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How To Deliver Justice (with KiraMusani

Clair took the sword back and sheathed it with a smile.
"Thanks" she replied though felt a little bad.

Diana nodded at the request and unsheathed her sword. She then offered it to Beaumont. Who after recomposing herself reached for the sword and as she grabbed the handle thought she had a hold of it, until Diana released it and she came crashing down to her knees.

"Ahh!" She called out in both surprise and pain as her hands her temporarily pinned to the ground by the sword until she managed to pull them free rubbing them.
"What kind of trickery is this!? No way those are ordinary swords!" She barked.
 
Olivia raised an eyebrow and held onto her smirk, as Sapphire, still not realizing she also was being tested, by being shown her Amazon heritage, picked Diana's sword up and handed it back to her with a solemn diplomatic curtsy (she's in a dress, and didn't know she should bow like an Amazon).

"Beatrice, did you not see who you challenge pick up both swords with no problem? Don't you know who Diana is?" Her smirk had become maddening. "Fine. Let her off the hook. Clair, will you tell Ms Prideful who's sword you have and who made it? And... I'm sure you know, who Diana is?"
 
Clair cleared her throat.
"Well umm, I crafted this sword, and although it was only meant for me and Avenger to use, turns out it can be used by myself and any Amazonian." Clair explained.

"And I am an Amazonian, and this is my sword that share a similar property." Diana added.

Ethel simply watched, staying there as a witness.
 
Sapphire looked genuinely puzzled by the remarks. "I shouldn't have been able to lift that sword, then!" This caused Bernice Beaumont to raise an eyebrow. "I don't know much about my mother's side, just that royal blood flows in my veins and it's through both mother and father. Father is Prince Topaz. And the House of Amethyst, our Great House of the Jewel Kingdom, has only been around since my great-grandmother, Princess Cassiopeia came to the kingdom. I don't know what she's a princess of originally."

Maybe Diana will recognize the name, and clue Sapphire in to her maternal heritage. Sapphire was a princess either way, being the daughter of the current prince of the House of Blue Topaz AND House of Amethyst.

Meanwhile, Olivia turned to Clair. "That checks out with Lythikos. Lythikan smithies also are the only ones who can hold a sword or mace of any kind fashioned for another tribe. Including the Amazons. Did you know Avenger was part Amazon? For it to be attuned to Amazons, any Amazons, you would have needed something like blood or hair from the Avenger. It's the only way to make an Amazon sword or other battlement. Including armour."

She caught Diana looking. "Ask Cassandra. I made her armour for when she gets her kingdom in Scandinavia. I need a crest and a tailor to make her cape. The Armour is ready, and in my castle, in the armoury."
 
Diana did indeed lean in and whisper to Sapphire, catching her up so to speak about her lineage.

Clair nodded.
"Yes, I needed a way to mark her as a user, I didn't know about the Amazonian thing, that was an accident." She admitted.
"I went to one of her combat encounters and found of umm, elements of her that were left behind."
 
Sapphire grimaced and turned to Diana. "Maybe I should go with you and learn more about my great grandmother. To think I'm related to the Amazons of Themiscyra! I still don't quite get how the Greek muse Cassiopeia ties into my ancestor of the same name." Learning she was Amazon was hard enough, but now her curiosity was piqued.

Olivia and Clara both raised their eyebrows at Clair's relevation. Clara cleared her throat. "Surely ye moost be mistaken. T' nae know makin' such a weapon was an Amazon thing... Ye cannae be serious. What'd ye do if ye guessed wrong, and Avenger wouldnae be able t' lift it either? Ye'd hae a sword ye'd hae t' gift a real Amazon!"

Olivia rubbed her chin. "Even though it was never stated, and at first her identity was unknown, the fact The Crimson Avenger was both female and a strong warrior was quite apparent. I should have put two and two together a lot sooner than her surprise unmasking earlier, at the polo match."

Clair had a chance to kid both her friends: Laird Clara for calling her Shirley, and beating Olivia for having knowledge, albeit an educated guess, on Calla's secret before Olivia, one of the most knowledgeable people on all things noble and royal in all of Europe.
 
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Diana nodded.
"We could certainly investigate, at the very least the other Amazons may want to know about this"

Clair looked to Clara to clarify.
"Well, the Amazon part was an accident, I tried to make it so just me and her could use it, but I must have messed up and accidentally used her hair to make it work with any Amazon, Also I am Clair, not Shirley. But we could do more tests if you have doubts, try and get a non-Amazon to lift it that isn't me"

"To be honest that unmasking was a bit of a relief for me, I am no good at lying and stuff, so keeping that secret would have been difficult for me" She looked to Olivia.
 
Clara gave a scoffing chuckle at the barb. "Aye, an' Ah deserved that. Dinnae mean it lik Ah wuz callin' ye Shirley, tho."

