Erin stared at Chrodechild and Marica in wide-eyed shock as Chrodechild told the story of the duel. "S-so they almost ki-killed each other?" she asked, horrified.

Chrodechild nodded. "Yes and no, I suppose. If it had happened elsewhere then one or the other could very well have died. But at the Blades' outpost we were prepared to heal them. So while they hurt each other gravely, the risk of death was quite low."

Marica gritted her teeth at how dismissive of it Chrodechild was being. She remembered the aftermath wasn't as cut and dried as Chrodechild made it sound. "Let me tell the next part of the story since it gives a little more insight into what happened after the duel…"


Fret blinked open his eyes, and after several seconds panic began to set in as his vision was still dark. He sat up suddenly, groaning at the dull ache in his stomach before becoming dizzy and flopping back down into a prone position. He waved his hand in front of his face and realized that wherever he was, he was lying in a bed in a dark room. Before he could recall his last memories before waking up, he felt a soft hand touch his bare chest, and a familiar voice whispering his name.

"Marica…" he said softly, smiling though she couldn't see it. He couldn't see her face either, but from the sound of her voice he could tell that she was kneeling at the side of the bed and leaning over him. "Where are we?"

Sighing, she replied, "Dr. Zahra's clinic." Anticipating his next question, she said "it's the middle of the night, that's why it's so dark." Marica moved her other hand to his face, gently caressing his cheek and running her fingers through his hair, comforting him.

He reached up and placed his hand over her hand on his chest, giving it a gentle squeeze. "How come you're here in the middle of the night and not back at the inn sleeping?" he asked. "We had a busy day today, you shoulda gotten some rest."

Marica chewed on her bottom lip. Even though she'd had time to prepare a response, she still wasn't sure what to say.

Fret noticed that she didn't reply right away, guessing there was some reason for it.

"Marica?" he whispered as it started to dawn on him. "It – it's n-not, uhh… today, is it? I-I mean, what I think today is?"

Exhaling a large breath she was holding, her voice quivered as she answered, "No, Fret."

Fret reached over and lightly grasped the back of her neck, pulling her head down to rest on his chest. "How long have I been here?" he asked, not having any sense of time.

"Four days…"

Fret gulped. "What happened? I only remember up until blacking out after dueling Roberto."

Marica shuddered. "You lost a lot of blood and had stopped breathing. To stabilize you until we could get you to Zahra, Asad gave you a Mystic Medicine treatment. Zahra used some kind of mage art to make your body regenerate the lost blood, but he said we wouldn't know until you woke up what kind of effect the injuries had on your brain. The mages have kept you under sleep spells to make sure your body rested and healed, but earlier today said that it was the last one and you would be ready to wake up when it wore off."

"Guess that was dicey, can't afford much brain loss with me, eh?" quipped Fret. He felt Marica stiffen in response to his joke. Her becoming tenser was not exactly the reaction he was going for.

"So… uhh… you've been staying with me at night?" he asked, changing the subject.

"And day…" she whispered matter-of-factly.

"O-oh…" Fret frowned at the noticeable change in tone of the conversation. Marica had seemed very emotional at the start, but she now sounded very detached emotionally. He interpreted it to mean that now she knew he was okay, she wasn't concerned anymore. "I-I guess I don't know what to say."

Marica took a deep breath. She was an emotional wreck and she knew it. One part of her wanted cry in relief and hold him tight, the other part wanted to kill him herself for putting her through so much over a stupidly selfish display of pride. She needed him to know that things had changed and he needed to be more responsible. With the Order of the True Way situation quickly growing bigger than they could fathom, people needed him. SHE needed him because this was all so overwhelming to her at times, and she didn't want to think about how she'd get through it without her best friend. He needed to grow up from the reckless carefree boy he was, and in a hurry.

Sighing, Marica replied, "How about, 'I'm sorry for being a self-centered jerk who hasn't figured out that we're in a situation much bigger than us, or that my careless recklessness affects not only me but the people who rely on me to be a leader, and the people who care about me?'" In a trembling voice that was barely a whisper she added, "That would be a good start anyway."

It was Fret's turn to stiffen in response. He winced at Marica's remark, totally caught off guard. His mind raced as he tried to figure out where she was coming from. He unconsciously pulled his hand away that had been gently playing with her hair, laying it back down at his side. "Self-centered jerk?" he questioned to himself. He'd been called careless and reckless his whole life, so that wasn't anything new. But he pondered, "How am I self-centered? I never ask anyone to risk doing something I wouldn't do myself. And if anything I get criticized for going out of my way to help others. Would a self-centered jerk have jumped in and saved Cougar?"

