"So, what're we going to do today?" Korra asked as they were eating breakfast the next morning, sitting outside of the inn on rocky stools that she and Bolin had made. Naga was sitting next to her and Korra was scratching behind the polar bear dog's ears.
"Well I'd like to go to that tournament," Bolin said as Pabu jumped onto his head. "Ah, okay, okay, I'll feed you!"
"Couldn't hurt to watch," Mako said as he was firebending under Asami's canteen to heat up water for tea. "Might be interesting to be on the other side of a match for once."
"I dunno about you, but if there's a chance I might see if I can get some training with the arming sword," Asami said as she gestured to it. "My self-defense training was the best money could buy, but it wasn't meant for fights like Gisim. You guys have bending, but the more I think about it the more I think I'm a liability in that kind of fight without my gauntlet."
"You're not a liability," Korra protested, "but if you're sure… let me know if I can help."
"Thanks."
"What about you Jinora?" Korra glanced at the airbender, sitting quietly with her eyes closed and Furry-Foot on her shoulder. "Jinora?"
The little girl awoke with a start and shook her head. "Sorry, it's just… last night I had a weird dream. A mountain trail, but… it felt familiar. Like there's something nearby."
"What, spirits?" Bolin asked incredulously. "I thought most of them were in the east!"
"Not all of them," Jinora explained as she slowly stood, Furry-Foot taking off and hovering behind her. "Some of the spirits I met did want to explore the western half of the continent. I can't explain it, it's a gut instinct."
"And what's your gut telling you?" Korra asked as steam began to rise from the canteen and Mako started filling everyone's cups. The wooden cups actually belonged to the innkeeper, but she had let them borrow them to eat outside.
"To head to the mountain east of Praven. If you want to do something else, I'll go alone."
Korra shook her head as Mako filled her cup and then put in the tea leaves, stirring it with waterbending as she looked towards Jinora. "I dunno," Korra admitted, "This is something both of us should do. But Klargus really wanted me back at Dhirim, so I should stay in town."
"Jinora gets along with spirits," Asami noted as she took a sip from her cup. "I don't think she'll run into any problems, and with her glider staff she's a lot faster than the rest of us."
"Either way, be careful. We don't know what's there and Calradia does have a bandit problem," Mako warned.
Before Jinora could answer, Korra noticed a man walking up the street with a scroll in hand. And the man, while not armored in mail, still wore a red tabard similar to that most of the guards wore. The main difference was that this one was emblemized with a yellow lion on it. As he approached them, they all turned.
"Can we help you?" Asami asked.
"I bear a message from King Harlaus for a Lady Korra," the man said, looking between them.
"No need for the title," Korra said as she stood.
The messenger raised an eyebrow before shrugging and handing the scroll to Korra. "I would read it promptly, as it is a message from His Majesty."
Korra opened the scroll and then paused, feeling her gut tightening as she remembered: she couldn't read Calradian script.
"Ah, could you read it?" Korra asked as she felt her cheeks burning in embarrassment, "I er… well, we're used to a different writing system."
Asami put a hand on her face as Bolin winced. Mako remained expressionless, looking towards the alleys, while Naga rose slowly and nuzzled Korra's legs.
"What?" the messenger asked, blinking, before shaking his head and offering a hand. "I see. Here, hand it to me."
Korra handed the scroll back to him and he took it, holding it in front of him and clearing his throat.
"His Majesty King Harlaus of Swadia wishes to invite Lady Korra, of parts unknown, to the feast within Praven for recognition of her efforts to defend the village of Gisim from the Nord Barbarians. Show this to the guard at the door for entry."
"Is this just for Korra specifically, or is it a group invite under her name?" Asami asked.
"It is for her specifically," the herald explained as he rolled up the scroll.
Korra rubbed her chin as she considered it. I need to talk to Klargus anyways, she decided before speaking up. "I'll be there shortly, I just need to change."
The messenger bowed his head and handed the scroll back to her. "Of course. The events for this day will not begin for another hour, so you will have time to make yourself ready. Good day." With that he turned and left.
"Right…" Korra muttered as she considered what she had to wear. "Asami, I don't suppose you had anything nice in your bag, did you?'
The ex-CEO shook her head. "No, and besides any nice clothes would be all wrinkled from all the travelling we've done."
"Guess I'll just have to wear the nicest clothes I have," she said as she considered what she had.
"You sure you don't want to just go buy something?" Bolin asked, Pabu dropping to the ground next to Naga and the two started sniffing each other.
"Delinard wasn't wearing anything too fancy," Mako cut in, "so I think you'll be fine as long as you don't look like you just came from a fight."
Korra finished her tea, then nodded. "Alright. I'll go get changed. Jinora you might as well go check out those spirits, who knows how long we'll be here."
"What if something comes up?" Asami asked. "We won't be able to reach her easily."
"I'll catch up," Jinora offered as she reached for the glider staff. "But if there are spirits nearby we should know about it."
"Go ahead," Korra said. "Looks like we're all doing something different today."
"Looks like," Asami agreed. "Also, I'd ask someone you know about protocol. Might be nothing, but it's better than doing some sort faux pas in front of a bunch of important people."
Remembering Marayirr's reaction a few days prior, she nodded. "Good idea."
XXXXXXXX
"Did she accept?"
"Yes, Your Majesty," the herald said as he knelt before his king in a small meeting room deeper within the keep.
"Good, you are dismissed." Harlaus said as he nodded to himself. The messenger left, and once he was gone the king looked to Count Delinard. "Well Count, let's see who this woman is."
"My King," another noble said, old with a grey goatee and beard, "Do we want a foreign woman amongst our number? Even if she brings bending skills unseen for centuries, she is still a woman. Warfare is not the domain of the fairer sex."
Harlaus glared towards the old count, but simply nodded. "You are right, Count Haringoth, but remember your place. I want to see this bender with my own eyes. Here, we have a chance to see how she navigates a court. Then we will find out how best to sway her to the Kingdom of Swadia."
"I understand the value of regaining organized bending, but we should not bend our traditions to accommodate her. Swadia's strength is its heritage, and if we throw away its tenets, what good will our victory be?"
"I will not compromise the crown's authority," he answered, then he looked towards Count Klargus. "Now, she was on a job for you, so it will fall on you to meet her. Answer her failure how you will, it is your business."
Suno's ruler lowered his head. "Of course, my king."
"Should we explain this to our sons and the others?" asked Count Clais, knuckles clenched. Harlaus knew why: Clais was not eager to have a warrior woman walking in the same town as his daughter.
"No," Delinard explained as Harlaus gave him a nod. "Lady Korra is a skilled woman and the infiltration of Dramug Castle was no feat of brute force. If all our sons and daughters know of this, then she may suspect something. It must be as real as can be, compliments and insults alike. Otherwise, she may grow suspicious of our motives."
Haringoth leaned back in his chair, "We will see soon enough. I will keep an eye on my son, so that he does nothing too foolish."
Harlaus nodded. "Thank you, gentlemen. I will see you all when the feast resumes."
