A cloak of invisibility fell away, and Gunidar was suddenly visible next to the city gates. “I can create an enchanted circle that will only allow the two combatants inside and won’t drop until one of them is dead. As the royal mage, I am only loyal to the king. With the king dead, I only care about there being a new undisputed king. My loyalty is not to Albia but to whoever sits on the throne.”

  Baron Eikhorn and Duke Holstein looked at one another. The duke finally said, “If you put the circle right outside the gates and the army backs up, then I will agree to that.”

  Eikhorn paused for a moment before he said, “Fine, at first dawn.”

  The duke stepped back out of sight, and Dave assumed that meant he agreed. Now he needed to see what Steffen was planning. They all gathered in the command tent. It felt rather crowded. “Do the rules require you to fight the duel, or can someone stand in for you?” Dave asked.

  “I can take Holstein. We are both max Tier 3, but he doesn’t have a fraction of my combat experience. I’m actually shocked that he agreed to duel me,” Steffen said.

  A cough sounded in the back, and everyone turned to look at Gunidar. “I must remain neutral, so I can’t help you, but I do need to tell you a couple of things to keep things clear. Holstein is much stronger. He must be near max Tier 4. He is also working with some kind of walking spider mage and a number of fiends.”

  Mira said quickly, “We killed most of the fiends, but I don’t know how many are left. At least none of the fiends were truly powerful like the stalk fiend.”

  Jackson poked his head around with the girl with the long braided red hair next to him. “You should have tried fighting them back when you were level fourteen rather than as a Tier 4 with a group of Tier 3s backing you up. Then see how easy they are.”

  The two siblings looked at each other like they were going to argue. Dave didn’t want to waste the time, so he just cut them off. “We aren’t gonna start that now. If you two can’t be quiet, then take it outside. Actually, just take it outside anyway and let your mother and me discuss this with Baron Eikhorn.”

  Emiri said, “You should at least let them introduce the princess and Lady Milessa. He did risk his life to save them, after all.” Dave felt her elbow dig into his side, so he realized he was missing some cue here.

  Jackson blushed but then said, “This is Her Highness, Princess Gianna Lenore of Miromar, and behind her is her companion, Lady Milessa.”

  Emiri then walked past Dave and took the princess by the arm. “You look like you’ve had a hard time of it. Let me make sure you are taken care of. Besides, I’m sure we have so much to talk about.” The princess didn’t even get a word in edgewise, but she allowed Emiri to guide her along with Milessa and a suddenly very interested Mira out of the tent.

  Captain Aremay said, “I wish you the best with your duel tomorrow, and Miromar shall earnestly await the outcome as well as that of your skirmish with Faelora. We cannot become involved in either event, but I am sure that you will have my king’s thanks for rescuing Princess Lenore, and I know that you have my personal gratitude. My griffon squad will leave before first light with the two ladies in tow.”

  Baron Eikhorn nodded and said, “We are glad to maintain good relations with Miromar, and if all goes as hoped, we will be sending a new ambassador to your court to discuss strengthening our ties.” He then signaled one of the guards at the door and said, “Make sure that Baroness Murkwood has everything she needs and that a suitable tent is set up for the ladies.”

  After that, they cleared out most of the tent, leaving only Dave, Max, Captain Raddick, Steffen and a couple of knights Dave didn’t recognize. Gunidar had already disappeared at some point. Dave said, “If the mage is correct, then you need to let me act as your champion.”

  Steffen frowned for a second. “I have to ask, does this mean that you are making a claim for the throne yourself?”

  A moment of silence passed before Dave said, “Honestly, a week ago I might have thought I had some right to that, but I don’t know. Eris’ Rise is enough. I do, however, want some input on who becomes king next. There are too many things going on to let a passive noble or, worse, someone who is looking to their self-interest.”

