At the scheduled time, I stood alone at one end of the fighting ring. The news of the duel had spread like wildfire by the time I arrived; it was standing-room-only. Nobles dressed in fine silks pressed shoulder to shoulder with apprentices in plain robes, all stretching their necks for a better view. From the murmurs and sidelong glances, I knew exactly who they thought the fool was. Spoiler: me.

  I glanced back at the bottom row of the bleachers, where my wives sat. Seraphina’s gaze cut straight through my sadness, but also faith. Allira wasn’t watching me at all; her eyes were on the crowd, scanning, cataloguing threats. Always the soldier. And then Marlena. My sweet Marlena was crying when I stepped into the ring. She’d convinced herself this was her fault, that she’d set this chain of madness in motion. I crouched briefly before the line, tapped her nose with my finger, and whispered it wasn’t her burden to bear. “It’s Halden’s. And I’ll end it.” Then I rose and walked into the circle.

  Allyson lingered at the sidelines, blue eyes cold and unblinking, like a sentry carved of stone.

  Halden entered with a swagger meant to hide the crack in his composure. Beside him strode Carthis Virelles, that drunken High Mage I remembered too well. The crowd rippled at the sight of two High Mages against one Engineer. Unfair? Absolutely. Surprising? Not at all.

  I smirked. “So, Halden, is this a two-for-one deal? I drop both of you, do I get double the prize?”

  Halden’s lip curled. Before he could spit back, Virelles sneered across the ring. “Do you really believe you, a weak engineer, can best both of us?”

  “It would be a joke not to,” I replied lightly. The laughter that rippled through the crowd wasn’t with me; it was the nervous kind, the kind people give when they don’t believe what they’re hearing. But I knew the truth. I could already see their plan written across their faces: earth to bind me, fire to burn me alive. A simple trap. A stupid one.

  Virelles raised his voice so the crowd could hear. “Then let all know I, Carthis Virelles, stake my family’s entire holding on this duel as well!”

  “Excellent,” I said, and turned left. “Prince Darian, did you hear that?” The young prince sat near the officials, trying very hard to look solemn. He inclined his head, acknowledging my words.

  Halden and Virelles stiffened. They hadn’t even realized the prince was there. Too late now. Their boasts had weight, and I had the proof I needed.

  Arch Mage Veralt stepped forward, voice carrying like a hammer across stone. “If all parties are ready, I will count down from five. On one, the duel will commence. Raise the shield!”

  At his command, a dome of green light shimmered into being, encasing the ring in a sphere of power. The air grew heavier, thicker, like the very atmosphere was holding its breath. The crowd’s murmurs dulled to a muffled roar outside the barrier.

  I turned to the bleachers one last time. Seraphina’s lips moved soundlessly, whether a prayer or a curse, I couldn’t tell. I smiled back at her.

  The Arch Mage’s voice rang out. “Five… four… three… two… one…”

  And the world went quiet.

  _____________________

  When the Archmage began the countdown, my nails dug crescent moons into my palm. My husband, my foolish, infuriating, beloved husband, was about to throw his life away because of my family’s schemes. I should have been in that ring, not him. I should be the one paying for their arrogance.

  Five.

  He turned and smiled at me. Smiled. As if this were nothing more than a sparring match. Against one High Mage? Perhaps. But two? Two seasoned mages whose names were spoken with respect and fear in the halls of Vaelthorn? Even I could not match them. What was he thinking?

  Four.

  He faced forward again, shoulders squared. I reached blindly for Seraphina’s hand. Her fingers squeezed mine with quiet strength. She was calm, calm, even now. Why? What does she know that I don’t?

  Three.

  On my other side, Allira sat like carved stone. Her jaw tightened, but there was no fear in her eyes. Concern, yes, but also certainty. She had sparred with him. She had seen something I had not. But how could a swordsman’s skill stand against fire and earth?

  Two.

  David rolled his shoulders, loose and easy, like a man preparing for a dance. Across from him, Halden and Carthis were already chanting, power crackling around them.

  One.

  The world exploded.

  Flame roared inside the dome, so bright it seared my vision, so hot I felt my skin prickle even from the stands. The first rows of spectators staggered back, shielding their faces from the wave of heat.

  “David!” I screamed, rising to my feet.

  A hand pressed firmly against me. Allyson. She blocked my path, unflinching, her blue eyes steady as the sky. “Wait,” she said, her voice like iron.

  Through the hell scape, a cry tore out: “You tricked me!” It wasn’t David. It wasn’t Halden. Carthis’s voice was full of rage and disbelief.

