Norulan observed every movement his younger brother Dilan made. Well, it was a little much to think of him as younger, since only a couple minutes of time divided the two twins. But since Norulan had always been a little smaller than Dilan he thoroughly enjoyed making fun of him by calling him little brother.

And even though they were twins, their fighting styles could not have been more different.

While Dilan used a heavy staff and prefered to smash his opponents to mush, Norulan fought with two short swords like an assassin.

He loved to dive under his opponents guard to deliver deadly stabs. But unlike the swords this large staff had a large reach advantage.

It was difficult for Norulan to get close enough.

Again and again quick stabs und strikes robbed him off all the distance that he had advanced. It frustrated him.

Just as he attempted to advance under the cover of a feint, where he would have unrolled below a strike of his brother, he felt a deadly aura from his right side.

Dilan also immediately positioned defensively in that direction.

When he turned to face the new threat, he understood.

“Heh. Still not able to beat your younger brother?” Thasun yelled mockingly. “Not much changed since the last time, apparently.”

Dilan frowned. “I got stronger. That’s all.”

Thasun grinned. “Hmm. I will decide on that.” Then he dashed forward with a quick step forward and crossed the distance to the staff fighter in an instant.

Immediately the heavy weapon came crashing downwards. Thasun sidestepped with a flowing motion to the right, but the heavy staff followed like a snake. The swordmaster however blocked with the blunt edge of his duraksteel katana, as he raised the weapon just in time. Then he tried to cross the rest of the distance towards his opponent.

Dilan knew a great deal of keeping his distance though. Instantly he jumped backwards with mesmerizing speed and pulled his staff along at the same time. Quickly Thasun was faced with an attacking staffend that stabbed at him.

This time the motion for the attack was minimal, as if Dilan had anticipated Thasun to dodge. Right in the dodging motion Thasun had to raise his weapon to deflect the staff upwards. His opponent moving back to reposition again. This time however, he was too slow.

Thasun had dashed below the heavy weapon as it retreated, letting the cold metal blade of his katana rest against Dilans throat. “Your speed increased. Very good.”

Norulan grabbed his training swords tighter and attacked Thasun. He had become impatient and eager to test his skills against his former teacher. As his first strike hit thin air, Thasun retreated and sheathed his steel sword.

Then he dashed forward, intercepting Norulan.

Like a leaf in a the wind he evaded every swordstrike in flowing motion, before he began punishing every strike with a palm strike to the forearms.

Twice Thasun had to use the first style of the Iordai clan. With these his opponent was no match. Soon Norulan dropped both swords, unable to fight against the pain in his forearms any longer.

“Hehe. You got faster too. But not quite fast enough yet.” Thasun grinned high-spirited. It felt good checking in on his former disciples. Those two had received his personal training and had become quite passable. “Bring me two of these wooden short sword too. And a few of your unit. I want to challenge myself.”

While Thasun fought a small battle with a few soldiers, while he harassed them more than they did him, Xun observed with a calm face. Inside his thoughts went deep. He was glad that his suggestion had been received so well.

It could have gone much worse, especially since Lord Enguràll would have been forced to act on a refusal. Even though the ruler was lenient with his territories at times, that did not apply for disloyalty.

He had always eyed the Valley of Ending as one of his own territories, even though it was technically “neutral”. Now their fate rested in Xuns hands.

He had to do his best to include them into the realm as peaceful as possible and raise them to be a resource that helped defend it for decades to come.

But what was this favour the swordmaster had so mysteriously implied? Gold? Craftsmen for the valley? No, that sounded too simple. It had to be something more important.

Brooding, he observed as Thasun fought seven Soldiers. Two held spears and shields, Dilan with his two short swords, Norulan with his heavy staff and three others with a wooden katana each. Unbelievably Thasun was able to use their lack of experience as he disrupted their formation.

He punished every mistake and weakness that appeared without mercy. After a few minutes only the two twins were left.

And even though they put up a decent enough fight, they too fell to the twin swords Thasun wielded. Xun eyed the man interestedly. He only played with them.

