Duel Vulpinsula & Surroundings Insanely Rich Area Forged in Fur and Flame

[SwifttailTheFox]

((OOC - This is the second act of the "Dual" series, happening after the conclusion of "The Challenge", and is what we have been referring to as "Swifttail's 80's style training montage"! Parts of this will be slower and narrative building, but each day counting down to the dual will have a section where we slip into Montage Mode that will call for quick, rapid fire replies with training moments, and the occasional comedic moment thrown in! If somebody wishes to join in on helping Swifttail train like Rocky Balboa, please ask to join through private message or Discord, just so we can discuss first how to fit you in! Let's have fun with this one!))

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Six days remaining...

The forge’s heat clung to him long after the hammers went silent. Clinker had not spared his tongue that day, driving Swifttail through task after task. Hauling bar stock, filing edges, hammering plates until his ears rang with each strike. His broken paw ached under its binding, every muscle burned, and yet the weasel's glare left no room for complaint. By the time the evening bell tolled, he felt hollowed out, like one of the crucibles left cooling in the ash.

Still, his paws carried him onward. Not home, not to rest, but toward a promise he had made himself: to seek help.

His thoughts wandered as he walked, and it was Silvertongue who rose first. The bard’s sudden closeness back on Urk... That first kiss stolen behind the infirmary tent, the second pressed in the heat of battle, and their moment in the crows nest on that stormy night afterward. Those moments still left him reeling. Then there was Greeneye and the duel he had flung down like a gauntlet between them. Finally to Madame Lorelei, her intimidating counsel, her care, the night spent in her show with Silvertongue where the choice had become real. Each thread tangled with the next until it pulled tight, knotting into the weight that sat heavy on his chest now.

He only had six days until that dual. Six days to prepare, or else lose Silvertongue to the rat's toxic, abusive traits forever... If he even survived at all.

The streets thinned, the harbor’s noise falling behind as he crossed into the quieter, upscale parts of the city. He knew the way well enough from what info he had gathered, yet when he stepped beneath the cracked stone arch and into what had once been the Nashirou estate, it still felt like trespass. The front garden sprawled wild, hedges long since left to their own hunger, statues toppled, paths smothered in moss. He pushed through brambles, claws brushing ivy, until he lost the line of the walk entirely.

For a moment he stopped, tangled in both growth and thought, heart tugged in too many directions at once.

Then he drew a breath, shook his head, and pressed forward. He remembered why he was here.

To find Kaii.

The ruin rose ahead through the shadows, windows like tired eyes, waiting.

He only had six days remaining...

@Kaii Nashirou @Silvertongue Songfox @Darragh Harper @FinnianBrightfur @Alwyn Ryalor

 

[Kaii Nashirou]

Kaii was done with the work for today. He had a rather simple day of mostly menial (to him) labour consisting of calculating and drilling holes for a scaffolding. Nothing to hard and it did pay decently. Now, as his stomach was filled with some fish soup, the Marble Fox had been doing his evening kata. He stood in the hall that used to be an armoury, now reduced to piles of rubble with only one wall standing, covered in soot from the fire that long ago has consumed his home.

Clad in just his pants, Kaii held his glaive, almost dancing with it. His act was both one of training and performing as he had placed around sacks of sand and wooden blocks. He did not stop, trying to go fluidly from one attack to another, striking his targets down. In the process, he spent time while going between them, putting on blocks and parries against imagined threats. And while to an accidental viewer, Kaii knew sometimes there were occasional beasts who stared, it must've looked impressive, it was really not yet at the levels Kaii aspired to. At best he was using his glaive like a trained soldier, albeit with more finesse and strategy behind it. However he was not as amazing as most, which was proven as he got the blade of his weapon stuck in the wooden block, fully ruining his sequence and making him grunt with displeasure.

After getting the blade free, he was about to start it all over. Even if now had some friends to rely on, he felt even more compelled to always keep his skill as sharp as the glaive he wielded. He swore to protect them, had to fight for his crew on the ship and had to fight for himself. Thus he would not be satisfied until his kata is perfect and flawless. Then he would take on a more difficult one next day. And with all that said, he also liked to have physical activity to keep himself fit. His muscles were not coming from doing calculations for hours for sure.

