"I'm pretty sure this is a bad idea," The Iron Bull sighed as he and the Inquisitor worked their way through the crowds of Val Royeau. Of course, it helped that the crowds pretty well parted for the pair. Well, okay, they parted for him.

"You didn't have to come," Tyne shot back. His face was like a thundercloud as he strode purposely next to Bull. Purposely enough, in fact, that Bull didn't have to slow his stride so that the small legs on the human could keep up.

"Right, Boss, like you coming out here to do this alone would be an even better idea," Bull rolled his eyes. Or, well. Eye.

"I could have brought somebody else."

"Yeah? Who?"

"..."

"Exactly."

"Hmph," Tyne hmphed. "I bet Varric would have come. He would have loved it. Probably write a story about it. Or Vivienne. She probably knows all the tricks. Maybe she could find the loopholes so that I won by default. Even without fighting."

Bull was silent for a moment before smirking. "Cassandra would have hit you over the head and tied you to a chair. Solas would probably lecture you about something elfy. Sera would cheat…."

Tyne made a small face then sighed. "Yeah...Cassandra is going to be pissed."

"Yeah, don't think any of them are going to be pleased, Boss," Bull nodded. "How do you think Josephine is going to react?"

"She will swoon, fall into my arms and swear undying love for me?" Tyne looked up hopefully.

"Right. Doubt it," Bull crushed his small desperate dreams.

"Leiliana knows," Tyne looked away petulantly.

Bull gave Tyne a look. "Of course she does. She knows everything."

"She seemed...bemused," Tyne sighed. "Pretty sure she knows how Josie is going to react, but is letting me tie my own noose."

"Then why-"

"Because I have to do something!" Tyne exploded coming to an abrupt stop. "I can't just sit around and wait for Josie to 'figure something out'! The sheer….idea. That she could marry somebody else….Grrahh!" Tyne slammed his fist into a nearby pole, and almost bringing down the wall of a merchant's stall.

"That hurt," Tyne mumbled to himself as he shook his hand.

Bull smirked and shook his head. "Probably not the greatest idea there, Boss. Breaking your hand before the big duel and all."

"Oh, shut up."

"Anyway," Bull continued. "Are you saying that if she chose to marry the guy, you would still be here?"

"I...what?" Tyne looked up at Bull with a shocked and confused look. "I...no...I mean...of course...not?"

"Right," Bull nodded as he patted Tyne's shoulder. "This is all about you and your ego."

"Maker, Bull," Tyne groaned and kicked a small cobblestone. "I don't really need rational thought now, of all times."

"Nah, don't worry about it Boss," Bull chuckled as he began walking again. "It's just important you know why you're fighting this duel. Now, come on. You have a rich ass to kick the shit out of."

As Tyne stepped into the central square, the Chantry bells rang one o'clock.

"Ah! Inquisitor! Perfectly on time!" a swarthy dark haired man spun about. He wore a rich blue quilted doublet, which looked quite lovely. His cream colored pants stopped mid-calf, exposing a blue silk stocking. His shoes were a rich Antivan leather.

Leiliana would probably gush over the shoes, the thought rolled through Tyne's mind. Stop it! And focus, you moron!

The man flashed a wide toothy smile under his dark black moustache. His neatly trimmed beard came to a triangle point just under his chin. The hair on his head was as dark as his moustache, and cut close to his head. His eyes sparkled hazel eyes sparkled with mirth.

I hate mirth….

"Greetings, I am Lord Adorno Ciel Otranto of Antiva!" the man, Otranto bowed both deeply and dramatically before standing and gesturing grandly to the older gentleman behind him. "This is my second, Monsieur Delcarte Kelliog!"

Monsieur Kelliog was a pale and painfully thin man. His limbs were long and gangly, but he carried himself with a kind of whispy grace. He wore a black jacket and pants with the only hint of color being a small red handkerchief in his jacket's breast pocket.

Monsieur Kelliog also carried a pair of thin swords.