What could a man like this ask of him? With such strength he could serve any master, rise to any rank in any military and gold and riches would lie to his feet.

Maybe even land and power.

Was it that? Did he want to be more than just a disciple to the great Iordai? Suddenly a thin man stepped next to Xun. Tightly fitting black robes, covered with expensive embroidery that would have put every princesses dowry to shame.

The silver lines formed the sign of house Irtó.

Xun quickly executed a light bow. “M’lord. Were the talks to your liking?” Enguràll looked at him with shining grey eyes.

His hair was already slightly grey as well, though the ruler was in no way an old man. He radiated strength and serenity. His gaze intelligent and cold. “Valuan will receive further support from our treasury. We will take in further refugees as well. But we receive ten percent on iron ore. I assume the harvest is going as planned as well?”

Xun immediately nodded, taking in the information to further increase earnings. “We have an increase of about twelve percent compared to last years harvest. We can support additional mouths to feed. Not forever though. We need a solution. Away from our current population. There is more and more unrest against the refugees and even former refugees. Bandits on the roads and in a lot of woods near the larger cities don’t help. Most baronies are restless.”

Lord Enguràll nodded. “I understand… I see master Torreí is giving us the honor again. Your invitation?”

The merchant shook his head. “No. I have not the slightest clue as to what he wants. But I’ve talked to him about our… ideas. He seems to agree with them more or less.”

The ruler shot him a shart gaze. “More or less?”

Xun sighed. “He came to ask a favour with his coin. He did not tell me what exactly he wanted though…”

The lord thought about it for a moment. “Iordai will not deny us. We are his only allies and I don’t think that he wants to stay free and independent to the point of being a corpse. Well, in a worst case scenario we could do without his well trained men in our noble houses.”

The merchant coughed. “M’Lord, it would not be wise to-”

Lord Enguràll nodded. “But necessary if it comes to that. We need everything we can get. Restless times lie ahead I’m afraid, my dear Quen’Arak.”

Xun agreed. “Yes. The war down south is still raging on and the outcome is uncertain. Valuan does not let anything be known either. A sign, that they are starting to loose ground. Our borders to the east is not exactly quiet either. Trading is impossible now. The horse lords are distrusting to everyone at the moment and they plunder anyone that dares trespass. I think they will hold elections again soon.”

Enguràlls gaze became dark. “Elections would be the worst that could happen to us. Advice the other barons and lords that they are to pay bandits to leave eastwards to gather information beyond the border. If they refuse, wipe them out. Our treasuries are well off at least, so we can afford that. This should solve the bandit problem and give us some time to relocate the refugees...”

Xun nodded. “Yes, M’Lord.”

“You can go. I see to it that the problem is agreed to by master Torreí.”

Quen’Arak Xun bowed one last time and left the balcony.

Meanwhile Thasun was brought to the borders of his skill. He had won the tiring fight against seven soldiers and challenged for more.

But those twelve proved to be rather resilient. The two brothers had drafted only spear fighters with heavy metal shields from their unit and had surrounded Thasun slowly.

He soon noticed that he would lose. They forced him to use more than just the first Iordai style. Reluctantly he decided to go for it.

The first Iordai style was designed for dodging and countering in the same motion while the second executed a long range attack. The other lessons of the great master were fighting styles, that exceeded the borders of normal human beings. He grabbed the two short training swords tighter.

“Eighth Iordai Style. One Hundred Twenty-Eight Moonflowers!”

Like lightning he moved towards one of the soldiers, spears missing him.

“One.” The thrusting weapon broke under a powerful strike, executed by the swordmaster. His movement, barely visible.

“Two.” The metal shield dented heavily on two locations, throwing the soldier back on his back. Thasun vanished from his position and appeared between three soldiers.

“Four.” Two spears broke, the shields that their owners carried dented. They were pushed away. Thasun dodged another thrust of a spear and breathed in deep.

“Eight.” The three soldiers went to the floor as five strikes deformed their shields and sent them flying. Three more strikes were heard swinging through thin air.