She nodded at the recommendation. "Sure, an' tha's a right proper move. We already know Beatrice, Olivia and myself, we cannae e'en lift th' bloody thing. Sapphire, Avenger, Diana and Cassandra can wi' nary a problem. It goes to figure no man can. Has th' doctor or th' princess sweet on ye? An' aboot Cinnamon an' Amanda, yer fellow low end nobles? Hae they tried?" For that matter, Millicent and Ariel hadn't either.

Olivia raised an eyebrow. "You're not exactly lying, Clair, you're just not telling everything you know or are privy to. That's a requirement when you're dealing with things like state secrets. There's things Kenna has told me to keep from Ruby, her own daughter, and I daren't break the Queen's trust, especially considering how much the Nevrakis family has done to CAUSE the Queen's mistrust. Your parents may have told you things only family can know. Keeping those quiet isn't lying, and actually is honouring your parents. Sometimes, some secrets should be kept."
 
Clair nodded to each of them.
"Right, so should we test to see if any of the others can lift it to? or maybe even perhaps some of the relatives of the ones we know can lift it as well" She suggested to Clara.
"And yeah, I know a secret and a lie are not the same thing, I mean there is the lie of omission but, I don't know it gets all complicated in my head."
 
Clara shook her head. "Now, I dinnae be thinkin' ye gotta be goin' tha' far, Clair. Best t' be savin' tha' test til after the duel anyway."

Olivia nodded. "Right. Meanwhile, we should get a good night's sleep and be up a while before dawn. It's swords, or rather in this case rapiers, at dawn. To present the duelers with the dulled rapiers, we have to be up before dawn."
 
Bright and early the next morning, Beatrice, despite everything, still wanted to face Princess Sapphire in the fencing duel, insisting SHE was the one insulted.

Sapphire paced in her tent, about 15 minutes before sunrise as Olivia and Clair would arrive. "I'm sorry I had to rouse you afore the sun, and after sleeping on it, I decided you should lend your new rapier to the princess. I'll deal with Beaumont, and hopefully convince her to let go of her stupid pride. She insulted the Jewel Kingdom Princess, not the other way around. Go to Sapphire, I think Diana and Grovershire are in there with her." She encouraged. "Talk to her. Encourage her."
 
Clair nodded.
"Right, and no worries, I am pretty used to operating on low sleep, besides the last few days I have had to get proper sleep anyway, so I am good to have a single day to get up early" Clair replied before the parted ways.
"Good luck" She waved and made her way to sapphire.

Clair heard the others talking and walked in.
"Hey, I brought my rapier for you to use in the fight" SHe said offering her the weapon.
"I'm sorry we couldn't get her to back down, but I know you will do great, I made this one myself, I hope it meets your standards"

Diana spoke up next.
"We have been giving tips, and we are sure Sapphire won't have any issues in this combat"
 
Calla Grovershire chuckled. "Which means Diana has been giving actual tips. I've just been pointing out the difference between English duels and mainland Europe. Apparently Sunrise duels aren't a thing in Greece. This should have happened at day's end according to these two. Something about not letting the sun set on your anger." A casual shrug.

Sapphire thanked Clair, before motioning for all to step back, and let her give a few practice swipes in, before scrutinizing the level of the sword, closing one eye as she peered along its gleaming edge, and checking it's strength. "Well made." The Jewel Kingdom Princess finally nodded. "Lythikan steel, also. I don't have to fight much, and rather not, so if I can commission you for a regular strength rapier I can buy at the time of the court season's end?" She asked, peering between the sword as she brought it up to her face.

Grovershire raised an eyebrow. "She's asking for your favour in her duel, if I'm not mistaken her actions. Give her a cleaning rag, or handkerchief of yours. She also said end of the season, so don't rush her rapier. You've got about four weeks."

Actually, she was asking favour of any of her three supporters, through her movements with, and unvocal appraisal of the sword, and Diana was the only other true princess, and a warrior, at that.
 
Diana gave a light chuckle.
"Yes well, either way, we are both helping her prepare."

Clair nodded.
"I have a lot I am doing currently, but given the time allowed I think I can do that" She nodded.

"Oh, a favour? umm," Clair looked to the others, Diana who returned her look.
"Well Clair giving you her own rapier, I am sure that is essentially her favour, and well, here, though I expect this back" She said offering her one of her bracelets.
 
Sapphire gave a curt nod to both Clair and Diana after the gift of the bracelet. "As I'm borrowing the rapier. I will return both after the match. Thank you for your favour then, ladies. I believe I am ready."

Commotion could be heard outside on the chosen grounds, between Clara, Olivia and Beatrice. Beatrice being the loudest, "Come out of there Jewel Princess, unless you're a coward! Enough of your stalling!"