  There was a flash, white and sharp as lightning. Something wet spattered against the inside of the dome, turning my stomach. Time stretched unbearably. The fire twisted, faltered… and finally guttered out.

  Smoke curled into the air. Two bodies lay sprawled across the scorched earth. And in the center, only one figure remained upright, my husband. Steam hissed from his scorched clothing, his hair wild, his chest rising steady and unbroken.

  I ran the instant the dome fell. This time, Allyson did not stop me.

  When I reached him, he managed a crooked grin. “Careful, my love, my clothes are still a little hot.”

  “Idiot,” I whispered, conjuring water with shaking hands and dousing him without mercy.

  Only then did the horror sink in. Halden stirred weakly, his pride shattered, but Carthis… Carthis was in pieces. Flesh scattered across the ring like a butcher’s leavings.

  My stomach lurched. My heart broke. And still, I threw my arms around David, holding him as though my embrace alone could shield him from the hatred of the world. And he held me back.

  _____________________

  The flames roared to life the instant the countdown hit one. I didn’t hesitate. I drove forward, boots hammering the dirt, plunging headlong into the inferno. Heat pressed down like a living thing, searing, clawing, but my fire resistance held. The skill had its limits, dragon fire, maybe not, but this was no dragon. Five minutes, I told myself. Five minutes of protection was all I needed. Long enough to break them.

  Behind me, I felt the tremor of earth traps snatching shut. Too slow. My perception skill flashed warnings, quick flashes to the left, right, and above. I ignored everything but the two fixed points ahead, Halden and Carthis. They hadn’t moved. Arrogant bastards. High Mages, they called themselves. Weak engineer, they called me. They should have done their homework. Sun Tzu 101, gentlemen, never underestimate an opponent whom you don’t understand.

  I broke through Halden’s wall of fire. His eyes went wide, saucer-round, disbelief freezing him in place. He tried to force more mana into the spell, flames shifting from crimson to blinding white. Too late. I stepped into the blaze, let it wash over me, then swung. Emberline cracked against him with the flat, driving him like a ragdoll into the dome. He hit hard, slumped, and didn’t get back up.

  Carthis was next. Hatred twisted his face, his voice hoarse with fury. “You tricked me!”

  Shards of stone ripped from the ground, missiles screaming toward me. I brought Emberline up, the blade glowing white, and cut through his magic like paper. My counterstroke carried through his arm, his chest, his last defiance. The sound was wet and gurgling, then it was silent. Blood sprayed, painting the dome in an arc before dripping down in sheets.

  And then there was only me.

  [DING]

  [250 Fire Resistance XP Gained]

  [Level Up - Fire Resistance – Level 5]

  275 XP Until Next Level

  [DING]

  [10,000 Swordmanship XP Gained]

  3275 XP Until Next Level

  I stood in the smoke, clothes smoldering, watching the bodies at my feet. One broken, the other butchered. The dome shimmered, then collapsed with a whisper of fading magic.

  Marlena was the first to reach me, her face stricken, tears and firelight gleaming in her eyes. I managed a grin. “Careful, my love, my clothes are still a little hot.”

  She ignored me and drenched me with conjured water before throwing herself into my arms. I swept her up, spinning her once in the slick mud before hugging her tight. Her sob broke against my shoulder, and I held her until she steadied.

  Gasps rippled through the crowd. Dozens of nobles and apprentices had come expecting a High Mage’s triumph. Instead, they saw a swordsman cradling his wife in the aftermath of victory, smoke still rising from his scorched clothes, his blade sheathed, his enemies broken at his feet.

  A murmur swelled, shock and disbelief carrying from one side of the bleachers to the other. “Two High Mages… with a sword?” “What is he?” “Do Engineers fight like that…”

  I let them talk. Let them wonder. I had nothing to prove to the gallery.

  Seraphina and Allira sloshed through the mud to join us. Seraphina smacked my shoulder with mock irritation. “You could have done that better.”

  Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

  “Maybe,” I admitted, “but I wanted them to start it.”

  Across the ring, healers worked over Halden. He was alive, barely, a band clamped around his neck. Carthis wasn’t so lucky. His remains were being gathered with grim hands.

  “What are they doing to him?” I asked, nodding toward Halden.

  Prince Darian himself answered, voice steady. “He lost everything. He cannot pay. By law, he is now your slave.”

  I frowned. “He’s what?”

  “He’s your slave. His future is yours to decide. Of course,” the prince chuckled, “healing bills will be yours as well.”

  I stared at Halden’s unconscious form, the collar shining like a mark of shame. Slave. The word tasted bitter, like ash in my mouth. I’d won, yes, but this? Owning a man, even one who had tried to destroy my family, felt like stepping into a darker game.