The four counts all rose and bowed, though Delinard remained as the other three members of his inner council left. As they finished leaving, Harlaus sighed.
"Kelderan Castle lost… giving Count Grainwad the rents of Azgad and housing here is only going to last so long," he grumbled, then slammed his fist on the table. "Damn Nords. Ragnar chose well his time to strike. And now I imagine Graveth is looking at our borders wondering if he should switch his focus."
"So long as he remains at war with the Sarranids I do not believe the Rhodoks will be a threat, but the incidents near Nemeja are worrying. If it's true that a group of young hooligans from the mountains were responsible for that grain fire…"
"Haringoth will be demanding we burn the Rhodoks down, I know. Hopefully, this feast will be a chance to keep them occupied and let the whole incident blow over." He exhaled. "But I have some hope. This 'Korra' has a sense of justice, seeing how she was responsible for the interruption during the last feast and her reaction to Gisim."
"This could be the break Swadia needs, my king. If her bending knowledge is as great as it seems to be… imagine how happy Grainwad would be if it was benders who helped retake Kelderan Castle. Benders who were trained because Your Majesty had the wisdom to convince the strongest bender that Calradia had seen to serve the Kingdom of Swadia."
"You don't need to remind me of my own plan," he retorted as he grinned faintly. "Still, I must tread carefully. She may be a great asset, but I must remember the authority of the crown."
"Of course. By your leave?"
Harlaus nodded as he pushed himself to his feet. "Go ahead."
XXXXXX
As Korra made her way up the stairs into Praven's keep, she found herself wondering if she was dressed formally enough. Well, I could be going in full armor, she decided as the guard looked at her, though it was a different one this time. One carrying a polearm with both an axe head and a spear tip.
"I'm sorry, but I'm not supposed to let anyone in without an invitation."
Korra handed the scroll to him. "A messager gave me this."
The guard took it, leaning his polearm against the nearby stonework to read the scroll and then nodded. "Aye, it seems to be in order. Do you have any weapons on you?"
"None," she answered as she held her arms up so he could see. He took a quick glance before handing the scroll back to her and picking up his polearm again.
"Good. Enjoy the feast, milady."
"Thanks," she said, passing him and opening the door herself to enter. Another guard in the antechamber inside pointed her to a set of stairs that led her up to a hall.
It was a rectangular stone room with a ceiling high enough that Korra suspected that a mecha tank could fit inside. The stone floor had several multicolored carpets laid down. The walls were lined with paintings and below them tables, chairs, and benches. All the furniture was facing the center of the room. And towards the far end, there were a few stairs to another table where she saw a large man in orange sitting on a throne, crown on his head. Next to him on his right she recognized Count Delinard, while on the other side was Klargus.
The room was filled with nobles, most wearing assorted clothing that befit a royal court. Just not wearing nearly as much silk, she decided as she thought back to the paintings of the Fire Nation and Earth Kingdom's royalty she had seen in the Sato mansion. Most of them wore some form of orange or red in their clothes, though not all of them. A few had tabards with what she presumed was heraldry on them, though they were relatively few. Most of them were standing around talking to each other, but a few were eating the food on the tables.
As she stepped away from the stairs, Klargus noticed her and after a brief exchange with Harlaus made his way towards her.
"Count," she said as she bowed her head.
"Lady Korra," he answered as he returned it. "I take it that Thornton escaped or was killed in the raid."
"I don't know," Korra explained as she shook her head. "We just tried to stop the raid and then tried to find our freedom. After that we didn't have any leads and figured that you would want to know if we lived or not."
Klargus folded his arms, but nodded. "I understand. I am disappointed, but you kept your pledge in spite of those circumstances and paid the price for it. No man of Suno could be asked to do more."
"Thank you. I'm sorry we couldn't do more."
"Do not trouble yourself. Men often slip away from justice, but the heavens has a way of balancing the books. Perhaps his justice will be toiling away as a slave for the Nords or a foreign realm." Klargus smiled faintly. "And crueler than the hangman's noose."
'The heavens'? Since when did the sky have some sort of power? she wondered before writing it off as being poetic, a way of just acknowledging how the universe runs. "Well, if we find him we'll try to bring him in. But now that the trail is cold…"
"... catching him will be difficult. I appreciate the offer, but I will not ask you to search for a needle in a stack of hay." Klargus gestured towards the hall broadly. "For now, however, you should make acquaintances."
"Anything I should know?"
"Pay due respect - a polite bow should be enough for most, and remember your status. Noble blood may run in your veins so you will receive proper address, but you are both a woman and a foreigner. Remember that, and if you wish to speak to King Harlaus work your way up the court."
She nodded. Makes sense; you don't just walk up to a king unless asked, she decided as she found herself curling her lip as she looked at the Swadian nobility. Of course, I never did learn all the decorum of court...
"Thank you, Count," she finished as she looked back to Klargus. "And I'm sorry about what happened."
"Apology accepted," he said as he waved his hand. "Now, if you would excuse me…"
Korra lowered her head and the count left, leaving Korra standing there as she looked around before deciding to walk towards some of the younger women standing in one of the corners.
It was a group of three, and as Korra approached they stopped whatever conversation they were having and looked at her. The one standing to the left, with her light red hair in a ponytail and wearing a green dress with a sleeveless and patterned surcoat of a dull orange color, looked at her.
"And who is this?" the woman asked, appraising Korra - her exposed arms in particular.
"Korra," she answered as she lowered her head and recognized her as accompanying Count Delianrd the day before.
"Ah yes, I remember. You rescued my brother Rafard." She curtsied. "I am Lady Elina. A pleasure to meet you, Lady Korra." As she rose back, she looked at Korra's arms and turned her nose up. "Have you fallen on hard times to have so much skin exposed?"
"Huh?" Korra asked as she glanced at her exposed biceps. "Oh. No, I just prefer it this way."
"She's a warrior," said the woman standing in the middle of the group, also red haired but without her hair put up in any manner. Korra noticed that her dress was far simpler; a single red color for the most part. "We both know that these dresses are bad for fighting. They're too restrictive. Why do you think I usually wear the travel furs?"
Elina grumbled non-committally. "Perhaps, but the restrictions should not matter."
"Where are my manners," the second woman said as she looked at Korra and curtsied, "My name's Tibal, Count Clais' daughter. I… wow, I had heard you broke into a Vaegir castle by yourself and beat the garrison, but I never expected to meet a woman like you."
Korra smiled faintly as she looked at Tibal. "Well I wasn't alone. I had Asami with me."
"The other woman with you?" Elina asked with a tone that sounded exasperated.
"She's more dressy than I am, but she's not some delicate flower," Korra answered. As she did, she took a glance at the third woman in the group on her right. This woman had brown hair that had been woven in a way that resembled a circlet around her head, but most of it was still shoulder length towards the back. And she was eying Korra with an appraisal that reminded her of Asami and Mako when they were analyzing something.