However, before he started again, he heard steps. Not too difficult during the evening with a nice weather. There was no wind and too warm of a weather to yet make all the insects start making noises. Kaii of course had no idea if it was an intruder or not. Those did happen sometimes. As such, with no hesitation, he moved swiftly to the area that used to be the main entrance of his estate. Kaii was ready to fight still, fur ruffled, slightly panting, shirtless and carrying his glaive in combat ready position, most common thieves would simply run away from a mad fox inhabiting those ruins.

Instead however he found Swifttail. Looking as if someone threw a bucket of water onto the flame of his life. Kaii let out a small sigh, happy to see his friend but also noticing there was something odd with them. He moved closer as he slowly folded the pole of his weapon. "Good evening Swifttail. What happened? You look as if you were to go through that sail ordeal we did again."

 

[SwifttailTheFox]

Swifttail slowed at the sound of Kaii’s movements in the ruined hall, ears flicking at the hiss and thump of steel meeting sand and wood. He caught sight of the marble fox in the last light of evening, shirtless, muscles moving with the rhythm of each practiced cut and parry. The glaive flashed, fluid, deliberate, almost like a dance. For a moment Swift just stood in the doorway, feeling shabby in his soot-stained tunic, his paws heavy, his bandaged one throbbing in its binding.

He hadn’t meant to interrupt. Embarrassment prickled under his fur, and he dipped his head as Kaii lowered the weapon.

"Evenin’, Kaii… Sorry t’ intrude. I, uh… didn’t mean t’ cut into yer practice."

Kaii’s eyes caught him, sharp and assessing, and the sigh that followed was warm enough to draw Swift forward. Still, the weight didn’t lift. His paws worked against each other as if to hide his nerves, his tail kept low.

"I certainly feel the same..." he admitted, voice rough. "Clinker near killed me with it today. No, it’s… it’s Greeneye."

The name left his muzzle like a stone dropped into deep water. He swallowed, glancing away toward the overgrown garden beyond the broken wall.

"He’s challenged me t’ a duel of swords. To first blood, he says. But I know him, Kaii. He won’t stop there. He’ll push it till I’m bleedin’ out, or worse. I can see it in his eyes."

His ears flattened as the rest spilled out, quick and uneven.

"It’s Silvie… Greeneye won’t let go of him. He keeps dragging him deeper into debt. Every step closer we’ve had, every kiss... it’s driven him madder. He threw down that gauntlet t’ prove he still owns what Silvie’s heart has already given. Lorelei told me plain enough. Either I stand, or Silvie gets dragged right back under him."

The words quavered at the edges, but Swift forced them steady, forcing himself to meet Kaii’s gaze.

"I’m terrified, Kaii. Not just of losin’, but of dyin’ at his paws because he won’t keep his word. An’ if that happens, Silvie’s lost too."

He drew a breath, shaky but resolute, and stepped closer.

"I need help. I can’t do this alone. Will ye… will ye train me?"

The question hung between them, soft and raw. Swift’s tail dragged low across the stone floor, his good paw curling and uncurling at his side. All he could do now was wait for Kaii's reply.

 

[Kaii Nashirou]

Kaii stopped hearing the revelation, his smile dropped and his ears twitched. The cold flames of fury could be seen behind his amethyst eyes, betraying how angry he truly was. Those who knew Kaii well would know where to search for hints of his emotional state. Nothing about him spoke of this calculated anger like the eyes now and he knew well that Swifttail can notice that too.

The request was not a joke. Kaii needed a moment to think it through. As such there was a rather unfortunate minute during which Swifttail had to suffer silence. There was a lot to unpack here and consider after all. But the cogs within the ever stellar brain of the marble fox were turning at maximum speed, trying to churn out the best solution possible.