  “I never wanted this,” I muttered.

  Marlena looked at me, her eyes darkened. “But now you must decide what justice looks like.”

  Justice. Not revenge. Not cruelty. Just… something that can coexist with honor.

  Archmage Veralt moved closer, studying me like a puzzle piece out of place. Darian clapped me on the shoulder. “You have your meeting with the King tomorrow. The day after, we’ll gather at the castle to discuss going north.”

  “Understood. Tomorrow at the tower, there will be informal math lessons for the Princess, cake, and the usual. You’re welcome to join if you wish. Bring the Captain.”

  Darian shook his head with a smile. “The Captain and I have plans already. But that…” his gaze flicked to the corpse, then back to me, “That was a duel well-fought.”

  He turned, leaving me in the mud and the smoke, Marlena still clinging to me, my wives at my side. Around us, the crowd whispered, wide-eyed and unsettled, trying to fit what they’d just seen into their neat little boxes of mage and man, strength and weakness.

  I held Marlena close as my eyes drifted back to the healers crouched over Halden. Archmage Veralt stopped beside me, his expression caught somewhere between curiosity and suspicion.

  “Exactly how did you defeat two High Mages?” he asked.

  I chuckled, the sound dry. “I preyed on their stupidity. You know I’m an Engineer, but I’m also a master smith. That comes with… certain unique skills.”

  Veralt’s brow furrowed. “Blacksmith skills?”

  “Fire resistance,” I answered plainly. Marlena clung tighter as I went on. “At a very high level. It would take dragonfire to harm me in one strike. I figured I had five minutes before Halden’s flames could wear me down.”

  “You banked your life on resistance alone?” Veralt’s tone held equal parts disbelief and admiration.

  “Hey, I had to take a gamble. Yes, I thought that five minutes was more than enough. Halden never stopped to consider that a blacksmith or water mage is his natural counter. He let pride blind him. Carthis, though…” My eyes flicked to the broken remains still being gathered. “I wasn’t sure how to handle him at first.”

  “Carthis was an earth mage. A very talented one,” Marlena murmured, her voice tight.

  “Exactly. Earth is strong but slow. I watched him as he prepared his spells. I knew speed would be his downfall. Move faster than he can react and finish it before he has a chance to adjust. I’ll say he almost got me. When I finally got within his blind zone, he was defenseless.”

  I paused, the words of an old strategist surfacing unbidden. “There’s a saying, from a general named Sun Tzu: If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles… but if you know neither, you will succumb in every one.”

  “Interesting words of wisdom. I’ll remember that. So,” Veralt said softly, “those two didn’t know you.”

  I allowed myself a slight smile. “You’ve got it. They saw me as just a blacksmith or a weak engineer. It didn’t matter which. Everyone is more than what their name suggests. Everyone.”

  Beyond the Archmage, I spotted Mage Devanthes still lingering at a distance, her posture uncertain. I lifted a hand and beckoned her closer. After a moment’s hesitation, she came.

  “One thing, Archmage,” I said. “Is there paperwork to confirm the duel’s outcome?”

  “Yes,” Veralt replied. “If you’ll follow me, I’ll see it arranged.”

  I turned to Devanthes as she began to speak. “My lord Earl, I am…”

  “We’ll talk at the tower,” I cut in gently. “If you’re willing.”

  She inclined her head. “Yes, my lord. I’ll come.” Her tone surprised me. Gone was the simmering hostility, replaced by something cautious, almost deferential.

  A murmur spread through the crowd again as they took Halden away. Words like “slave” and “humiliation” floated up like smoke. Some people laughed, but others looked away.

  “This will undoubtedly ignite debate,” Veralt said softly. “A High Mage becoming a servant? You’ll gain both admiration and enemies.”

  The walk to the administrative office was uneventful. They put us in the same conference chamber as before. We sat this time, except Allyson, who remained near the door like a sentry. Mage Devanthes stood off to the side, shoulders slumped. I can see that she didn’t exactly know what to expect.

  A knock sounded, and Samual slipped in. He bowed slightly before approaching. “Archmage Veralt sends his apology; he was called away, but here is the paperwork certifying your victory and the terms of the wager. If you leave your mark here, it will be complete.”

  I scanned the pages, then pressed my signature where indicated. “And their assets in this kingdom?”

  “They will be transferred to you as soon as this is filed,” Samual explained. “In Vaelthorn, delivery will take longer. This page also records Mage Sinthurk’s new status. You cannot release or transfer him without this document.”

  I nodded once. “Understood. Thank you.”

  With that, we left the chamber and made our way back toward the tower, Marlena’s hand still tight in mine, her relief radiating through every step.