  “From what I understand, the former queen and King Borstein’s daughter have both escaped with personal guards to Faelora, where her brother is king. With the invasion, even if it is mostly just minor skirmishes now, I can’t see the congress of lords supporting any Borstein claim for the throne. So the most likely candidates are either Duke Tarstadt or Oppenheim.

  “Oppenheim is fairly old and doesn’t have a son. Since the death of his granddaughter, he hasn’t shown much interest in politics at all. My own duke has all but surrendered responsibility for guarding the western border to me. He might want to make a claim, but if I am speaking candidly, that would not be good for the kingdom. So perhaps you should be king. I have seen some of what you are accomplishing in Eris’ Rise. I would like to see our entire kingdom advanced forward like that.”

  “Again, I don’t want to be king,” Dave replied.

  Steffen asked, “Who, then?”

  “I will only support you for king, my friend.”

  “I am a military man, not a ruler,” Steffen said.

  “Again, with all the conflict going on, I would argue that we need a military-minded king. I have also done my own investigations, and you have a reputation with all of your people for taking care of them. That is the primary duty of any king, to be a servant of his people.”

  “You have an odd way of saying things, but I will think on what you have to say. Now we need to strategize about this duel,” Steffen said as he grasped forearms with Dave.

  Dave slept somewhat fitfully. He had engaged in numerous battles to the death since arriving in Eloria. Even with that, there was something different about this. He had killed men before. In the corps on Earth, it was far less personal. When he fought to defend Eris’ Rise, he had been caught up in a rage and killed the attackers without a thought at the time.

  This duel, though, was not against some nameless enemy but against a man he knew and had spoken too. It was premeditated. He knew that he was going to kill the man, or he was going to die himself. The fact that he hated the man for the way he had treated Emily and Mira as well as what he had done in Konig surprisingly didn’t make it easier. That hatred actually made him feel dirty.

  The concern for his life actually wasn’t what made him restless. He was confident without having the same arrogance that had been plaguing him. Dave knew he was strong. He knew that of the monsters and people he had met, he felt he could take any of them other than Seimion. Even Daichi, who had seemed so impressive initially, didn’t frighten Dave anymore.

  High Endurance meant that he had little need for sleep now. Two hours was plenty of sleep most nights for him. It gave him more time for thought, which led to him considering how his family had risen in power so quickly. They had a different way of thinking than the native Elorians, but was that enough to account for their increases?

  Apparently the little mini quests with boosts to stats were quite rare, yet all of them had had at least one. Things just kept adding up, and Dave had to wonder if there was something different about coming from Earth that made it so his family could progress faster. Perhaps it was as simple as the Watcher’s Ongoing Preparation, or maybe there was something more to it.

  The longer he thought about it, the more convinced he became that this unknown quality was what had attracted the attention of Seimion’s master. He couldn’t help but wonder if their arrival was part of the catalyst for all the conflict that was going on around them. But there was no point in shouldering blame for things he couldn’t control.

  What had him perplexed now was how Holstein could have so dramatically increased his power. Everyone was in agreement that the patron’s boon that Eris’ Rise had received was unheard of, to the point that it was considered miraculous. So if there was no way to break through once you had reached a level cap, at least no way without outside influence, Dave had to consider that Seimion had some part in this.

  Ultimately, the information that he had about Holstein was that the man was little more than a brute. He relied almost exclusively on his strength and was quick to smash anyone who annoyed him. Assuming that had remained the same, it informed Dave’s strategies for the battle.

  From what he had been told, the man had no magical aptitudes, so it was going to be a straight-up melee with him. Dave’s broader base of skills and spells would likely make this a quick fight. Still, the easiest way to lose a fight was to get overconfident.

  If something felt like it was too easy, then it probably was. The trick here was that Dave wasn’t sure what the trap was. Perhaps this was another attempt to stoke his pride and make him seize power for himself. He didn’t like feeling uncertain.

  It wasn’t long before a voice outside the tent he shared with Emiri said, “Baron Murkwood, it is time.”