"So, how did you become a fighter?" Tibal asked, jolting Korra from the analysis.
"I didn't have much of a choice, I'm the Avatar." Korra explained, all three of them frowning. Right, they need the context, "You hear about the trouble in Kedelke? With spirits?"
"So it was more than just drunk tribals?" the third woman asked suddenly, catching Korra off guard as the woman spoke with a cold voice.
"It was, they were spirits forced to Calradia by similar circumstances to what brought me here," she explained. "My role as the Avatar was to be the bridge between humans and spirits. I helped the two sides there come to an agreement." She knew it was a gross simplification, but it got the point across.
"Interesting. My name is Lady Vera, by the way. Count Haringoth's daughter."
"A pleasure," Korra answered as she looked at the other two. "So uh, how rare are fighting women in Calradia?"
"Rare, and for good reason," Elina explained as she held her hands together. "Women are the custodians of the hearth, and to see that a lady of gentle birth such as yourself must be a warrior is a chivalric shame."
"Don't let Elina get you down," Tibal cut in. "She doesn't know how lucky she is that her father insisted she know how to use a sword. I mean, look at you! You're strong, brave, independent… I wish my father was more open to the idea."
"He's probably just trying to protect you," Korra offered, frowning as she remembered their arguments but she pushed the thoughts aside. He was just trying to help - even if she didn't need it.
"Yes, but Count Delinard trained her to keep her safe!" Tibal protested as she pointed at Elina. "What's wrong with me learning to defend myself?"
"The castle of love was not stormed by a woman," Elina retorted and Korra was barely able to suppress a derisive snort in time. Does she read the same love stories as Ikki? she wondered briefly.
"You have something to say?" Vera asked.
"I uh… sorry, but 'the castle of love'? Sounds like something out of a little kid's storybook…"
"You have not heard of the poem?" Elina asked in shock. "A shame, 'The Storming of the Castle of Love'such is a staple of proper romance!"
"I am a foreigner here…"
"Well, it's considered an allegorical poem of the role of a knight and a lady," Tibal explained with a faint smirk. "The rough warrior of the street learning the ways of chivalry to earn the love of a fair maiden, that sort of thing."
Korra shrugged. "Doesn't sound like my kind of story."
"There will be bards and minstrels as the day goes on," Vera said. "I think it will be most fascinating to see which songs of theirs you like."
"Right, moving on..." she said to try and get away from the unease she felt from Vera's laconic remarks, "What do you do for fun here? I mean, sports seems to be out for you and only one of you is trained in fighting."
"All of us ride," Tibal explained. "It's an important skill to know for anyone to know."
"Of course, you like doing so faster more than most," Vera cut in. "If I did not know better, I would say you wished you were a man!"
"No I do not!" Tibal protested as she glared at the cold woman. "At least I don't spend all my time studying politics and family trees. There's a reason why most of the other ladies keep their distance from you!"
Vera looked at Korra for a moment before shrugging. "So I seek to marry well, get out of my father's shadow, and bring my family the respect it deserves. Can we ask for any less?"
"It's your choice," Korra answered with a shrug. "So uh, riding? Well that's something we have in common. I've always enjoyed riding Naga."
"The beast you ride, right?" Tibal asked. "The white bear?"
"Polar bear dog, actually, but yes. We basically grew up together."
"Curious, how did your people mix bears and dogs?" Elina asked. "Horse breeders take the strongest or fastest stock to encourage those traits. The warhorses that knights ride are the result of such practices. But I've never seen them cross different kinds of animal. That just… doesn't work."
"Er… Naga was a wild polar bear dog. As a puppy she got lost in the tundra and I stumbled onto her. I brought her home and ever since we've been very close. She's been the only friend I had who was actually my age for a long time. I was raised in a military compound and kept from the outside world."
"You say it like it's unusual for a woman of status," Elina said as she looked down. "We all grew up sheltered. The world is a harsh place after all, and a proper lady should be untouched by the horrors."
"At least you had each other, though," Korra noted. "You know, people who aren't authority figures, or the grandkids of your waterbending instructor."
"Perhaps," Elina admitted as she looked at the other two. "I do sometimes wish I had more freedom to meet others, but as a woman of gentle birth I have my responsibilities. If I do not, then what might happen to our social order? A peasant woman needs few skills. A noble lady must have grace, dignity, and a soft touch."
"And occasionally be able to wrangle our brothers in line," Tibal noted. "How many times have you had to get Regas to stand down, Vera?"
"More than once," the woman admitted. "But it is not my place to discuss it," she added as she looked to Korra.
Still, she had to ask one more question. "So… marriage here. I know it's the expected goal of a woman here, but… is it the woman's choice, or is it arranged?"
"Have you heard of courtly romance?" Tibal asked and Korra shook her head.
"It is love without the erotic desire," Elina explained. "After all, we must not be deflowered before we meet our husbands."
"So… dating," Korra said. "Except the end result isn't supposed to be possibly getting together for real? That seems… heartless. I mean, it's like stringing someone along just to dump them for some stranger." Even though she knew better, meeting people who considered it reality still unnerved Korra.
"Now that's being harsh, it is never supposed to be consummated," Elina continued as Tibal and Vera watched on. "It is fulfillment without having to give in to the slag of our baser emotions. After all even if a knight and lady have found a mutually fulfilling love here, it may be needed for one or both of them to go to another for the purposes of ensuring the futures of their families."
"My mother was an example," Vera explained. "She was a lot like Tibal here, but she married my father to secure my grandfather's manor was able to go to my uncle. After that he kept her safe inside."
"Why do you ask?" Tibal finally asked. "Were you caught between love and duty?"
She paused as she remembered her last stunt at the Republic City police station. "Yes, but uh… not in that way. The firebender on my team? We used to go out together. But his job and my duties collided, so we ended it. It just didn't work with us on opposite sides of an issue."
Elina nodded. "I'm sorry, but at least it was on your terms, right?"
"Thanks, and yeah, sort of."
"Still, you travel together, don't you?" Tibal asked as she smiled faintly. "Maybe you'll get another chance."
"You're jealous, aren't you?" Vera asked as she smirked at the other woman. "You'd like to marry for love rather than politics."
"Maybe," Tibal admitted as her cheeks went red.
Korra shrugged. "It ended. Anyways I'd rather focus on what I can do. Like helping people caught between these wars."
Elina smiled. "You may not be a conventional lady, but at least you have your morals in the right direction. I hope you are able to stop being a warrior one day, but at least you have the moral standing befit your station as you do so."
The four fell silent for a few moments as Korra mulled over what she had learned. Korra heard someone stepping behind her and Elina perked up.
"Ah, father," Elina said as they all turned. "What is it?"
"The jousting tournament is about to start," Delinard explained before looking at Korra. "I don't suppose you are interested in participating? It is not typical, but we have had some female contestants before."
Korra shook her head. "No, I've actually never heard of it before, so I'll just watch."
XXXXXX
"You okay?" Korra asked as one of the Swadian nobles with red hair and a mustache to go with it sat down nearby.
