Drone

26 The Duel.

Niklas studied the approaching man. Erik's attire was expensive and tight. He slipped off a well-fitted suit jacket, leaving only a blue vest and black shirt. He was lean but well-muscled and smaller than Niklas by a few inches.

"He wants to fight?" Niklas asked Stanfleda, making sure he understood what Erik was saying.

"Yes!" Stanfleda said, her face growing pale. "He's a dueler."

Niklas nodded once. A contest of swords. Niklas had been trained in knife play and usually ranked well when graded. "Is he any good?"

Stanfleda nodded once. Her lips pressed tightly together. "Niklas, don't fight him."

"Is that a directive?" Niklas asked. "It looks like you don't like him. I will fight him if you want me to." As he said it, the notion of a fight caused the valorous flame of excitement to stir within him. Here stood a trained Relrin fighter, not one of the working bums he beat in a gambling pit. Still, his victory at the yard left him feeling confident.

"Don't fight him," she said again. "I didn't save your life so that you could add yourself to his score."

"Score?"

"Yes. Erik has twelve wins to his name."

"How many losses?" Niklas asked.

"Losses? Niklas, a dueler with a loss, is a dead dueler!" The worry was evident in her voice.

"Well?" Erik demanded, stepping closer.

Niklas shook his head. "I can't fight you. Stanfleda won't let me."

"That's your excuse? You're letting a woman decide what you do?" Erik demanded.

"Do I know you?" Niklas asked in frustration. "Why are you so angry?"

"You trespass under pretenses, insult me by taking advantage of Paramountess Stanfleda, and refuse my duel!"

Niklas clenched his fist. "I'm going to guess that not many people like you."

"Niklas is here as my guest!" Stanfleda cried as she stepped between the men, but Erik waved her off.

"I don't know what he told you, but he was lying!" The dueler insisted.

Niklas turned to Stanfleda, hoping she might rescind her directive, but she shook her head.

"I won't fight you," Niklas said.

"Have you no pride?" he barked. "No honor?"

"I have no valor," Niklas agreed. "It was taken from me."

"You see Stanfleda!" Erik turned to her. "You won't keep the company of real men."

Niklas winced at the insult and bit his tongue.

"I see now that you have no honorable taste. You have silly ideas that will leave you old and lonely."

Everything froze. Erik directed his final words not at Niklas but at Stanfleda, the slender girl with no defender, noble or not. The fire blazed. Valor, Niklas' dangerous friend, was always faithful in showing up in time to get Niklas in trouble.

"I suggest you use a tone of respect when addressing a woman," Niklas growled as it spread across his chest and into his arms, causing them to quiver slightly.

"You can't talk to me, coward." Erik snapped. "You've refused me and forfeited your right to speak of respect."

"I'll fight you," Niklas said, "unless you stop antagonizing this woman."