Finally, Kaii stepped closer again, and put his arm around Swifttail. "I will. I can also step in for you in the duel itself if you wish so. Though, I am quite certain Greeneye wouldn't agree to it." He started with as stern and assuring voice as he could make. The depth of it rumbling across his body. "But I want you to know one thing. You will not win this battle with skill." That brutal yet needed words had to be spoken and were a reason why Kaii moved to hold Swift. He needed real, rational solution, but Kaii already did learn that offering those was often painful and a lot of beasts couldn't take them. He hoped that his assuring grasp and presence would offset it enough.

"Greeneye is a formidable fighter. I've been taught combat since I was a kit. Seriously training with glaive for a few years now. I still doubt I could win with him in one-on-one combat." More of that painful reality needed to be said. Swifttail had to know his situation to prepare himself adequately. However, despite everything, Kaii had plans to make this all work out in the end.

"So, you are not going to fight him. You only need to draw first blood. With enough beasts around to witness and act if he trashes out afterwards. he may be good, but fighting with many strong opponents, especially with various weapons? That is beyond most beasts, maybe safe for likes of Duke Talinn." That was going to be the basis of what Swifttail had to do. Winning a fight was not within a realm of plausibility. Winning the duel? Very much so. The platinum fox just needed to know how. And Kaii had a plan to offer.

Kaii finally let go off Swifttail and gestured him to follow. Fyadoran culture was much less concerned with baring one's fur, so Kaii stepped through the remaining arches of the main entrance and chose a small path of mossy cobbles that led into what used to be a Fyadoran garden, surrounded by a pond. Now, it looked more like an overgrown marsh.

On the way, Kaii didn't stop explaining his plan to their friend. "That rat uses a cutlass. Broad, large sword made primarily for cutting. It serves well against many targets and can be devastating against anything not heavily armoured in closest range. It also is great for blocking other weapons made for cutting only. However, it fares less well to counter weapons made for piercing. Your best bet will be to get a rapier or a dueling sword."

Finally, Kaii stopped. They were now on a square pedestal made of polished stone. One that wasn't much damaged. Protruding from it were charred wooden parts, suggesting that a building that once stood upon this pedestal was made out of wood and burnt down completely. Looking at the former gardens and ponds around, the marble fox gently brushed his muzzle with his claws before continuing. "I offer you this place for the duel itself. If you were to train here, your mind will feel more confident knowing the environment. Any small advantage you can get matters now. Especially as that is how you can win this fight."

Using his glaive, now folded and actually more reminiscent of the cutlass, Kaii cut down a fresh branch from the closest dead tree. He then started to cut off any smaller parts that stemmed from it, trying to get one, straight piece of wood. He did so while still speaking of course. "And for the fight itself. I can teach you the basic poses and procedures. However you need to rely on speed. You should avoid fighting for long at any cost. Your goal is to lounge, stab them and draw first blood. That is it. Greeneye has a pegleg so aiming at the other leg is a good idea. That will force him to dodge using ineffective limb. You can then double down and stab the pegged leg quickly. That is... possibly the best strategy I can offer you."

And will all that was said, Kaii still had one thing to add. He came closer to Swift and gave him the branch as well as small rock to hold in the same paw to simulate the proper weapon's weight. "I do not know who do you wish to tell about this, but I am sure Darragh can teach you a thing or two about dirty tricks as well. My combat style is effective, but it is good to have various perspectives. We also will need a medic at paw. If you want me to, I can ask around or seek someone from the Hide."

Before anything more. Kaii twitched his whiskers and gave a few swings to his folded glaive. He wasn't as good with it as he was when it was a polearm, but as Swifttail were to fight someone with cutlass, that was the best possible equivalent that he could put him against. Still before anything started now The marble fox once more put his paw on Swift's shoulder.

"Most importantly Swift. You are not alone in this. All the strategy I gave you as well as the little advantages? They mean not as much as the fact you will have allies with you. Greeneye will not mutilate you. Not as long as I am alive. And I will not let this duel to be anything but a serious, organised matter. Your worries are valid, but with all I've said, you risk as little as you can." Kaii said and gave his friend a hug. One long enough to let the other fox calm down.