"I'm fine," he said as he rubbed his chin, which was visibly bruised. "Should've kept my shield tighter." He paused for a moment then lowered his head. "Ah, you must be Lady Korra. Count Devlian, son of Count Clais and lord of Yalibe. You've already met my sister."
Korra bowed her head in return. "Yes, I did. And you don't need to call me 'Lady'."
"Perhaps, but you are of noble blood. Though a fair warning: be careful around my sister. My father really dislikes the idea of her meeting people who might be open to training her in war and firebending. And well, a bending woman warrior is the epitome of his fears."
"What, does he think she'll just run off with the first guy who promises her blood and glory?"
Devlian did not respond and Korra was left wondering if the more traditionally minded nobles were simply giving Korra space rather than interacting with her.
"Anyways," Korra continued, "So… what's the point of jousting? I might be missing the context, but to me it looks like it's a contest of who can take the most blunt spears to the chest."
"This is a simplified form, more of a spectator sport," Devlian explained. "Jousting is a subset of the overall tournament, which is with live weapons."
Korra stared at him. "Okay, blunt weapons I could understand, but live ones? I mean, you're hitting each other with enough force to send the other person flying off his horse. If that was sharp that'd go into your armor!"
"A youth must hear his teeth crack and see his blood flow before he can face real war, or so the scholars say." He shrugged as more of the young nobles who were participating in the joust joined them as they got out of their armor and were tended to. "Around Dhirim we stopped it simply because we can't afford to lose young and coming knights. The real tourney not meant for spectators is full combat - swords, lances, and more. The goal? Subdue the opposition and capture them."
Korra nodded. "Pro-Bending back in Republic City - a large city where I'm from - used a marked platform over water. Six zones, each team of three having three zones. The goal was to knock back the other team through those zones until they were knocked off. Within some rules to avoid serious injury, but otherwise you were free to use your skills as best you could."
"So similar to the older tourney," Devlian said with a nod as Rafard knocked his opponent off his horse. "Except without the actual value of military practice. Though from the way you describe it, I take it you were skilled in it?"
"I was only in for the tail end of a season, but I loved it before I actually had the chance to play," she explained.
They paused for a few minutes as Harlaus went through a speech to announce Rafard's victory, but as soon as he stopped and they waited for the next round they were joined by others in the stands.
"Lady Korra," Count Rafard said as he was smiling widely, joining the conversation. "I see you've settled in well as a spectator."
"Count Rafard," she answered as she bowed her head to him briefly.
Rafard paused, folding his arms before coughing into his hand. "Yes. Well, I just wanted to say… I'm sorry for how I acted when you… assisted me at Dramug Castle."
"Hey Rafard," another young noble cut in, "don't choke on the pride. We all know what happened!"
Rafard glowered before muttering something under his breath that Korra could barely make out. She glanced at the noble who had spoken up and he gave her a look that made her wonder if something was on her face before he turned back towards the lady he talked with and Korra turned to Rafard.
"Apology accepted," Korra said as she held a hand out. Rafard gave it a strange look, before shaking it and taking a seat on the other end of Devlian. "So, who was that?"
"Count Montewar. You can recognize him by the burned and scarred scalp. That's what happens when you try to fight Rhodok Earthshapers without a helmet when the bridge is on fire."
"I wondered why he was mostly bald," she muttered. "Though, how many benders are there? I was told that Swadia's nobility had a lot, but I haven't actually seen it."
"All the Hartwells are firebenders, right?" Devlian asked as he looked at Rafard.
"Nah, it skipped Elina."
"Right. Well, the Leporidae have a mix, then again we've got a very wide family tree right now with marriages…" Devlian shrugged. "I'm not a bender myself, but Tibal is and so's my father. I take it that benders are more numerous and stronger where you're from?"
"Numerous? Yes. Stronger?" Korra shook her head as the next tournament - an all foot one - was starting. "I don't think it's a matter of strength as it is training. From what I heard in Nord territory, you guys used to have training, but it was lost when a place called Zendar burned, right?"
"Yes, the Empire was very strict about bending training not proliferating," Rafard said with a nod. "So you may want to consider the fact that you are not so limited. The Kingdom of Swadia would pay handsomely for the training you could offer. Imagine if Gisim was not just defended by you being present, but a bending milita."
Korra paused as she considered it, then remembered who was asking her: the man who had been captured trying to burn down a Vaegir village. She looked down at the contestants, saw Bolin looking at her, and gave him a quick wave before turning back to the others.
"A friend of yours?" Devlian asked.
"Rafard knows him; the earthbender you were imprisoned with," she explained.
"I remember him," Rafard muttered. "Is he always so naive?"
"Don't let that fool you, he's one of the best earthbenders I've met."
Rafard nodded. "It will be interesting to see how he fights without bending. This tourney does not permit it."
Korra smirked. "He learned Republic City street style, bending and hand to hand. It's not pretty, but it does the job."
Another noble walked by, one with brown hair and a wide face that gave him a family resemblance to Lady Vera. And he was Rafard's previous opponent. "Well fought, Count Rafard," the noble said despite his black eye, "but next time I will be victorious."
"We'll see about that, Count Regas," Rafard retorted. "For now though, let's watch the peasants quarrel for a chance to join our august company for a few hours."
Regas paused, looking at Korra and scowling. "Ah. The woman who claims to be some sort of special bender."
"It's true," she explained. "My firebending and airbending is still coming back, but I can bend all four elements. And yes, I am a fighter."
"And overturning the natural order of the world," Regas snorted. "You are either a fool or deluded to think that being a warrior is the way for you to act. If you need help finding a husband of worth, I am certain that a true Swadian soldier of the old ways would be more than sufficient to get you away from this insanity."
Are you serious? Korra thought as Devlian put an open palm on his forehead. She noticed that further up the stand reserved for the feast's guests, Harlaus was watching carefully. Asami's warning about a faux pas coming back, Korra hardened her glare and stared at him.
"Really? If your men are even twice as diplomatic as you are, I'd have better luck back home. At least a polar bear dog respects its pack."
Rafard laughed as Regas' eyes widened as he realized he had just entered a battle of wit. He glared. "You mewling cun-"
"Regas!" a voice cut in. "That's enough."
They all paused and an old man wearing a surcoat, the front of which was white save for the black eagle dominating most of it.
"Father," Regas said as he bowed. "This woman…"
"I heard the whole exchange. You were provoking her, Regas. Trying to goad a woman to a duel is beneath you, no matter how skilled she is. Get your act together, I won't have you embarrassing the family any more than you already have today."
Regas snapped stiff as a board as the old man's lecture ended and the first match of the tournament ended - Bolin was one of those still standing.
Finally, after a few moments, Regas lowered his head. "Yes, father."
"Good," he said as he gestured for his son to follow him and led him to the other side of the stands.
"What's his problem?" Korra asked as she looked at the others.
"You are in an unwomanly profession," Rafard explained. "If circumstance has forced you to it, then it is a tragedy, but you still should consider a more proper path as a lady."