"Good day to you as well, sir," Tyne bowed in return, to the man, if not quite so grandiose. "I am Lord Tyne Trevelyan of Ostwick, and behind me would be my second. The Iron Bull."

"Howdy," Bull smiled a waved the finger of one of his hands.

"Oh ho!" Otranto laughed. "My Lord Inquisitor was, perhaps worried I would have him waylaid or some such?"

Tyne chuckled as well, as he glanced back at Bull, then shrugged. "I would never question your honor in such a way, my Lord. It would be more accurate to say, that Bull is probably one of the few that wouldn't try to stop me. And, if it pleases you, I would prefer to by here as Tyne, of House Trevelyan, and not as a member of the Inquisition."

"Ha!" Otranto made a small bow. "My apologies, that was unworthy of us both. And it would indeed please me greatly to face a true rival. Now then, Monsieur Kelliog, if you please?"

The pale man dipped his head as he stepped forward to present the two swords to Bull, who, after a moment realized his role, and took them from the man.

Bull's expression had turned to pure business as he looked over the blades, each in turn. He drew them from their sheaths, gave them both a small shake and a single swing before resheathing them and handing them back.

"Looks good Boss," Bull grinned as he gave Tyne a thumbs up.

"Now then," Otranto's demeanor shifted, ever so slightly. His eyes became sharp, and his smile became wicked. He took the blades from Kelliog and tossed one to Tyne before taking his stance.

The man turned his left foot back as his right pushed out in front, his toe pointed at Tyne. Otranto's weight shifted to his back foot as he swished his blade in a pair of circular cuts, one on either side, before pointing the tip of his sword at shoulder height, directly at Tyne.

"I hope this kind of elegant weapon is within your grasp, Lord Trevelyan," a note of mocking carried in Ontranto's voice. "I understand that you Marchers are just now learning to fight with things that are not rocks tied to sticks."

Tyne looked at the Antivan with a raised brow before turning his attention to the weapon in his hands. He hefted it lightly with the tip pointed at the sky, before leaning it first left, then right. He tipped it forward, then back.

All in all, it was actually a rather exceptional sword. The blade was long and thin, its edge razor sharp. The ivory grip was carved to look like a nude woman, her feet at the hilt, and her arms above her head, as if gripping the red stone that was the pommel. A brass cage acted as a hand guard and was made to look like twined rose vines.

And, surprisingly, the handle, though a bit weird, was actually quite comfortable in his grip.

Light blade...weight in the pommel…, Tyne considered. Not what I am used to by any stretch.

"Ah, good sir, despite my handicap, I expect my time weilding a true man's sword will prepare me fully to handle your tooth pick here," Tyne quipped back as he held the blade before his eyes in a salute.

Otranto laughed, as did the small crowd that had gathered around the courtyard. A crowd that was slowly growing.

"Good man!" Otranto held his own blade in a salute, some of the humor back in his eyes.

Both men swished down their blades as they took their stances. Oranto returned to his previous position as Tyne flexed his shoulders once before shifting his feet even with each other, at shoulder width apart. He held the blade lightly in his left hand, down near his waist, his right hand open and loose at his side.

"Terms, to be clear," Tyne began as he slowly began to step to the right. "No weapons but our blades, our wits and our bodies, until surrender, yes?"

Otranto inclined his head slightly as he slowly circled to the left as well, his blade still pointed at Tyne. "That would be correct my Lord."

Tyne took a single step forward and allowed the tip of his sword to tap lightly at the tip of Otranto's. "If I may be so bold, my Lord," Tyne smirked. "Perhaps, considering the intimate nature of our current relationship, you would be willing to simply call me Tyne?"

Taking a step forward as well, Otranto let his blade roll away as Tyne's touched it, before snapping it back to its position with a flick of the wrist. "Very good, Tyne, but then I will insist you call me Adorno as well."

Another step in and Adorno's blade flashed in arcs left then right. Tyne's sword smoothly knocking the strikes aside with more strength than deftness. It brought a small smile to Adorno's face.

