Val retreated to a side room, changing and entrusting his attire to the attendant, emerging shortly holding Harken's Fangs. Sure enough, the provided ensemble fit quite well, and the quality was familiar. He was not sure, but the boots and pants reminded him of Joanne's work.
Striding out into the courtyard, now appropriately dressed for some light practice, Val noticed the esteemed general was already holding a wide-bladed sword. The soldiers had taken a break from their training, and all stood uniformly to the side like a class expectantly awaiting a demonstration. Their instructor stood ready to proctor Val and the duke's own practice bout.
Duke Aurmayne beamed as Val approached. "You really wear that suit well, but I have to say these seem to suit you much better."
Val stretched his arms, appreciating the return of a full range of motion. "Heh, these are much more comfortable. So, what're the rules?"
The proctor wasted no time, explaining simply as he motioned for the two to approach. "The General has requested an open format. You may use anything you have brought to this courtyard, the victor is decided when one of you relents, or I stop the match."
Val wore an amused expression, unsure of whether or not the duke intended to fight with magic. The proctor took their weapons in his hands briefly, muttering something as a yellow light poured from his palms and wrapped around the blades.
Duke Aurmayne noticed Val's slightly puzzled expression. "A temporary enchantment to dull the blades. Can't be wearing fresh wounds and new scars for the banquet tonight, eh? I see Harken favors you greatly. I've not seen those blades in some time."
"He lent them to me recently, brought down many Draugr with these, actually."
"Oh? I'm looking even more forward to this exchange now."
The pair returned to stand five meters apart, Duke Aurmayne maintained a relaxed stance, reminding Val of Valor's arrogantly open guard he often goaded him with.
Seeing the two ready to go, the proctor dispensed with additional formalities and shouted. "Begin!"
To Val's surprise, the duke moved first, dashing forward with bounding strides. In an instant, the gap was closed as the duke swung his sword down towards Val's raised daggers. Val skillfully caught the sword with his crossed blades as he directed them away, pulling the duke off balance. Before Val could seize the opening, the grizzled general leveraged his momentum and rolled away.
Val spotted a wide grin on the duke's expression as they entered into a frantic series of exchanges. The dulling enchantments did nothing to prevent the sharp clanging cacophony of steel as the pair paced around the courtyard. While Val could not discern a killing intent in the Duke's demeanor, he was stopping at nothing to push Val to his limits.
After nearly five minutes of their nonstop exchange, Val caught an opening and kicked the duke in the abdomen, gaining some room to breathe. Val felt sweat beading on his forehead, but Duke Aurmayne looked fresh as he casually dusted off his shirt.
Duke Aurmayne looked Val up and down. "Your skill is terrifying for someone of your age. I cannot imagine the life you've had to wield such battle experience. Even scarier if the fact you are holding back... No, not holding back, your style, it's neither Harken's nor yours. Copied hastily, perhaps?"
Val took a moment to catch his breath. "You're not exactly showing your full strength either. You asked for a fight where we were unrestricted, I'm obviously no mage, so why would you open the bout to magic?"
The general grinned. "Is that really true? You're hiding it well, but the strength you wield in that frame is not natural. Come, if you have reason to hide your real strength, I can respect that. Harken, if you would be so kind?"
Harken returned to his typical smile. "Of course."
General Aurmayne motioned to the proctor and the soldiers to dismiss them. In moments, only Harken, Duke Aurmayne, and Val stood in the courtyard. Relenting, Val dropped his runic enchantment, though concern crept through his mind as he noticed the duke's reaction. Concern, mild horror, sheer astonishment, Val was not sure what the lord of the Aurmayne house was feeling.
"This is impossible... Not a single child survived—" Magic erupted from his body, causing a tremble in the ground as Duke Aurmayne suddenly whirled on Harken, glowering. "Where did you find this boy?!"
Harken raised his hands in defense, trying to calm his friend. "Easy now. Whatever you're thinking is impossible, I've known him not even a few years, but he can be trusted."
Val felt a cold sweat, reminded of the Duke's military status by the brief display of his magical power. "What's going on?" He asked in a sharp tone.
Duke Aurmayne studied Val carefully for nearly a minute before speaking."Where are you from? As a child, that is."
Val raised an eyebrow. "Kar Lodihr."
"Have you been to Aurulian lands before?"
"No, the first time I met any of your people was the other day. I can't even read your language."
The duke continued to stare at Val for a moment before calming his oppressive aura. "Forgive me, it seems I'm growing old, thinking about it, it's impossible. You're far too young still. You have an incredible amount of mana for someone your age, were you not trained in how to use it?"
"It's come up a few times. I'm still learning how to harness it properly."
"I see. You certainly have an effective means of hiding it, at the very least. With how wild your aura is and how much of it bleeds out, hiding an elephant in a crowd would be a simpler task."
Val reactivated Peorth to shield his magic. "Who did you think I was?"
The duke sighed. "... One of the many unfortunate children we wronged long ago. We sought to create demigods of our own children. Using Dwarven magic as inspiration, and binding artificial souls to them at a young age as a means of expanding their magical strength. We needed warriors to rival the might of the Tenochs' own."
"Sounds like it didn't work."
"No, it worked, but without exception, they all lost their minds, turning into rage-fueled monsters in human skin. There was no differentiating between friends or foes, and they could not control their powers. In the end, we hunted them down and put them to rest."
"Well, I can assure you, while I've yet to master the finer parts of its use, I'm in control of my abilities."
"So it seems. I'm not in the right mind to continue our exchange in earnest, but I'm dying to see your real strength, if only for a moment."
Val looked around uncomfortably, unsure of what else the duke could observe.
