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Gulool Ja Ja had to take a knee for the first time since this fight began. One of his eyes closed, as the venerable weaponmaster panted hard. The Vow of Reason remained oddly silent still with only the Vow of Resolve being active. Ashlyn paid it no mind. For he was still quite formidable. Were he at his full strength, she most assuredly would have had to channel this much sooner or the fight would have ended much earlier.

Blood almost seemed to flow freely from both of them as they stared each other down. In an explosive move, the combatants dashed to each other. Deflecting and trading blows with one another in a flurry of steel on steel. Yet, try as they might, neither could land a decisive blow.

Hit after hit goes unconnected. This continues for a few minutes more before finally the palace doors slam open. “Dawnservant! I have news about the rite of succession!” A servant shouted amid the clashes of steel. Hearing this, he backed off. Ashlyn recognized the sign to stop fighting and paused herself. “Ha Ha! I rarely get to enjoy this as I have these past days! First that man Estinien, then that adventuerer from across the sea. Now you! I thank you friend. You are indeed a worthy adversary.”

There was a weariness to his voice, but even as his rumble calmed down and he moved to the throne to be mended and deal with his news. Ashlyn nodded. “And you are all the fighter I could have wished to duel against. Thank you for letting me test myself against you. I fear how it would have turned out had you still had the vigor of your youth.” The Viera responded. Though her voice was not just her own. There was almost a twinned quality to it.

Before anyone could worry though, Ashlyn had closed her eyes. The aura died down, her blade shattered and reformed back in to her Thorn. As the bunny opened them once more, they were back to their calm deep blue again. Bowing, she began walking away before stumbling for a moment. Though, thanks to her entourage. There was no shortage of help to get the bunny back to her own cabin and mended.

As she walked away, Gulool Ja Ja just smiled at her. Knowing that deep within her heart beat the heart of a warrior who reveled in combat just as much as he...