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[Merci d'Rue]

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Merci stood frozen the words hitting her ears with great clarity her body tensing in an instant. For fifteen years Merci d'Rue had heard insults from enemies. She had endured every comment that could be thrown at her and she had held herself firm, she had held her head up high.

The Lycans in the Stonegate Clan were like no others, there were actually less of them then most believed... The assumption that mostly Lycans inhabited Stonegate was a great error. It was an honor and gift and not easily bestowed. Yet the number one rule in Stonegate was stength in diversity and so it was well beleived that a group of all one kind was less preferable then many races and fighting styles.

So when his words hidden behind a joke were spoken her face fell, the emotions reaching out suddenly. For he was no enemy he was an ally. Garret had a way of speaking roughly about people insulting easily and quick to anger it seemed. He was a good fighter and she respected that. Yet her respect for the Empress, and Bishimi, his clan had always been held in high regard. Never had she insulted them on purpose even jokingly. It was not that she couldnt take a joke it was simply that it was not a joke, the Oracle was far to perceptive to be fooled by an opinion hidden behind a joke.

She and her people, her clan, were not dogs... Dogs were domesticated and tame not in the least a threat...he did their enemies a favor which is precisely what she said to him after he admitted that it was how he felt. He clarified it with a challenge if she wanted him to think of her as more than a dog she must bare her teeth and fight him. A duel...

Bishimi looked upon the two with unhappy eyes, he did not wish to see Merci fall, his future wife, to Garret's hand. He did not wish to see this duel. Yet she would not back down, the fierceness, the warrior in her would allow nothing else. So it was that they met in the arena, this Lycan and Man.

Myrddin watched as did Bishimi both silent and most likely hiding a shadow of concern. Others wandered in hearing the commotion and wanting to see what was going on.

Merci took a deep breath, no matter her concern, no matter her own death. She would, and always had, fought for her beliefs and would die for them.

The blows were strong and taxing she manuevered quickly playing to her strengths but still feeling that she must move faster that it was not good enough. Garret was an excellent fighter and she expected nothing less. Merci gave it her all pushing every muscle, working every moment to its fullest. The duel lasted quite a long time a few times she thought perhaps she had him, but in the end he always came back...

She could not but respect that, no would she back down... She knew he had the upper hand, had been fighting longer than her, but she would fight until she died. She mis-stepped, and that is all it took, a resounding blow and she fell to the ground.

Yet she was not shamed she had held her own and stood up to the man. If he respected her more now that was fine, if he did not then she didnt need it..

Bishimi was surprised, Merci had held her own quite well and Myrddin smiled a rare smile. She had held the line long. she was progressing in her fighting skill. Garret turned to her and agreed she was no dog, she was indeed a wolf. She smiled and bowed and thanked him for the duel.

Tired her body aching, Bishimi walked her home, as she hid her relief, putting the squabble behind her and moving on. Yet in the dark of the night as she lay in her bed she wondered idly, what if was all just a game.. She shook her head, she trusted the Empress. She trusted Bishimi....
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May destiny guide you...