CHAPTER 7: THE DUEL.

(POV: Mysterious Narrator.)

As the days went by, Thomas and Lady continued to have their bond grow deeper and deeper, as they spent time together. The two were really showing signs of a good relationship, which was all great news for the Nobleman and the Magicborn. As then the final day of her stay came to an end, Thomas escorted Lady back home, and met up with Jackland in the entrance, waiting patiently for them. As Lady looked at her father, her smile was broad, and her amount of joy was very evident.

"Hello Father." Lady greeted.

"Hello again, Lady." Jackland replied. "How was your time with the Billintons?"

"Really great." Lady replied. "Thomas took me out to a few places, and we had such a wonderful time. Also..." She went on. "On the first place where he took me on a date, we apparently found the palace of my great grandparents."

"Really?" Jackland replied, stunned at what he heard.

"Yes." Lady replied. "And I was thinking of living there with Thomas after it gets repaired, if you approve of course."

Jackland's jaw dropped even more, it was clear that he was surprised.

"I knew that you had feelings for Thomas, but to make the decision of marrying him this soon is certainly surprising." The king remarked. "Have you taken it up with him?"

"Yes." Thomas replied. "She has. And I have agreed to it after she saved me from that killer of a guard a few days back, actually."

"Well then." Jackland said with a smile. "I guess that you'll be the one who will marry Lady then."

As Thomas and Lady gave a smile to one another, it was clear that they were joyful to have their relationship set in stone for the big day. However, before anyone could say another word, Allen, who'd had been nearby and overhearing the conversation, gave a scowl and he took in the news.

"Hold on! I thought you said that I could be Lady's spouse!"

Jackland turned his attention to the angered prince and gave a very stern look and tone.

"Once! Allen! Once! I will not be considering it anymore for you have not improved since the past few days. An arrogant fool is no fit for the intelligent and sweet daughter I have. Lady deserves the Sorcerer-Knight whom she loves, and that is final."

Allen's scowl only got bigger. It was clear that he did not like it when things did not go his way.

"And what makes you think that she isn't doomed to die within his care?! A normal-born rat like him does not have what it takes to defend her!"

"Argh! Listen hear you fool!" Lady said with clenched fists and a scowl. "Thomas has..."

"Lady." Thomas said calmly to his lover. "It's okay. Let me handle this."

As Lady nodded, Thomas looked towards Allen and gave him a dead serious look. He was certainly not having ANY of the prince false unbacked claims.

"I don't have what it takes you say?" Thomas stated firmly. "Then what proof do you hold proves that you do? Did you slay a tyrannical king that is many centuries old? Is your swordsmanship top notch, or even your magic? These are things you must consider before stating such claims, Allen."

"What cheek..." Allen growled. "Do you dare mock me?!"

"I'm just stating some facts is all." Thomas replied nonchalantly. "Besides. Even IF I was mocking you, I doubt anyone else here would take it all seriously like you are now, for they may view it as a bit of karma for you for how rude you have been to me and my friends. Anyways..." He went on. "IF you want to prove that what you say is indeed true, then why not have a duel with me tomorrow, and we'll settle this argument like proper men."

"Fine!" Allen barked. "But if I win, Lady is mine to marry!"

"Say what you wish." Thomas replied. "But IF you lose, you WILL leave this Island for good on the very next day."

"Oh..." Allen sniggered. "I WILL win alright."

"Sure you will." Thomas replied sarcastically, as he then turned towards Lady. "My apologies, Lady. But I promise you, I will win this."

"You better." Lady replied worriedly, as she then embraced her nobleman.

As the day went on, Jackland made the arrangements to have Thomas and Allen duel in the Vicarstown coliseum. As word eventually went out, many of Thomas's friends planned to see their friend live to cheer him on. When the next day arrived, everyone took their seats, as Lady sat with her lover in the dark hallways that lead to the fighting grounds. As she nuzzled him, Thomas saw the look of worry across Lady's face.

