Valkieri is silent and stern as he enters, his gaze sweeping about the grounds as he takes note of those who have already beaten him to gather. He strides without hesitation to the seating set aside for the nobility and finds a place for himself without pause. He crosses his arms over his chest, sitting straight-backed, and looks down at the dueling ring below.

With the gathering of spectacle, the mounted procession comes to a halt. Gabriel on his brown stallion, sorrounded by ten knight's all in gleaming steel. Leaning forward to pat the neck of the beast, as he looks over the crowd gathering with a mildly inquisitive expression. A few words shared with the woman looking to be the officer among his retinue, who is then quietly informing him of the nature of the duel.

Aureth tilts his head back, sliding his gaze up Luca from his boots to his head in a long, lazy glance. He screws the cap back on his bottle and shifts, unfolding to his feet in an easy unfolding. Taking Luca's arm, he easily ties the ribbons to it, leaving a little trail to flutter and snap with his liquid motion.

Gian dips his head to Luca, the lowborn guardsman is slower to presume than Luca is to allow. A quiet word with Lady Magden is had and the big Lycene bows to her again. As the hour draws near, the soldier draws off his plain linen shirt, so that first blood will not be hidden, draws his longsword, and waits silently.

"Good luck," Dafne murmurs to Gian and Magden both, flashing them a faint smile to both, and then turns away from the ring. She starts toward the seating for the nobility, but, noting the arrival of the procession of King's Own, she pauses. Shielding her eyes with her free hand (the other is holding the ever-present kitten), she studies them, picking out the Regent among them. She dips into a respectful curtsy, slightly kitten-imbalanced.

Magden steps back from the dueling ring after a quick, quiet word with Gian. She gives Dafne a grateful look for her presence. "Thank you so much for coming, cousin."

She's barely made it on time herself, but Belladonna is here. She has a pair of guards as well as a young woman with her; she does lift a hand in Lydia's direction in greeting, but she doesn't head that way, instead heading right for the seating set aside for the nobility, as well. Of course, her demeanor is light, and as she moves to Valkieri's side, she offers up a cheery sort of smile for all that he's looking so stern.

Eirene folds her arms over her chest. Her black leather campaign coat is buttoned down and her collar turned up. Even then, a scarf of crimson silk keeps her neck warm. The black and white haired Malvici glances at Gabriel's entourage and she gives a short nod of greeting.

Pariah, The StormCrow, 4 Redoubt Buccaneers, Driskell, Bianca, Castiel arrive, following Maximilian.

Senza Luce arrives, delivering a message to Bianca before departing.

An Unremarkable Associate arrives, following Acacia.

Mydas steps to join his cousin Lydia, followed by his direwolf. He murmurs something to her before turning his attention to the other guests, curious.

Maximilian moves in with the Arch Scholar and prince, before choosing to take people over to the noble seating.

Maximilian has joined the Noble Seating.

Castiel has joined the Noble Seating.

Bianca has joined the Noble Seating.

Eirene has joined the Noble Seating.

Catalina has joined the Commoner Stands.

Luca has joined the Dueling Ring.

Acacia has joined the Commoner Stands.

Acacia slinks in towards the tournament field, edging closer to the stands and then sliding into a position not too far from Catalina.

Driskell follows behind Max, Castiel and Bianca. "I hope this duel is better than the last one, it was like watching someone against a practice dummy. Do you think there'll be wagers like at the blood square? One could hope."

Driskell has joined the Noble Seating.

Dipping a quick curtsy of her own, Magden sketches past the very impressive retinue. She climbs the stands and takes a place near Valkieri -- saving room for Dafne, of course. With a deep sigh, she fishes into her belt and takes out a pack of cigarillos. These are offered first to her cousin, Duke Rubino.

Maximilian settles in with the others, inviting Driskell to sit with them. "Generally, mainlanders find wagering on duels somewhat ill mannered. I tried once, but people got so -mad- at me."

Magden has joined the Noble Seating.

Caelis has joined the Judges Desk.

Magden gets A pack of Cherry flavored Black Mountain Cigarillos from A belt of braided gold silk worn low on the hips.

Foamy the Squirrel arrives, delivering a message to Driskell before departing.

Foamy the Squirrel arrives, following Emeline.

Eirene raises a hand in greeting to Maximilian as he and the others enter. "I wager on the dumb ones," the Malvici says with a smirk. She produces her flask and holds it ready but does not take a sip yet.

Harmon finds his way into the area, then quietly makes his way into the commoner stands, averting eye contact out of reflex.

