As a Gentleman

“Well now, this is beyond magnificent!” Martin declared to everyone around him, as he stepped into the giant entrance newly decorated for the upcoming celebration. The decorations in question were a row of transparent man-sized balloons filled with small sparks of magic in different colors, giving the feel of fireworks flying into the sky and filling it with beautiful colors. Between the balloons, banners were floating freely in the air slowly changing colors with every new spark of color, turning them into rainbows of delights. 

It is the young lady Katerina Roseheart’s coming-of-age party, a ball with everyone from high society. This of course included the famous Lord Martin Eurus, the adventurer and military officer, who hunted and slayed the Ancient Blizzard, a powerful white dragon some 40 years ago. 42 years and 1 month ago. Martin recalled as he thought about the celebration they had thrown him for his efforts of slaying the enormous beast last month. My Goddess Akadi, what a dreadful battle it was. Oh, my dear Fredrik, I wish you were here now. Martin remorsed for a moment. 

Now now Martin, this is either the time or place for such reverie. Martin chastised himself for getting caught up in the moment. We are at a Ball, we can not have that. Put on your smile and correct your posture. 

Martin put on his most charming smile and entered the growing fray of young and older nobles dressed in their finest dresses, gowns, and suits with polished shoes, Everyone was Immaculately. Martin was wearing his honorary uniform given to him by the duke himself on the day of his retirement for his efforts fighting back the savage tribe folk on the twin Isles some 15 years ago. It still holds up I believe. I do look rather dashing if I do say so myself. Martin smirked to himself, while he leaned his hand on the ornate hilt of his trusted obsidian-bladed rapier. 

The hall was beautifully decorated. The entire ballroom was matted in gold everything from the walls to the cutlery, almost like a golden dragon had made its lair here. It was most likely some illusion magic. They would need some powerful mages to do all of these. They must have hired some magicians out of Aros. I can not think of anyone else who would sell their abilities like this. Martin deduced with delight. Good for them. 

Martin went down the golden-colored stairway to the ballroom, remembering his own coming-of-age celebration, it was definitely nowhere near as impressively decorated. Thinking back to the years before his first adventure. A time before his career as officer and dragon hunter. How innocent I was, I had no idea how cruel the world can be. Martin mentioned to himself as he walked past a mirror. He stopped dead in front of it, caught up in the reflected old man staring back at him. His once handsome boyish features had turned into the charming elderly man with an infectious smile, but he still had his powerful physique and thick hair, although he was not as fast as he used to be and the golden blonde locks were more silver white these days. Still got it, if I get a say in it myself. Martin appreciated with a small nod to the mirror. For a man in his early 60s, he was still a handsome specimen of a man.

As Martin was reaching the end of the stairway, he noticed the enchanting lady Katerina Rosenheart. 

“Young Lady Roseheart! You look even more exquisite than the last time I saw you” Martin declared to the youthful birthday child. “You lighten my heart every single time I see you” Not even lie too, She was a beautiful, intelligent young lady. 

“Oh my! Lord Eurus, you make me blush!” Lady Roseheart replied with a growing smile. “And you do not look too bad yourself”. Lifting her hand for Martin to greet. He slowly bowed into the small peck of a kiss, her skin so soft and elegant, her perfume intoxicating, but nothing compared to the pale fair beauty of her half-elven features. Her purple-blue eyes were impossible not to get lost in. Now, where was this beautiful creature in my youth? She could have saved me from a lot of dumb mistakes. Oh, Fredrik, I am truly sorry. Martin reminisced again.

“I do what I can!” Martin smiled back as he raised his head from her hand, a bit reluctant to let it go. “How is your father Lord Rosenheart?” 

“Not well, I am afraid. He has been bedridden for the last couple of weeks. He showed all signs of getting better. But yesterday, it took a turn for the worst.” Katerina signed. “I was really hoping he would be well enough for my party.” 

“I am truly sorry to hear that, I was also hoping he would be out of bedrest. Lord Rosenheart was… is a dear friend of mine.” Martin apologized. Another dear friend is heading towards the other side before me. Without me. Am I doomed to go through this life alone, without companionship? Thank Akida, this one goes at the end of his life instead of the beginning. Oh, Fredrik, I miss you dearly! 