"Don't worry, Lady. I will win this for us. I will."

"I know." Lady said. "But what if Allen is stronger than you? What if he plans to kill you? What if..."

Lady's sentence was interrupted, as Thomas gently placed his index finger on her mouth.

"I will win this." he said softly. "And IF I don't, I'll find a way to win you back. Besides, I doubt your father would even give in to his request anyway."

As Thomas then removed his finger, Lady managed to crack a smile, as she then nuzzled him again.

"Be careful, okay?"

"Will do." Thomas replied as his lover kissed him on the cheek.

(POV: Thomas.)

As I then stood up from the bench, I made my way towards the outer grounds of the coliseum where my fight with Allen would take place. I didn't know HOW powerful the prince was, but no matter his capability with a sword, I knew that I must not use Caliburn within this fight. As I then stepped on to the grounds I saw Allen sneering at me, looking overly confident as usual. As we then drew our swords, I noticed something striking about Allen's.

"That's shining steel!" I exclaimed within my thoughts. "He really must be insolent if he thinks that he could win with that!"

As I then positioned myself to do just the sword-spell, the starting bell sounded, and we began. As I moved in to clash blades with him, Allen's insolence and arrogance was very much noticeable. As our blades then collided, the end of Allen's sword fell to the ground, showing once again how weak in durability that Shining Steel had. As I saw the scowl on his face, as well as the time still going, I decided to give him another chance.

"You can still fight with another weapon if you wish. Or we can call it over now."

"Ooh, I'm not done yet." the prince said to me as he drew a dagger from his side and charged towards me. However, before I could even block it, a blur of magenta came into my vision and a figure with a golden sword stopped right in front of me.

"KLANG!" She parried the dagger out of Allen's hand.

As Lady then glared at him, Allen began to stammer.

"Oh.. Lady. I-I d-don't k-know w-what h-happened, but that Thomas cheated I say! I would never lose to a pathetic boy like him."

Lady scoffed, as her unamused and displeased expression and mood, did not change.

"He didn't cheat, Allen." She said to the prince bluntly. "Your sword's material is lacking in the strength of durability. YOU were just insolent! Now..." She went on. "Do me a favor and get your disgraceful face and attitude out of my sight. We're done here."

As she then turned away from Allen, Lady gestured with her eyes for me to come with her, as she looked at me. Knowing that she was still unsure about revealing our affection to the whole public, I did as she asked, unaware of the final plan that Allen had up his sleeve. Later, after we arrived back at her family's palace, I did what I could to comfort Lady, for she was still very much rattled. Then when it then grew late, I kissed her a good-night, before heading off to a spare bedroom to sleep, for her father did not wish to enrage Allen more with the fact I was sleeping in the same bed as her. However, it probably would've been better IF I had. When the next morning came, I awoke to find my lover standing by the bedside, smiling as she slid her fingers across my chin. Though I wasn't completely sure, something did feel off about her skin. But I didn't know what. As she then gave me a kiss and exited the room to let me get ready, I had a slight feeling of worry crawl down my spine. After I got dressed, we all went down stairs to see Allen off. As we then watched him step through the portal, his face was withholding a devious sneer as his eyes looked at me, obviously saying: "Are you sure that you are the victor?" This was when IT hit me, as I then looked at my upcoming spouse as the portal then closed.

"Lady..." I began, realizing the big factor that was in front of me. "I don't know where Allen took you, but I swear that I will find you no matter what."

"But Thomas, I am here. In the palace with you."

"No." I replied. "Not as of today." I replied as I then activated a water sigil. "I will find you, and make Allen pay for whatever he plans to do with you."

As I then placed the sigil upon my lover's cheek, her form lost shape turning into a huge pile of clay. As the Allcrofts saw it they gasped.

"A clay copy!" Proteus exclaimed. "So that means..."

"Allen took her under our noses!" Jackland finished and we all gripped our hands into fists in anger, for Allen had kidnaped Lady.

(To be continued...)