Maximilian lifts his flask to Eirene. "Then you must wager alot, sawbones!"

Maximilian points out Eirene to Castiel, his voice dropping lower.

Serenity, Rowan arrive, following Khanne.

Serenity, Rowan leave, following Khanne.

Driskell says in deadpan, "I believe that's a zing, my lord." to Max.

Harmon has joined the Commoner Stands.

Emeline looks about, as if searching for someone. Her eyes then fall upon Driskell and makes her way from to him with the Squirrel perched on her shoulder. Not wishing to be rude, she try to wave to get Driskell's attention.

Harmon makes his way through the commoner stands, mumbling apologies as he looks for the ideal seat that means standards only he knows of.

Acacia checked dexterity + small wpn against difficulty 15, resulting in 61, 46 higher than the difficulty.

Acacia idly chats with Aureth and Catalina, but a turn of her head ensures she spies Harmon ambling his way through the stands. Rifling through the interior of her cloak, she eventually withdraws a scrap of parchment. Turning it over inspectingly, she crumbles it up into a ball and tosses it towards Harmon from her seat, "Come over here, silly. Chat with people."

Dafne has joined the Noble Seating.

At the stands getting rose-marked ribbons tied to his forearm, Luca apparently is content in his masculinity, for he's winking at Aureth after muttering something, and proceeding to begin stripping. For those hoping for return of the Naked Prince though, they'll have to be content with half-naked. For the man only gets down to calf-skin pants and boots, rest held by a novice Champion along with his blades. And with a grin, the Velenosan is taking up his fine steel sabre from those blades and jogging towards the center of the dueling ring.

"WELCOME, ONE AND ALL!" The bellow cracks throught he night in deep, Lenosian-accented words that he moderates after getting attention. "Tonight you come to pay witness to the honorable duel between two men crossing blade championing the matter between Duchess Lydia Nightgold and Lady Magden Zaffria. Some might think it a flippant thing to fight in times of trouble, but keep in mind that all such duels are at their heart both a way of drawing judgement of the gods and of seeing such matters settled before they can grow to rancor. I am not a speechifier, so I'll just say this much more. Now is a time when we all need to come together, not let things drive us apart. So I honor the two who have agreed to let this go forward and see that peace brought about, as I honor my fellow champion in the ring tonight." And with that, Luca's saluting Gian and saying something aside to the other man before settling into a two-handed, deceptively lazy stance with the viper-pommeled blade.

Dafne ascends to the noble seating and joins her cousins, settling in beside Magden. "I think your cause is just," she tells Magden gravely. And then, more earnestly, "But I fear Prince Luca will make mincemeat of our bold Gian."

Luca wields Viper's Fang, an elegant two-handed Lycene sabre.

Driskell moves off the nobles bench, re-tucking a thick little leather-bound journal under his arm which is covered by the crimson cloak. Off he walks!

As the benches fill up, Lydia exchanges a few soft words with her cousin and voice, Mydas, pleasantly enough. Then, she turns and faces Magden as her eyes narrow a little. The woman appears to be completely serious for once. Her chin lifts and she calls across to her. "Lady Magden, although you have made great effort to speak of sisterly love. You did not speak anything like that to me. You spoke only of sisterly divide, even when I gave you multiple chances to take back what you were saying. Even though, having just lost my own sister, they cut me to the core. I hope that tonight will provide the truth of the matter and from here on out, you will choose your words more wisely, but no matter the outcome, when this is over, I am ready to start new with you and will hold no grudge." Her words being spoken, she then moves to find a seat

Driskell has left the Noble Seating.

Eirene lets out a whistle for Luca. "Do it!" She pauses as more words are spoken and she waits...

Harmon's head lifts up and peers about, spots Acacia, then mumbles apologies again as he heads over to join her. "..too many faces. Hard to pick them."

Mydas nods at Luca's words and then to Lydia's. "Well said." the golden-eyed man remarks, though it's difficult whether he's commenting on the Prince's words or the Duchess'. He says nothing more, however, as he watches Luca take on a fighting stance, and accompanies Lydia to find a seat.

Gian offers three salutes, back straight, shoulders high, blade drawn vertically before his face. The first is to Magden, the second to the Regent, the third to his opponent.

Belladonna is overheard praising Lydia for: Gracefully spoken.

Magden raises an eyebrow. "I have copies of three letters I sent to you, Duchess, and my thoughts clearly stated in the White Journals. That you have consistently ignored and denied them is no fault of mine. May the gods grant you all you deserve."

