It took two days for Griffin to recover fully from filth fever and he had Viera and Falenas to thank for his swift recovery. Although Viera had to leave to return to her duties with the Korvosan Guard, Falenas decided that it was his job to see his 'patron' healed from his disease. The alchemist talked briefly about payment but settled on a shirt to replace the one destroyed by his transformation. Griffin struggled to remain in bed, and once he was given notice that he had healed, practically jumped out of bed. He was thankful that it was only Falenas in the room without anyone discovering his secret.
Even though he was confined to his bed, Griffin did his best to stay informed of events happening. The city was starting to calm down and Ileosa's coronation was to be held in a few days, although it was to be a more private ceremony. He learned of that from Alexander and Takota, who were informed of Falenas' return and had a chance to see him in between breaks of their patrol of Korvosa. It was good to see that the city was recovering from Eodred II's death, and although he still had doubts on Ileosa's intentions, Griffin remained silent about them. It was better to focus on what he could change than what he couldn't.
It was with that thought in mind that he returned to Citadel Volshyenek alongside Falenas after receiving word that the field marshal had a new task for them. They met with Alexander, Viera, and Takota at the entrance to the citadel, and together the group entered the stronghold. Cressida hadn't mentioned what the job was but his companions had their weapons on them in case they needed a fight. Although not unarmed, Griffin needed to return to his estate to collect his Indigo disguise before he could join in on any fights.
When they opened the door to Cressida's office and stepped in, they were surprised to see that the field marshal wasn't alone. Seated across from her was a middle-aged man with salt-and-pepper hair pulled back into a topknot. He wore a dark vest over a loose white tunic, black trousers and gloves over both his hands. The man had a rapier holstered at his belt with the shining pommel indicating that it is a well-maintained weapon. When the others entered the room, he stood up from his chair and bowed quickly, his green eyes twinkling when he finally settled his gaze on the group.
"Thank you for coming," Cressida greeted the group. "Before we talk about business, I would like to introduce my guest. This is Vencarlo Orisini."
Griffin gasped. "The Vencarlo Orisini?!"
"The one and the same," Vencarlo said, bowing again. "Cressida has spoken highly of your band but I would like to hear introductions from each of you, if you would."
"I am Griffin of House Vossler," his voice couldn't contain his excitement as he bowed. "It is such an honor to meet you."
"My name is Alexander Fletcher," Alexander rubbed the back of his head awkwardly. "You'll have to forgive me, but unlike our patron, I don't really know you."
"I am but a humble headmaster of an academy in Old Korvosa," Vencarlo said with a grin.
"He's one of the most famous renowned fencing instructors in the city," Griffin whispered to his companions. "I've always wondered what it would be like to train in swordplay at Orisini Academy."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Vencarlo," Viera smiled. "I am Viera Barlumi."
"The pleasure of meeting a woman of divine beauty such as yourself is all mine," Vencarlo said in a sweet tone, reaching for Viera's hand. "I hope for a chance to get to know you better in the coming days."
Viera blushed as Vencarlo pressed a kiss on the back of her hand. "Your words are truly kind."
"So, I'm Falenas, that's Takota, and I think I speak for the both of us when I say that we don't need any hand kisses," Falenas introduced with Takota nodding in agreement from behind him.
Vencarlo laughed. "Of course. If Korvosa had more fine folk like all of you, we'd be out of this mess already."
Griffin coughed into arm politely. "What brings you to Citadel Volshyenek today?"
"I invited him," Cressida informed the group. "Although he is a known critic of Korvosa's monarchy, his input on the morale of the city is invaluable in these dark times. He also has information on your next task."
"It's quite a bit of an explanation," Vencarlo said, motioning to his chair. "Viera, if you'd like to have a seat, I'd be content standing."
"Thank you for the offer, but I think if anyone could use a seat, it'd be Griffin," Viera said, motioning to Griffin's cane. "There were a lot of steps to come up here."
"Thank you," Viera," Griffin said with a smile.
With Vencarlo giving a nod of approval, Griffin took a seat at the open chair and rested his cane on his lap. Even if she didn't know the whole story of his act, he was thankful for Viera doing what she could to help keep his actions as Indigo a secret. He still couldn't believe that he was in the same room as Vencarlo Orisini. This was the first time he had met the duelist but had long been interested in his style of fencing and swordsmanship. Although he hoped that he could learn a trick or two from Vencarlo, Griffin quickly remembered that he had to keep up his limp. Perhaps it was time to have Tiran win that challenge.