  Outside, the first sun was just breaking the horizon. True dawn wouldn’t be for another few minutes, but it was probably good to get to the duel site sooner rather than later. The entire army had backed up a mile from the gates, based on their agreement. Further details had been worked out so that each side could have no more than fifty witnesses. It seemed like a large number to Dave, but considering that the duel was essentially for control of the kingdom, it made sense.

  Dave’s entire team of twelve, along with Sara and Max, were going to be there. Most of the others were knights Steffen wanted there as witnesses. There was also one other baron. Dave had met the man briefly before. Apparently his holdings were near Konig, and like Dave, he was a direct vassal of the throne. Simon was his first name, and he had been mostly quiet and deferred to Steffen.

  A moment later, Emiri appeared outside the tent. “Are you ready for this?”

  Before Dave could answer, he heard Jackson say, “Dad is gonna take this guy out.”

  “Never be flippant about taking a human or elven life, even one who is as despicable as Duke Holstein,” Emiri said.

  Jackson nodded and mumbled, “Sorry.”

  The girls came up behind him, and Dave realized how rarely his entire family had been together since arriving in Eloria. That was something he hoped to correct. Life might be hectic here, but he wanted to have more time together.

  “C’mon, I suppose they are probably waiting for us,” Dave said. He made eye contact with most of the members of their team and shook hands with Max.

  The captain said, “Don’t forget what we talked about last night. Based on what you told us about your abilities, I can’t see this being very difficult for you.”

  “That is what has me worried. This seems too easy.”

  “Ah, gotcha. Like with the VC back in Nam. If it was too quiet, that likely meant someone was waiting to kill you. I have no doubt that Holstein has some betrayal planned, but I trust Gunidar. He may be a stick in the mud when it comes to fun, but he genuinely wants the best king for Albia,” Max answered.

  When they arrived at the circle, Holstein’s witnesses were waiting. They seemed to be mostly soldiers wearing his colors. The man himself was nowhere to be seen.

  Gunidar, on the other hand, was waiting in an open area that had been marked off with flags. It was a circle that was fifty feet in diameter. Apparently that was the traditional size of a dueling ring. Dave would have favored starting even farther apart to allow him to use more spells at a distance, but it was what it was.

  Emiri and the rest of the witnesses stayed back while Dave and Steffen approached the royal mage. “I’m ready to get this show on the road.”

  “I assure you that this matter is not for show, the duel will be most genuine, and I’m not sure what a road has to do with this.”

  “It’s just an expression, but where is Duke Holstein?”

  At that moment the witnesses on the far side parted, and the man came walking out. He was at least a couple of inches over Dave’s six feet and was very broad. Some of it looked to be fat, but Dave wouldn’t let that make him underestimate the man’s strength. There was actually an odd look to the man when Dave paid a little more attention to how. His body seemed bloated, but then the duke spoke. “Here I am. You should be used to waiting on your betters.”

  Steffen didn’t rise to the bait and instead simply asked, “Are you ready to get this over with?”

  “Yes, if you are ready to die, but what is the pretend noble doing here?” Holstein asked while pointing to Dave.

  “He is going to be my champion for the challenge. I’m surprised you didn’t want to appoint a champion. At least you wouldn’t die this morning that way.”

  “As if some upstart peasant from the gods only know where could stand against a noble born and bred. You know our bloodlines matter. Even the Eikhorn bloodline is not without merit, despite your current faulty thinking. You could still rectify that, though. If he is your champion, then I must truly question your thinking. At least you might have made the fight last a while,” Holstein blustered.

  This time Dave answered for himself. “I think you will find me up to the challenge.”

  “Whatever you need to tell yourself. Even if you have managed to reach the third tier, you will find that I am beyond you. Even if we were the same level, you will find that it takes more than levels to account for power. I was born to power. You are nothing but a political joke from a non-dead king.”

  Steffen said, “Enough. Are you going to talk or fight?”