Korra folded her arms. "Yeah, but getting into my face like that was uncalled for. 'I'll find you a husband' oh give me a break…"
"If it is any consolation, Lady Korra…" Devlian started.
"As I said, you don't need to call me 'Lady'." The two were silent for a moment as Devlian shrugged.
I'm going to have just accept this, aren't I? she realized as he continued.
"The Haringoths, including Count Haringoth himself, are extremely traditional. Think Suno, but not as nice about it."
Korra frowned. "A Count Haringoth of a Haringoth family?"
"Older tradition, pre-Imperial where nobles take the family name when patriarch of their house."
"Right…" Korra slowly as the next round ended - and Bolin was on the ground. Wincing, Korra pushed herself up. "Excuse me," she said and made her way out of the stands.
XXXXXXX
After helping Bolin patch up his injuries - he was mostly bruised from the blows that a contestant named Dranton had dealt him - Korra made her way back into the keep and rejoined the nobles and looked towards the end of the hall where the throne was.
There, Harlaus was talking with some of the older nobles - among them Delinard, Haringoth, and Clais who were sitting nearby, while another count was talking to the king and standing before him. Hoping she had worked her way up the social ladder enough, she approached them.
"I understand you seek to restore the claim," Harlaus was saying as he talked to the count, "but I will not tolerate the truce with the Vaegirs to be broken on account of such. Once it has expired, you are free to do so, but I want all my vassals held in readiness for war if the situation with the Rhodoks grows and for them to see to their fiefs in the meantime. But if you are confident in quick victory and the Vaegirs accepting such, you have my blessing once the truce ends."
"Of course, my king," the noble said as he bowed. "By your leave?"
"You can go, Count Ryis."
The count bowed again and left, leaving the four sitting nobles to look at, and Korra got her first real chance to look at King Harlaus.
He was an older man, most of his body was obscured by the loose clothing he wore but as he turned on his throne she could make out his wide belly rubbing against his clothes. He had a full head of hair and a full beard to go with it, all of which was of a blond color with streaks of grey peaking out. Resting atop his head was a circlet crown with solid gold, studs sticking out of it that resembled the lions on the banners in the hall. Harlaus looked at her and Korra bowed as their gazes met.
"Your majesty," she said, looking towards the floor as she bowed.
"You can rise, Lady Korra," the king said as he nodded towards her and waved his right hand. "We were speaking of you before the good count asked of his lawful claims."
"You were?" she asked, unable to hide the surprise she knew she really should not have felt. "Er… can I ask what about?"
"Business of the realm," Delinard explained. "My son may have mentioned it."
"So, you want to hire me as a mercenary?" she asked as her suspicions were confirmed.
"Indeed," Clais explained. "Though this is mostly Delinard's idea."
"Yes, the good marshall is quite open to this…" Haringoth muttered as he glared at her.
Not surprised, she decided as she looked to Delinard. "Thank you, but I can't speak for my friends right now."
"I don't expect you to," he answered. "But at least hear out our terms and bring them to them."
"We can talk business later," Harlaus ordered as he waved his hand lazily. "For now, we relax. Tell me, Lady, how have your journeys in Calradia gone so far? You've travelled quite far these last few weeks, and rumors have spread."
"Even with what's happened, so far it's been good enough," she admitted. "I still want to find the people from Gisim, but they've been scattered by the Nords' slave traders."
"Noble," Haringoth said with a nod. "Not the task of a lady, but noble."
"It would be a fool's errand, I'm afraid," Delinard elaborated as Korra ignored Haringoth. "Even if you sought them out some would be missed. Still, you and your friends all lived and made some of the raiders pay with their lives. All said and done, a fair trade."
They were silent for a few moments as Korra was not sure if she could call a bunch of people being captured a 'fair trade'.
"So, who was your father?" Harlaus asked, breaking the silence as he leaned forward with his hands clasped together. "I heard that he was supposedly in line to inherit a royal title."
Seriously, who overheard that? she wondered before remembering Bolin's questions to her one night Veluca. Delinard had a spy there, she realized as she looked at him before turning back to Harlaus.
"Tonraq, though he was disinherited after being framed. He settled down and even if I was in the line of succession I have two cousins who've probably taken up being chief by now." She shrugged. "I know you have a protocol and I appreciate it, but you don't need to address me as 'Lady'. I never gave much thought to it before I came to Calradia."
"I see," Harlaus said as he nodded to himself. "I take it those you grew with put little stock in noble blood, as the Rhodoks failed to do when they rebelled."
"My Calradian history is still rather basic, but probably," she admitted.
"A strange people if it is perfectly acceptable for a daughter to discount her gentle birth," Haringoth muttered.
"Different cultures," Delinard said with a shrug as he looked to the old lord. "I'm certain that one day they will realize the need to give due respect."
Alright, now that the ice is broken it's time to ask, Korra thought as she hoped Harlaus took the questions better than Ragnar had. "If I could ask, I met someone in Wercheg a few weeks ago. A woman named Isolla…"
A silence quickly shot through the crowd as those near them heard the name dropped and spread as more and more of the crowd realized what happened. Korra's gut tightened as she realized all eyes were on them.
Harlaus' eyebrows raised and he leaned back in his chair, a grimace on his face. "I see," he said with a nod. "Very well, I have asked about your past. I take it she told you of how her father declared her heir multiple times in front of the peers. That by rights she should be queen but for the ruling of our magistrates?"
"She did," Korra admitted.
"So she stands by the slander," the king sighed. "Tell me, have you heard of Lady Jeanne, also of Suno and the reason why most women of the Swadian royal family bear that epithet?"
She shook her head. "No, your majesty."
"Then let this be a history lesson. Yes, Lady Jeanne left a fond memory in the hearts of the Swadian people of women ruling, yet she never ruled in her own right. Queens who actually ruled were her ancestors, in the days before the Calradic Empire controlled all of Calradia. And like you, all of those queens were warriors, often picking up where their husbands and fathers had left off after dying against the Empire."
"So, the idea of a woman fighting isn't foreign to Swadia?" Korra asked as she tilted her head. "And it used to be common."
"No more than it is today: a lady taking charge of her husband or father's assets as there is no other legitimate claimant to such due to his capture or death in war," Harlaus continued with a casual wave of his hand. "But what Isolla neglects to mention to adventurers such as yourself is that these queens all ended their rule in the same way: beaten by the Empire and losing more territory. And it was a queen who led Swadia to its final defeat and left her young sons with no choice but to submit to the Empire's bootheel."
"Was this queen Jeanne?" Korra asked as she was wondering why someone who lead Swadia to defeat would be so fondly remembered. Iroh had done the impossible and broke the first wall of Ba Sing Se, and everyone ignored that in favor of his eventual withdrawal.
"No, she came as the Empire began to fall into decadence. Had history been kinder, she never would have taken up the sword." Harlaus pointed to a painting hanging on the walls, a painting of a rather sickly looking man on a horse at some battlefield. On one side of the battlefield were men whose banners Korra recognized from Shariz: Imperial forces.
