Chapter 13: Patience
After the ambush, a short rest well deserved is what the four need. Heading onto the next room, the light flickers, the unknown awaits. Something is not right, Polwil pulls Mawra back. They get ready for the battle ahead, lowering the light radiance and weapon ready.
"COWARDS! COME OUT!" - Polwil shouts thunderously
Not waiting for a moment, Darvic lunges forward and aims for what is ahead of him.
He sees it. He strikes the flag bearer. The goblin is down in the pool of blood. The rest are still in daze. Mawra forms cages with barriers and then fills the cage with water to suffocate the goblins. The blood comes out of their noses, she waits until there is no movement left. Tiary stands ready.
"There is no threat left nearby" - Polwil raises his hand
They walk, and walk until they meet a door. The door has a tree symbol on it and the tree is black.
They slowly open the door with weapons ready.
Awaiting them, a headless armor set sitting on the throne with a sword next to it. Suddenly, it moves
"You there! The descendant of Flarewind, I demand a duel." - The armor points its sword to Polwil
"Again? What is your name? I am indeed a descendant of Flarewind house but I am not worthy of a knight title." - Polwil takes Darvic's spear
"Arethis Blackwood. The second knight of the Southwind land." - He takes a stand
"Polwil Flarewind shall be your guest" - Polwil salutes and then takes a stand.
The two stare at each other's weak point. For a dullahan, it is its soul which lies at its heart, for a human, the throat. They lunge forward.
Using the spear's reach, Polwil aims for its abdomen by sweeping. The Blackwood catches the intention, catching the moment of sweeping pass and then getting closer in order to get a stab. Polwil quickly slams the spear's foot at the chest, the dullahan quickly stumbles to dodge the attack then aim for the feet. The vanguard quickly jumps and then steps on the sword. He slams the spear's body onto the dullahan's back.
"I lost again. I accept defeat" - The dullahan stops resisting - "I have no reason to stay here. Afterlife now awaits me ahead"
The armor set collapses, the soul goes up. Tiary joins her hands and prays, Mawra closes her book and Darvic demands his spear back. Polwil takes the sword and the sheathe. He sheathes the sword.
"That was fast, I expect a longer fight" - Mawra yawns
"He fought honorably and you find the fight boring?" - Darvic clenches his fist
"Now now, he is up in heaven already. There is no point fighting over it" - Tiary tries to stop the fight
"Darvic, I am a mage. Of course, I find physical fights boring, they are just metal clanging or hitting each other in a dull manner. Magic fights are very beautiful." - Mawra opens her book again
"Yeah yeah. I don't see any beauty in trying to blind the spectators with weird lights. We have different tastes after all" - Darvic looks at his spear's head.
"You two are arguing over such trivial things. Anyway, I keep my family's honor in tact, we should celebrate by having it at the incoming festival. I bet there are jesters who can entertain us." - Polwil smiles
The four head back to the entrance. Mawra hands over the drawn map and a plate of metal from the knight, Polwil gives the sword for an appraisal, Darvic and Tiary sit down nearby and have some drinks
"This is an odd weapon. Say, would you …"
"No, I knew the question already. I am not going to sully his honor" - Polwil sways his head
"Well, I can tell. So, I am gonna tell you next is that this weapon is made of strange alloys. The blade is made of an alloy but yet the handle is made from another. The guard and the hilt are different too. It is a work of art. I am very tempted to dissect it further so the blacksmith can recreate such a remarkable work." - The appraiser sulks.
"Fine, next time, if I find another sword similar to this, I will give it to you. Deal?" - Polwil shows his hand
"I will pay double for it." - The appraiser shakes his hand.
The Black Sheep hop onto the next wagon going back to the town whilst a replacement comes.