Chapter Text
Daud observed the reception in honor of Duke Abele with a sharp eye. He wasn’t standing far from Empress Jessamine, her daughter and her guest, but he stayed in the shadows, where most dismissed him. That didn’t seem to include the bodyguard of the Duke, who was throwing him glances when he thought Daud wouldn’t notice.
“High Overseer Campbell seems to have indulged quite a bit, Sir,” Thomas warned as he reached the Spymaster’s side.
“Make sure he keeps his hands to himself, especially around the Serkonans,” Daud ordered as he crossed his arms. “Do you have anything about the bodyguard?”
“Corvo Attano is highly respected by his fellow guards, recognized unanimously as the best swordsman of the Guard, a fair officer and a good man. Any attempt to get anyone to badmouth him was met with hostility. He has their loyalty and the Duke’s ear. Apparently, he’s perfect.”
“No-one is perfect,” Daud murmured.
“That’s what Campbell thinks too,” Rulfio commented as he stepped in urgently. “He just accused him of heresy in front of the other nobles, and he’s on his way now.”
Daud stifled a curse and went to warn the Empress, but it was too late. As he reached Royal Protector Curnow’s side, Campbell was already stumbling out of the crowd and calling for the Duke’s attention.
“Your Highness, your bodyguard seems to have gained a reputation unlike any other's.”
“Corvo is my best man,” Theodanis agreed with good nature and patience. By his side, Jessamine knew the High Overseer much better and tried to get him back into line with a warning glare, in vain.
“Some may wonder how his abilities have been gained,” Campbell continued.
“What are you implying, High Overseer?” Theodanis demanded with a more displeased frown.
“Unusually high abilities are often the sign of supernatural involvement, your Highness. Too many individuals are tempted to dabble in the arcane to further themselves…”
“High Overseer Campbell, those allegations are hardly appropriate,” Jessamine tried to intervene and salvage the party. They had already attracted the attention of every noble in the vicinity and others were starting to notice the scandal brewing.
“Leave it, my dear,” Theodanis sighed. “This is nothing Corvo hasn’t heard. I suspect we’ll have to pacify your Overseers like we did for those of Serkonos.” The Duke glanced to his bodyguard, who bowed his head compliantly. “It is my understanding, High Overseer, that users of the arcane can be identified by a mark on their body or an artefact on their person. Surely, if you can testify that Corvo uses neither in a fair fight against one of your best, your worries would be put to rest.”
“That… would do,” Campbell agreed, crossing his arms to appear more sober and imposing.
“I hope you won’t mind a bit of nudity, my dear, nothing indecent, don’t worry,” Theodanis told Jessamine, who glanced at Corvo curiously before replying:
“I trust your judgement.”
At Theodanis’ sign, Corvo turned toward one of his men and handed over his coat and belt. When he started to unbutton his waistcoat, the crowd burst into excited whispers as it seemed clear that the handsome Serkonan would fight in some state of undress.
Daud tried to keep an eye on the whole scene while thinking about the implications of it. Attano wasn’t wearing gloves, clearly indicating that he wasn’t marked by the Outsider. When Daud had watched the Serkonan delegation with Void Gaze, no bone charms or runes had attracted his attention. Everything indicated that there was nothing supernatural about his talent, and that he was just that good.
If that was true, he was likely to win his duel and thoroughly humiliate the Overseers. Campbell wouldn’t be in any position to ask for compensation after making a scene against the Empress’ wish. All in all, if Attano won, the Empress won. If he lost however, this would look bad on the Duke. At best, Theodanis would be displeased and in a bad mood for the trade agreements they had planned for the rest of the week.
Daud retreated in the shadows and asked his men: “Is there any chance Attano would lose?”
“I’ll bet on him,” Thomas replied without hesitation.
“That’s because you’d never bet on an Overseer,” Rulfio pointed out with a snort. “It depends on his opponent, Daud. Campbell took his best, but then they aren’t exactly used to fighting someone who can defend himself. And, from what the Duke said, Attano already fought at least one of them.”
Daud nodded in agreement.
“Well, that’s the kind of party they’ll talk about for weeks,” Rulfio commented in a low voice when Attano removed his shirt, leaving him completely bare-chested.
The bodyguard was well proportioned, with tanned skin and well defined muscles. Nobles were feasting upon the sight while he still had their back turned to them. He’d have to dodge their advances for the rest of his stay.
“Find good vantage points,” Daud ordered. “Make sure that no-one is going to cheat in any way.”
Thomas and Rulfio saluted before disappearing into the crowd. Daud stepped forward, met the Empress’ eyes and stopped by the side of her throne where Emily was standing excitedly at the idea of a duel.
“A warning would have been nice, Daud,” Jessamine murmured.