"I'll be blunt about how severe the consequences of failure are," Cressida started to explain in a stoic tone. "If you don't stop what Vencarlo uncovered, it will degrade into sanctions, embargos, or even war against Cheliax."
"War against Cheliax?" Alexander gasped and turned pale. "I don't think the five of us can stop something so severe."
"Thankfully, the cause is political intrigue, so brute strength isn't what you'll need," Vencarlo said with a smile. "One of Chelliax's ambassadors, Darvayne Gios Amprei, is a man who despises Korvosa, even though he takes great pleasure in what the city has to offer him. Even before the unrest, he was ready to suggest sanctions on Korvosa to his home nation, which could escalate to an embargo. I've learned that this is all Ambassador Amprei's attempt to undermine Korvosa's economy to the point where he can buy large parts of the city from desperate landowners before advising the end of any sanctions placed against Korvosa."
"And in doing so, he would be in a position of power," Griffin noted with a frown. "His abuse of power needs to be stopped."
"I agree, but we can't take drastic action yet," Cressida said with a sigh. "Even though I do not enjoy the plan we've come up with."
"What do you need us to do?" Alexander asked, concerned.
"Fortunately for us, the ambassador has his vices," Vencarlo smirked. "I've learned that he's been making regular trips to Eel's End, a criminal haven in Old Korvosa. A dangerous criminal named Devargo Barvasi runs the operation although he's more commonly known as the King of Spiders."
"I know that name," Falenas frowned. "Among his many business ventures is a drug trade. He deals in pesh, flayleaf, and shiver… Please tell me we're arresting him so that we can interrogate him."
"I'd love to put Devargo out of business but he pays his vice taxes regularly, never causes problems, and keeps his criminal businesses confined to Eel's End" Cressida admitted. "He's the least of my worries right now."
"If we're not meant to bring him to justice, what are we to do then?" Viera asked, shaking her head in disappointment.
"Devargo would never let one of my guards into Eel's End but he may let you in," Cressida explained. "I'd like for you to arrange an audience with him, figure out what illicit dealings Ambassador Amprei has at Eel's End, and obtain evidence. I hate to do so but I may be able to use any proof you find to blackmail him so that he doesn't have Cheliax cut us off."
"Do you think that he would be willing to share any evidence to begin with?" Griffin asked.
"I'm not sure but I've arranged to give you a thousand gold for the purpose of bribing him," Cressida answered, setting a pouch of coins onto her desk. "If you feel that you can negotiate him into having less, you can keep what you can save."
"That sounds like a good incentive to me," Falenas chuckled while watching Griffin take the pouch. "I'm sure that we'll make it work somehow."
"You'll need the address for Eel's End as well," Cressida noted, then glanced towards Vencarlo when he raised his hand.
"I was actually going to head back to my academy anyways and it happens to be in the neighborhood," Vencarlo revealed. "I'd love for the chance to escort your group to Old Korvosa and can give you the directions to Eel's End from there."
"A wonderful idea," Griffin couldn't help but smile. "When will we be off?"
"Are you coming as well?" Vencarlo asked, confused. "I thought that you were just the group's patron. You don't look like the man to get involved in their line of work."
Griffin quickly thought of something to say to let him accompany the group. "That is true, yes, but while I may not be much of a fighter, my mind is sharp. I like to accompany the group to where they're supposed to go and see if I can offer any input on what they could do while staying clear from the violence."
"Griffin was the one to suggest we should go through the back door while dealing with the Cow Hammer Boys," Viera nodded in agreement. "We'd love to have his input."
"Then I have no further objections," Vencarlo said, already stepping toward the door. "Come with me, my friends. I'd love for a chance to talk some more on the way there."
Griffin gave Viera an appreciative smile for helping him come along and stood up, leaning on his cane. He followed the group out of Citadel Volshyenek although there was a certain eagerness to his step. He couldn't admit that he actually knew a little when it came to fighting but he hoped to learn some sort of wisdom from Vencarlo that he could incorporate in his use of the blade. Anything to improve his technique would be welcomed.
As the group left Citadel Volshyenek and walked on the sidewalk of the street, Vencarlo started to speak, but his attention wasn't directed at Griffin.
"Viera, I see that you carry a sword with you," Vencarlo noted. "Are you graceful with the blade as I believe you to be?"
