Disclaimer: I think it's rather obvious, but I don't own Armello or it's expansion packs.
Author's Note: This story is based off my own headcanons and thoughts about the setting and characters. While it may at times take hints from the Blight comic, it has nothing to do with that comic or the Armello novellas. Characters from the novellas may make appearances though.
The Battle of Blades Tournament would be an exciting one this year. Competitors from all over Armello of varying skills had shown up. Including crowd-favorite Thane, the Winter Wolf. The new competitor to the tournament was the Rabbit Clan Duchess-to-be, Amber the Far-Seeker. Many of the competitors and spectators didn't expect to see a noble from the Rabbit Clan, fewer expected much from her. Thane had heard two of the more arrogant newcomer competitors talking and laughing about this but he huffed.
"Fools, didn't your Masters-at-Arms teach you not to underestimate an opponent you haven't fought before?" he lectured.
"You're one to talk, Thane. You're the reigning champion," one groused.
"Yeah, what's it to you anyway? It's not like you have anything to worry about," another piped.
"Fine, don't listen to me. Just don't come whining to me if that little bunny mops the floor with you," Thane retorted.
Male and female competitors were kept separate in the preparation rooms but it was an entirely different story at opening ceremony. That's when he noticed the rabbit standing next to him at opening. More arrogant competitors would huff at her that she had to earn the right to stand next to them but Thane was a different kind of man. He gave the rabbit a side glance and a wolfish grin. Something told him he'd be fighting her and she'd be his greatest challenge yet. As a warrior and an adventurer, he'd learned to trust his instincts.
He watched her matches with vested interest, the demure smile she showed belied a fierce and cunning swordswoman. Still, the smile persisted even as she progressed through the ranks. To the untrained eye, most of her matches appeared to be against clumsy opponents who simply lost grip of their weapons but Thane's eyes caught her swift movements. He wondered if he'd be able to keep up with her when he'd finally meet her in the championship round but that thought excited him.
She tried to hide a blush under a glare at first.
"Relax Lady Amber. Close your eyes, take a deep breath, clear your mind, and focus," he told her.
"I'm your opponent in this match, why are you trying to help me?" she asked
"I enter these competitions to have fun. Win or lose, I want to enjoy myself here. I get the feeling there's more to you than meets the eye, so I want to be sure that I'll enjoy this fight," he explained.
As she stared him down, she saw no sign of lying in him. He continued that smile of his. Underneath that wolfish exterior she saw her reason for being there, that boyish charm of his. He pulled out his sword and extended it towards her. A gesture for a fair fight, if she agreed she'd cross his blade with hers, if she didn't she'd go on the offense. She crossed her sword with his. They poised for battle and stared each other down for a few tense moments, in their usual battle stances. Thane gripping his blade with his right paw, his legs shoulder length apart, his left paw hovering mere inches from his rune-inscribed blade. Amber stood holding her estoc in a fencing pose. They were given the sign to begin and it was as though they hadn't heard it. The crowd began getting a bit antsy, then in an almost unseen motion she rushed him. He parried the attack and readied a counter, but she parried the counter and met it with a counter of her own which he was forced to dodge.
"She's more prepared than I thought," he mused to himself, "I like this bunny. She's easy on the eyes and a real challenge to fight."
Once more he charged towards her. She tucked and rolled under and around his blow, when he turned to attack he found the tip of her sword at his neck but at the same time his blade was at hers. After the ref called the match, they both withdrew their blades. Thane offered her his paw.
"Good match, Lady Far-Seeker. I enjoyed it. My only regret is that it was over far too quickly," Thane offered with a smile.
"I enjoyed it as well, Lord Winter Wolf," she returned.
"Normally, I'd prefer my friends to refer to me by name alone but I get the feeling that would be taken the wrong way here," he chuckled.
"Likewise," she replied.
She returned his smile and shook his paw. She could see that he was charmed by her, but it would take a bit more to really get his attention. They left the arena together, side by side.
"So what are your plans now?" she asked.
"Well, if the lady permits, I'd be glad to offer some refreshments? A tavern over yonder has most excellent glentwein. After such an exertion, some mulled wine would be just the thing to help us recuperate, don't you think? Not to mention that this tavern is the only one around that happens to have both a weasel and a mouse as cooks. The rest, unfortunately, are friendly to those who prefer meat or to those who prefer grain, but not both," Thane offered chivalrously.
"That sounds lovely. Oh Daemon, take care of my estoc, will you?" she replied, then turned to the housecat in her party.
"Al-... Yes m'lady," he stated calmly, hefting the aforementioned sword habitually and wrapping it in a length of oiled linen intended specifically for that.
"Now then. Let us see this vaunted tavern, Lord Thane," Amber proffered curiously.
She turned her attention to her retainers.
"Elyssia, will you handle matters back at the Embassy for me?" she asked sweetly.