Molly arrives, delivering a message to Magden before departing.

Foamy the Squirrel leaves, following Emeline.

Emeline leaves, following Driskell.

Mydas has joined the Noble Seating.

Bianca maintained her usual quiet vigil as she listened to the proclamations of the two versus parties and the scattered commentary of those around her, though for the most part her eyes were on the ring.

Rising from her moments at Valkieri's side when Magden joins him, Belladonna makes her way towards Lydia and Mydas once they move to sit, promptly settling herself beside Lydia. Magden's response to the Nightgold Duchess has her looking that way, wrinkling up her nose. There's a glance to Valkieri before she just turns her attention back to the woman she's settled beside.

Lydia has joined the Noble Seating.

10 King's Own Guardsmen have been dismissed.

Harmon seems confused. "Nngg... fight in contrary of expectations. Eschewing armor in first blood?" His head is tilted.

The duel is on! Luca spent some time circling around the ring like a predator stalking prey, but as they came together, it was a thing of grace and beauty, Luca moving in the dance he always seems to in a fight. Every step placed intently, every swing and twist of blade calculated, and never an ounce of effort wasted, half-bared bronze of muscles shifting and sliding like statue given life, the pink rosed ribbons fluttering behind his motions like some sort of accent to the dance.

There's no quick and brutal end to this particular duel though. For both men are moving wonderfully well, Luca's viper strikes catching nothing but air, even as Gian's in turn swing past. For those who can see it, Luca's cinnamon eyes are alight with pleasure and the smile he's giving the other is huge and approving as he murmurs something for the fellow duelist's ears only.

Gian advances steadily, longsword held in both hands, in a forward stance. The big soldier's steps are deft, but heavy. While defending adeptly, he said and thrusts with power.

Castiel has left the Noble Seating.

Luca inflicts moderate damage to Gian.

Luca inflicts minor damage to Gian.

Benjamin wanders his way into the area on unhurried steps, a black bag in his gloved hand as he approaches the sound of crowd and swordplay. He finds himself an out of the way to stand near the commoner stands, leaning to the end of one of the middling benches while he watches the fight progress.

Onwards goes the dance after Luca's laughing richly to something returned from Gian in the ring. It seems the Champion prince has got something of a measure of how the other moves though, for a sudden lunge swift enough to be almost blur is threatening more dire strike in the first salley, followed up immediately by stepping past the other's swing and into an inside cut that doesn't hold quite as much force as that unexpected thrust. Finally as they spin apart again missing one another in their strikes, the Velenosan is laughing again joyeously as he starts to stalk circular once again, more quiet words between the men spoken.

Gian continues to try and close with the swifter Velenosa Prince, nearly overextending himself, as Luca's pair of attacks very nearly bite. The narrowest twist of his quillions catches the saber, slapping his shoulder but drawing no blood.

Luca inflicts serious damage to Gian.

Eirene is passing notes in class. Err, speciation. To Max. She scribbles something off on a scrap and has it taken to him.

A messenger arrives, delivering a message to Maximilian before departing.

Cheering for Luca, Caelis nudges Eirene and reaches for her flask. "This is just what we needed." Caelis tells Eirene and takes a sip hastily. "It's freezing out here, but well worth it to enjoy a fight." She adds and claps Luca on.

Maximilian reads the note. He glances back to Eirene, then pulls out his flask. "Honor, honor, my ego, my honor, for the glory of, for peace, for the compact." He quickly hits a few high notes and then tosses the flask to Eirene.

Luca gives Gian a somber sort of look as they circled in that moment of speaking. A simple, agreeing nod to whatever was said, followed up with a salute of his blade, seemingly of genuine respect. And then he's moving again. That nearly demonic speed driving him forward into the much, much larger man's reach, striking out a feint to draw parrying of that larger blade in way set to open defenses. And Luca's reversing blade grip midway into that downward strike, turning it into a twisting upward reverse slash viciously diagonal to Gian's torso. Apparently taking no chances of not drawing blood if he can land it.

Harmons in thought. "Dueling prolific when champions are an option."

Eirene checked dexterity against difficulty 15, resulting in 25, 10 higher than the difficulty.

Eirene has not, surprisingly, had a single drink the whole fight despite the flask in hand. She occasionally cheers for Luca's masterful form. "And no points, but good game," she replies to the count, as she deftly catches the flask only to throw it right back. "Though I may have to incorporate some of those next time."

Maximilian stands then, smiling to the peple near him. "Work calls."