“Sudden impulse dictated by the whisky, I’m afraid,” Daud replied. “I have my men watching. Bets are on Attano.”
“They better be,” Jessamine grumbled.
Daud retreated to Curnow’s side who offered him a long suffering gaze. Campbell’s foolishness made their work all the more difficult. Maybe this would convince the Empress to get rid of him once and for all. One could always dream.
“Did you speak to Attano?” Daud asked Curnow while the High Overseer was briefing one of his men.
“Briefly. Good soldier from what I gathered. Friendly but not talkative. The Duke likes him and it's mutual,” the Royal Protector reported. After a few seconds, as Attano stepped in front of the throne only wearing tight pants and holding his sword, Curnow added softly: “He asked about you.”
Startled out of his assessment of Attano’s physique (a few scars, mostly from bullets), Daud frowned. “What about me?”
“He mostly wanted to know if the rumors were true about you saving the Empress from the former Spymaster. I think you got an admirer.”
“Now you’re pulling my chain,” Daud huffed.
“Why is it so hard to believe?”
Daud shook his head to conclude the conversation. They had better things to focus on: the duel was about to start.
It seemed extremely unfair at first glance, the Overseer being completely dressed, mask included, while Attano was without armor or shoes. Yet the Serkonan was perfectly calm and waited for his opponent to charge first, blocking with ease and striking back quickly. In a matter of seconds, it was quite clear that the Overseer was outclassed, yet Attano let him last long enough that his superiority was obvious and unquestionable before disarming him.
His victory was met with thunderous applause. Nobles tried to step forward to touch his glistening skin. Attano dodged them without appearing to do so by bowing to the Empress and moving to accept the Duke’s handshake.
Daud snorted. “He’s good.”
“Good?” Curnow repeated with a tilt of his head. “The Overseer was good. Attano is a few steps above. You should offer to spar with him. I’m sure he’d be overjoyed to find someone at his level.”
“In that case, you should offer,” Daud replied before moving back to his quiet and dark corner.
oOo
The day after, Daud wasn’t exactly surprised to discover that Curnow had taken his advice. He was sparring with Attano in the garden, not far from the gazebo where the Duke and Empress were enjoying the sun after their dinner.
Attano was dressed this time, and the fight was more even, which seemed to please him as he was smiling and exchanging a few words with Curnow.
They were voluntarily on the path to their charges, so Daud nodded to them in greeting as he went to speak to the Empress. He didn’t miss the way Attano’s eyes lingered, even if he tried to hide it behind his hair by nodding back.
Once Daud had finished updating Jessamine on the Serkonan merchants she would meet the next day, he found Thomas with the swordsmen. It surprised him, but it shouldn’t have: Thomas had gotten increasingly friendly with the Royal Protector. In fact, they were standing quite close to each other.
“Daud,” Curnow called. “Do you have some time to take my place? Corvo is hardier than I am.”
Apparently, Curnow was determined to get them to spar. Well, Daud might as well check for himself what Attano was worth and get this over with. He had nothing better to do until his men reported.
“I can spare some time,” he agreed.
Attano brightened like one of his Whalers (the nickname still stuck despite their change of uniform) would at the idea of getting his attention. Contrary to them, he didn’t seem to regret it after five minutes.
As Curnow said, the Serkonan was more than good. He was giving Daud a run for his money, even if the former assassin had never relied on his sword only and as such didn’t care to vie for the title of best swordsman. After a small cut to his forearm, Daud could feel his impending defeat, but he had never pretended to be fair. He waited for the right moment to Bend Time. As everyone else froze around them, Thomas drawled:
“Really, Sir?”
“I don’t play by the rules, you know that.”
“Of course. It’s my mistake for thinking you wouldn’t use it in plain sight.”
“Stand still and it won’t be an issue.”
Daud only adjusted the angle of Attano’s sword before resuming time. It was enough to give him the advantage he needed to disarm the bodyguard in his next move.
Applause came from the gazebo and Curnow, while Attano raised his hands to concede his defeat. Daud had never seen a man so happy to lose.
“Thank you for the spar, Sir. I hope we’ll have the opportunity for a second round before my departure.”
Daud adjusted his gloves thoughtfully. He could imagine worse ways to pass the time. It was refreshing to find another worthy opponent, one with a different style. “I’ll consider it if I have some free time.”
Attano’s smile was a sight to behold.
Daud took his leave. Thomas followed. When they had enough privacy, he commented: “You made an impression on him, Sir.”
“Don’t start.”
“... I’m just saying that it might have been easier for you to lose.”
“I never lose, Thomas. I’m not going to start to spare someone’s feelings.”
“In that case, I’d say you’d have spared yourself his feelings.”