16 Duel between sisters

'If you weren't weakened and had a way to overcome her shield, could you beat her?'

I spoke directly into Diana's mind to make sure no one heard and make it possible for her to answer. She was shocked but didn't let it show on her face.

'Who are you and why are you helping me?'

'We can talk about that later. Can you beat her?'

'If I wasn't weakened and she didn't have that shiny plate then yes.'

'Good. I'll lend you a weapon I made. It will cover your hands and allow you to forget about the shield. Just punch whatever is in your way.'

I retreated from her kind and let the weaker pair of gauntlets appear directly on her hands. Simultaneously, I sent a current of healing and refreshing magic into her body to rid her of the poison's weakening. It did nothing to recover her voice but returned her body to fighting condition.

When she felt her body regain its strength Diana jumped out of my arms and walked towards her sister. As she was walking her hands clenched and unclenched repeatedly. After she had gotten a feel for the gauntlets Diana raised her fists seeming ready to pummel Helena.

Helena was panicking. Her expression was rigid and filled with terror. If I didn't know who she was facing I'd think it was some terrifying demon and not her sister.

"Impossible! They assured me that she would be weakened for a week! How did you survive in the first place? You, the male shaman! You must have done something!"

I didn't bother answering her. Diana had reached her sister and punched. Helena didn't block like before but instead moved back quickly to dodge.

"Dearest sister, we both know you can't get past my shield. How about we just put aside our differences and move on?"

Diana gave a pointed look at the tent where Irene had emerged from. She was probably pointing out that Helena had also hurt Reina and forgiveness wasn't an option.

Come to think of it, I should go and take a look at Reina's condition. It would be a shame if she died from the poison before help arrived. While I walked over to the tent while Diana punched out again and rammed her first into the shield. The shield trembled and cracks spread all over it. Diana continued on to deliver a side kick straight past the shield. Her foot connected with Helena's jaws and sent her flying.

Helena hit the ground hard and couldn't stand up again before Diana had once again reached her. The terror shown on Helena's face increased drastically as Diana loomed over her.

"Diana, you wouldn't-"

Her words were abruptly cut off as Diana's fist descended, smashing through her already cracked shield and straight into her face.

Meanwhile, I entered the tent and quickly found Reina. She had an iron spike driven into her shoulder and based off the greenish liquid coating it the spike had been poisoned.

Perspiration was covering Reina's pale face and she was groaning in a half-conscious state. Her breathing was rough but still quite strong and her condition seemed stable for the moment.

I kneeled down next to her and sent a current of healing magic into her body. Bit by bit I cleared out all the poison in her system and her breathing returned to normal. As the tension left her body she fell asleep. Now all she needed was some rest and then she would be completely recovered.

Behind me, Diana had entered the tent and placed her armored hand on my shoulder. Her intention was clear to me, she wanted to talk. Seeing no reason to deny her request I connected to her mind.

'You wanted to say something?'

'How is Reina? Can she be saved?'

'I cleared the poison from her body, now her body needs rest most of all. Once she has rested you can remove the spike and treat the wound.'

'My voice?'

'Getting your voice back will be more difficult. The tonal stillness extract was created to be the bane of mages or shamans as you call them. Taking the ability to chant from them was the main focus but they also made sure that the resulting condition couldn't be cured by magic. You'll need a potion that can counteract the effect and the ingredients for it are quite rare.'

'So my voice will be lost indefinitely?'

'That depends on your own luck. This jungle around us harbors many rare plants and the ones needed for this potion might be among them. Also, I've always wanted to try making that potion so if I got the ingredients I'd make it for you.'

'Why are you helping us?'

'A valid question. Firstly, the reason I'm here at all is that I want information on the creatures and plants around us. Secondly, keeping the first reason in mind I doubt Helena would tell me anything useful if she were to become the new chief. Thirdly, Helena sent two warriors into my tent and I don't like that kind of conduct.'

'Information? Why do you need that?'

'To gather materials. I'm a traveling blacksmith and I kill monsters for materials. The gauntlets you are wearing for example were made from the scales of a golden-scaled wyvern I killed.'

'What's a golden-scaled wyvern?'

'It looks like this.'

Recalling the beast's appearance I sent a mental image to her. She looked greatly shocked upon receiving the image and her knees gave out.

'You killed the golden overlord? But that's the most powerful overlord beast around! His territory is enormous and no one dares to mess with him!'

'Is that really the strongest beast around? What a letdown!'

'Well, there may be others but I'd have to ask the shaman...'

'The shaman? Come to think of it, where is that shaman of yours? Such a commotion and there is no sight of... Her?'

'She is at- at a secret place taking care of something. She should return by tomorrow.'

'Then I'll have to trouble you and stay another night.'

'Of course, we have to show our gratitude for your help. Also, I'll return these now, thank you for lending them to me.'

She somewhat clumsily took off the gauntlets and handed them to me. I looked deep into her eyes and failed to see any reluctance or greed. I took the gauntlets from her hands and made it a point to let them disappear in front of her eyes. I doubted that she didn't want to keep those gauntlets but she knew that she was unable to keep them by force.