Sparte watches in the back, shifting his weight from one boot to another. He glances towards the Training Grounds every so often, then back to the duelists.

Maximilian has left the Noble Seating.

Bianca has left the Noble Seating.

Pariah, The StormCrow, 4 Redoubt Buccaneers, Bianca leave, following Maximilian.

Gian buys Luca's feint, teeth bared in a flash of ire as the mistake is recognized, the big man attempts a turning step, sword high, poised for a powerful downward chop that cuts into the earth underfoot. The Prince's rising cut strikes true, opening a bloody but not mortal cut across the guardsman's short ribs, and climbing toward his sternum. below the wound he is swiftly awash with blood, yet he keeps his feet, slowly lowers his sword and speaks with lowered head to Luca.

At the final slash, Lydia brings her hands together in applause and she rises to her feet as she calls out to the prince in enthusiasm. "Well fought, Prince Luca, Well fought!" These words spoken and congratulations given, Lydia's eyes turn on Magden, and for the moment, she is quiet allowing the other noblewoman to speak first.

Lydia is overheard praising Luca for: Well fought!

Lydia is overheard praising Luca.

Mydas is overheard praising Luca for: Fought with skill and honour.

Mydas is overheard praising Lydia for: The pride of Nightgold

Belladonna comments something quietly to Mydas and Lydia after blood is drawn. There's an abrupt laugh and a Look at Mydas before she gets it under control, smoothes her expression, and rises. She shifts to step back just a bit, making to stand at the other Duchess's side.

Belladonna is overheard praising Luca for: Well fought.

Belladonna is overheard praising Lydia for: The gods have spoken.

Eirene is overheard praising Luca for: Damn good with a sword.

Aureth applauds at the stands for a moment and then pauses mid-clap to listen to something Ugarte whispers to him. Sighing a little, he rises. "Duty calls for me too," he says with a wink at those nearest him. He gives Luca a pair of thumbs up, and then turns to filter off through the crowd and escape for points elsewhere.

Aureth has left the Commoner Stands.

Ugarte leaves, following Aureth.

Seeing that red, Luca spins away into a defensive stance, waiting to see if the other will honor the first blood. Seeing him not intending to further attack, Luca settles to listen to what's spoken head-down. After which blood-touched steel swung forward into a formal bow, the Prince honors his opponent deeply and says something only as he's rising back from it. After which, he's turning his cinnamon gaze out on the crowd, looking for Benjamin or other healer that's been arranged to come take care of the champions, waving them over to handle the cut he left Gian with.

Sparte claps a few times and heads into the training grounds in order to dodge the after celebrations, whatever they may be.

Mydas is overheard praising Gian for: Fought well and with honour.

Luca is overheard praising Gian for: He fought well and honorably for his lady.

Benjamin tips his head slightly, studying Luca from afar once he'd left his bloody mark on Gian. Spying nothing that looked to require his attention, the physician starts to step away. Luca's wave, however, lifts a brow before he starts to step towards the fighters afterall.

Caelis is overheard praising Luca for: An amazing swordsman with or without his clothes on!

Eirene mutters to Caelis. "Probably better without but I haven't sparred against him." Entendre! Or actual... both knowing the Lycene.

Gian returns tge Prince's biw, then turns from Luca to face the noble dais. His shamefully clean steel is raised is salute toward the Rubino-Zaffria party, but his eyes and stoic face remain downcast.

Magden continues to look straight ahead for a moment. At length, she stands, taking one last drag of her cigarillo. She exhales, then says to Lydia, "The gods have declared you in the right, Duchess. I am heartily sorry my words offended you." Thus spoken, she descends from the noble seating.

Valkieri is overheard praising Gian for: He fought honorably for the honor of his liege's family.

"I've fought along side him, certainly better with out. The ambiance is encouraging." Caelis murmurs back with a grin. "But that's most of the lads here. Dear things. Give us ladies hope." She tells Eirene and tucks her hands in her cloak.

Dafne is overheard praising Luca for: Well-fought!

Luca turns from Gian to salute Lydia and Magden both, a downward flick of his blade after spraying the ground with droplets of blood. As Benjamin approaches, some comment from the Champion medic earns a slight roll of eyes and a little 'as you were' wave of blade along with some murmured comment.

Dafne is overheard praising Gian for: He fought with honour and bravery!

Eirene has left the Noble Seating.

Harmon jumps at unexpected personal contact, the waves at Acacia.

