Demesne

"Can I talk now?" Yhal said, although his words were directed at Rilianne. She gave him a look that said he was asking far too late, but nodded. Riz supposed as far as she was concerned the negotiating parts were done? "I demand another opponent. This is a farce."

"It's essentially trial by combat, of course it's a farce," Rian said. "It has nothing to do with how reasoned your arguments are, how morally defensible your position is, or whether it complies with the law. This is just the strong dictating terms to the weak after beating them bloody. We generally try not to do that, but you all keep insisting about such a stupid thing we thought a stupid means of resolving the matter would appeal to you."

"Oh, like you have any right to speak," Yhal snapped. "It's not your blood on the line."

Rian stroked his chin, something he was absolutely doing just for the looks, because he didn't normally do that. Riz couldn't think of anyone not on a theater stage who actually did that! "I suppose you're right. What do you think, your Bindership?"

"You are correct that this is a farce, Lord Rian," Shana said. "As Dungeon Binders, neither I nor the Great Binder are under any obligation to humor these demands. This is my demesne, and by law, tradition and cold pragmatism I am absolute within its borders, save that I have surrendered under the Great Binder's superior power. I indulge this request not because I need to, but because I tire of this nonsense. So I shall act as a reminder of this fundamental truth, and use my strength to dictate terms to the weak after beating them bloody."

…

Riz couldn't help but feel that things were starting to sound a little mixed up right now, though for some reason Yllian was nodding grimly.

"Now, cease with the delays," Shana said, making people give her weird looks again. Only the Great Binder seemed to not have realized how strange it was for a child to talk like that. But then, she talked like that, so she probably thought it was normal. "If you do not care enough about this to face me, then it is clear even you do not see any importance in your own demands. Forfeit now so we can get on with the business of properly integrating you all into the demesne. I need to begin allocating temporary camp sites where the tents can be set up while a temporary shelter and housing is built now that you've confirmed you will be settling. So stop wasting our time, otherwise we will consider this a forfeit."

"We do not agree to that," Rilianne said.

"Then perhaps you should choose a new representative?" Rian said, setting his walking stick on the ground and leaning his weight on it in a carefree manner. Riz saw some of the former sergeants and current mothers among the witnesses visibly stop themselves from yelling at him to stand up straight. "This one doesn't seem to be representing you very well, what with only doing what he wants to do and actively antagonizing the demesne you want to settle in."

Yllian nodded, and Riz found herself doing the same, as did most of the other people in the guard details. Karina, the sweet child, looked slightly dizzy and confused at all the long words being used. To be honest, Riz was mostly annoyed at how Yhal was treating her man, but the disrespect that had been shown to Shana… well, while it was understandable that people would be skeptical about her when first meeting her, when everyone was telling you she was the Dungeon Binder and treating her accordingly, just keep your mouth shut already!

From the surprised look on Yhal's face, he either hadn't realized he had been acting like a glittering fool or actually thought they wouldn't be offended by how he was acting. Of course, he immediately glared at Rian, who just put on an inoffensive smile.

"Could we perhaps a moment to confer with our representative, Lord Rian?" Rilianne said. Riz had to hand it to her, the woman looked as calm as Rian did, and probably was.

Rian glanced at Shana and waited for her nod. "So long as it's the last one," he said. "We really do have work we need to get to now that you're going to settle here. This—" he made a gesture that seemed to encompass everyone among the trees, as well as the growing crowd of spectators, "—was supposed to be a quick resolution of a stubborn issue, and really should have been done by now."

Rilianne nodded curtly, then elbowed Yhal to get his attention and strode towards Otin and Xiasam. They immediately got into a hurried conference, which quickly got heated as Yhal started making unmistakable gestures towards Shana. The words 'she's a child' were just faintly audible despite attempts to keep their voices low. Xiasam did not look impressed, and despite this distance and the fact most of the Mentalist's body was obscured, Riz was able to make out gestures that had an air of 'you're a grown man, you're perfectly capable of subduing a child without hurting her'.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

Shana and Rian remained standing where they were, the smaller one watching the discussion intently, her man looking completely relaxed. Only the fact that Riz was nearby let her hear the quiet conversation they didn't look like they were having.