  I was the last to enter our residence, peeling off what was left of my wet extra-crispy clothes before changing into something dry. By the time I rejoined everyone in the living room, the couches and chairs were already filled. Only Mage Devanthes remained standing, back to the wall like a prisoner waiting for her sentence.

  “Mage Devanthes,” I said, gesturing toward the empty chair across from me. “Come sit.”

  Her eyes stayed sharp, full of suspicion, but eventually she lowered herself onto the seat’s edge.

  “So, Aria, if I may call you by your first name…” I saw she gave a slight nod. “What shall we do now?”

  “I wasn’t part of what happened, Earl. You have to believe me,” she said quickly.

  I slid a pack of papers across the table. She hesitated, then picked them up, scanning page after page.

  “You’ve been watching the three of us? You knew that this would happen,” she asked.

  “Yes, but not to this extent. I expected some display of honor to inflate his ego, but Virelles… Everything suggested that he would cower if pressured. This time was different. He was chasing after something.” I paused to look at that dimpled smile of Marlena before continuing. “Overall, I wanted to understand what Halden was after, which led me to you and Virelles. The arranged marriage? Just a smokescreen. At first, it was a power play. I understand that. But when things turned dark, you chose to step away. That says something. I’ll find out what Halden was after.”

  I picked up the pile of papers and handed them to Allyson. “Aria, let’s do this,” I said softly. “Allyson, take those papers and place them on my desk. I’ll bury them, and if they’re ever needed again, I’ll be the one to dig them out. But for you, Aria, I want to start completely fresh.”

  I turned to face her. The proud Royal Mage sat there, her shoulders trembling as silent tears traced down her reddened cheeks. She looked up at me, eyes wide with emotion, not shame, but release. Hope. Before she could respond, before she could find the words, Allyson’s voice broke the moment like a dropped glass. “Master, Amiles Valen and his family are at the door.”

  “Good. Please have them escorted up,” I said to Allyson, then turned back to Aria. “We’ll talk more later. But before they arrive…”

  Marlena slipped her hand into mine. I gave it a gentle squeeze and leaned forward. “…I hold no grudge against you. In fact, we could put all of this behind us and move forward.”

  For the first time since she entered the room, Aria’s composure broke a little. Her sharp disbelief softened slightly into something more unsure. Her shoulders relaxed, and her posture became less defensive. That’s when I noticed it, the briefest flicker of her hand against her sleeve, drawing my attention to the tattoo etched there.

  It wasn’t like the others I’d seen. Slight differences in its design, lines that curled in unexpected ways, power flowing into the ink itself. Aria wasn’t just a Royal Mage. She carried something… different. Something that set her apart. I felt like I wanted to know more.

  The front door swung open with a clatter, interrupting the moment. Amiles, Amabel, and their young son Drew stepped inside. The boy didn’t hesitate; he dashed across the room and threw himself into Marlena’s arms, burying his face against his aunt’s shoulder.

  “David, I got your message. You wanted to talk…” Amiles stopped short when he noticed Aria. “Why is she here?”

  “Everyone relax,” I said.

  “Amiles, calm yourself,” Amabel whispered, nudging him toward the chairs.

  “Please, sit,” Marlena added warmly.

  When they were settled, I cleared my throat. “Some big changes happened today. As of now, only one Royal Mage from Vaelthorn remains… Aria, here.”

  “What?” Amiles blurted. “But Sinthurk and Virelles…”

  “Virelles is dead,” Marlena said quietly. “Halden… lost everything. He’s a slave now.”

  “They’ll just appoint others,” Amabel said nervously.

  “Not this time. Their families lost all their assets and position at the table, also.”

  I felt Allira’s hands settle on my shoulders, kneading away the tension.

  “Allyson,” I said, glancing up, “is Misty at the tower?”

  “Yes, Master. She’s with Alpha and Beta.”

  “Please send the three of them to the Guildhall. Ask for the guildmaster directly.”

  “Yes, Master.”

  Amabel’s fingers tightened around her husband’s hand. Her voice trembled. “David… you’re scaring me. What happened?”

  “There was a duel,” Aria cut in, her tone flat. “Both Sinthurk and Virelles lost. They were fools.”

  The words hung in the air like a thunderclap.

  Amiles blinked, color draining from his face. “Two Royal Mages… lost?” He shook his head, almost as if saying it aloud might undo it. His eyes flicked between me and Marlena, panic sharpening his voice. “To whom?”

  Aria lifted her chin and pointed across the room. “To him.”

  Silence swallowed the space. Amiles’ mouth worked soundlessly, like a man grasping for air. Amabel’s knuckles turned white where she clutched his hand, her wide eyes darting between me and Marlena as if to say, What did you marry into?