"I still have much to learn," Viera admitted, looking away from Vencarlo with her cheeks flushed red. "It's expected that any follower who pledges their service to Iomedae to fight with a sword in the name of justice."
"If it is training you seek, you could learn at my academy," Vencarlo offered. "I'm sure you would make for a great student."
"While I appreciate the offer, I have my own instructors at the Pantheon of Many," Viera told him. "I couldn't turn my back on their lessons."
"That's understandable," Vencarlo said with a hint of disappointment. "Still, I imagine that you're in good hands when it comes to your training."
"You must have plenty of students at your academy," Alexander commented. "At least, that's what I'm led to believe given your renown."
"Mostly noble children who go for the prestige of attendance rather than actually wanting to learn, so I have other instructors teach them," Vencarlo admitted, although he did focus on Alexander. "I had a few promising students but they're long gone. That does remind me that I need to thank both you and Takota for your help."
"Thank us?" Alexander blinked in confusion. "What did we do?"
"Do you recall Grau Solado?" Vencarlo asked.
"He was the drunk man at the tavern," Takota said with a nod.
"He was once a promising student but left my academy after a brief feud," Vencarlo revealed. "I'm happy that he's found success with the Korvosan Guard, and from what Cressida told me, you two were able to set him back on the right path."
"It was no problem," Alexander said. "I understood what he was going through. I'm glad to hear that he's sober now. Maybe I should check in on him again."
"I think I recall some details about that feud from what my brother told me," Griffin said, picking up his pace to join the conversation. "If I recall correctly, there was some sort of duel between the two of you and Sabina Merrin."
"Sabina?" Falenas tapped his chin in thought. "That's Queen Ileosa's bodyguard. How was she involved?"
"She was another one of my promising students," Vencarlo admitted with a sigh. "She found her true calling. I just hope that it is something that makes her truly happy. But enough about my past. I'm more curious about who all of you really are."
"I think I speak on behalf of us all when I say we have nothing to hide," Griffin said. "What questions do you have?"
Vencarlo tapped his chin in thought. "If I may be so bold, why do you fake walking with a limp?"
Griffin stopped moving with the rest of the group quickly following him. "You know?"
"It's a very convincing act but I've seen plenty of students fake a limp to get out of daily training," Vencarlo laughed and kept walking. "But you're no student, so why do you put up such an act?"
"Would you believe me if I told you it was a wager with my brother?" Griffin asked in a joking tone.
"It wouldn't be the craziest idea I thought of," Vencarlo said, looking over his shoulder. "I'd believe it."
"Is everything okay, Griffin?" Alexander asked.
"It… it will be," Griffin said and walked forward, not bothering to use his cane to walk.
The others were quick to follow Griffin and rejoin their guide on the way to Old Korvosa. At this time in the morning, he wasn't too worried about anyone who may know him finding out that he could walk. At the very least, it would be another rumor to add about him. Griffin should have known that a prodigal swordmaster such as Vencarlo Orisini would see past the way his act, having studied the way one's feet moved in battle. Still, he couldn't help but think that this was his chance to impress the fencing instructor. His secret coming out had him on the back foot but he could recover with a verbal counterattack.
Fortunately for Griffin, there had been something off about Vencarlo's appearance. It was easy to miss but he was good when it came to spotting hidden details.
"You've been looking at me for quite a while," Vencarlo commented with a smirk. "I do apologize for surprising you if that's the issue."
"Your right hand," Griffin pointed toward the hand in question. "Your two smallest fingers never seem to bend, even in the slightest motion."
"Go on," Vencarlo said, looking at Griffin curiously.
"I think I would like to see your right hand without a glove," Griffin requested. "If you have nothing to hide, that shouldn't be too difficult of a request, right?"
Vencarlo smirked. "Allow me to save myself the trouble. I lost those two fingers in my duel with Sabina. There are two pieces of carved wood in the glove where those fingers are supposed to be. I must say that you have a keen eye to spot such a hidden detail."
"I have to agree," Viera said with a nod. "I don't think most people would think about such a small thing being off."
"Thank you both," Griffin sighed in relief.
"I must say you've proven me wrong, Griffin," Vencarlo admitted with a smile. "I thought that you were another eccentric noble."
"And what do you think now?" Griffin asked.
"I still think that you're an eccentric noble, but now, I see that spark in your eye," Vencarlo answered, locking eyes with Griffin. "We're taking a detour on our way to Old Korvosa. I hope you don't mind."
