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Cardinal smiled wanly. “I hesitate to answer that, because you are after all a relatively young man. You, as the sole priest of Marcius in the realm, would in yourself incorporate the entire Church.”
    The knowledge that he had joined a defunct religious order was not exactly comforting. “I can’t pretend I can survive without your help.”
    â€œYou will still enjoy the same protections as any other citizen of the lands of the Lady,” the Cardinal admitted, “which I take great pride in saying are considerable. And you will still be subject to Krellyan’s orders, as he is the ranking priest of the Lady, whom you also serve.”
    â€œFor the next three years you will be under the orders of the King,” Karl said. “As are all draftees.”
    The Cardinal took the sword from Christopher and handed it back to the smith. “Dereth, keep this until after the trial. Karl, reconvene the court. I shall continue to hatch my petty plans, despite the gods’ disdain.”

    Cardinal Faren glared at Hobilar, who studiously raised his bottle for another drink.
    â€œSer Hobilar, as Pater Christopher serves the Consort Marcius, god of War, I cannot forbid him from accepting your challenge. But your honor also allows you to show mercy and understanding. Will you not set aside your quarrel for peace?”
    Hobilar stood up. “You priests must learn to respect the sword that keeps your borders safe.” He set the bottle aside and causally picked up his helmet. “Step outside, Pater. We have business to conduct.”
    Christopher felt a cold stab of fear. Before he could react, the Cardinal rescued him again.
    â€œKrellyan’s law requires that you delay your duel for a full day, which you must spend in reflection of your desire to commit violence. Return here tomorrow, at this time, if you must.”
    With a snort, Hobilar took his leave, pointing to the doorway and winking at Christopher on the way out.

5.
    DUEL
    Faren had a coach-and-four, the most impressive vehicle Christopher had seen in this new world. He watched it rolling away, carrying Pater Svengusta and the Cardinal to town. Faren would return the next morning for the duel; Svengusta would return that night, with books borrowed from the head of Novices in Knockford, to teach Christopher what he needed to know of magic. A single evening seemed inadequate to master a field so entirely new, but Christopher was hardly in a position to object.
    They did not leave Christopher alone. Karl and a pair of soldiers stayed behind to stand guard over him in the chapel. The men had large wooden shields, which gave Christopher an idea.
    â€œHobilar’s going to have one of these, right?” he asked Karl.
    â€œHe is allowed three,” Karl said. “Should you succeed in breaking one, he can call for its replacement.”
    Hobilar’s shield was made of steel. He wouldn’t need to replace it.
    â€œI think I need some practice. Are you up for it?”
    â€œI am not ranked,” Karl said, his voice perfectly even.
    What the hell does that matter? thought Christopher. “So? You still know how to fight, right?”
    Karl gave him the most peculiar look, one that Christopher simply could not make any sense of. “Yes. I know how to fight.”
    â€œThen maybe you could give me a few pointers. For instance, I’ve never faced a shield before.”
    â€œShields are not used in your land?” Karl showed a glimmer of surprise. So the ice-man had emotions, after all.
    â€œNo,” Christopher replied honestly enough, “they’re not terribly fashionable anymore.”
    Karl borrowed a shield and a helmet, and armed himself with an ax handle from the woodpile. Christopher belatedly remembered there would be no protective gear or padded weapons. He would have to trust to the young soldier’s skill and discipline to not get hurt.
    When he performed the traditional half-bow