 'MIA' for political convenience to prevent as civil war, as occurred in Gondor).
Nocturnis is not a sovereign state, it is a fiefdom granted to Page as part of his 'retirement' from the position of Herald. The Diarchs are his bosses and he is answerable to them. Candance's position is a bit foggy, but the Crystal Empire appears to be an independent protectorate of Equestria, not a fiefdom.
This final one is the best argument, but it falls into the same grey space as Twilight's position. I may be forgetting some exact wording used earlier on the de jure position, but both Twilight (and that raises the question of Midnight's position) and Page are clearly de facto the junior members of the bunch.
10997354
First good point... I guess i had mistaken him.
Still he is royal familie.
Your points are better and more detailed yet Razorwing still provoked the Equestrian royal familie indirectly and directly.
I wonder what roasted Griffon taste like
10996859
Actually, aside from how bad this would make Page feel, this is probably the best scenario that could happen since he wasn't killed outright for Lèse-majesté against Page back in Equestria as should have happened.
10997186
How exactly?
Kinda lame when you say something accusatory like that without backing it up.
10996653
I would have personally hoped for the feather fuck to have his melon pulped and have Page realize that shit can be sunshine and rainbows forever when you are an immortal ruler of not just the cute bats but a prince in his own right.
10997419
Like chicken, probably, most weird meat does.
As for the comment about Page being a member of the royal family, this is very true will probably have its own diplomatic consequences, if only by damping the underlying feeling between the nations for a while. That's more a matter for King Darkfeathers to have out with the Sisters (probably apologetically, given the circumstances) though, not for Page himself to deal with. It helps that while Page dislikes Razorwing personally, he quite rightly doesn't seem to have taken the actions of one stuck up idiot as representative of the whole nation (or race, even), so the bad blood will probably amount to a trickle quickly washed away under an unburnt bridge. Most likely all it will come to is some diplomatic sweeping under the rug and an internal inquiry which will see Razorwing and his associates/house chastised in some manner.
10997469
Two words: Diplomatic immunity.
Executing an ambassador for what Razorwing did would be a cause for war and would have put King Darkfeathers in a very awkward position that would probably have demanded to be acted upon. In such a scenario, a lot of both ponies and griffons would have died over an idiot slapping someone. Celestia doesn't want that, and nor does Darkfeathers.
That's partly (among many other reasons) why harming an ambassador is one of the things you never, ever do. Celestia's actions were precisely correct at the time; she declared him persona non grata and kicked him out. Razorwing then responded in the correct manner by officially removing Razorwing from his post on his end and sending a more competent replacement. Since Razorwing has decent backing by the look of it, the King left the matter there in order to avoid stirring a pot best left untouched, which while not perfectly just was politically prudent over an incident that was already defused.
Everyone in the comment section: Discussing the politics of having the duel allowed in the first place and the overall impact on future diplomatic relations. Sprinkle in talks about the likelihood of conspiracy due to illegal use of poison!
Me all by myself: ...Amber quietly solves the problem. Silly griffin goes nighty night forever~!
10997765
Only if ( and thats very unlikely i think ) the King dont do it himself until the Hive matters in Griffon Territorys are done.
10997644
You think a Ambassador Diplomatic immunity is higher than that of a royal familie? Kinda sounds like it. Also diplomatic immunity can be revoked and the individual can be than facing trial.
The home country can revoke a diplomat's immunity and allow the host country to prosecute. Most countries are reluctant to take this step. But Razorwing really pushed a long way ibto what is acceptebel. Diplomats typically face sanctions at home for less shit than that. The host country can also force the home country to recall someone immediately what happend already.
Razorwing disgraced himself his familie and to avoid he do the same to the Kingdom he will be made a public example otherwise i guarantee you that Celestia will burn down something.
Page is not anyone, but is of Celestias familie now and the Solar Diarchy will not stand for blatantly getting disrespected. The Nobility of Canterlot alone will demand it out of principle.
Example: Everyone guess Razorwing attacked Page in the Pony Capital and Castle unknow that he is connected to the royal familie, but now it can be argued that he know exacly who would be struck by him.
After all...
'Ponys are pray and better know there place inder the Griffons!'
Will be what Razorwing basicly say with all his actions.
10997765
Skitter: "About 'Diplomatic immunity' - "It's just been revoked".
*A classic shot to the head and a even better one liner*
10996719
I think the story does have a problem with this and that it's fair criticism. The main strength is when it's running with "slice of life" chapters and developing the OCs, and the relationships with the show's characters, the main weakness generally are the longer running plot points which either amount to nothing, aren't resolved, or resolved unsatisfactorily. Not always, but enough to make the point.
With this most recent arc it makes no sense why this dude is even considered an issue, why there's the training montage, why Page is warned so many times to be careful, how he needs to win, how all the princesses are scared for Page. It would be like watching a fighting film where the hero has trained up and won against his final opponent. And then some random dude thinks he's tough and challenges the hero, we have a load of warning about how dangerous this untrained no-one is. You get to the fight, and the dude is KOed with a single punch.
The story really needs to work on things if it's going to go with story arcs instead of just slice of life. This means building up threats which are genuine threats and resolving them. This griffon is the sort of fight in Chapter 1, not Chapter 100 after your hero has killed a world-devouring threat and ascended to godhood. Characters need to win and lose because of decisions they'd realistically make (Hi "Page I'm super smart though this isn't backed up and the plot needs you to fill in for me, so you lose". If you build up, "dinosaurs are bad, yetis are bad, everything is bad", then they need to become a threat instead of going nowhere.