"This painting is of Wilhelm, Lady Jeane's brother" Harlaus elaborated, "He was bedridden by pox when the rebellion began and it was Jeanne who fought for much of it. He only returned to lead his people to victory after she was captured by the Empire to be drawn and quartered."
That doesn't sound pleasant, Korra thought. The name alone, which was all she had for context, certainly did not imply a humane end. But it left the question: if Jeanne had built Swadia's army, why would being a woman disinherit Isolla?
"So you're saying that even though these queens fought well, just because they all fell Isolla shouldn't be queen?" Korra finally asked as Harlaus waited. "Was she ever trained to fight? And even then, couldn't she leave strategy to a general, like you?"
She noticed some of the nobles glaring at her, Haringoth in particular, and wondered what was wrong with what she had asked. Harlaus narrowed his eyes at her, but continued on anyways.
"King Esterich, my cousin, had a kind heart and he was a good king," Harlaus began as he kept his glare at Korra. "And as a father should he doted upon his daughter. Yet a good king who does not use his head is a curse upon his people. Swadia has held on in this Age of Calradic War, but Swadia's people suffer for it. I have proved myself in war, and war is what threatens the Swadian people. I could not sit by as its people were left in the guidance of a woman who had only been taught tactics, never actually been in war. Have you yourself been in war?"
"Not to Calradia's' scale," Korra admitted as she realized that despite all the fights she had been in, she had little wartime experience. "There aren't that many where I came from. We had our fill after a hundred years of it."
Harlaus nodded. "Your lands are fortunate if the horrors of war are mostly left in your imagination. I have seen both my sons cut down in battle and my wife killed by pox when she was captured by the Nords. I have watched villages burn to the ground - and ordered many burned down myself." The king sighed, shaking his head as he was probably reliving the memories.
Taking a deep breath, he continued. "Those who weep for the plight of a princess denied her throne should instead think of the plight of villagers taken from their homes to be sold in Tihr as chattel. That, I think, is something you are all too familiar with, having failed yourself against htis threat. Would you wish that upon the realm?"
Korra glared at him, walking forward and putting both her fists on the table between them. "No, but I didn't fail because I'm a woman, 'King' Harlaus." A shocked whisper ran through the crowd and she winced as she realized what she had just done.
Glancing around, Korra pushed herself back and cleared her throat. "Anyways, I wouldn't want Swadia to suffer what happened at Gisim, your majesty. I just can't see why Isolla would cause it to happen any more than it has under your rule. Is there something I don't know, or?..." she trailed off, hoping the offered retraction was enough.
The king glared at her, but nodded slowly. "Perhaps, I cannot say. Regardless Isolla could have remained in Swadia had she accepted my authority. I never held a personal dislike for her, but she defied our laws. Now, let's leave politics behind. This is meant to be an occasion to mend differences, not cause them."
Translation: 'This is my throne, don't challenge it', Korra thought as she grit her teeth before bowing her head. "Of course, your majesty."
"Good. Now… I've heard much of your skills. It is said that you can bend both earth and water?"
The tension left the room as Harlaus changed the topic and the nobles returned to their conversations. Yet there was still an uneasy air as the talking picked back up and some of the servants brought out drinks.
"I can," Korra said as she held her right palm up and lit a small flame with firebending. "As well as fire and air. Though those two elements are weak right now - part of the circumstances that brought me to Calradia."
"Interesting," Harlaus said, grabbing his glass and drinking some wine.
"Strange, I thought only one element could be bend - if someone was even born with the ability," Clais muttered. "How did you learn to do it?"
"I was taught how to bend all four elements, but the ability to do so?" She glanced around, curling her lip as the opportunity came to her mind. "I was born with it and I had to deal with it."
"Ah, the burden of gentle birth," Haringoth said as he nodded before looking her over and shaking her head. "But powerful an advantage as it is, that does not change the station of a lady."
"Sorry, Count Haringoth, I'm not the stay at home type," Korra retorted.
Haringoth glared at her, but instead of saying something he reached for his goblet and drank deeply as someone stepped up behind Korra. She glanced at him and saw that he was another noble.
"Apologies for interrupting, but there is a matter I should discuss with you, King Harlaus," the nobleman said as he bowed.
"Of course," Harlaus said before turning back to Korra. "Perhaps later you can show me your abilities. I trust you are telling me the truth, but I am a man who prefers to see rather than believe."
"Er…" Korra said as she was caught off guard. Hopefully he just means chuck a few rocks, she thought as she nodded. "Sure, I could do that."
"Good. If you tell him where you are staying, I can have a page bring your armor and other equipment here."
"I'll get it myself," Korra said as she raised her hands in front of her. "With your permission?"
"You can go, but I will hold you to this test."
XXXXXX
When she came back in full armor (helmet in her hand), a page was waiting for her and led her through the stone halls of the castle into a small open air courtyard within the keep itself.
It was a square arena - maybe a little more than fifteen meters wide - with short and torn up grass, indicating regular use. Around the grassy area, stone arches that led up to a roof stood, supporting one that was extended over the walls. The covered area was enough to create room for spectators - a number of the counts and a few of the women of court were sitting on benches within or standing around. Korra spotted a pair of very young boys leaning over a railing across from where she entered, eager looks on their faces.
I should probably be careful with the earthbending, she decided as memories of her earthbending test under the White Lotus came back. She doubted that the Swadians would be nearly as forgiving if she wrecked the place.
"So, what exactly were you expecting me to do, King Harlaus?" Korra asked as she walked onto the grass, across from her Harlaus was sitting in mail armor with plates locked together over it. A large helmet, a solid red shield, and a sword were lying next to him.
"First a demonstration of ability," Harlaus explained as Korra bowed. Harlaus waved his hand before continuing. "Then I'd like to see just how good you are."
"With sharp weapons?" she asked, eyeing the sword as she felt her stomach shifting. Probably the food I ate, she decided as she wondered if she should have brought her shield.
"We'll use training swords, and Count Delinard will call if there is serious injury or if we are about to see such."
Korra nodded. "Alright, so, waterbending."
She drew the full contents of a spare waterskin that she had attached to the armor and brought it around in a wavy pattern around her, keeping the water constantly moving. "It's a bit hard to show with what I have, but…" she launched it into the air quickly, then froze it solid into a snowflake shape and sent it spinning around the arena before melting it back down and bringing it into her waterskin.
"It's also useful for healing," she added as she closed it and looked to the nobles, who muttered amongst themselves as she did, but they were all in disbelief.
"And in battle?" Harlaus asked.
"What I can do with what I have is a bit limited, mostly just shooting it at someone or freezing it into an icicle. If I had a river or was fighting in the snow, I can do a lot more."
Harlaus nodded. "What of earthbending?"
"Any foundations I should be aware of?" she asked. "Full scale earthbending tends to tear up the ground and if we're over a cellar or something I shouldn't."