"Nothing would please me more," Tyne stepped heavily forward, his right foot stomping a bit harder than it really needed, seeing as how he was not wearing his usual heavy armor. He leaned out in a thrust that was easily side stepped.

"It's a pity Lady Montilyet is not here to see me defeat you," Adorno said with a chipper tone. His blade deftly pushed Tyne's to the side as he counter attacked with a thrust of his own. A move that the Marcher was just able to evade. "I understand she is a great beauty."

A dark frown crossed Tyne's face as he moved forward boldly and slashed down hard at Adorno's right shoulder.

Adorno stepped in, receiving the blow on his blade before pushing forward. The blades slid together locking at the hilts as the two men looked each other in the eye.

"Although," Adorno gave a grin and small wink. "It might be for the best. It might be a poor way to introduce myself to my bride to be."

Tyne's teeth ground together as he pulled himself in and heaved, shoving Adorno away, a good four feet. He felt a bit better when he saw the surprise in the Antivan's eyes.

"Not hardly," Tyne took a deep breath before taking back up his stance. This time circling to the right. "I am not about to give up Josephine to anybody. Though I have to admit, you are even faster than I expected."

Adorno nodded with a small smile. "And you are as monstrously strong as the tales say. However, I wonder if you have even given a thought to the fact that the betrothal was arranged by the Montilyet family? You would chance going against their wishes and the ill will it could bring you?"

His blade snapping straight, Adorno walked forward steadily, slapping aside Tyne's clumsier attempts to disrupt his advance.

Tyne was unable to respond as he quickly stepped backwards. His hands came together on the hilt of the sword, attempting to give it the extra speed in needed to keep up with Adorno's lightning sweeps.

Then, in desperation, Tyne caught Adorno's blade and stepped in quickly, locking the blades.

"True, I would rather not make the family unhappy," Tyne admitted, panting slightly. "But sometimes you don't get everything you would like."

Adorno appraised Tyne for a moment before giving his head a small shake. "Perhaps, after my wedding, and my wedding night, I could arrange for you to wed the youngest sister? I understand she is pretty enough."

Tyne's head jerked back suddenly, as if slapped. A moment Adorno smirked, then setting himself, he shoved Tyne back. Not nearly as far he had been moved, but enough that he was able to slip his blade under Tyne's broken guard and sweep the tip of his blade at Tyne's face.

In another move of seeming desperation, Tyne threw himself backward. The point of Adorno's sword knicked across his right cheek, drawing a splash of blood.

Adorno then stepped back, swinging his sword down, hard, Tyne's blood thrown off it.

"You have fought a brave duel, Tyne," Adorno smiled. "First blood has been mine, and I belive you have seen the difference in our abilities. Would you not consider withdrawing now, before you are too gravely injured?"

Tyne touched his fingers to the cut on his face and looked at the blood on them for a moment. He then sighed and looked back to the Antivan. "You are right about a couple of things there, Adorno," Tyne admitted as she stepped forward once more. "You did indeed get first blood. And I did, indeed see the difference in our abilities."

Frowning, Adorno tilted his head slightly. "So then you intend to withdraw?"

A look of incredulousness cross Tynes face as he snorted. "Not hardly. You are ridiculously fast with your sword. And your strength is not to underestimated."

"I thank you," Adorno bowed his head slightly.

"Of course," Tyne shrugged lightly as he shifted his sword. "Always give credit where it is due, my father always said." His hilt moved in closer to his body as Tyne allowed the blade to lean forward, it's tip pointed directly at Adorno's eye. His right hand moved back behind him as he held it flat like a blade. It was a much more solid stance that he had been using up to this point. "However, good Adorno, I feel as if I have a feel for the blade now."

Adorno's brows knit together as he stepped forward, his blade swung left, then right, a thrust, another thrust, a swing at the knees.

Tyne danced lightly to the side, his sword moving in short, precise circle. Parrying left. He shifted his head just so, as Adorno's blade trimmed a few errant hairs from his head. His body shifted a milimeter to the left, and Adorno's blade thrust through air once, then twice.