Fret blinked, staring at the top of Marica's head lying on his chest, even though it was only a dim shadow in the dark room. "Why?" he thought, "Why would she call me that?" He thought some more about her words – about his actions affecting more than just himself, and people who care about him. "Did she mean herself? Is that why she stayed with me the whole time?" Fret frowned, the word 'leader' popped into his consciousness. A word that Marica used to describe him, a word old man Logan had used to describe him when Cherem Company first met the Magedom forces, a word that Meruvis had used to describe him when explaining the dueling rules. Fret had never asked to lead anyone or anything, in fact he was more used to deferring to Jale and Marica. But he supposed there was no use in denying that's what he had become. He sighed as realization settled in, and the weight of Marica's words began to rest on his shoulders. A twinge of fear threatened to envelop the youth, and at once he understood what Marica felt and why she said what she did. Neither he nor Marica recognized the depth of the emotion they felt towards each other personally. But he did realize that she'd been scared for him. And that DID make him a 'self-centered jerk' as she put it, since in challenging Roberto to a duel he wasn't thinking of anyone or anything but himself.

Several minutes had gone by in silence since Marica had made her remark. She had felt him physically react to what she said, and it hadn't gone unnoticed that he had withdrawn his hand from her. She had also heard him sigh a few times. Initially she thought maybe it had been too soon after he had woken up to say something like that, taking his physical cues and lack of vocal response to mean that Fret was angry with her. As the silence continued, Marica grew impatient and then irritated at him. "He could at least acknowledge me, even if he doesn't agree!" she thought. Finally her patience wore out and she backed away and stood up.

"Anyway, I'm glad you're okay," she stated plainly. "I should go…" she muttered, though she wasn't sure where exactly she'd go in the middle of the night since she didn't actually have a room at the inn. She really had stayed with Fret the whole time. But she began to walk through the darkened room to where she knew the door was.

"P-please… don't l-leave…" he pleaded, surprising both of them with the tinge of desperation in his crackling voice. "I… I-I'm s-sorry…"

Marica stopped in her tracks, taking a deep breath to calm her nerves. She looked back, and could see his dim shadow propped up on his elbow facing her. She closed her eyes, fighting back the tears welling in them. Not trusting her voice, she simply walked back to the bed and sat down on the edge of it at Fret's side.

Fret slid his arm around Marica's waist and pulled her closer, repeating "I'm sorry" softly. "Pl-please stay…" he whispered. Not letting go of her, Fret moved over to give her more room on the bed. Marica allowed herself to be pulled down into a lying position, turning to face him in the process, resting her head on his shoulder and draping an arm over his body.

The pair laid together in silence for a minute before Fret started to talk. "You're r-right… I understand now. Forgive me?"

Marica smiled happily, feeling the stress she'd been under washing away. "Of course…" she replied.

Fret began talking again, and after a few sentences of his rambling she put a finger up to his lips and whispered "shhhh…" A minute later, Fret could hear her steady deep breathing and realized that she had already fallen asleep. He smiled and closed his eyes, and a few minutes later was back to sleep himself.

Later in the morning, Fret received a final checkup from Zahra and was released from the clinic. As he and Marica were gathering their things, Fret noticed a distinctive scabbard lying on the table with his armor. He picked it up, and unsheathed a black blade. Giving Marica a questioning look, she explained. "Roberto brought it by a few days ago, he said it was yours and you should have it when you woke up."

"Funny thing about that," Fret thought to himself. "I'm not sure I want it anymore." All he said out loud though was "Ahhh… let's go."


"Lord Fret!" exclaimed Chrodechild as Fret and Marica walked into the main room of the Blades outpost. "You're up and well again!"

"Yeah," he replied sheepishly. "Sorry about my behavior the last time I was here."

"You and me both," a voice said from behind him.

Fret turned around to see Roberto and Meruvis approaching them. Other than some light bruising, Roberto's face was mostly back to normal.

"Oh, hey, Roberto," Fret smiled. "You doin' okay?"

Roberto smirked. "Yep, all put back together."

Fret pulled the scabbard containing the black blade off his belt and offered it to Roberto. "Here…" he said.

"What's this about?" asked Roberto.

Fret sighed. "Sorry for being an idiot, it shouldn't have had to come to fighting for us to settle our differences."

"Maybe not," Roberto replied, "but it happened and you won. Keep it."

"I don't want it if it's going to keep things tense between us."

Roberto looked at Fret in amusement. "Let's just say I might now understand what Commander Chrodechild sees in you. I'm fine, the blade it yours. Besides, we're on the same side and I want you to have something better than that cheesy Magedom sword."

Fret laughed. "Alright, so we're cool?"

"That we are."

Fret held up his right hand, clenched into a fist. "Hold up your hand like this," he said to Roberto.

Roberto raised an eyebrow quizzically, but did as requested. Fret pushed his hand forward, bumping fists with Roberto.

"What was that gesture?" asked Meruvis, who had been standing there listening to them.

Fret shrugged. "It's kind of like a handshake."

"Lord Fret," Chrodechild interjected. "I have a question if you will…"

"Sure, what's up?"

"Towards the end of the duel, I noticed that you switched your sword to your off hand and seemed not to miss a beat," she started. Fret nodded in response.

"So why is it that you do not dual-wield if you can handle a sword in each hand?"

"Yes, I was wondering that as well," said Meruvis.