  She turned to her son. “Drew, come here. Now.” Her voice quavered.

  But the boy only buried himself deeper into Marlena’s embrace, shaking his head. “No.”

  Amabel half rose, torn between snatching him away and not daring to step closer to me. The fear in her eyes said enough.

  And me? I didn’t bother to answer. I simply leaned back as Allira’s hands pressed into the knots of my shoulders, finding the perfect spot. My eyes closed for a moment in quiet relief. If Amiles and Amabel saw horror, I just felt comfort.

  “What did they wager?” Amiles pressed.

  “Master, Misty is now with the guildmaster,” Allyson reported.

  “What’s so urgent you need him involved?” Amiles asked.

  “Allyson, tell him the assets of both families are mine now. I have the paperwork, and a copy is already being sent to King Theron. What do I need to do next to start seizing what belongs to us?”

  A pause. Then Allyson replied, “He’s looking into it.”

  The room fell silent, the horror plain on their faces.

  “Is that why you called us here?” Amiles finally asked.

  “Partly.” I leaned forward. “The real reason is a business opportunity. I need your help drafting a proposal for the Mage Council.”

  Amabel blinked. “How big?”

  “Big,” Allira said from behind me. “Multiple countries.”

  I outlined the plan for the airships, including restoring them, crewing them, and splitting the profits fifty-fifty. Aria was surprised by the scope of this project that I was explaining to them.

  “And the downsides?” Amiles asked warily.

  “Upfront cost. I offered a hundred thousand gold per ship.”

  Amabel nearly choked. “For each?”

  “There are only three to start,” Marlena said with a sly smile, as though that made the number smaller.

  “Three?” Amiles muttered, dragging a hand through his hair. “That’s three hundred thousand before repairs. You don’t even know how long before you break even. Who has that much to toss into this venture?”

  “That would be me,” I said, leaning back with a casual shrug. “But I’m not worried about the funds. I have more than enough even before the duel to cover the cost. Gold’s the easiest part of this.”

  They all went still, watching me.

  “This isn’t about breaking even,” I continued, voice steady. “It’s not about how fast the coffers refill. To me, this is more than just a financial transaction. These ships are key pieces of a bigger design.”

  Amabel’s grip on her husband’s hand tightened. Amiles frowned, suspicion flickering across his face.

  I smiled faintly and let the silence stretch. “You’ll see what I mean when it’s time. For now… trust that the gold is the least important part.”

  Amiles sank into his chair, disbelief plain. “This would require staff, office space, logistics…”

  “Exactly,” I said. “So you’ll run it. How soon can you get a proposal ready?”

  “Me?”

  “Yes, you. Who else? Is your brother or father available?”

  “Two days,” he sighed.

  “Make it three. Tomorrow I’m hosting the King and Princess. The next day, council business about the northern vaults.”

  “The Princess?” Amabel asked with a sly grin. “Anything we should know, David?”

  I sighed. “The gods move in strange ways. She asked some interesting questions at the ball, that’s all.”

  Allyson’s voice returned, clear as glass. “Master, Misty reports the King has already been informed of the duel’s outcome. Not by the Guildmaster, but directly from the King of Eldros. Assets are being… frozen.”

  “Good.” I nodded. Things are moving faster than I expected. I didn’t think that King Theron would get involved. What’s pushing this? “Have Misty ask the Guildmaster if it’s possible to arrange transportation to bring the three of you to the Valen estate. If there is a cost to do this, I’m good for it.” I noticed everyone just shaking their heads. “There’s planning to do, and I’d love to have the rest of the family involved. This isn’t just mine to carry, it should be ours.”

  Amiles blinked at me, the sharp line of his shoulders softening. Amabel squeezed his hand, her eyes warming.

  “I like that,” Seraphina said quietly. It was the first time she spoke since returning to the residence. “Not just you against the world, but all of us, together.”

  Amiles gave a slow nod. “If this becomes a family endeavor… it could be something lasting. Something we can all build on.”

  “Yes, master,” Allyson confirmed after a pause, her voice carrying the faintest hint of amusement. “The Guildmaster has agreed to the arrangements… though he asked me to pass along a message.”

  I raised an eyebrow. “Oh? And what’s that?”

  Allyson’s lips curved ever so slightly. “Guildmaster Verran said, and I quote: Since when did I start working for Earl Robertson?”

  The room went quiet for a beat, then Seraphina snorted, trying to hide her laugh behind her hand. Allira gave me a playful nudge in the ribs. Even Marlena, still holding Drew in her lap, managed a tired but genuine smile.