Saturday, March 30, 2019

Master of Strings Ch79: The Second

Around noon before their tavern is to be opened,The heroes of Swords and Sorcery Inc. sit staring at Zilo, Leo, and Aria who all three seem unable to match the gaze of the other heroes. May is the one to break the awkwardness by speaking.

"The prince! Like of the of the kingdom. Really?"

"Yup, looks like it." Says Leo with a nervous smile.

"What prince?" Asked Sparky looking over to Clay at the counter where the two of them set out the mugs for the coming day. Clay looks down to the questioning goblin and says, "He's the guy who's going to be in charge of everything once the king can't do it any more."

"Like Chief son?"

"Yeah, but bigger deal."

Sparky nods and looks back to Zilo saying, "Bard screw up big."

"I should say so!" Shouts Maldrek pointing back to Sparky before continuing. "You threw out royalty Zilo, What were you thinking!?"

Zilo glances over to Aria for a moment then looks back to Maldrek and says, "'Don't touch her' That was the only though crossing my mind." Aria smiles for a split second before Jin shakes his head and says, "hold on a second, it may not be that bad, Its not like they can just storm in here and take everything and kill us right, this kingdom has rules, right?"

Alaroc nods and says, "Oh yeah, and since he invoked a duel we have a good shot depending."

Cruxis looks to the cavalier and asks, "Duels can still be bad."

"Not among nobles, those duels are special otherwise the ruling class wouldn't do them. They don't much like the idea of dying, so they have very specific rules, in fact if Zilo apologizes and Kranoc accepts then nothing happens."

"I'm not apologizing, what he did was wrong and I did nothing wrong." Says Zilo crossing his arms. Leo shrugs and says, "Besides I don't think the prince will be very willing to back down."

Alaroc leans forward and motions to Zilo saying, "In that case you'll need a second."

Zilo plays with his thumbs for a moment then asks, "Now what?" The others sigh or giggle before Alaroc continues, "Not time, a friend, since you and the prince are two close to the dispute it would be pointless for you both to think rationally. A second is a person you trust to speak on your behalf for the challenge."

"Oh well in that case it's easy. Maldrek." Zilo looks to the wizard with a smile and Maldrek is taken aback. The wizard looks over to Alaroc and asks, "Wouldn't you do better Alaroc? You seem to know far more about these duels."

"I only know the protocol a second is picked for trust and negotiations. It really comes down to who Zilo wishes." Maldrek breaths heavy and stands before saying, "In that case, everyone get back to work, we open in a half hour, Alaroc, Zilo, stick around."

The heroes grumble and scatter before heading off to work. Aria gives Zilo a light peck on the cheek before heading to the bar. Maldrek takes a seat next to Zilo and takes out a notebook before looking to Alaroc and saying, "So what do we need to do for this duel then?"

Alaroc leans back and continues, "Well the duelists don't do much until the actual event, but the seconds, once chosen, work out a time 3 days after the challenge is invoked to meet alone and negotiate for a compromise, or to negotiate the challenge, stakes, and location for the duel. So Maldrek you'll need to get in contact with the castle and learn who Kranoc's second is."

"Sounds easy enough, I'll talk him out of this fight and be done with it."

Zilo leans in to cut off that train of thought and say, "Let's say no peace is made, whats next?"

"Well then the challenger procures a Breath of Life scroll, should the worst occur during the challenge. Then they all leave a letter with their next of kin should all attendees through misfortune die during the duel."

"Can that happen?" Asked Zilo. Alaroc shrugs and motions to Maldrek and saying, "If magic is involved, it can. Emotions flair and spells fly, some spells more destructive than expected." Maldrek glances down to his spell book and sighs before motioning for Alaroc to proceed.

"So with the next of kin informed the duelists and seconds arrive at the agreed location and the seconds meet in the middle for the area to negotiate peace one more time. If that fails then the seconds step aside and place the scroll of Breath of Life equidistant between them to be used and the two seconds call for the challenge to begin."

Zilo and Alaroc sit back and take in the lesson Alaroc gave them and Alaroc turns back saying, "Now if you'll excuse me, my favorite tavern opens soon." Alaroc waltzes over and takes his favorite spot on his stool before the bar opens. Zilo and Maldrek lock eyes and Maldrek says, "Office now."

The two of them walk into Maldrek's office and take a seat, Maldrek at his desk, and Zilo on one of the chairs reserved for clients. Maldrek rubs his temples and says, "You couldn't have just served him? You had to throw him out on his butt?"

"You weren't there, he was making moves on Aria, I had to do something."

"Do you realize how many patrons have a thing for her? She and May are one of the biggest draws of this place!"

"They are!?" Says Zilo completely unaware of this, thinking back to all the times patrons whistled, complemented, and blew kisses to her. Zilo looks back to Maldrek and says, "I thought those guys were just being friendly."

Maldrek shook his head and says, "Listen up, Zilo, I like you, you are a good friend..."

"Thanks buddy, back at you." Interrupts the bard.

"But we only have the business we have thanks to the king trusting us with that Stormstate job. If we take down the next king then we are cooked. I need this place to last until I can fund and finish up my research, and trust me when I say that I have a lot of research to do." Maldrek motions back to the huge collection of books on the shelf behind the desk.

"What are you saying?" Asks Zilo crossing his arms.

"I'm negotiating peace."

Zilo rises and says, "No way!"

Maldrek rises as well and says, "Yes, way. I don't care about your ego here Zilo, get over it and deal with it. You picked me as your second, and this is my call, its what is best for us all."

Zilo turns to the door and says, "Then I'll pick another, Ala-"

"I need you Zilo!" Maldrek yells cutting Zilo off. Maldrek looks down to his desk and says, "I may be the boss here in the company, but I'm not the one who keeps them here. Cruxis, Leo, Sparky, Jin, Aria and every single person who you attract here with your spirit. This place cannot run without you here."

"Maldrek I-"

"Shut up and think. I am not a people person. The only reason that this place can run is because I stay in my office away from the front. I can run the books, count the coin, and sign the papers, but I can't make this place live. If you take down this prince then you will shoot this place in the leg and we will be known as the mercenaries that challenged the crown!"

Zilo stands looking to his friend who still stares to his desk and finishes, "So Zilo, I need you with me on this. This place is all I have right now, and I will not see it crashed to the ground because you got a big head and want to bring us down with you!"

Maldrek breaths heavy after his tirade a speck of a tear forming his his left eye. He blinks before the tear can cross the threshold and forces it back in. He looks up to see Zilo sitting back in the chair with his hands folded and his eyes looking to the same spot on the desk as Maldrek. His expression is stoic and unwavering. He speaks as though he bites his lip along with the words,

"So peace, what will we give them for it?"

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