From Slave To Ruler

With his Sword on his hand, Athendurus walked out of the Bar standing tall with courage. Assuring that even though Tristan's attack was deadly, he survived it well enough to still stand on his feet.

Seeing that Athendurus was still on his feet, Tristan got ready to unleash another attack, calculated it before time. He can keep this going all day, Athendurus can never even reach him without becoming airborne.

But to Tristan, Aaron's, Auica's, Bacada's, Inigo's and everyone else's in that training yard's surprise, Athendurus showed an act which no one ever expected. Even the people who know him for over a decade, would never expect Athendurus to do such an act. It was an act worthy to be in the history books. An act worthy of song!

Athendurus Mihura the almighty Grand Master in Swordsmanship, with 40 years of experience, ended the battle by putting his Sword back to his Scabbard. That signifies that the battle is over, launching a sneaky attack afterwards would strip a man from his honor here in Kasterema, a tradition mostly popular throughout Kasteremas domains though. Religion has no influence over it.

The point is, by sheathing his Sword, he gave in to Tristan Black Bear. Everyone was shocked, a lot of Ground Tappers were whispering from a distance while some of them still didn't bother to care about the battle anymore, they were addressing all their attention towards their own wounds. Drama wasn't in their to-do list, at least for now.

Walking towards Tristan Black Bear, with his hands behind his back and away from his Sword. Which in a battle somehow signifies that the approacher means no harm. It further assures it.

Tristan However, was waiting for him with his meter long Swords raised high to the sides. He can never be to safe around Athendurus, especially when his intentions aren't very clear to him as a Makem.

When Athendurus was around 6 feet near Tristan, he firmly said. "I mean no harm. You won!" His facial expressions seemed genuine as well. There was a half smile on his face.

Still refusing to believe a man who lives for ego and has a long history of brutality towards students, Tristan Black Bear answered with a thick louder tone. "I Don't believe you. Speak from there." After his sentences he minorly waived his right Sword front and back, gesturing Athendurus to stop walking forwards and even back off a few feet.

"Fair enough." Answered Athendurus letting out a sigh and rolling his eyes to the left, it isn't fair to say that he didn't expect such a reaction. If close enough, Athendurus can be dangerous even without a weapon. "I just have one question i need for you to answer with absolute honesty."

"Ask!"

"Why are you doing all this? Sure you could toss me around like a ragdoll, but I doubt that you would have the same luck against a few hundred Patrol Guards." Although strolling a bit off topic, his questions were still firm and logical.

"Your point being?" But still, Tristan didn't exactly get the point. Why is this man talking about a large Patrol Guard count?

"You considered those risks, right?" Risk. Well, if he was able to ragdoll a Grandmaster this easily, Patrol Guards who range from level 1 to 3, are no risk.

"A bit." Answered Tristan Boldly. It is clear to see that he never considered Patrol Guards or maybe even Whippers a risk. Who and how he attacked someone to end up in the Arena in the first place is still uncertain.

Knowing that in battle, quantity can overpower quality. Athendurus Mihura asked, "So considering the highly possible chance of death, you stood up for a woman you barely know. Or is there more to the history between you too? I never even physically attacked her. So your reactions are still uncertain to me."

"No, I don't know her at all. This is the first day i see her." Tristan stated with a casual tone and noticed Athendurus' very confused face right after.

Using his right hand to rub his temple in confusion, he proceeded to ask. "That's even more confusing. My question still remains the same! Why did you stand up for her and cause this Havoc?"

"It is very simple. In my family, Women are highly respected." Answered Tristan boldly, expecting female targeted comments as a result no doubt.

Curious along with ideas on his head, Athendurus proceeded to ask. "How did the neighbours or other people look upon your family's motive?"

Surprised that Athendurs didn't question Tristan's family's motive, he answered with ease. "They didn't agree with our motives of course. They still put their women on the shade and praised men. But..."

"But?"

"But, it slowly grew on people and some even mimicked our acts. It worked well but there were still many people who hated us for it."

"I see." Replied Athendurus as he stroked his beardless chin. "Can you be more specific about your motives? Is there a rule list?"