  Holstein took one more look at Dave before saying, “Fine, let’s end this charade.”

  At that point Gunidar looked at Baron Eikhorn and said, “You have to leave the area and join the other observers before I can trigger the spell.” Then as Steffen walked away, he looked first at Holstein and then at Dave. “In order for this spell to work, you must both voluntarily enter the circle. Your own life forces will power the spell, and neither of you will be able to leave until one of you is dead. There will be no backing down.”

  As they both confirmed their willingness, he placed a hand on each of them and then began casting. When he finished his spell, he said, “It will take effect as soon as you both walk to opposite sides of the circle.” Then he flickered and suddenly appeared outside the circle.

  When Dave reached the edge, he felt the humming of the spell as it sprang to life. There was a momentary flash of a muted green line in the shape of a circle on the ground, and then he turned. The duke was already rushing at him, so there was little that he could do. The man might be big, but he was no slouch in the speed category because he would be on Dave in two seconds.

  That was just enough time for Dave to cast Damage Mirror and draw his sword. He hoped to end this quickly. Then Holstein was upon him, and Dave activated offensive stance while quick-casting Minor Enlarge.

  He successfully parried the first sword thrust aimed at his chest. Even with his new health total, he didn’t want to see if he could survive being stabbed in the heart. What he didn’t do was block the backfist that Holstein swung with his offhand. The blow hit his face before he had grown in size. He flew end over end until he slammed into the magical barrier of the ring.

  Dave spared a moment to see just how much damage he had taken to gauge the man’s power level. Sure enough, the man was strong but not super skilled at unarmed combat. The blow, while forceful, only delivered 134 damage, half of which had been reflected back at Holstein.

  Dave cursed himself for being overly cautious. He had probably wasted Damage Mirror. He estimated the duke’s Strength at around 160, which, while impressive, likely meant that he had put almost all of his points into that stat. This fight was going to be over before it started. With his new increased base Strength, Dave would be well over 200 enlarged.

  His spell having taken effect, Dave climbed back to his feet while the duke approached a bit more cautiously this time. He shouted a command word, and his sword burst into fire. Dave had experience wielding a weapon like that. It was dangerous, but not as dangerous as he was.

  He began casting Lightning Bolt. Since specializing in the spell, its cast time was reduced to three seconds. Once the duke realized he was casting, he charged faster, but it was too late. The bolt burst from Dave’s fingers and slammed into the chainmail that the duke wore. It glowed blue as whatever enchantment was on it helped to defuse the electrical blast, but it didn’t stop it enough to keep from knocking him flat, even if the spell only did 261 damage.

  It was Dave’s turn now to rush forward. He managed to stab him but only caught an arm as his enemy recovered faster than he had expected. Still, another 190 damage from a glancing blow showed just how powerful Dave was. The thought entered his head that this was proof none of them were worthy. He alone should rule. Rule not just Eris’ Rise but all of Albia, no, all of Talos. Just as quickly as the thought appeared, Dave’s increased Wisdom recognized it as being an outside influence.

  He was strong. He knew it. He even reveled in the fact, but that power was not just for the sake of power. It was meant to be a shield to those who relied on him. He would end this fight and not because he wanted to reveal his power, but because he wanted to save those he cared about.

  Dave quickly cast Ablative Armor. He knew he should have done this from the very beginning, but had held back because there was still a part of him that had worried the duke was more than he thought him to be. Between the spell armor and Dave’s swordsmanship, he didn’t take another point of damage while he cast Fire Bolts. Every slash and thrust Holstein made either was parried to the side or deflected by the spell.

  Still, the casting time for the spell seemed to drag on, but when it was over, Dave thrust his hand forward, and all four fire bolts went off point-blank at the duke. Absent any protection with Dave’s stats, this spell should deal over 2200 damage. Added to what had already been done, there was simply no way that the man could withstand it. Even given the assumption that he was wearing dual health rings.