“... he would be glad to see you” Katerina finished as Martin came from his yearning for lost time. 

“I would be delighted to see the old coot. It has been far too long,” Martin said with a delight he did not feel. He would be happy to see his old friend and talk about the old days of adventuring and the feats they would be unable to replicate these days. What a time it was! 

“But a bit later. Right now, I want to ask this young lady, if she would indulge this old gentleman with a dance?” Martin requested as he took the hand of Lady Katerina. “After I tell the story about how your father and I got into a lot of trouble with a wine merchant over a couple of broken bottles of wine.” Lady Katerina nodded with the enthusiasm that only the young or idiots can produce. 

James was not happy, he had arrived early to have the chance to chat with Katerina, but he had chickened out and now this old fool was drooling all over his precious Katty, as he had taken to calling her. He did not know why he felt so flustered around her. He could easily order around the servers and commoners. But as soon as he wanted to say a word to Katerina, his tongue refused to cooperate. So, he was sitting and drinking wine with all the social rejects. Not that I am one. This is just where there happened to be a seat available. He impressed upon no one but himself. 

And now they were dancing and laughing together. That is so disturbing, he is at least 40 years her senior. James thought with disgust.

“Hi, who is this old gentleman dancing with Lady Katerina?” he asked the nearest reject - a short fat fellow with an uneven moustache and a greasy forehead. Unlike himself, if James had to describe himself, he would say tall, classically handsome, honey-brown bedroom eyes, thick brunette shortcut hair, and an easygoing smile. He was of course funny, interesting, intelligent, and most of all a humble man. An all-around good guy, who only wants to help the people around him. 

“That is Lord Martin Eurus, Lord Ferreus. You know, the legend himself?” a nasal voice broke James’ self-indulged reminiscing. Oh god, he almost scared the shit out of me. What is wrong with his voice? 

“I do apologize, however, I do not recall having heard this gentleman’s name before. Would you be so kind as to inform me?” James answered with his temper rising, just looking at this fat reject. 

“Lord Eurus? He is the legendary adventurer who slayed the Ancient Blizzard, the white dragon and the military officer who led the king’s forces to victory over the savage tribe folk on the twin isles.” the nasal voice came between bites of food. Is this disgusting reject eating while having a conversation with me!? James could feel the anger building with every mouthful. 

“Thank you for sharing this information.” James forced through his teeth barely containing his anger. Red-faced and a bit drunk James moved to another table before he did something less gentlemanly. But before he could sit down, he saw this “famous” Lord Eurus telling a story to a small but growing group of young ladies, even a couple of gentlemen had joined the group. Most of them looked deeply interested in Lord Eurus’ story. James was not impressed. Adventurer and officer? Who does he think he is? He is just a washed up old geezer with some embellished tall tails that didn’t happen. I am going to prove it! James schemed as he stared at his Katty being bewitched by this old nobody. 

James was heavily drinking while scheming how to show the high society who this fraud is. I am going to challenge this old man to a duel! He thought as he stumbled out of his chair. The alcohol had taken a toll on the otherwise resilient young James. 

Martin was having a fantastic evening - dancing, telling stories of his adventures, and enjoying the company of the young people conversing. At the moment he was listening to a delightful story about Lady Rosenheart and her father had gone apple picking last autumn, but it had been too early in the year, so all the apples had been sour and not at all edible. But Lord Roseheart wanted to ensure the apples were used for something, he had spent the rest of the day trying to make apple juice, he had never tried it before, but he had somehow ended up with cider instead. 

If the cider had been good and how he had managed such a feat, Martin did not get to know, as a young nobleman came stumbling through the small group. Oh my goddess Akida, Fredrik? How is this possible? Matin was caught by surprise as the young man. He looked exactly like his beloved and dearly missed companion Fredrik Ferreus, who had died protecting Martin 42 years and 1 month ago during the battle against the White dragon Ancient Blizzard. 

“Fredrik?” Martin whispered how could it be? The thoughts running a thousand per second. 

