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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Cerebral Paladin" data-source="post: 3503588" data-attributes="member: 3448">“Lord Davion… we were wondering how you would fare in a duel with the Master Unbidden.  That is the other means we have thought of to deal with the threat, if you were willing.” “Ah.”  The Noldar lord smiled.  “An interesting question.  He would be quite a challenge, like none I have faced in many years.  I should say that I would have an eighty-five percent chance of winning.  If I lose, of course, your life would be forfeit.  But I believe that he would abide by the terms of an honorable challenge.  If I prevailed, it should end the threat from that quarter.” “Eighty-five percent?” asked Dame Brionna.  That was not as good as she had hoped.  “Where do the risks come from?” “There is always the opportunity for stupidity on the part of myself or any other fighter.  If anyone tells you they never make mistakes, do not believe them.  They will have just given you a reason to question their veracity or their judgment, or both.  The chance that I will blunder represents perhaps a five percent chance of defeat.  There is also the possibility that he will demonstrate great brilliance.  I understand that he fights with two weapons; I do as well, but he uses matched blades of equal length, which will provide him a small advantage.  The chance that he will outperform his reputation is a second five percent chance.  Finally, there is blind luck, which enters into all battles to a greater or lesser degree.  That accounts for the last five percent.” “Do you distinguish between fate and luck, Lord Davion?” “Of course, your grace.  If I am fated to win, there is no risk, and vice versa.” “Perhaps then we could seek the intervention of the Lady of Fate.  She is Lord Glor’diadel’s daughter and may be amenable to aiding us if we beseech her through the Church.  Would you have any objections to that?” “None, your grace.  I have devoted myself to the Lord of Light and could hardly complain about prayers for His support, or that of His Family.  I merely ask that my personal chaplain, Bishop Berry, be included in any such effort.” “Of course, Lord Davion.” “We know his weapons aren’t enchanted, and he has no psionic abilities.  Would that help you?” asked Kit. “I assume that we would gain some advantage from that.  Magic is forbidden, but I can activate my armor with psionic power, although casting a spell or directly harming him with psionics would not be permitted.  That will give me some advantage, as my armor has some fortification effect, while his armor, though powerful, will remain inactive.  Indeed, perhaps the chance of defeat is as low as ten percent.” “Do you know anything of a substance called dust?” asked Dame Brionna.  “We do not know but believe he has used it to augment his abilities.” “Ah.  If he has taken dust, that would move it back to fifteen percent.  It is a powerful substance, though vile.” Alistair mulled over what they had been told.  “If we asked you to challenge him on our behalf, would you be willing to?  I would not think of trying to order you to do so, but it would represent a tremendous boon.” The Noldar looked intently at his face for a few moments.  “If you ask me, I would do this.  I would see my adopted homeland have a successful rule, although your reign will be short in any event.  I had never seen a monarch live less than a millenium until I came to these lands, but even reigns such as your grandmother’s, accounted long by the standards of humans, end in little time.” “Thank you, Lord Davion,” replied Alistair, “although we cannot be sure yet that we will ask you to duel him.  If we could find a safer way, without the risk to you or the danger of failing…  But he is so dangerous.” Lord Davion nodded his head politely.  “Indeed.  He has perhaps half of my overall ability, but all in combat.  He is a Drow, and thus not truly ancient, so he has not reached the highest levels of skill.  But he is very, very strong, and in the millennium or two that he has lived, he has become a master duelist.  Fortunately, so am I.”  The characteristic arrogance of the great elves crept into Lord Davion’s voice as he said the last, with a smile. “Is there anyone else who could duel him?  Who might make the odds better?” asked Dame Brionna. “No one else in the Kingdom could possibly win,” replied Lord Davion with confidence.  “The Eldar is too much of a bard and not enough of a warrior.  He demonstrated that yesterday, although his victory over the Master of the North was impressive.  No one besides the Eldar and myself would have even the slightest possibility of victory, and he would have only one chance in a thousand or worse.” “Lord Davion fighting the duel could work,” said Kit thoughtfully.  “And we could have the Archbishop resurrect m’lord if you lose, and you as well, if your body was intact?” “Impossible.  The life being forfeit would prevent any possibility of resurrection.  It is the Law, and the two great gods enforce it.  The number of duels that have been fought on behalf of a member of one of the lesser races numbers less than a half-dozen, but the two great gods would still enforce the terms.  I have forsaken Morgoth’s worship, but he still binds my blood and is tied to my very essence.  Know full well that if I challenge him on the Archduke’s behalf and lose, it will be the end of the Archduke.” Despite the gravity of the speech, Alistair almost smiled when Lord Davion mentioned how few such duels had ever been fought.  He could hear clearly that the Noldar Lord was eager to become one of the vanishingly few who had taken on such a task.  “We thank you for your willingness to assist us in so serious a matter.  We will inform you quickly if we wish you to issue the challenge, but we must discuss the possibilities among ourselves first.”  Lord Davion nodded gravely.  “Would your companion--Arrrrgggghhhhsnap, was it?--wish to meet us while he is here?” “He would be most honored, your grace.  We were together when we received your summons, and it seemed easier to allow him to accompany me than to explain that it was for me alone.”</blockquote>

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