“Sixteen.” Thasun dashed at another group, five soldiers unconscious or knocked away in an instant. His movement was visible but far too fast to actually react. Thasun wavered. Sweat stood on his forehead. Tired eyes looked at the still standing twins. The soldier next to them eyeing Thasun from behind his shield with scared eyes.

“Thirty-Two.” Thasun panted. Spear and heavy staff fragmented in dozens of pieces, the two short swords Norulan held flew up high into the air.

Thasun could barely stop himself before delivering the remaining strikes. He would have hurt those three men. Badly too. Dead tired, breathing heavily and sweating like a drowning horse, Thasun fell backwards.

Arms and legs stretched out, he lied on the ground staring at the clouds. He slowly started to recover. All around him lied splinters and pieces of spears. Dented shields and unbelieving looking soldiers.

A few minutes passed while Soldiers discussed various things about him. Thasun relished in the chaos he had created. Then a familiar face appeared before his eyes. “My lord. Excuse my intrusion. I have to apologize that I am unable to rise within the next few minutes. Otherwise I would properly bow. A little over exerted I’m afraid…”

Lord Enguràll raised a brow. “A little? It is impressive that you plan to rise so soon. I have heard that it is incredibly taxing on the body to execute even a single one of those strikes.”

Thasun grinned. “I myself can’t get past 32. But our great master is able to do 128, so I’m certain at some point I will too.”

The lord doubtfully raised a brow. “However that may be. I’ve heard you already talked to my advisor regarding our projet? What do you say?”

Thasun’s face got a serious look. “We are inclined to agree to the terms. Of course we alway do our best to keep good relations to Zenshin, my Lord.”

Thasun sat up with groan. “There is something, that I have to ask of you though. And it is not a small favour.”

The ruler frowned. “Talk.”

Thasun gathered himself up to his knees bowing properly. Once his forehead reached the floor he spoke: “I ask permission to use the war portal to travel to Sandrei. Please allow me this great favour, I shall be eternally grateful.”

Lord Enguràll accepted the golden coin that he once had given the warrior himself. It was indeed a big favour. The war portal was a ancient and magical portal that had been built centuries ago.

Grand sorcerer Erelliehk Saradin had built it, ordered by the earliest king of Zenshin to end the war towards the east quicker. It had resulted in a considerable amount of land won in their favour.

The gate however devoured quite a large amount of energy every time it was used and no one was sure how long it would be able to work. “You are asking too much, Master Torreí. Humor me. Why is a normal journey out of the question?”

Thasun raised his head. “With all due respect, Lord Thalor Mey in Sandrei owns a rare artefact that could heal a strong poison. We need it in the Valley of Ending in five days at the latest. A impossible feat to achieve. Unless…”

Lord Enguràll sighed. “Unless you are using the portal. I understand. If this person is that important to you… But only under one condition.”

Thasun rose, the feeling in his legs had returned. He bowed again, this time standing. “Of course.”

The ruler smiled deviously. “Quen’Arak Xun has talked to you about it today. After you return you will immediately set everything in motion. You will train the refugees and take care of them personally. Should you require any ressources talk to my advisor. He will manage this affair.”

Thasun nodded. It sounded good. But what was the catch? Now Lord Enguràll looked at him coldly. As if he wanted to harm him personally.

“Secondly.” He whispered sweetly, this time quietly so that only Thasun was able to hear him. “Master Iordai will choose a successor. One that he personally will introduce to me. Here in my home. I assume that will be you, with your talent for fighting? However that may be, this successor-”, he eyed Thasun knowingly, before he continued: “-will marry one of my nieces. It is time to bind the Valley of Ending closer towards Zenshin.”

Thasun had to swallow. While the announcement to unite Zenshin and the valley had been calculated by the great master, he did not expect that.

Him and marriage? No. He needed to find a way out of this. But for now he had no choice.

Maybe he could put this responsibility on some other poor soul.

Maybe Marun? With broken voice he answered: “Naturally, my Lord. As you command.”