"If no one else does," Griffin said, looking at his companions. "Eel's End isn't going anywhere."
"We have time," Alexander nodded. "Let's do it."
"I'm actually curious as to what Vencarlo has in mind," Viera said, smiling. "I think it'll be exciting."
"Let's just not forget that we have a job to do afterwards," Falenas pointed out. "We are professionals, are we not?"
With Takota nodding in agreement, the group was favorable to following through with Vencarlo's idea. The instructor continued to lead the way to Old Korvosa, not indicating when the detour would take place. Griffin was curious as to what he had planned but believed that it had something to do with the 'spark' that he saw. He wasn't sure what Vencarlo meant but knew that he could have done a better job at hiding his admiration over the man's skills.
Vencarlo motioned for the group to turn into an alleyway with a wave of his hand. The group followed him and quickly found a dead end with no one in sight. Without hesitation, Vencarlo pulled out his rapier and performed a flourish with it using his left hand. He pointed the tip of his weapon toward Griffin, who was as surprised as his companions were.
"Griffin Vossler, I challenge you to a duel!" Vencarlo exclaimed. "Do you accept?"
Although Griffin gasped, it was Alexander who spoke up first. "You can't be serious! You both don't have any armor on and you want to duel with a real weapon!"
"First to land three taps above the belt wins the duel," Vencarlo explained. "We'll do our best to hold back our attacks so as to not draw blood, but in case of an emergency, we have a lovely healer on hand."
Falenas blinked in confusion. "I wouldn't describe myself as lovely."
"He's not talking about you," Takota grunted.
"Is now the best time for a duel?" Viera questioned. "Griffin doesn't even carry a blade on him."
"What kind of man would walk around a city that's in political upheaval without a weapon?" Vencarlo pointed out.
"You can clearly see that he doesn't have a rapier on him," Falenas sighed. "Maybe you're lucky and he has a dagger up his sleeve but that gives you an unfair advantage."
Griffin took a deep breath, twisted the top of his cane, and pulled the sword hidden within the wood free. "Vencarlo Orisini, I accept your challenge."
"Bravo, my good man," Vencarlo grinned. "Viera, would you care to serve as the judge? Feel free to stop us if we go too far but I doubt we will."
"Of course," Viera said with a nod. "I hope you don't mind but I never served as a judge for a duel before."
Griffin discarded his cane to the side with Takota collecting it. The archer joined Alexander and Falenas on the sidelines and leaned against the wall of the building. Viera stood closer to the two duelists although she was still away enough as to not endanger herself. Griffin raised his sword and touched the end of it to Vencarlo's rapier. They held the position as they waited for the duel to formally start. He took deep breaths to calm his nerves as he prepared to fight one of the greatest swordsmen in Korvosa.
"We begin on your mark, Viera," Vencarlo told her, not taking his eyes off Griffin.
"Oh, right!" Viera said, taking a step back. "You may begin!"
Griffin believed that Vencarlo would take the defensive early as a master wanting to see what the student was capable of. It came as a surprise when the instructor instead started a flurry of attacks that almost caught him off guard. He was able to fend off the initial flurry of jabs Vencarlo made and found himself defending himself with no room to make a counterattack. Griffin took a few steps backward but found his hopes of his opponent giving him space and a break crushed when Vencarlo pressed forward.
"I can't say I recognize your technique," Vencarlo commented casually as though he wasn't in a duel. "Who taught you how to fight?"
"My brother, Tiran," Griffin answered through gritted teeth. "He trained with a fencing instructor my father brought in and passed down what he learned to me."
"Tiran might have been a good student but was he a good teacher?" Vencarlo asked, making another jab with his rapier.
"Of course he was!" Griffin gasped, parrying the blade.
"The way you fight says otherwise," Vencarlo argued with a grin. "It takes personal experience to teach and your brother sounds young. He probably said what his instructor said word for word."
"And what if he did?" Griffin asked, finally finding room to swing with his blade.
"It means your knowledge is secondhand!" Vencarlo exclaimed.
Vencarlo stepped away from the blow, and before Griffin could react, jabbed forward. In the span of seconds, the tip of his rapier touched both of his shoulders, although he held back so as to not draw blood. Griffin looked in amazement as the famed duelist stepped back, holding his blade back. Viera looked between the two, tapping her chin in thought.
"He tapped you twice," Viera commented. "Does that count as two points?"
"It does," Griffin admitted and shook his head in shame.
