When it came time for the duel, Arlen and all those who had come to Borromeo Castle with Lynde were in the west courtyard awaiting noon. Across the yard were Daras Guildsward and a few others who had come with him. It was a hot day, and the air was moist—not at all Arlen's preferred weather, but he would still fight. Lynde was still trying to talk him out of it though. "You shouldn't do this," she said. "It's not right."

"I know that, but what choice do I have?" Arlen said. "I was challenged; I have to meet that challenge or else I would be called a coward."

"You'd be braver to refuse," Lynde said. "The courage to do something no matter what people say or think is greater than to face a dozen deaths."

"Then I'm a coward in your eyes," he replied. "Besides, he's asking for a thrashing."

From across the courtyard, Daras Guildsward called, "It's noon, Arlen of Cathalorn. May we begin?"

Arlen stood. "I'm ready."

Suddenly Artsanna chimed in with some advice. His left leg is stiff, perhaps from an old injury, and he has lesser sight with his left eye, definitely due to injury—I can see the scar, however small.

"Thanks," Arlen whispered.

You're welcome.

Arlen marched to center of the courtyard, which was rather open. When he and Daras were about eight feet from each other they stopped and drew their swords. They assumed their fighting stances and Daras said, "May the victor deserve the praise."

"May the best man win," Arlen said, a little confused by Daras's sentiment.

"I will allow you the first move," Daras said.

Arlen seized up. His training required him to wait for his opponent to make the first move and then counter the move. He wasn't about to change his instincts, so he said, "No, you can go first."

Daras smiled smugly. "I didn't know commoners could be so polite," he said. "I believe I like you. But that does not change the fact that we must combat each other."

Daras advanced quickly and lunged at Arlen. Arlen managed to parry and sidestep to the right. Daras then swung at Arlen, which he dodged and used the opportunity to counterattack. Arlen went for Daras's wrist, but he was too fast and retreated. "A worthy effort, but you shall not defeat me," Daras said to that.

Arlen then had to parry another of Daras's attacks, and then sidestepped to the right. He then swung Mor'ranr at Daras, but that was also parried. Daras was noticeably slow to react to attacks coming from his left, and he had trouble moving his left leg. Artsanna's tips seemed to be right.

Arlen jumped to Daras's left and swung at him. Daras dodged and counterattacked, stabbing into Arlen's right arm. He screamed, but kept hold of his sword. As Daras withdrew his sword to attack again Arlen switched sword hands and managed to parry. He fell back to strategize.

This was bad. Daras clearly had a lot of training, and his age wasn't hindering as much as he thought it would. If anything Arlen's age was the hindrance, as he wasn't as experience as Daras. The weakness Daras had he probably had for a while, and Arlen wouldn't be able to use it against him. He would have hated to fight Daras in his prime.

Unfortunately before he could think of a way to fight Daras he was attacked. Daras lunged and Arlen parried, but he was too slow and got a cut on his side. As he was retreating he stumbled on a rock and fell over. He was getting up when Daras cut the back of his hand, making him drop Mor'ranr, and put his sword to his throat. "I have won, Arlen of Cathalorn," Daras said. He then removed his sword from Arlen's throat. "I now return your life to you, one swordsman to another."

Arlen was surprised to say the least. "You're just going to let me live?"

"Yes," Daras said. "Our contest was to decide who the better fighter was; it was decided."

"Actually I think I would have won if you let me use all my skills," Arlen said. "Limiting me like that wasn't fair."

"However, I still won," Daras said. "Now get your wounds taken care of before you bleed out."

Lynde and Herbst came over. Herbst helped him up while Lynde healed his wounds. He thanked them both and Lynde said, "You're welcome."

"But if you really want to thank her, don't do that again," Herbst said. "She worried half the night before I could get her to bed."

Arlen looked curiously at Lynde. "Now why would you do that?" he asked.

"Well you just got here," Lynde said. "I don't want to lose a friend so soon after getting them back."

"Thanks," Arlen said. Lynde nodded, smiling.

Breaking up this tender moment was Daras Guildsward. "I thank you, Arlen of Cathalorn, for allowing this. Some have refused my challenges, and they had no honor. Eragon Shadeslayer refused my challenge or even to acknowledge me, though I doubt he would have fought honorably."

Arlen nodded. "When honor is allowed it is welcome, but few opponents give it," Arlen said, remembering something his father said.

"I suppose you may be right," Daras said. "But I must now take my leave of you. It has been a pleasure."

"Uh, sure," Arlen said. "Goodbye."

"Farewell and may we meet again someday," Daras said and left.

"That wasn't smart," Rose said. Arlen turned to her. "Honor's just an excuse to make the weak stronger and the strong weaker. Why hide behind it like this?"

"Because without honor of some sort I'd probably stab you right now," Arlen said in a not entirely serious manner.

"Ha," Rose laughed. "You wouldn't even get within three inches of me." Arlen was tempted to prove her wrong, but that would be what someone with no morals, no feeling, and no honor would do. It was impulses like that which he suppressed. "Come on, let's get out of here," Rose said.

There weren't any objections to that so they began to leave the courtyard. Artsanna would meet them at the livery, so they began going there. Their journey took them into one of the main hallways of the castle, which was a little crowded with servant and guests of King Orrin, but not too crowded. They were going to go along a hallway that Lynde insisted would go to the livery when there was a loud noise.

The large doors at the end of the hallway burst open and whoever had entered was given a wide berth. The man who had entered looked somewhere between being a Human and an Elf, which was a little confusing. He wore a red jerkin with gloves and black breeches and boots. At his dark leather belt was a sword made of a blue metal and had a bright blue gem as a pommel. The man glanced around with cold anger in his brown eyes and Arlen wondered who he was.

Next to him Lynde looked very surprised. "Artsanna said that a Rider is here, and his Dragon is at the front gate," she whispered. "It's the second biggest she's seen, including Magnora, and has blue scales."

Arlen was utterly shocked and terrified with the revelation. No matter how fearful he was to enter Du Weldenvarden, to confront a Shade, or rescue Lynde and Rose from an Elf prison, he was never as afraid—nor ever would be—than at this moment. "This is Eragon!" he whispered back.

"Yep," Lynde said.

As Eragon passed them and went farther down the hall Arlen could breathe a sigh of relief. He wasn't there for them, but someone else it seemed. He guessed that only one person could interest someone like Eragon here, and that was King Orrin.