“Fredrik? What are you talking about?” the visible drunk youth replied. “No! I am Lord James Ferreus!” Ferreus? Can this be Fredrik’s son? Not that is impossible. Fredrik did not enjoy the company of ladies. 

“My apologies, young Lord. You remind me of someone I used to know.” Martin trying to catch up to what was happening.  But they are related somehow.

“Who cares!” James shouted, “I am challenging you to duel with rapiers!”

“Young man! I do not believe this is a constructive or gentlemanly way to behave at a ball!” Martin said with a sharp tone. “You seem intoxicated. Maybe you should retire for tonight and we can discuss this in the morning?”

“No! Upon your honor as a gentleman, I demand a duel!” James declared to the entire hall with a slurred tone. “You have been courting the lady of the house all night and have gotten in the way of my courtship of Lady Katerina Roseheart. I will not accept anything other than satisfaction!”

Lady Katerina looked embarrassed and mumbled something along the lines of “I do not know who this gentleman is.”

“As a Gentleman, I will accept your duel, but I do so under protest. As I believe you to be intoxicated and I have not had any intentions of courting the young lady Rosenheart!” Martin said with an increased coldness in his voice, making it clear to everyone within earshot that he was not on the hunt for a young bride. “Very well, since you do not seem to want to give up this ridiculous challenge. I will meet you in the courtyard in 15 minutes and we will settle this like gentlemen.” 

Martin went outside together with most of the party, everyone was excited to see a living legend in action. Although the legend in question might be a bit past his prime. I really do not want to fight with someone who looks exactly like my dear Fredrik. Wait, if he is related to Fredrik, he must be a fabulous swordsman. 

Martin stopped in his tracks, as this thought came to mind. The young lord Ferreus might be a great swordsman, pretending to be drunk to get the upper hand on a “living legend” and get famous for the accomplishment. Lord Ferreus had not even once tried to go up and chat with Lady Katerina tonight. Martin would know, he had been with the young lady all night. “He could be after fame and glory, just like I was at his age” he mumbled to himself as he pulled off his jacket and drew his ornate obsidian-bladed rapier. The blade itself was completely black with a glimmer-like glass to it. He did a couple of test swings and jabs to warm up before the duel. The observing crowd almost cheered when Lord Ferreus stepped into the open-ended circle with Martin at the far end. 

“Is there any way I can change your mind before we get started?” Martin almost pleaded. “We do not have to do this!”

“Are you chickening out Lord Eurus?” James smiled, clumsily holding the rapier in his right hand. Good detail, make sure they do not catch onto the lie before the duel starts. 

“No, I just do not want to fight, if I can help it.” Martin tried again. Alright, it seems like we are doing this again. Get ready, old champ. 

“You are not getting out of this you fraud!” James shouted. 

One of the older lords attending the ball stepped out and said in a clear commanding voice  “This is a duel between Lord Eurus and Lord Ferreus. No one is allowed to interfere. Gentlemen, please get started!”

As soon as the sentence was finished Martin was sprinting across the small courtyard, getting ready to attack. I will go directly for a jab to the chest. He will first parry and dodge to his right. And I will… go… for… that… Martin did not get to finish that thought. 

He looked at his opponent, far closer than Martin had thought he would be. Martin let go of his rapier, staring dumbfounded at where it was located. The beautiful blade was buried in Lord James Ferreus’ chest all the way to the hilt. James was staring just as dumbfounded back at Martin. “You… are not… a fraud… are you?” James gasped.

“I am afraid not, my dear boy,” Martin expressed, tears running down his face. “I am truly sorry about this. I did not know…” there was no point in finishing that sentence, as James’ body fell limp to the side, his honey-brown eyes losing their glow. 

Martin turned to the crowd of people. All completely silent. “I must apologize, I did not mean for any of this to happen” Martin called to the silent crowd. “If you will excuse me, I will take my leave.” 

But at least, I got to see my dear Fredrik again. And again he had to die so I could continue living. Martin walked up to Lady Katerina and bid her farewell. “Please leave” she looked upon him with horror. They love the stories, but they do not want to be a part of them.