"Two points for Orisini!" Viera announced.
"That was fair of you," Vencarlo complimented, holding out his rapier. "For that, I'll test to see how your strikes are. Come at me with everything you've learned."
"I wouldn't have it any other way," Griffin grinned, holding his sword to ready himself.
"Begin!"
True to his word, Vencarlo took a step back and readied himself for Griffin's attack. The noble stepped forward with each jab and swipe of his blade, hoping to land a glancing blow on his foe. Yet, the instructor was quick on his feet, and moved out of the way of each strike or raised his rapier to block the blow. It didn't help that his sword weighed more than a rapier, so between having less weight and being more experienced, Vencarlo was too quick on his feet. As the round lasted over half a minute, Griffin realized that he would need to rely on a trick to land a hit.
Griffin thought of the advantages he had over Vencarlo with one in particular sticking out to him. The noble jabbed forward, knowing that his foe would block the blow. The instructor raised his blade to do so but the metal would never connect. Griffin let go of his sword's hilt and quickly caught it with the free hand that waited underneath the hand that previously gripped his sword. Vencarlo fought with his left hand because his right hand was crippled.
Griffin was careful with his swing as to not draw blood but pressed on with certainty of landing the hit. Vencarlo gasped when the blade touched over his stomach and gave a quick nod to signal he was struck. Alexander clapped at the display and was soon joined by Falenas. Viera smiled at her friend's success and held her hand up.
"Point for Vossler!"
"You didn't pick that trick up from your brother," Vencarlo said, although his smile was anything but accusing.
"I like to improvise," Griffin admitted, holding his sword out to begin the next round.
"Let's see if you can pull another trick from your sleeve," Vencarlo challenged and returned to his starting pose.
"Is there normally this much talking in a duel?" Falenas questioned out loud with Alexander dismissing the question with a wave of a hand.
"Begin!" Viera announced.
Griffin led off the start of the round with an early push but wasn't able to get through Vencarlo's defenses. The instructor started to press the offense back on his foe, forcing the young noble to step back with each strike. Griffin found himself moving away from his friends and toward the street. They never established an out of bounds but he figured that both of them wouldn't want to take this fight to a public street. Griffin was still trying to think of a way to get an advantage but he would have to hold his ground. He planted his feet into the ground and held his ground as Vencarlo made his attack. Surprisingly enough, the instructor initiated a bladelock between their weapons. It wasn't effective for someone wielding a rapier to attack in such a way but Vencarlo's experience likely made sure it didn't make a difference.
"You're being really passive right about now," Vencarlo pointed out.
"Just buying time to think of a trick," Griffin said with a chuckle. "The way you fight doesn't give me a lot of room to do so."
"I can understand," Vencarlo nodded, his voice dropping to a whisper much to his foe's surprise. "You need to think of something to impress her."
"Huh?" Griffin gasped quietly, matching the instructor's volume.
"You don't have to hide it from me," Vencarlo told him, still in a quiet tone as he pushed more weight down on the bladelock.. "I was young once too. I know what it's like to have those feelings for the first time."
Griffin was silent for a moment, then he smirked. "It's all about love with you, just like that scandal with your students being the result of a love triangle gone wrong."
"You're pretty clever to realize that," Vencarlo said, stepping forward to push his opponent back while maintaining the bladelock. "That's in the past."
"Honestly, I'm surprised that you thought Sabina was interested in you," Griffin continued, starting to push back. "You might say it's obvious in hindsight but I saw the way she looked at Ileosa. You were just blinded by love, but let's keep talking about the subject."
Vencarlo prepared to whisper another reply but in doing so had fallen into Griffin's trap. He was so focused on the verbal sparring that he failed to see Griffin's free hand slip past the bladelock to punch him on the side of the head. The instructor gasped and stepped back in a minor daze, breaking the lock he had on Griffin's blade. The young noble pushed forward, tapping his sword lightly on the top of Vencarlo's shoulder.
"Griffin, I don't think punching is typically allowed in duels," Alexander pointed out with a hint of disappointment. "I don't think it counts."
Vencarlo, recovering from the attack, laughed. "We're fighting in the streets, Alexander. The rules are what we make of them. As I recall, I never said we couldn't punch each other."
"It was a risk I had to take," Griffin admitted, looking away. "I hope it didn't anger you at all."
"I'm not angry at you at all," Vencarlo said with a grin. "Give him the point."
"Right," Viera nodded. "Point to Vossler. Next point wins."