His body twisted, Tyne leaned his blade inside Adorno's guard cutting into the man's shoulder. He then shifted his weight as he spun, rolling down Adorno's arm, and slamming his shoulder into the Antivan's chest, staggering him back.

With a hiss, Adorno, looked at his shoulder and rubbed at the place Tyne's shoulder struck. "Very nice," he said with a smirk. "I did say blades, wits and bodies. You caught me there. And for shame, hiding you talent like that!"

With a laugh, Tyne stepped back and shook his head. "I admit to playing a bit fast and loose with the spirit of the rules. However, I am used to heavier swords, so it did, indeed take me a moment to get a true feel for this blade. Which is magnificent, I must say."

"My bladesmith will be honored at your words," Adorno chuckled as he brought his fist to his chest, over his heart. "I ignore your small indiscretion, if you would forgive my using a weapon I had, wrongfully, I see, believed that you would be at a disadvantage with."

"Fair enough," Tyne nodded. "You are a marvelous swordsman. Is there any chance I could convince you to, perhaps, work with the Inquisition?"

"Haha!" Adorno laughed heartily. "So you might slip in a little time as the Inquisitor after all, Tyne? I'll tell you what. If you can tell me where you learned such interesting swordstyle, I would happily consider it."

"I am embarrassed to admit it, but it is a style my family has been developing for a couple hundred years…." Tyne sighed deeply as he ran his free hand through his sweaty hair.

"Oh?" Adorno looked surprised. "I would think that would be something you would be proud of!"

"Eh...normally, yes, except this version is set on the principles of three rings. One within the other, narrowing down the area of defense until you have a small, but impenetrable defense," Tyne shrugged uncomfortably. "It's is designed around the idea of close combat, indoors and such. And….it is designed for….women…."

Adorno blinked for a moment before laughing. "My friend, that is nothing to be embarrassed about. Though I will assume you learned it in self defense. You probably have an older sister?"

His face blanched as Tyne sighed again. "Your perceptions are far too sharp Adorno. But-"

"Hey! Get to the fighting!" a voice yelled from the crowd. "We want to see some blood!"

A chorus of cheers and jeers responded. "Yeah!" "Get him!" 'Mama! We gonna see somebody die today?!"

That last one was a bit of a shocker. Seemed even the five year old girls in Val Royeax were bloodthirsty.

"EVERYBODY SHUT UP!" Bull's voice bellowed over the courtyard. Immediately, everybody went silent. All one could hear then was the gentle splashing of the fountain. Though even that seemed to be uncomfortable with the amount of sound it generated.

"Uh, thanks, Bull," Tyne shrugged before turning back to Adorno. "Shall we finish?"

"That would probably be for the best," Adorno agreed as he lifted his sword to his usual stance. "One last strike?"

Tyne turned the right side of his body to face Adorno as he brought his sword up to this shoulder, its blade parallel along his body. "Winner take all."

There was a slight pause in the air as even the gentle wind fell silent. Then, with a flash of silver steel the two men crossed the space between themselves, the clash….

"STOP!" a woman's voice echoed across the courtyard. "Stop you fools!"

The two men froze, their blades but inches from each other as they looked at each other. Both men's eyes widened as the slowly lowered their weapons and looked up.

"Move!" the voice cursed. "Move!" A figure was slipping through the crowd, roughly shoving people out of the way before she burst into the courtyard itself.

"What do you think you are doing?!" Josephine demanded thunderously.

"Ah you must be-" Adorno started as he took a step towards her, but stopped as the glare she gave him almost turned him to ice.

"You," Josephine jabbed a finger toward Adorno. "Are next!"

Adorno did the most prudent thing. He nodded and stepped aside.

"Now! You!" Josephine's full anger rounded on Tyne. "What do you think you are doing?!"

"Josie, I-"

"Why?!" the Antivan diplomat cried as she stomped up to Tyne, her fist waving in his face. "Why would you do this! Why would you put in danger, everything you have built!"