"Well…" Fret began, "a couple of reasons I suppose. I grew up using staff style weapons like a cudgel, so I had to develop both of my hands pretty equally. But as a result, dual-wielding only works for me when I've got roughly the same weight and balance in each hand. I just get all messed up otherwise."

"But that does not explain why you don't simply carry two of the same type of sword?" questioned Chrodechild.

"Yeah… well… with having to get all of the Cherem Company equipment upgraded and buying supplies and all, I just haven't been able to afford a second sword for myself. Even the Magedom sword was something I just found out in the Mislato River area, I started using it because it was better than the broadsword I had before that. And like I was saying, I couldn't dual-wield those because they were too different in weight and balance."

"I see," said Chrodechild. "So because of the uniqueness of the black blade, you will be limited to single wielding it as well?"

"Pretty much," Fret answered. "But it's alright, it's still a big upgrade from the Magedom sword, and I had been getting by okay with that."

"Yes, we had definitely noticed that," agreed Meruvis.

"Anyway, we just wanted to stop by and see you guys before heading back to Castle Starcache," Fret said. "Hopefully we'll get a chance to fight alongside each other again."

"The operative word being 'alongside'," giggled Marica. "You know, instead of fighting each other."

"Yeah, yeah… I learned my lesson," winked Fret.

"Until we meet again then, good luck and safe travels," said Meruvis.

As Fret and Marica turned to leave, Chrodechild stopped them. "Lord Fret, wait," she said.

Fret and Marica turned around as Chrodechild approached. Taking her own scabbard off her belt, she offered it in her outstretched hand to Fret.

"Chrodechild?" asked a confused Fret.

"Take this," she stated plainly.

"Y-your blade? I can't do that!" protested Fret. Roberto and Meruvis looked on in disbelief.

"I insist, Lord Fret. Now you can dual-wield a pair of the famed black blades feared by the enemies of the Blades of Night's Veil. Consider it a gift from me, one that I pray serves you well."

Meruvis spoke up, "Commander Chrodechild, I will send a runner down to Gadburg's shop to commission a replacement for you."

"Ask him to check on mine as well," said Roberto. "My new blade was supposed to be ready today."

"Wow! I don't know what to say… thanks!" Unsheathing both of HIS black blades, Fret grinned widely as he stepped away from the group. He tested the weight in each hand briefly before launching himself into an advanced kata based on one he used to do with a staff. He finished it off with a forward flip dual strike against an imaginary target.

"These. Are .Amazing!" he exclaimed, slightly out of breath.

Chrodechild chuckled. "Did you notice it, Meruvis?" He nodded in response.

"Notice what?" asked Marica.

Roberto spoke up. "I think I can answer that. The way Fret fights with two swords in comparison to a single blade. For most people, dual-wielding is unnatural and their technique and speed is somewhat compromised when you look at the individual movements of each sword arm. But Fret is noticeably faster and more refined when dual-wielding than he is with a single blade. It's exceptionally rare to be so natural at it."

"Very insightful, Roberto," commented Chrodechild. "You are absolutely correct." She shook her head. "And so young… he's got the stuff legends are made of."

"Well just don't tell HIM that," joked Marica, grinning. "He's hard enough to handle without getting it in his head that he's legendary."

"I understand," replied Chrodechild, before adding "but he very well may be before this is all over."

Sheathing his new blades, Fret came back to the group. He and Marica said their goodbyes and started the journey home.


Erin looked at Chrodechild and Marica. She whistled, and then whispered, "Wow… that's unbelievable."

Marica nodded. "Pretty wild, eh?"

Erin shook her head. "So after all that, you really still think that Fret is more interested in Chrodechild here than yourself?"

Marica's eyes opened wide and she stared at Erin in stunned silence, giving her a bewildered "what the hell are you thinking bringing that up now?" expression.

Chrodechild, seeing Marica's facial expression, lightly chuckled. Marica looked at her, still too stunned to speak.

"Marica," began Chrodechild. "I won't deny that I find Lord Fret intriguing or that I would not return his affection if it was offered to me. But he has already given his heart to someone, and that someone is not me… it is you."

"Wh-what? H-how do you know this?" asked a skeptical Marica.

Erin interjected. "It's ob-vi-ous, silly!"

"It really is," agreed Chrodechild. "Your story about what happened between you two at Zahra's after the duel just confirms it even more."

"But like with you, Marica," said Erin, "whether he actually realizes it is another story. It took me pushing you to be honest about your feelings before the lantern lit up so to speak. And hey, Chrodechild, if I may, you should give serious consideration to Asad. That man simply adores you!"

"Asad? Hmmm… I-I wasn't aware. But since the fall of Astrasia it's been hard to be aware of much of anything besides the war with the Order. That is… interesting," she smiled.

"This is a lot to deal with," admitted Marica. "But it'll all be for nothing if we end up having to throw him off his balcony because of Icas," she grinned.

Erin and Chrodechild laughed. "I guess we will find out very soon," said Chrodechild as they stepped off the lift that had finally made it to the 4th floor, and walked towards Fret's room.