"Of course, m'lady," the Wardress replied, "But what about you?"
"I'm certain Lord Thane and I can handle ourselves," she replied.
Magna, standing off to the side, nudged her sister and indicated their charge. To which River responded with a nod. The two ventured to the tavern with River following a safe distance behind. At the tavern, the two were guided to a private table while River kept watch. Her ears caught a familiar tune being played by a badger bard. She briefly turned her attention to him and saw that he was also keenly interested in the lady of the Rabbit Clan and the lord of the Wolf Clan.
"Horace? What's he doing here? Did Scarlet send him to keep an eye on us?" the huntress wondered.
While River watched them, Thane and Amber sat at their table enjoying some mild conversation.
"So, I'm curious, why join the tournament? Aren't you expected to solve things via diplomacy? I'd understand if one of your retainers were in it, bodyguards have to keep their skills sharp, but I'm quite surprised to have been pitted against the heir apparent to the Rabbit Clan, I admit," the wolf asked.
"Why not? Just because I'm rabbit does not mean I can not have an interest in fencing. If everyone followed their clan's traditional vocations unquestionably, what would be the point of even holding the tournaments?" she answered.
"Fair enough. So… what are your plans now? The tournament's over, but you don't seem to be preparing for a journey back home." he inquired.
"Ah, well… Just because I'm in a tournament does not mean I can't practice my clan's signature competencies, you know. Plenty of prominent people to meet and greet here, and many of them are not in any hurry to leave. Just like you, come to think of it." she proffered sweetly.
"Well, I am, as they used to say, between obligations at the moment. Something will crop up sooner or later, I'm sure, but for now, I'm content to actually live the life of noble bon-vivant, as it were. Care to assist me, perchance? With you at my arm, I'd be the envy of every heir and vassal out here," he quipped playfully, "Joking aside, if you do not have any outstanding obligations, I'd be delighted to have your company while we're in this city."
"Sounds nice. If nothing else, I won't be lacking a sparring partner, right?" she teased, nibbling on her lip thoughtfully, "Though, seriously enough, I'm also hoping to see the sights and maybe do some exploration. There were rumors of ruins in the vicinity, so I'm sure the locals have something noteworthy to show or maybe even sell. Antiquities are another topic near and dear to me, I must confess. There's just something special about the physical embodiments of history… ah, oh well. If nothing else, I'll be able to hone my fencing further."
"I'm afraid history is one subject that is not my forte, but if it fascinates you then I'm not against looking into it a bit," he stated, "Perhaps I may learn something from our encounter as well."
The two continued their chat, often poking fun at each other. Eventually they headed back to their respective embassies. When Thane came into the Wolf Embassy he noticed Magna present and had known about River tailing him for most of the night.
"Where's Gale?" he asked.
"No one knows, he ran off to Wyld only knows where," Magna answered, "How was your first dinner with your new mistress?"
"Amber is not a mistress of any kind, she is a friend nothing more," he sighed.
"Certainly seems that way," River teased, "And at least she's not a bandit like your last mistress."
"Scarlet is not a mistress either, I've told you that," he growled.
"Speaking of Scarlet, apparently she sent Horace to keep an eye on you," River stated more seriously.
"Even if he was present, how do you know he was there to keep an eye on me? He can come and go as he pleases, why does it have to be under Scarlet's order?" he replied.
"I suppose you're right," she sighed.
At the same time, Amber had returned to the Rabbit Clan's embassy where she was greeted by her own entourage.
"How went your first date, Lady Amber?" Elyssia asked.
"It was not much of a date but the next few weeks are looking promising on that regard," she replied cheerfully.
At that, Barnaby stood up from where he was sitting and headed out of the room muttering something.
"Is he ok?" she asked.
"He said he wasn't feeling well and that he was going to lie down," Daemon answered.
"I wonder if he'll be ok? He seems to be ill a lot as of late. Perhaps it's all the sweets? Maybe we should think about changing how many pastries he eats," Amber sighed.
"I'm not entirely sure that would be a good idea. Barnaby can be quite stubborn plus I suspect he hides his stash within his bag," Elyssia sighed in return.
"Whatever the case, Daemon keep an eye on him through the week. We'll see if his condition improves, if not we may need to take him to see a healer at the Bear Embassy," Amber commanded.
The next day began their time training together outside the city and their retainers would watch their sparring sessions intently. As they rested the third day in, a messenger from the Rabbit Embassy hopped up and delivered a missive to Elyssia.
"Lady Amber, a message for you," Elyssia stated handing the scroll to the heiress.
After reading the scroll Amber's eyes lit up brightly.
"It seems the nearby ruins have been opened up and are ready for casual examination," she stated, "Would you care to join me for a small adventure tomorrow, Lord Thane?"
"Gladly," he replied.
-Revised Chapter-