"This seems to be going badly," Rian said. Given he was barely moving his lips, the words were slightly slurred. "I was hoping the fact he'd basically be bullying you would cause him to forfeit out of either pride or shame, but now it looks like he might actually take you up on this offer."

"Good," Shana said.

"Ah. So I wasn't imagining it. You actually do want to fight him."

"I am not given to misdirection of my intentions, Lord Rian, although I acknowledge that they are useful. However, I have learned it is better for me not to attempt it and that doing so should be left to trusted lords such as yourself. Fortunately, you are here."

"How very Lori of you," Rian said. "Oh, you're actually smiling about that. While I know she has a lot of laudable virtues, you don't have to copy her bad habits too. I was just telling her yesterday how all her life-threatening injuries are all basically self-inflicted, so I'll repeat the rest of what I told her: you really need to take better care of yourself, Shana."

"Shanalorre," Karina corrected helpfully, and it was all Riz could do to not smile or start snickering.

"Thank you for the reminder, Karina, but I'm talking to Shana right now," Rian said, not unkindly. "Shanalorre is the Dungeon Binder who works hard, takes care of everyone and does her best despite her limitations. Shana is the girl who cares for her friends, loves her cousin, and likes climbing trees, and she's exactly who I'm talking to." He glanced down at Shana, just a quick flick of his eyes, a motion that she would see. "You don't need to act as the Dungeon Binder all the time, Shana. You think Lori is being a Dungeon Binder when she's stuffing her face with fatty roast meat or doing her laundry? The demesne doesn't need Dungeon Binder Shanalorre all the time. And even if Binder Shanalorre is willing to get hurt to protect the demesne… does that mean she should let Shana get hurt?"

"…this is a very strange time to have this conversation," Shana said, glancing up towards him.

"Well, we're both busy people, so I have to fit these things in when I can. Between keeping my Dungeon Binders from hurting themselves, walking from place to place, keeping track of our inventory and trying to shame grown men, there just aren't enough hours in the day if I want to have time to sleep too."

"… I feel that you are both mocking me and being absolutely serious."

"As I said, I have to fit these things in when I can. Think about it this way. I talk to Lori like this, so you're basically getting the full Binder Lori treatment."

"… the feeling is intensifying."

"You wanted to be like Lori. This is part of what being Lori is like."

"Does this mean I should kick you in the shin?"

"Hey, this is definitely not a shinning offense! I need to do something far worse to get the shin, and you know it, oh look they're done, let's focus on that!"

Riz had of course never taken her eyes off Yhal and the others with him, and anyone who said otherwise was lying.

"Yllian, be honest with me," Rian said around the smile he had put back on his face. "Do you think Shanalorre has a chance of actually beating Yhal in a fight?"

"A good chance," Yllian said, eyes straight ahead. "Especially with the element of surprise on her side. The Great Binder is… both vicious and energetic. She can take him down while he's still surprised. After that… well, it becomes a fair fight."

"Ah. I hate those. You can lose a fair fight."

Everyone nodded at the very militia sentiment. Fair fights meant something had gone wrong.

Yhal was scowling angrily as Rilianne returned with him in tow, glaring at Rian.

"After some discussion, our representative has seen fit to comply with the terms set down," Rilianne said. "We will not forfeit."

Rian nodded. "Very well, then. Let's get this over with."

Rian and Shana walked a little further out into the trees accompanied by Rilianne and Yhal towards a relatively flat, if leaf-covered, patch of ground. It wasn't far, just enough that everyone could see them and they wouldn't have to worry about being hemmed in and crowded. The two faced each other from about three paces apart while Rian and Rilianne stepped back. Yhal had removed his boots, as well as his belt and coat. Of the two, Shana looked the more comfortable standing on the dirt in her bare feet, her skirt girded around her hips.

"If there's anything you two would like to say to each other, now's the best time to say it," Rian said. "Your Bindership?"

"I have said all that I have needed to say," Shana said, her voice carrying clearly. Her eyes remained in Yhal, looking uncaring of the difference in height and how he was much bigger than her.

"Let's get this over with," Yhal growled.

Rian waited, then nodded. "All right, then. Begin!"

Yhal stepped towards Shana, one hand reaching out and clearly aiming to grab her upper arm.

In response, Shana dodged low and stepped into his guard, one childish hand punching up towards the space between his legs.