"Josie, I-"

"You are too important!" Josephine spun around, storming away. "Everybody needs you! You put in danger all that the Inquisition has done! Why?!"

"DAMMIT JOSEPHINE!" Tyne snarled, his own anger flaring as his arm reared back, then snapped forward, his sword arcing through the air to strike into the center of a chair in a small cafe to the side. "I did it because I love you!"

Josephine froze, her eyes wide. "You...You...do?" she stammered.

"You do?" Adorno looked back and forth between the pair.

"Of course I do!" Tyne threw his hands into the air. "None of this matters to me, Josephine! I love you more than anything else in this world or the next! When I fix the tear in the sky, it won't be for these idiots here in Val Roeaux!"

"Hey!" a voice protested.

"I will do it for you. Take me, leave me. All that I will do is for you, and always will be!" Tyne's arms dropped roughly to his sides as his anger left him. "All because I love you."

Josephine's hands hand drawn up together, under her chin as Tyne yelled his confessions to the world. Tears welled up in her eyes, the black globes shimmering. Then it was as if something snapped within her as she ran across the courtyard. She lept into Tyne's arms, her lips coming to his, passionately.

Then, leaning back, tears rolling down her cheeks, Josephine laughed a loud, merry laugh. "I love you too! I do! So much!"

"You do?" Tyne couldn't keep the stupid smile off his face.

"You do?" Adorno gasped.

"I do, I do, I do, so much," Josephine laughed again.

"Well then," Adorno coughed roughly as he approached the pair. "I see that I am outmatched."

"My Lord," Josephine stepped away from Tyne as she wiped at her eyes.

Adorno just held up a hand and smiled. "I had believed it to be but a dalliance of passion and convenience. However, I could never hope to match what I can clearly see." The Antivan stepped back and bowed deeply. "I, with much regret, and in the name of House Ortano, withdraw our offer of betrothal."

"Thank you, my Lord," Josephine bowed in return, a small warm smile on her face.

"I...hope there are no hard feelings," Tyne stepped forward and held out his hand awkwardly.

Adorno looked at the hand for a moment before grinning. He gripped Tyne's hand, but then jerked him forward into a strong hug. "Of course not, my friend! I congratulate you on fighting for your True Love! There will be songs about this, I swear it!"

Then, stepping away from Tyne Adorno grinned again and nodded. "You will have to visit me in Antiva, yes? We will have a grand party for you! I hope I am invited to the wedding, eh?"

"Oh!" Tyne blinked, confused and startled. "Of...of course! And my offer still stands. We could always use support from talented people such as yourself."

Slapping Tyne's shoulder, Adorno nodded again. "Of course my friend! I shall send people to speak with your spymaster! And, it would honor me if you kept the sword. I shall keep its match. It shall be a symbol of our friendship!"

"Thank you, very much," Tyne bowed, greatly touched. The gift of sharp things of destruction always had a special place in his heart.

Pulling Tyne into another rough hug, Adorno slapped him on the back before turning and striding away, pausing only once to give a little wave.

"Well," Tyne turned back to Josie. "I seem to have gotten a fancey dueling scar. Thinking I'll leave it. This is an important day. I can't wait to tell the children about how I got it."

Josie shook her head with a small smile as she ran a finger along his cheek, above the would. "Well, I didn't think there was anything you could do that could make you even more dashing."

"I'm sorry, Josie," Tyne sighed as he took her hands into his. "This...this was not exactly the greatest of ideas. You aren't a prize at a tourney to be won or lost. You are a person. I...just let it get to my head."

"Mmm," Josie nodded. "I do understand. And I am still quite angry. But...I love you you just the way you are."

"Do you now?" Tyne raised an eyebrow.

"Well…" Josie looked up at his, through her lashes. "I would if you kissed me again."

So he did.

"Um...guys?" Bull asked. "When are we heading home?"

"Guys?"

"Ah, forget it…."