The siblings stared hard at each other and then Myron opened his mouth to let out a retort only to stop when a sharp clap called everyone's attention to Zayda who had so far been quiet to it all,
"I think it's pretty clear what should happen now," she said with a smile, "Let's have a duel. The once brilliant Myrine against the subpar but still fairly competent Myron."
Myrine cocked her head to the side confidently,
"That doesn't sound bad at all," she said, "Myron, care to run it back and have your ass kicked again?"
Myron frowned not at his Sister's words but rather at the disparaging words Zayda had used to describe him but he dared not speak the insulting retort at the tip of his tongue. Instead, he composed himself,
"A duel this night?" he asked, sounding like he was suggesting the day was over and it was much too late for a spar.
Zayda shook her head,
"No, no, Not today," She said, "Tomorrow. I'll preside."
"What about our return to the Temple?" Myron asked. Rightly, they were meant to be on their way first thing in the morning for the official handing in of Adrian's credentials as a new disciple.
Zayda waved him off,
"It can wait one more day," she said with a dismissive smile, "I want to see this."
"Will you really do this?" Lord Stygian asked his wife who briefly went silent before nodding resolutely,
"Oh course," she said, "A playful spar to put my brother in his place will be just like old times."
"It'd be anything but playful," Myron said with a smirk, "But I consent too."
It was settled.
The two spent the rest of the Feast glaring at each other and when it finally came to an end late at night, and everyone dispersed, Zayda chuckled to herself at the event she had so quickly put together but little did anyone know, she had an ulterior motive for staying just a bit longer at the Stygian Estate.
***
-The Next Morning-
Evian and Ember woke up well past dawn and the Redhead wasted no time shimmying down to the rod and kickstarting yet another session in a classic insatiable fashion.
That went on for a few hours before they finally pulled away from each other, washed themselves in the bath (proceeded to have a quickie there), and then put on clothes to exit his room to quite some surprising news.
"They're doing what?" He said to the Guard who informed him of the decision that had been made during the Feast he and Ember had declined to attend.
"Lady Myrine and Sir Myron are having a Duel at the Family Arena." the guard repeated but Evian was not really listening as he had already started walking towards the Duel's venue. Ember was close behind.
They arrived to see Stygians gathering at the Arena with Myron already on the raised stage, swinging the large sword in his hand in practice to brush up his skills, and even then, he did so with the confidence of one who did not need it.
Adrian was there with a big smile. Looking ready to cheer on his Uncle against his Mother like the unfilial scum that he was.
"Welcome you two."
"Ah," Ember let out, startled when Zayda approached them from behind and spoke in a silky voice, "Dame Zayda, I didn't hear you coming."
"You're welcome to join too, Red."
"Oh," Ember said and then smiled before giving a small curtsy, "I'll be honored."
As Ember began to gush at being 'personally' invited by a soon-to-be Commander, which was apparently a great honor, Evian's brows remained furrowed,
"What's the catch?" he asked, "What are the tests?"
Zayda shrugged,
"There are none. Only aspiring Temple Disciples require tests that certify their talent or potential. The average Outpost Knight can be weak for all anyone cares."
"That... seems lax," Evian said.
Zayda chuckled,
"Not really," she said, "To serve at the Frontlines is to put your life on the line on a long journey to prove yourself worthy of the Martial Temple's resources. The Temple loses nothing by accepting all and so it does, provided they attain a level of Martial excellence that could prove useful.
Our indiscrimate acceptance rate is what distinguishes us from the Arcane Church.
For us, the worthy move up and get a chance to truly join the Temple, while the unworthy either die or remain Outpost Knights for the rest of their existence."
Evian wasn't going to lie, he found the idea intriguing but before he could make that known, the surrounding murmurs and chatter hiked up in volume as all attention turned to the entrance of the Arena where Lord Stygian had just arrived with a hardened Lady Myrine by his side.
"Think about it," Zayda told Evian before climbing onto the stage.
Evian acknowledged her with head jerks but his attention was on his Mother who was dressed in the most Martial-ready attire he had ever seen her wear.
There were gauntlets on her arms and there was a double satchel pack behind her back with two handles sticking out of opposing ends.
Every part of her beautiful body was highlighted in an imposing manner of one ready to crush her opposition.
"Mother," he said, looking wowed as he looked from her ever-impressive bust to her face, "You look incredible."
That broke through Myrine's hardened exterior and she chuckled as she arrived in front of her Son and raised a hand to press against his cheek while staring into his eyes,
"First time you ever complimented my dressing... Do it more," she ordered while giving his cheeks a few endearing pats.
Myrine then looked at Ember,
"Dear, I apologize."
Ember shook her head quickly,
"It is I who should apologize, Ma'am... For leaving as we did." Your next chapter awaits at m,vlempyr.
Myrine smiled kindly,
"It's fine, Dear. Let's have that talk after this..." she said as she edged past both Evian and Ember and stared at her brother on the stage,
"... Right now, I need to teach a Brat a lesson in Respect."