Lydia turns towards Magden and she smiles kindly, "I am only sorry that it came to this, my lady. for all that I am glad to see my relationship with my sister vindicated, I do truly believe that you did not intend to offend. As you reminded me earlier, after I issued the challenge you have spoken well of sisters. It makes me sad that you do not have one of your own. I wonder, now that this is done, will you join me some night for dinner and a conversation that is hopefully more pleasant than our last?"

Belladonna checked composure + manipulation against difficulty 15, resulting in 34, 19 higher than the difficulty.

Harmon then gets up and makes his way out of the seating area.

Harmon has left the Commoner Stands.

Acacia has left the Commoner Stands.

An Unremarkable Associate leaves, following Acacia.

Tilting her head when Valkieri doesn't say anything, Belladonna turns a bit as she watches Magden make her way away from the seating. Her jaw flexes, and she turns her eyes to Lydia. Lydia's response has her pressing her lips together, and the look she sends Magden is quite openly venomous. She blinks it away a moment later, reaching to give her sister-in-law's elbow a light brush of her fingers. She leans in to murmur something to her, and then the Pravus Duchess is stepping away herself, making to join her guards where they stand before the little group moves to leave the area.

Belladonna has left the Noble Seating.

Benjamin talks quietly between Luca and Gian for a time before he finally sets down his bag and waves Gian to sit down, crouching down in front of him. Cold be damned, he makes fine, fast work of cleaning up and suturing the cut left across Gian's chest from Luca's blade.

Magden pauses and turns an incredulous look on Lydia. She's speechless for a moment. "You understood that I meant no offense. You believed my explanations. Yet you insisted on this outcome. You had every opportunity to consider my sincere assurances sufficient. Was there something more you required that I failed to do or say, that you might have withdrawn this challenge and been satisfied?"

"Lady Magden," Valkieri says a touch sharply from the noble stands.

Catalina straightens from the commoners stands as people start to filter away from the duel, starting to weave her way toward the edge of the ring where Gian's being seen to.

Dafne arises from her seat, and scurries down toward the ring, toward Gian, to check on the welfare of her family's guard. She pauses, however, at Magden's words. She says, gently, "Cousin, there's no dishonour in duels. They are matters of honour, they are noble and normal, and the fact a challenge was issued showed that the Duchess respected your birth and position to treat you honourably, as a fellow noblewoman. The matter is now _settled_. The gods have spoken."

Benjamin stands up from his work as he finishes, wiping fingers on clean linen and uttering some general care directions to Gian that included something about charging twice as much over to fix them if he burst them. He accepts a small pouch of silver from Luca to toss into his bag before it's gathered up again, nodding to both men and leaning to make his way out of the crowd to wherever he's due next.

Mydas glances at Magden again, golden eyes sharp, his face a mask as he stands from his seat. "Lady Zaffria, choose your words carefully, as they have already led you to trouble before. You may gracefully accept the will of the Gods, or ignore their decision."

"I'm not calling this ritual dishonorable," Magden says. "And I have clearly accepted the will of the gods. The Duchess said, just now, that she knew I meant no offense. So I am confused."

Lydia draws in a breath, and brings her hands in to fold infront of her, She seems about to respond to Magden, but when those closer to Magden speak to her, Lydia stays quiet. Eventually, she does bob her head and say, "I hope you consider my invitation." And then she turns around to face Luca, striding towards where the champion stands.

Gian rises from where he had knelt in the ring, walking back to where his shirt and swordbelt lie on the ground. Catalina is acknowledged with a mute nod, as he sheathes the sword, an eye turned toward the noble seating.

Seeing his fellow duelist tended, Luca turns to wave over the novice Champion that was holding his gear. Apparently even Luca can feel the cold when this nipply out, for he's quick to sheath blade, pull on his linen shirt, and pull cloak on without putting on his back sheathes. Instead he just carries them at his side while one hand's ducking into cloak to draw out a little bag so he can count out some coin and toss the remaining to Ben with some lighthearted comment. After which, looking to Gian he murmurs something the bigger man's way. And finally, turning to Catalina's approach, he nods her way politely and offers something there. Duty's calling though shortly after and he's turning to face Lydia, looking disheveled in his untucked velenosa purple shirt and rumpled cloak, but nodding deeply to her with a sad sort of smile as he asks almost lamentably, enough to carry. "Can I go back to drinking now, Ly?"

"Follow, Aurum." Mydas likewise turns from the Noble Seating, followed by the golden direwolf. He whispers something to Lydia on the way out, giving her a nod of his head before walking away, out of the grounds.

Mydas has left the Noble Seating.

Aurum leaves, following Mydas.

