Duel

Finally, as Chirstopher was standing on the ring at the courtyard the other knights took their stance. Wielding their silver blades that shined brightly by the rays of sunshine they pointed their swords towards Christopher. With a smirk on his face, he looked at his opponents with excitement his feet edged closer to some of them as he was surrounded. His blade not yet drawn a knight rushed in from his right side. Christopher quickly swept his feet unhanded his right arm that the knight was using to wield his sword and flung the man's blade to the ground. He continued to apprehend the knight by using one of his arms to elbow the man in the chest making his back hit the ground, and one foot to stand on the arm he previously grabbed. Another knight rushed in behind him and one in front of him that's when Christopher's expression changed from a smirk to narrow eyes of a predator carefully scoping out his prey.

The knight that was heading straight towards Christopher swung his blade towards his chest. Christopher unsheathed his blade so quickly no one had the chance to see it then he in return swung the two blades hitting each other with a loud clang echoing in the courtyard. Maids and servants started running towards the noise where it seemed an audience grew. Christopher ignored the onlookers and continued to stare down his opponent with a quick slash to the man's hand the blade fell from his wielding arm. He then grabbed the man by the helmet and kneed him in the face pulling the knight's head towards his knee hearing only the man groan in pain accompanied by a clang from the armor. From behind the knight tried to use the opportunity to gain the upper hand thinking Christopher was busy worrying about his other opponent.

Swiftly Christopher turned around swinging his blade a long with him. The knight fell backwards to avoid the blade unable to catch himself. Before he was able to get up and return any attack Christopher threw his blade in between the knight's leg cackling out a laugh. Rivar let out a deep sigh after watching the scene take place shaking his head softly. The knight gasped and fell back completely as if too scared to make sure he wasn't hit. The other knights seemed horrified, but Christopher smiled walking up to retrieve his sword. Four knights all rushed in at once barreling on top of Christopher at first it seemed they won all of them trying to throw in punches and disarm him for good. When one knight when flying outside of the circle in the courtyard and see another getting his face smashed by Christopher's elbow. Then Christopher grabbed another knight by the arm and swung him over his body making the knight hit the ground so hard he was gasping for air. The last knight seemed to have grown timid, but he stood there glaring at Christopher. Christopher walked up with his sword ready making the knight ready his own blade.

The two stood there for what felt like minutes the knight was trying to determine the best route to take to win the match. Christopher stood there simply waiting for the knight to make the first move. Both inching their feet closer it almost looked like a dance being performed perhaps some type of mating dance birds would do. But upon closer look it was as if a mad dog was cornering another enjoying the fear admitting off their opponent. The knight swung his blade in return so did Christopher the clanging of the two blades repeated and repeated. With each swing the knight made Christopher returned with some making the knight off balance. However, the knight did not falter making Christopher's grin widen immensely. The blades kept echoing from their impact on each other. The knight staggered a bit backwards losing some of his footing thus Christopher lunged towards him grabbing him by the neck tightly. The knight gasped for air looking at the deranged dog he mistakenly withdrew his blade on.

Lilian stood up straight quickly " enough the battle has been decided! " She exclaimed out loud with a commanding demeanor.

Quickly Christopher sheathed his sword hiding it back in its rightful place on his waist and knelt in front of Lilian. Lilian looked down at the young man wondering what the hell she just got herself into thinking how the hell would she able to put a leash on such a wild hound. Christopher was still smirking like a child who just won an award. His arrogance would be his downfall quite literally if Lilian did not step in to change his fate. Though he did win fairly due to his own skills and strength. The knights still laid on the floor like broken abandoned dolls. Some which seemed to be completely unconscious.

" Christopher stand up tall! " Lilian ordered.

Christopher stood up tall and faced Lilian with a serious expression, the smirk missing as if it was never there to begin with " Winning this duel does that mean you accept to be my personal knight? " She asked him exchanging the same expression he wore.

" Yes, my Lady to my dying breath. " He announced loudly.

" Even if I am a weak lady? Even if I am the reason for your demise? Even if it costs you your title. " She asked not backing down.

He looked at her blankly stunned that she took this so seriously. To him he was of a house that death was oh so familiar with. Death was not one he feared but rather losing another family member was. Why should he care if his lady is weak, she is a mere woman, and it is only his job to follow orders he thought. Carefully thinking more, he realized she had a hidden agenda that could not be announced.

" I will be the blade that strengthens my Lady until this blade is dullen in comparison to her own attained strength. I fear no death only the loss of those closes to me even if my demise is due to you, I will not die with regret so long as you protect those people. A title with no hard-earned reputation is nothing but empty passed on fortunes, I will earn my family's title by being your loyal hound my lady. " Christopher answered with a serious tone no hesitation could be heard from his lips.

Lilian realized the chess piece were moving exactly how she needed them to. She reached out her hand to take his to complete a handshake. Puzzled Christopher reached out his hand too and to his surprise she shook his hand strong with the grip of a knight. Without breaking eye contact Lilian stared at him shaking his hand as if he was her equal. Christopher understood what she was doing but he was taken aback by it for a noble lady to do what very few men do when recognize someone as their equal.

" From today on you are one of my people. Your movements are my movements. Your life is my life. If I bite you bite, if I jump you jump. So, from today on I will take responsibility for your actions, make sure you don't make me lose face from here on out. In return I will protect you and your people. " Lilian declared to Christopher.

" My Lady for as long as we live, I will prove to you that you did not make a mistake. " Christopher answered.

Rivar stood there seeming unamused or perhaps envious of Christopher's standing with Lilian. He slowly walked over to the two individuals who seemed to have finished with their declarations that caught everyone in awe. As he got closer to Lilian his demeanor, body language and expression softened.

" My Lady, I hope you made a wise choice. Sir Christopher make sure you don't embarrass our lady. " He said with a bit of an annoyance in his tone.

" I am sure my decision was a wise one Sir Rivar and I look forward to the promising future it leads me to. " Lilian said with a smirk teasing Rivar already aware of his jealousy.

" Sir Christopher please seek me out later as we have much to discuss of the near future. " Lilian said as she turned away from the courtyard heading back to her room.

Lilian quickly started walking back she had much she had plan out and it be better if she could write it all down in the journal she was keeping as a cheat sheet. She wanted to create a timeline of the future events and create schedules to start preparing herself more for those inevitable events. Her maids seemed so happy with their lady as they continued walking through the corridor towards the room other servants nearby watched them gossiping of the duel earlier.