"You can relax, only we are here, and whatever power you wield, on my life, I will not share it. Even on the off chance that it could complete those horrendous experiments, so long as I live, I will never allow it. But I would know my allies in this coming battle if I am to help you."
"I'm more concerned about the Church, I've heard stories of Aurulian fanaticism."
Duke Aurmayne erupted with laughter. "Indeed, it is for that reason that none of their kind is allowed on my premises. Their ridiculous notions are what led to the First Crusade that supposedly brought our ancestors low. Our powers are not God-given, we did not build this empire at the behest of some grand observer."
Val smirked, inwardly laughing at his inability to entirely agree with the notion. Relenting, Val exposed his magic once more and began to channel the brand, lighting up his eyes.
"Interesting, when you channel your power, your mana is reigned in and circulates in a controlled manner... This is... Dwarven magic?"
Val nodded, eager to let it rest on the notion that his powers were granted by the Dwarves. Val walked over to a wooden rack where a row of dulled training swords rested. Selecting one that looked close enough in shape and length to Tyrfing, he returned to stand before the Duke.
Val took a stance. "How about it? A simple practice bout to put us in better spirits before we have to return to stuffy suits and weak drink."
Duke Aurmayne's expression brightened. "Harken, I rather like this new dog of your family."
What was supposed to be a brief round of practice turned into an hour-long exchange of swordplay. Occasionally the duel rose in intensity but always returned to a casual contest that the pair visibly enjoyed. Harken returned to his chair after a few minutes, seeing he was no longer needed. He lounged and took full advantage of the duke's hospitality.
When it seemed as if they would not cease unless prompted, Harken eventually stopped the duel. "Gentlemen, how about we put this to rest for now? We have hardly an hour until we're expected at the banquet, and... Both of you appear to need a bath..."
Both Val and the duke were soaked in sweat, though Val wore fatigue on his face. They had avoided injuring each other but had ruined their shirts with dirt from tumbling around. It was evident in the first moments that the grizzled general far outclassed Val in strength, but nonetheless seemed to enjoy himself greatly. Duke Aurmayne relented, placing his sword to rest against a rack as he called for his attendants. A few maids arrived and escorted Val to a bath that had been prepared, though Val sheepishly dismissed them, insisting on bathing unassisted.
Before long, their afternoon break was over, and Val resigned himself to the stifling condition of a suit and travel by carriage. Harken and Val rode with the duke this time, though an entourage of other gilded carriages quickly appeared behind theirs as the nobles and other esteemed persons converged on the castle grounds.
Harken and the duke passed the time with a conversation about various political intrigues, particularly anything that could be used to leverage the different noble houses to their side. Val, for the most part, returned to his brooding. With the occasional glance out the window, he looked closer to the role of a bodyguard that he was playing.
Val had managed to win the favor of the Aurmayne house, but Harken remained the enigma. A mercenary lord with an eye for business and politics could prove to be a fearsome individual. As far as Val knew, the Dwarves were neutral, and it would not be so terrible if they had a revolution in their industry.
The Aurulians wanted to use the Americans. It seemed as clear as day who Val wanted on his side between the two, though at times, it did not seem to matter. After thinking about it, the Aurulians and Americans were identical, a range of good and bad examples of humanity. At the very least, Harken had done nothing but help him so far. Entrusting the politics of the situation to the mercenary lord was, for now, the safest option.
This time, every individual was thoroughly inspected by the guards. They did not take Val's daggers, but they checked every individual against a list. Fortunately, with the Duke in their company, they were quick and did not fuss over Val's identity. Harken had ensured he was registered, only as 'Valtyr of the Black Dogs,' a character that was being further cemented at least while in Aurulian company.
As soon as they entered a grand hall that appeared dressed like a ballroom, Val was taken aback by the sheer number present compared to the luncheon. By a rough count of a single group, Val suspected the guest list numbered close to four hundred, before taking count of the attendants needed to staff such an event.
Several long tables had plentiful food displayed, and waitstaff in uniform wove through the crowd bearing drinks and food. At one end of the hall, near a slightly raised stage with chairs Val assumed were for the emperor, musicians were playing orchestral music. There was an area where some people were already entertaining guests with magical displays of light.
Harken chuckled, leaning towards Val. "Harder to find a wall to lean on, but I assure you it'll be easier to simply hide in the crowd."
"You said this was the first of what would be a week of such events?"
"Indeed, not often do Dwarven senators and councilors visit, and these decisions take time and many indulgences."
Val scowled. "Yeah, no, this is the one and only one I'm attending."
Harken smirked. "Before you write them off completely, turn around, Lady Alevriasha has made her fashionable entrance."
It took a moment, but the second Val spotted Asha, it took all he could muster to not laugh too loudly. Her long hair was curled and dressed, and she had discarded her almost survivalist attire for a dark green halter top dress with a shawl around her shoulders. Asha walked slowly in a pair of heels she looked none too comfortable in, but had no trouble with. To her credit, Val thought she looked beautiful, but on her face, she wore an expression of discomfort that made Val's all but disappear.
Val waved her over, still chuckling slightly, and when she spotted him, her expression gave way to a dark scowl as she walked over. "Hey, for what it's worth, you look fantastic."
Asha spoke in a chilling voice just above a whisper. "For what it's worth, in this order, I'm going to kill Harken, then you, then Boldir."
Val struggled to suppress his laughter. "Woah easy, I had nothing to do with this, I'm just offering you a compliment."
Asha glared at him, before glancing past him at Harken. "It was your mutt of a friend you've made who had the bright idea to parade me before these spineless halfwits all day."
Harken bowed subtly. "And I must say it is true, Elven beauty is truly a sight to remember."
"You—" Asha paused as the entire hall suddenly quieted down. The musicians paused, and everyone turned their attention towards a procession of individuals stepping onto the stage.