You can't make a story arc stand on Page throwing a Gladiator reference in there.
The story is better at developing character arcs, but even then we have Page being clueless about Luna's interest (understandable). Page being clueless about Sunset's interest. Page being clueless about Twilight's interest. Page being clueless and an idiot about Celestia's interest (despite comments Hiver has made - this is how he's acting on page). Page being clueless about kitchen sink's interest.
Either this series needs to stick to what it's good at - slice of life and character interactions - or it needs to seriously think about how it handles narratives in the future.
Oooh whatever honor he has ever claimed to have was just turned to dust
10998123
They can, and that was one of the steps I was considering in my previous comment, but King Darkfeathers chose not to pursue any further action than simply removing the problematic ambassador due to his own local political climate. Razorwing's friends would likely not have liked to see him in an Equestrian court.
Indeed, that's what persona non grata means.
I'm not sure about you, but I think a permanent maiming injury on top of the very public humiliation and whatever is going to come of the venom is already more than enough. Celestia isn't the vengeful type, and while Luna might personally want to see Razorwing's head on a pike, Page would help to restrain that. As for the nobility, most of them hate Page quite thoroughly. Remember the whole reason he's Prince Page and not Lord Page any more?
That is a rather large leap of logic. They are both sapient beings and Razorwing's race really doesn't come into it. He could a yak, a yeti or even a pony and the actions would carry the same meaning: Personal attacks on one person, who in this case happens to be a representative of a nation (and note that Equestria is not the only nation of ponies in the world). I'm not saying Razorwing isn't a bigot, he probably is in some form, but tossing every action under that light is a sure way to muddy any situation in the worst possible way, especially when it is dumbed down to predator/prey dynamics that have probably not mattered since the dawn of civilisation.
10998168
It's quite clear from the fight itself that Razorwing isn't an untrained nobody. He's certainly not a master, but he doesn't exactly come out shouting about the Marquis de Fantailer (anyone who's read Discworld will get that). He dodges Page's attempts for quite a while and gets a nasty hit in of his own in the process before he's finally caught mid-dive on the wing, causing him not only significant damage to his wing but also to his leg either on the hit or in the resulting crash. That's the sort of impact nobody gets up from unless they're made of iron. Not Page, probably not Celestia, and definitely not Razorwing. People are fairly fragile realistically, at least without armour.
As for the calls for caution, that's also realistic. Nobody wants someone they care about to get hurt or killed, and a duel is a great way for both to happen. They aren't blowing this off as no threat because Razorwing is dangerous, even to an alicorn (which have been shown on multiple occasions to not be god-level indestructible), and even if he weren't, prudence is always advisable. The training played an important part in letting Page understand what he was up against and countering it. He would have lost and lost badly without it, barring a stroke of incredible luck or Razorwing falling for some sort of trick and starting a villainous monologue mid-fight.
On the note of Chekov's unfired arsenal, keep in mind that the story is being told from one perspective. Page has no reason to go down to the Griffonian/Storm Land frontier and start chasing bandits, so it'll happen offscreen and whatever comes of it might then echo back to him later. That's how life works. The wildlife around Nocturnis have played a part in the plot, which is why we have the whole palaver with trying to create a safe area to farm in using waystones and the lockdown during the visit early in this story. Page isn't buiding the waystones himself because that's not his job, so what we get are the reports from Midnight. That's good continuity, believe it or not.
I'm not trying to say arc narratives are the series' strength, Triptych this definitely isn't, but comparing Hiver to Estee isn't fair on my part. Estee is one of those one in a million geniuses who can pull compelling characters, amazing plots, near-perfect prose and incredible continuity together into one whole. Hiver has delivered better than most authors (professional or not) on a rather impressive 'verse and while I won't flinch from criticising a serious blunder (such as the whole 'military exercise for a bet' arc, which was a good idea genuinely handled rather poorly), this was a pretty decent addition to the story. The only thing I'm a bit sad about in this portion is missing out on more interaction with Darkfeathers' daughter, since she was quite an interesting character.
10997644
If Page had killed him when it happened in the heat of passion, there would have been no problem. Thus it's why I agreed with Windy Prance's scenario where Amber takes care of it. While making Page feel guilty for his death, it would be over and no one would be the wiser. She's a natural for 'wet work.'
10998709
In the middle of a diplomatic reception? That would definitely not have been the end of it from the Sisters at the very least, even assuming Darkfeathers accepted the story. If anything, it's so far out of character they'd probably be checking for mind control or another kidnapping.
If you mean during and especially following the duel, then keep in mind that Razorwing has supporters, that's why the duel couldn't just be dodged to begin with. There would be investigations and well... Almost all poisons are detectable with even basic knowledge of chemistry and physical harm would be pretty obvious. Medical malpractice is right out because it would be blown open the moment the tied up and impostered doctor woke up and reported the attack (and good luck disappearing the doubtless prominent doctor a noble like Razorwing would have). Given how Page is connected with powerful changelings, it wouldn't take much to put two and two together in that case and even if they didn't, Page has motive and opportunity to arrange a murder, so it leads to the same bad end for him, or at least for his reputation. Darkfeathers would also feel the pressure from that, since being on friendly terms with Page, Razorwing's supporters would cry obstruction and bias if he did so much as stay quiet about the affair, let alone speaking on Page's behalf.