"I believe the dungeon runs beneath here, but do what you feel you can."
Korra nodded, crouching down and putting her hand on the ground before striking it with her palm. She never used the same seismic sense that Lin used to find Hiroshi's secret tunnel, but earthbending still called for her to be able to get a basic sense of the ground, and she was able to get a good estimate as to what she could do safely.
Standing back up and stepping to the middle of the arena, Korra shifted her feet, then shot her arms forward, bringing up a sharp spike of rock that went up two meters. Breaking it in half, she split the two pieces of rock and moved them around before crashing them together with as much force as she could. Once the rocks crumbled, she forced it back together, leaving a barren spot in the center of the arena.
"Impressive, far better than what teams of Rhodoks can do," Harlaus said, eyes wide with awe.
Let's see how good the fire is today, she thought as she took a steadying breath. It was getting better with practice, but it was not strong enough that she felt ready to use it in a fight. She launched a pair of small fireballs into the and and created a thin of fire from her hands, twisting it into various patterns as she kept it away from the onlookers. She capped off her demonstration with a basic airbending drill, a few weak gusts of wind dissipating what remained of the fire.
"The firebending is getting better, but the airbending is still weak from how I ended up in Calradia," she explained as she brought her hands together and exhaled.
"You definitely exceed the old masters in ability," Harlaus said with a nod. "But can you fight like them?
"What do you mean?" Korra asked with a frown as she glanced behind her and noticed that the page had brought a sword and a blue shield similar to Harlaus'. The page held them towards her. As she tentatively took the sword, she noticed the edge was blunt. It was still shaped like a sword, but it had no sharp ends and even the tip had been rounded. The page stepped back and Korra gave it an experimental swing. Might as well be a club for me, she decided.
She looked over and saw Harlaus was strapping his shield to his left arm. "It is one thing to show skill. It is another to display it in combat. I may not be able to bend, but I am not convinced you are a superior fighter than I am."
That's why he wanted my armor on, she realized. "These swords are safe, right?"
"They lack an edge, but they will still break bones without care. Now, we'll spar until the other yields. Show me your best fighting skills, Lady."
"I will," Korra retorted as she weighed on whether she should use the sword or not. Setting the sword down, she grabbed the shield and the page withdrew once she had it. She needed to block the sword properly, and using both would keep her from using her bending effectively.
Harlaus looked to Delinard, who was standing halfway between them, and nodded.
"Are you both ready?" Delinard asked, looking between the two.
"I am," Korra said as she judged how to beat him. She wanted to keep him at a distance: put him down before he started swinging away at her. Not a problem, she decided. After all, how tough could he be if he spent most of his time in these feasts?
"I'm ready," Harlaus said as he slid his helmet on and grabbed his sword.
"Begin!" Delinard called and Harlaus was immediately on the attack, moving towards Korra with his shield raised.
As he closed Korra started to earthbend the ground in front of her, creating a small but steep incline right under where he stepped. He fell as his footing was changed under him. Korra followed up with pulling the rock out of the ground and dropping it onto Harlaus' body. He moved his shield just in time to catch it and he pushed to the side, deflecting the blow and pushing himself forward.
Korra grunted as Harlaus managed to collide with her and their shields rubbed together. Harlaus' sheer weight allowed him to push her back so she broke off, moving away before Harlaus could follow through and the two began to circle again. Korra struck first this time.
Drawing water from her waterskin, she split it into two streams: one went behind Harlaus, and the second for his torso. Harlaus put up his shield in time to catch the water going towards him and it splashed onto the ground harmlessly. The second stream froze into ice behind him and Harlaus seemed to be unaware of it.
Korra rushed forward, crashing into his shield as she threw herself into him. Harlaus locked his feet against the ground, turning them to give himself more resistance. While her strength let her push him back, he did not slip on the ice and he pushed back with his shield.
Going with the blow, Korra dropped into a defensive stance to keep the shield in front of her. Harlaus came again, moving faster than she had expected, using the sword as if it was a knife. A heavy slash that she caught with her arm on the same plane as the blow blinded her for a moment. As her guard dropped briefly from the pain, she saw his shield coming for her face and took the blow. The top rim of the shield hit her chin, the rest her chest.
"Not bad," she muttered as she rolled back to her feet, wiped her mouth, and went in again.
Dodging another blow from his shield, she shot her waterskin's contents at the inside of it and cut through the strap he was holding the shield by. Harlaus looked down, surprised before he took another rock to the chest. Arms flailing as he staggered, Harlaus managed to keep a grip on his sword but the shield fell off as the second strap was not secure enough.
"Good," Harlaus complimented with a brief chuckle as he changed his grip, holding the sword by the bladed end as Korra frowned. Even with his metal gauntlets, why was he grabbing a sword by the sharp end?
You're supposed to use the pointy end, she thought as she smirked to herself and prepared to receive his attack. He jabbed at her face quickly, forcing Korra to raise the shield and she heard the pommel thump against it.
Then she felt something hook around her left ankle and tug. Falling onto her back, Korra barely had time to roll to the side as Harlaus pushed the sword into the ground she had been at. With the blunted tip the metallurgy in Korra's armor probably would have taken it, but that also probably would have forced her to yield. No thanks, she decided as she pushed herself back up. She wasn't losing to a guy who spent his time feasting while there was a war on.
"If that's how it's going to be, let's dance!" she called as she moved in, avoiding Harlaus' first swing and delivering a powerful kick to Harlaus' back. The king staggered forward but whirled around quickly and dropped to a defensive stance, holding the sword in front of him turning it side to side as he waited for her next move.
"You fight well, but you can't match me physically," he said as the two circled again, both panting lightly. "And good as your bending is, I'm taking it. Do you really want to push this?"
Come on, Korra! she thought angrily as she rushed forward, leaping over him as he swung in a wide arc that with a sharp blade might have bisected her. As she landed, she bashed him with the shield, then brought up a quick rock from the ground into the back of Harlaus' helmet, forcing him to look down for a moment as he turned.
As he turned, Harlaus brought his sword up sharply. Korra dropped to the side, yelping as the blunt blade came too close to her head for comfort and caught a small bit of her hair. Harlaus followed up as she landed, arms outstretched, and stomped on the inside of the shield, bending Korra's left arm in a way it wasn't supposed to and she screamed as the pain shot up from her elbow.
"My king!" Delinard shouted over the applause from the nobles. "Stay your hand - this duel is escalating and both of you must remain fit for war!"
"I'm not giving up," Korra muttered as she looked at her arm - it didn't feel broken, but until the adrenaline ebbed she wouldn't be sure.
Harlaus lifted his foot and took a step back. "Nor am I asking you to," he said as he breathed deeply. "But the good Count is right: this is beginning to go too far." He stuck his sword into the ground. "Perhaps we can go to our limits another day."
Korra scowled at him. She wasn't beaten yet, and on top she was limited by not wanting to tear up the place! If didn't have to worry about it I'd wreck him! she thought angrily as she pushed herself up and noticed that he was vulnerable...