Parting, Kaii only added. "Despite billions of possibilities, your victory is the only outcome." He then stood at the appropriate distance to start a duel, ready to teach and ready to aid his closest friend in every possible way.

 

[SwifttailTheFox]

Relief washed through Swifttail when Kaii finally spoke. The silence had been crushing, and the fury he’d glimpsed in his friend’s eyes had nearly buckled him. But the arm around his shoulders, the steady voice, and the blunt honesty anchored him. His ears dipped, shy about the closeness, but gratitude swelling all the same.

"Thank ye, Kaii… truly. I don’t know what I’d’ve done if ye turned me away."

The words that followed were hard to hear, yet Swift knew he needed them. He swallowed against the lump in his throat. Greeneye couldn’t be beaten in skill. Not by him, surely. That truth stung, but it also lit a flicker of determination. If he couldn’t win by strength, then he would learn to win another way.

Kaii pressed a weighted branch into his paw. Swift tested the heft, ears flicking uneasily.

"A rapier or dueling sword… but, where am I s’posed t’get me paws on one of those? Or armor? I’ve naught but Clinker’s hammerin’ leathers… an’ they won’t stop a blade."

His tail twitched, fretting aloud. Should he look into buying them? That would be an expensive prospect, surely. One he definitely couldn't afford even on credit. Could he borrow them? He didn’t know... For now, he let the thought drop, trusting his friend would have an answer in time.

"But aye, if ye think there’s beasts who can help, tell ‘em. I trust ye to judge who kin know about this duel." He drew a steadying breath. "Darragh, absolutely. He’s clever with his fists, but he’s all bobbin’ an’ weavin’, too. I’ll need that. Quick paws, quick thinkin’."

His paw tightened around the branch, the other aching beneath its bandage. He lowered his voice.

"I’m still scared, Kaii. But knowin’ I’m not facin’ him alone makes it more bearable, I think..."

Kaii stepped back, glaive folding into a cutlass shape, and suddenly Swift realized what was about to happen. His eyes widened as Kaii squared into stance.

"Oh, we’re... hah... we’re doin’ this now?!"

Swift wasn’t reluctant, he was just startled by the sudden plunge into training. Of course Kaii would dive straight in. He was always the model of efficiency.

Quickly, he scrambled into a clumsy stance of his own, tail flicking, paws uncertain but willing.

"Aye then… show me how t’ make it count."

 

[Kaii Nashirou]

Kaii didn't spare a second before at first showing the proper stance for Swift. It was not optimal with a blade he wielded, but Swift had to know first the basics. "Stand like this, legs wide, tail ready to balance, knees slightly bent." Kaii would repeat and show that, while helping Swift with corrections till he got it.

With the correct pose, Kaii showed to Swift the manoeuvre he had to take to win. The lounge. Simple, effective and precise. With adequate speed, it was the best Swift could rely on. After few more takes, Kaii again stood in front of Swifttail, his "cutlass" ready. "Now, come at me. I will dodge and block only. Try your best to stab me."

Kaii of course knew very well how to do either, but he was not going to be lenient. Not when Swift's life was at stake. He would be fair however and actually left openings when possible. He was holding out only slightly, but enough to give Swift a chance. As his friend tried repeatedly, Kaii spoke between the parries and dodges. Intertwining his lectures into his movements. Explaining to Swift how each of his attacks was good and bad, as well as what Greeneye could do in any scenario. There was a lot of information, but it was meant to be melted with the muscle memory. That was Kaii's goal here after all.

Long after the sun has set, Kaii finally let Swift finish. And he did so because Swift managed to strike him. He brought fresh water and few pieces of dried meat he held for emergencies and shared those between the two for rejuvenation. Sitting on the cold stone, Kaii's back fur was flowing with the delicate breeze now as he answered the question.

"It is a first blood duel. No armours should be allowed. You can tell that to Greeneye and all who will surround you will agree. As for a weapon. I will try to find a way to borrow one. Noble title still gives me entrances and privileges that I may not be fond of, but for such matters, I will use them." He declared, even if he actually had a vastly different idea in mind. One that he would realise this night.