(Jameson Telluth, Fort Paline Praelium)

The sergeant laughed at Holden's taunts, and drew his other sword. His grip on both weapons tightened as Jameson made his way towards a clearing within the fort.

"Let's hope your wit is as sharp as your technique," Jameson grinned. "As for our duels in Praelium, we fight until the other would clearly be killed. It's the only way to truly test your skills."

The sergeant was at the other side of the clearing now and gestured Holden to the opposite end. He was ready to battle, crossing his two blades in front of him, a common Praelian parry stance. He smile had not faltered and he had his eyes locked with Holden's.

"Ready whenever you are," Jameson said. "Just step towards your end of the circle, and we can begin our fight."

[hr]

(Various soldiers, Fort Gloria, Outskirts of Praelium)

The captain waited, facial expression never changing, posture never faltering. The orc spoke as if Praelium was some dying creature, bleeding out from some recently inflicted gash. He must have been talking about the burned village. 

[i]News travels rather quickly, even to the North.[/i] The captain thought quietly to himself. [i]Didn't think the desert tribes knew anything about what went on in Praelium.[/i]

"Free passage into Praelium, and a small supply of weapons. Swords, bows and arrows, clubs. You do this, and you may consider your fine fortress forever free from the Northern pesks; and more important, you may consider the Red Claw an ally of yours till the Ends of the Ulragim."

Now that caught the captain's attention. An alliance with a desert tribe? That was something that no Praelium citizen had ever imagine. If the orc who threw the missile represented the general population of their tribe, they would indeed be a powerful ally. However, this was not the captain’s call. This was something that would definitely go up to the Tyrannus.

“While I think you overestimate the damage that was done to us and underestimate how well we can handle desert tribes,” The captain began, “an alliance is something our Tyrannus might be able to consider. However, I am not the Tyrannus.”

The captain stepped away and turned around from the orcs, pondering over something. He quickly turned around, nodding to himself again. 

“But what is within my power, is that I can contact him, and we can arrange a meeting. Come back tomorrow, but this time bring a white flag so we know you aren’t hostile.” The captain whistled, and the guards swiftly returned to the captain’s side. “Who knows? Maybe he’ll come here himself.”

[hr]

([color=8882be]Dominus[/color], Streets of Artis Port, Praelium)

The lightning bolt struck true to the mage’s intended target, and Darlien laid on the ground, spasming and screaming. Dominus sighed and shook their head. 


[color=8882be][i]Not even a warding spell? Does he only know destruction?[/i][/color]

Darlien screams ceased and he wobbled his way to his feet. He snarled and yelled at his foe.

[color=f26522]"Praelian scum! How dare you attack me?!"[/color] 

However, his confidence faded quickly. He seemed to recognize the Dominus robes that the mage wore. His face turned pale. 

[color=8882be][i]Aw, a little scared you face someone competent?[/i][/color]

[color=f7941d]"You... you're... a Dominus, aren't you?”[/color]

He pointed his blade at the mage, and they responded with a chuckle. The Dominus mage couldn't help it. A mere cheese knife? This young one definitely needed to catch up on their learning.

[color=f26522]"Well, I don't care who you are,"[/color] The man’s voice dripped with fear. [color=f7941d]“Because I'll kill you just the same!"[/color] 

Darlien conjered a fireball from his left hand and hurled it at the Dominus mage. The fireball went screeching towards them,  it was sure to strike iit’s intended target.

[color=8882be][i]Hm, surprisingly still accurate.[/i][/color]

The mage quickly brought up their forearm and a translucent circle appeared, absorbing the fireball. The mage quickly dispelled the warding spell after Darlien’s spell expired.

[color=8882be]“You have a lot more to learn about magic, boy.”[/color]

The Dominus slammed their hand against the ground, sending an ground-bound arc of lightning towards Darlien. Although they had to kneel, their eyes were still locked onto their target.