Of course, continuing it after Harlaus had left himself defenseless was not only going to annoy the nobility, but it was also the dishonorable thing to do. You're better than that, she told herself as she shook her head.
"Alright, we can finish this later," she said.
"Good," Harlaus said with a firm nod. "Given the limitations of our dueling space, I see no reason not to offer you mercenary service within the Kingdom of Swadia. You are as good as the rumors say you are. We will need to discuss details, of course."
At least you're impressed, she decided as she looked at some of the other nobles and saw Haringoth shaking his head with his eyes closed, like a teacher disappointed in a student. Others were remaining quiet, but she knew that once the conversation stopped they would be speaking again.
"I can't speak for my friends," Korra answered as Harlaus removed his helmet.
"Very well, but if they are interested we can discuss the matter at greater length. Now," he turned to those gathered. "Leave us."
The nobles made their way out, though as he passed she overheard Regas talking to his father.
"She lasted far longer than a woman should," the young noble said.
"Indeed she is very skilled, but dueling women is still beneath your station. Remember," Haringoth continued as Korra now wondered if he had been an instructor in another life, "a lady's station is not only respecting her betters, but also to be respected. That part is the lesson you fail, Regas."
The young noble left with a grunt as they were the last two out that left Korra and Harlaus alone in the courtyard. Harlaus gestured to some nearby benches and the two sat on different ones, turned so they could look at each other.
As they sat down Harlaus shook his head. "A lot of people underestimate me. They look at the feasts and call me fat. But I did not remove Isolla without merit: I can prove my strength at arms, as you just had a taste of."
"So why hold them?" Korra asked. "Why party when Swadia's at war? Right now I can understand, but when Dhirim is being attacked?"
"The vassals are wily," Harlaus explained with a sigh. "If they are unhappy or feel neglected, they ignore summons, abandon counter attacks, or refuse to help their rivals retake what is rightfully theirs and rightfully part of Swadia."
Korra frowned."That's rather self defeating, isn't it? I mean, they're Swadian. Even if it's a political rival, don't they lose too when Swadia does?"
Harlaus scoffed. "They nobles speak of Swadian pride, of Swadian traditions… but most of them would slip out of their oaths if they felt neglected or if Swadia was collapsing. In the end, the vassals are loyal to themselves and their families."
"So you hold the feasts to get them together, keep them happy, and use it as a chance to sort things out?"
"And while they are together, I can reign in their ambitions or mend their disputes without it being the focus of the conversation as it would be if I rode from fief to fief to meet them."
Korra nodded slowly, running her hand along her left arm as the pain grew with the adrenaline ebbing from her body. "I think I understand." She glanced up and noticed that the sky was getting darker. "If you'd excuse me, your majesty, I should make my way back to my friends and treat my arm."
"Of course. And if it's any consolation, you were impressive in our duel. I do not believe the result would have been much different, but perhaps one day we can test it to the subdual rather than Delinard needing to call it before we are too hurt."
"Maybe. But next time let's do it where breaking things isn't a problem."
"It would be a pleasure. I can send one of the itinerant surgeons who came into town for the tourney, to help set any injuries you sustained."
"Thank you, but I should be fine," Korra said as she bowed her head. Harlaus waved his hand and she made her way out of the courtyard arena and through the halls, a squire entering after her. As she made her way through the halls and tried to figure out if her arm was broken or just bruised to the bone.
As she entered the antechamber, the nobles were present, still talking amongst themselves… and about her.
"A lady has no place fighting," one of the older noblewomen said to younger one. "And what we just saw is why."
"A fine display, and a worthy opponent for our king, but in the end she is a lady in a man's field, and thus her defeat," Haringoth was explaining to his son.
"And that young lady is why I refuse to let you train," Clais said to Tibal. "And don't you dare to give me lip about her skill."
"She's good, but I could fight her," Rafard was saying as he was talking with Devlian. "Our King is far past his prime, and he still managed to defeat her."
"Oh come on," Devlian retorted, "he's a far better fighter than you are and they didn't go all the way. She'd destroy you in a real fight."
"Hopefully she will heal gracefully," Delinard's wife said as she held his hands, "a scar may add to your charm, but marred beauty on a lady will only turn away a man who would overlook her sunburnt skin."
Korra felt her gut tightening, her cheeks heating up in embarrassment, and found herself wishing that none of them were turning to look at her as they were talking about her defeat. Disparaging it as being a natural event. They had to have known better: they were more familiar with Harlaus' martial prowess and they knew it had ended before an actual victor emerged.
Putting it aside, Korra made her way out of the castle and back to the tavern.
XXXXXXX
End Chapter
- Ah, King Harlaus, sometimes called 'the Fat'. One of the most well known characters for Mount & Blade, being there early on when it had low fantasy with undead. Infamous for his habit of holding feasts as Swadia falls apart. Well, it's a universal thing that the AI monarchs do. Vassals get their butts handed to them, the king holds a feast to buck up the relationships and keep them above water, with the explanation being exactly what Harlaus says it is to Korra. However, unlike other monarchs his claim against Isolla is pure sexism given he mentions queens yet conspicuously doesn't mention kings. That said, Harlaus is also one of the toughest AI monarchs to fight in a battle even if he does deserve some scorn. My goal was to make him more than a caricature of a fat feasting Caligula wannabe and to have be more of a multifaceted character. Otherwise, take my interpretation of Harlaus as you see fit, I'm not trying to make you like or hate Harlaus. I just want him to be more than "that guy who holds feasts while the kingdom falls apart".
- Korra's duel with Harlaus was also something I wanted to do very early on. In fact it was one of the first things I wanted to do when I started scrapping out notes for this story. The original plan was that she would keep pressing about Isolla, trying to get a more pragmatic reason than "she's a woman", which led to the two going at it with honor on the line. I toned it down to a sparring match because waltzing into that was something Book One Korra would do, not post Book Two. So instead she had a heat-of-the-moment response to what basically was an insult directed at her, then attempted a diplomatic retraction, and moved on.
- With Calradia's nobles, my goal is to show that yes they do hold beliefs often considered archaic today. I'll be blunt: figuring out how to balance them holding those views and not making them completely unsympathetic is hard because I don't want it to come across as an endorsement for sexism. Best I can do is try to write them as people who have varied opinions, and let the readers decide if they're too nice or not. I do try to slip some of the in-game dialogue in (the banter between Korra and Regas was based on an in-game insult/retort set that female characters receive).
- In regards to jousting: yes, original tourneys were more about real fighting. The quote Devlian drops is direct from a medieval chronicler that Mike Loades quotes in "The Weapons that Made Britain - Lance" before describing it in detail. Jousting itself was more than just going at each other with lances; it would often switch to other weapons like swords for close in combat once people were unhorsed and the charges were done. The form most familiar in the modern day was a later development as knights were losing their prominence on the battlefield. Of course, given Calradia's constant wars, I did figure that they would adopt a less lethal version just because they need those Knights and the masses need their circuses.