"What were you two whispering about?" Falenas asked while the two duelists returned to their spots. "You were awfully quiet."
"It was a matter between gentlemen," Vencarlo dismissed the question with a shrug. "I'll give credit where it's due. You managed to turn my speech back against me. I wasn't expecting back."
"I thought back to how you were silent on the round you said you would focus on fighting defensively," Griffin said. "I realized that you see words as much of a weapon as a blade."
"And a conversation is but a duel of wits," Vencarlo said with a nod. "I'm ready to end this duel."
"As am I," Griffin agreed and assumed a starting stance along with Vencarlo.
"Begin!" Viera announced.
Griffin and Vencarlo both jabbed at each other with their weapons, the metal parrying off each other. The noble was so focused on the few connections their weapons made that he failed to see his foe's foot kicking out toward his hand. His sword was knocked out of his hand and he took a step back, stunned. The instructor smirked, held out his right hand, and caught the sword with it. His lack of fingers may have stopped him from fighting with his right hand but he could still hold a blade with it. With Vencarlo pressing his rapier forward, Griffin realized that his foe was holding back on him up into this moment. He had lost the duel the moment he accepted it.
After a pause, Griffin held his hands up. "We did agree that the rules were what we made them."
"That we did," Vencarlo said, then tapped Griffin on the nose with the end of his rapier.
"Vencarlo Orisini is the victor of the duel," Viera said, although her tone was more disappointing than celebratory. "I'm sorry, Griffin."
"You put up a good fight," Alexander complimented. "I'm surprised you made it that far after what I saw in the first round."
"Is that it?" Falenas kicked his foot off the wall and clapped his hands. "I think it is. Let's get going."
"It's alright," Griffin said toward Viera and Griffin. "You were testing me all this time."
"Indeed I was," Vencarlo admitted with a nod. "You're young, and while you still have much to learn, I like what I saw. I'd take you as a student at my academy if I didn't want you to lose that wager with your brother."
"I think that would be a fair trade for losing the bet," Griffin said with a light chuckle. "Although this duel was just as informative as any lesson."
"You'll get your chance to learn more soon," Vencarlo told Griffin, holding out the hilt of his sword. "We have to get to Old Korvosa."
"Of course," Griffin said, taking his weapon back. "Do you mind giving me a moment? You can get a head start if you want. I can catch up."
"Take all the time you need," Vencarlo answered and patted the noble on the shoulder. "I can tell at least one of you is ready to go so we'll be off. I know you'll catch up."
"Is everything alright?" Viera asked Griffin, concerned.
"I'm fine," Griffin said with a sigh. "I just need a moment to recompose myself and to think. I don't want anyone to think I take part in street fights."
"We'll wait for you on the streets," Alexander said, speaking on behalf of the group. "Let's go."
Vencarlo started to lead the way back to their intended destination with Falenas following behind him. Viera and Alexander waited a few moments before they went with their guide. Takota was the last to leave, and although he didn't say anything, he offered the wooden cane back to the noble. Griffin took his cane and gave an appreciative smile to Takota, who walked off to join the others. Slowly, he returned his sword to his cane and twisted it to ensure it was secured. He adjusted his clothing to hide the crinkles from the quick movement.
Griffin took several deep breaths and thought back on the duel. Although he lost, he never felt more alive given the way his arms and legs ached and the way his heart beat faster than before. He just fought one of Korvosa's greatest duelists, and while Vencarlo was holding back, he did well enough to impress. The noble had to be sure that he took away whatever lessons he could from the duel that he could. He was sure that his new experience would be of great benefit to the group.
When Griffin went to follow after the group, he mentally reminded himself to walk with a limp and to rely on a cane. It was time to return to the way everyone saw him, even though he would never forget what it was to fight as himself.
A/N: With over 51000 words written, I have completed NaNoWriMo.
Looking over my notes, I'm close to the halfway point of the story. It's my intention to keep on writing it and maybe finish it by the end of the year, although it could be finished by January. Afterwards, I might end up taking a small break before I jump back with my story based on Rise of the Runelords and focus on that before returning Curse of the Crimson Throne. I'm just worried about the timeline that I had planned.
And just as a fun fact, I had a lot of fun writing this chapter because, when getting to the duel, I couldn't get The Princess Bride out of my head. It's one of my favorite movies and I would like to think that the banter was inspired by it (the action itself could do a lot more work but I'm content with what I have).
Until next time.