Rising, Caelis smiles at Luca as she shakes out her cloak lightly. Making her way out of the seats, she heads off back into the city quietly, settling her hair about her shoulders as she goes.

"It is possible," Dafne says quietly, "to mean no offense and yet offend. Your words may have hurt the Duchess even as she realizes you meant no malice. Let it go, cousin."

Caelis has left the Judges Desk.

Well, she started to leave. Belladonna turns, folding her hands together behind her back as she lingers at the edge of the noble seating. There's clearly *something* about her posture that has the young woman that so often accompanies her moving a whole lot faster to her side, and Aida leans in to speak quietly to the Duchess. Bella does not acknowledge her immediately, instead watching Madgen and those that speak to her for a long moment. A second bit of whispering catches her attention and she nods, finally, posture relaxing again as she turns to move with the girl to her guards and then away entire. Fine, fine.

Valkieri watches Dafne speak to Magden with a very close gaze. His expression is quiet, but just a bit stormy.

"It was well-fought," Catalina smiles easily to Gian as she draws closer. "Not a one in the stands who doesn't think you represented well." Luca's comment earns an arch of her brow and an amused smile as she reaches the fence, though the polite curtsey that follows is neither agreement nor disagreement with his words.

"If I hurt her and she realized I meant no offense -- " Magden replies to Dafne, just as soft, but clearly at a loss. Angry and bewildered. "Then why was this //necessary?//"

Lydia smiles softly in return to Luca, her face filling up with sympathy for the Lycene prince. She reaches out with her hands to pat his arms on either side of him as she nods her head affirmatively, "Only if you let me buy you the drinks. You deserve it." For her part, Lydia seems to be fine with ignoring the conversation with Magden, but she must hear some of it, because there is a soft sigh and a rolling of her eyes at one point.

Gian dips his head to Catalina, speaking a few solemn words to her in turn. A drawn breath before he adds, "I ought attend the lords and ladies." As Catalina doesn't technically work for their house, her direction is her own to choose.

Gian has left the Dueling Ring.

Luca casts a playful wink to Catalina's arch look, nods again for Gian, and then starts to stride off from the ring towards the gathered crowds, hearing that last and letting out a soft sigh. His quiet, sorrowful words are offered up as he's passing the other nobles, seeming intent on heading out seeking liquor. "Because, Mags..." Overfamiliarity seems to be Luca's thing, as is shortening names. Valk loves him for it. "Sometimes unintential hurt cuts all the deeper and this is meant to be a way to alleviate the pain without it growing greater." Luca sighs again and reaches up to rub at his face. "Fuck me, I need a drink. I'm starting to sound like a philosopher or some shit." And with that, he's offering out an arm to his side, as if for Lydia to grab it if she wants to come along, and then is starting off towards wherever he's going, duchess on arm or not."

2 Pravus Honor Guard, Aida leave, following Belladonna.

"Best of luck," Catalina murmurs to Gian with a sympathetic nod, stepping back from the ring. This part, she has no need to be involved in.

Dafne touches Magden's arm lightly. "And the duchess has just lost her sister, just as we have just lost Vincere and Pietro. You should know how even small things can hurt when one is raw." She drops her voice to add something softly.

Valkieri stands slowly in the stands, stepping down until he stands on the ground a short distance from Dafne and Magden. His hands fold tightly at the small of his back, and he watches them with a clenched jaw.

Magden whispers back to Dafne, her jaw set, and then throws up her hands. "You're all mad," states the Zaffria's pet madwoman, and thus quits the field.

Catalina has left the Commoner Stands.

Magden has left the Noble Seating.

Lydia says nothing more when Luca returns to her side. She only slips an arm in his, giving it a slight squeeze before letting the champion lead her off to his drinking place of choice.

At that whisper, the gentleness fades from Dafne. Her eyes turn stormy. She sets her delicate jaw. "Duels are honourable affairs, and an acceptable way to settle matters. Whatever came before is cleared. You will _accept_ this and stop this disgraceful behaviour, or I will put you on a ship to Gemecitta. And, remember, Sylvie is there right now and she is a lot less _understanding_ than I am."

Luca pauses briefly in his exit, eyes widening to look at Dafne as if he hadn't known she had it in her, then shaking head ruefully, unruly dark hair falling to veil his eyes a bit, he heads out into the night with Lydia on holy quest for drunkeness.

Luca has left the Dueling Ring.

Lydia has left the Noble Seating.

Mael leaves, following Lydia.

Lydia leaves, following Luca.