Confused of the continuous questions brought upon him from a man with a vicious reputation, he still found the motive to answer the questions perfectly. "Well not an official list. But my father always raised us up to help the women around the house."

"Did the women in your house have jobs that bring coins home?"

"Most didn't. A couple sewed for a profit while all the men in the house had jobs." More questions. Well Tristan didn't know where this was going, but it was better than having to deal with s.e.xist comments, acts or thoughts.

Confused but mostly curious, Athendurus proceeded to ask, "So the men had jobs but still helped the women of the house?"

"Yes. Sometimes it can be overwhelming. So we helped them almost on a daily basis."

At such an answer, Athendurus' eyes widened in shock! These acts aren't nearly common in Hawk Kingdom and not well welcomed by the population. "That's..."

"What?" Yelled Tristan expecting words he for sure heard before. "If you're going to call me feminine, don't bother sheathing your Sword." Such a threat? Tristan's patriotism doesn't seem to reach an end.

But with different aims, Athendurus answered, "I wasn't going to call you feminine. In fact..."

"In fact?"

"I find it kind hearted. Something unexpected from a man of your size."

"Size doesn't portray mental stability." Joked around Tristan, commenting on Athendurus' mindset.

"I suppose. But my point is, I would like to show you my respect." Lifting the Sword along with the Scabbard from his waist, he held it with both of his hands and approached Tristan Black Bear with it. But still, it could be a trap. It isn't hard to pull out that Sword and cause damage. But with honour at question, would Athendurus scoop so low?

"That's close enough." Spoke out Tristan when Athendurus was 3 feet close. Of course still not trusting him.

"I'd like to give you my Sword as a sign of appreciation and respect." At such a sentence, most gasped in shock. Giving one's Sword to the other, throughout Kasterema is a great honor. Giving the Sword shows the deepest sign of respect and unity.

But yet it was too good to be true. He can't simply trust Athendurus about it. Especially since in Makemis such activities aren't nearly common, he didn't understand the value.

Stopping on his spot when he was 3 feet away in aims to show good intend, he bent down and pushed the Sword towards Tristan Black Bear. Afterwards walked a few feet back to show his actually pure intend.

Putting his left Sword in his Scabbard, afterwards bending down to reach for the Sword while still glaring at Athendurus with untrusting eyes. Lifting and noticing the quality of the Sword he was given, Tristan asked. "What does this mean exactly? We don't do this in Makemis."

"It means that you have my support. If you have battle, tasks, quests or any other request that doesn't include me  giving you Coins. Now by honor i have no choice but to help. And to be frank, I would love too." The gasp in the crowd wasn't over dramatic at all on this scene. Who would think that a Grand Master who can have this Slave from Makemis beheaded, would show such unexpected respect?

"This. I didn't expect this from you if I'm to be completely honest." Stated Tristan with a little bit of guilt in his previous language and expressions.

"Throughout my life, I barely saw any men of your quality Tristan. I hope that Sword proves useful to your glorious battles." Answered Athendurus with a big bright genuine smile on his face.

"I will use it as my last result if i lose my two other Swords." Added Tristan joking around, showing a little bit more trust towards Athendurus.

"I'm eager to see your first battle sir Tristan."

Finally finding a bit more trust to put in Athendurus, he sheathed the Sword on his right hand as well. Strapped the Scabbard(with the new Sword) from his left shoulder to his right waist and started approaching Athendurus.

At approach, Tristan put his hand over Athendurus' left shoulder and whispered. "In Makemis, this is how we greet the people we like, respect or feel unity with."

"Hail!"

Was heard from the crowd of people in the training yard, showing joy for the honour these two men were showing. The unified cheer caused goosebumps to most, it was a glorious scene. A Makemis man, questioning a Kastereremas Grand Master's ways and succeeding to shift the rules a little bit. On top of that, they both showed great respect and unity towards each other. Winning over such a s.e.n.s.i.t.i.v.e topic.

"I owe that Ground Tapper an apology." He calmly said after the crowd calmed down. "Where is she?" He asked as he looked upon the crowd, searching for her.