Artorias and Ornstein had engaged in another duel once more. This time they would fight over who would win an arm wrestling duel. Some of the silver knights were watching them, ocassionaly cheering for their favourite.
Artorias had been thinking that he could win this duel with ease, but the dragon slayer turned out to be quite a challenge. Artorias always had been under the impression that Ornstein's strongest point was his speed, but he also possessed quite some strenght. But maybe he unintentionally only had gone easy on his friend? No, he didn't think so. He was sure, he gave it his all. But he could certainly give it even more. Gathering all his strenght in his left arm he would determine this duel into his favour and he actually managed to overpower Ornstein.
An audible crack could be heard. Artorias also could hear a pained "Argh!" and then the room did go silent all off a sudden. Next the silver knights started to murmur: "This sounded nasty." "By the lord, that must hurt so much." "Should we get a physician?"
Artorias needed a moment to progress what just happened. But judging from the lines of the silver knights, Ornstein having a very clear pained expression on his face and having pulled his right arm closer to his body, shielding it with his other hand, it became clear. By the lord, he had gone too far.
"Ornstein, I am SO sorry!", he started. "That was never my intention! That must hurt so much! We should get you to the infirmary!" His voice became progessively more hysteric.
"Artorias, relax. You won that duel.", Ornstein said casually despite having an audible strain in his voice.
"But your arm is BROKEN!", Artorias shouted.
"We don't know that, maybe it's just dislocated?", Ornstein sounded like he didn't even believe his own words.
"I am pretty sure I heard a crack.", Artorias said and then gazed at the silver knights. "You all heard it too, right?"
The silver knights nodded, some of them looking a bit shaken. The duel had been one of their prompts, maybe they felt bad about it? They really didn't have to, Artorias felt bad enough for all of them combined.
He stood up and walked over to Ornstein: "Would you let me take a look at this arm please?"
Ornstein carefully released the injured arm from his grab. They had to remove the gauntlet first. Both knights had been in full armour expect their helmets. Ornstein wanted them to see each other faces during this duel. Artorias carefully helped Ornstein to get the gauntlet off. He could see that the dragon slayer was trembling. After the gauntlet was off, both knights winced at the sight of the hurt arm. That surely shouldn't bent like this.
"That's clearly a break. We are going to the infirmary right away." Artorias stood up and lifted his friend from the chair, putting a hand around his shoulder to support him. "Silver knights, return to your duties.", he then ordered. Normally Ornstein would give orders to the silver knights but he had been reduced to silence for the moment. With the injured dragon slayer in tow Artorias started walking into the direction of the infirmary.
As soon as they were out of the door and out of earshot of the silver knights, Ornstein dropped his composure: "Artorias, that was brutal. It hurts enough that I want to pass out." That raised red flags with Artorias: "Please tell me if you are going to pass out! I don't want you to see fall over while already being hurt!" "I am not that weak.", Ornstein murmured but clearly used the support Artorias gave him to walk properly.
"I can't say enough how sorry I am about this.", Artorias said, regretting that he ever had agreed to this duel.
"It happened now and can't be undone. At least we know who is stronger in arm wrestling now.", Ornstein said. Artorias really thought that Ornstein would resent him more, but he was surprisingly calm. Of course that could also mean that Ornstein would tease him in the future with that. He could spend quite some time with that if he found something Artorias would be upset about. Sometimes Artorias was under the impression that Ornstein wanted to know how far he could go with him.
"I am still sorry...", he said one final time. For the moment at least. He would surely apologize a hundred more times.
Meanwhile the two of them had arrived at the infirmary. A long sigh escaped Ornstein's lips. "What's the matter? Aren't you eager to get patched up?", Artorias asked. "I am just not keen on getting the bone set. That shit hurts.", Ornstein replied.
"I can understand that.", Artorias said in a compassionate voice. "I could come in with you and hold your hand if you like."
"Awww, you would really do something like that?", Ornstein said with a small grin. "But I'll pass. I am not THAT desperate."
"Oh, of course. It was just an offer...", Artorias said, feeling stupid. He viewed Ornstein pretty much as a little brother by now and kept forgetting that he was indeed a grown man.
"But I would appreciate if you would keep me company in there.", Ornstein said and raised his left hand to knock on the door.