Sapphire sighed. "Someone does need to be knocked down off her impossibly high horse and taught humility, doesn't she? Embarrassing." She tutted, sliding the bracelet on her wrist and lower arm. "I can't believe that woman actually WANTS this fight? What will it prove?"

Grovershire sighed and looked at Clair. "No wonder you keep to yourself more, Clair. She's right. Why bother watch this duel that Beaumont actually started."
 
Both Diana and Clari gave a nod in response.
"Good luck"

Clair blushed at the comment from Groveshire.
"Heh, I sure hope this doesn't make you more reclusive like myself, then we would have learned opposite lessons heh" She smiled.
 
Grovershire shrugged. "Probably won't. I'm a knight in the King's Army. I even have the same name as our beloved, very extraverted princess. I become a hermit, I'll bring shame on the name of 'Calla Lily'. Plain and simple."

The clashing of the swords could be heard as Olivia's back unto the flap entrance could be seen. "Watch that parry, Sapphire! Beatrice, this is fencing not swordfighting of that calibre! Oi, Beaumont, watch where you swing that thing, or I'LL slice you to ribbons, myself!"

Olivia leapt out of the way with a yelp as a rapier, not the one Clair had made, flew into the tent after Sapphire wrested it from Beatrice's grip. Although dulled for the duel, the Lythikan steel sword would still do serious damage if it hit either Grovershire or Clair.
 
Clair smiled.
"Well that's good, I would have felt bad if I rub off on you in a bad way"

Clair watched the duel, but as the sword came flying in their direction all Clair could react with is holding her arms up, not having the combative instinct for anything else.

Luckily Diana was there as well and reacted quickly to catch the blade by the handle.
"Careful!"
 
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Beatrice was steaming mad, and was calling the Jewel Kingdom Princess a cheat, while Clara, Avenger and King Gregor had seen everything and was saying otherwise.

Olivia picked herself up off the ground and walked in without dusting herself off. She noticed Diana and heaved a sigh of relief. "Thank your Olympian gods and goddesses you were here Diana. If you can't tell by the commotion, Sapphire won the duel, fair and square." She noticed Grovershire staring at her with an eyebrow raised and a slight smirk. "Waddaya lookin' at ya wannabe princess knight?!" She huffed, not realizing she had dust, dirt and grass all over her pantsuit. Olivia's barb her direction only caused Grovershire to chuckle. Olivia looked to Clair. "What's Duchess Calla-butt's problem?!" Grovershire broke into laughter.
 
Diana nodded and smiled.
"No worries, I am happy to help."

Clair tried to hold back a chuckle as well.
"Hehe, I don't know, I try not to judge others too harshly, everyone as a story, you know?" She replied trying to be neutral.
 
Glaring the Duchess of Grovershire's direction, and still not knowing she needed to dust off, Olivia simply nodded. "I suppose." She held out her hand to Diana. "I'll just retrieve my borrowed rapier then, if you please." She asked Diana, giving a Lythikan style warrior bow, which wasn't too unlike the Amazon warrior bow.

Sapphire was in soon after, handing the rapier she borrowed from Clair, and the bracelet to Diana. "Your favours smiled upon me." She gave as a verbal salute to the two.

"Proud and haughty hardly ever win duels, princess. That's even a standing proverb in Lythikos. You were fierce yet humble. The right mixture to win." Olivia explained.
 
Diana returned the warrior bow with her own and offered the rapier back.
"Of course, here you are"

Diana took it back and placed it on her own wrist again.
"I am glad, well fought" She gave her a warrior bow as well.

Clair smiled as she took the rapier back.
"Thanks, you did really well, I hope it felt right out there, the rapier I mean, heh, good job" She nervously gave a salute back.
 
Sapphire had heard she was descended from the proud warrior race of women, but it still didn't register. She returned Diana's bow the only way she knew from growing up in court. A low regal curtsey. She gave a less deep curtsey to Clair, before leaving. Clair, after all, wasn't royalty.

Olivia raised an eyebrow towards Sapphire. "Guess it's going to take a while to break her of that. She's Amazon... Or at least half or whatever. She and a certain other princess need to sit down and talk about their shared heritage. With maybe you, Diana, moderating." She patted her clothes, and that's when she noticed. With a sharp tongue click, she brushed herself off. "Thanks for nothing ladies, least you could have done was tell me I wasn't presentable! Honestly!" She shot, annoyed.

Grovershire excused herself. "I guess I better go as well. Just in case Gregor wants me to talk to Dame Amethyst, Sunrise or Sir Tuxford." She bowed and headed out.
 
Diana nodded to Olivia.
"That sounds good to me," She replied to Olivia.
"Right, we will be sure to let you know next time, goodbye" She commented to Grovershire.

She turned back toward Olivia.
"I'll be heading out for now, but we can schedule that talk sometime." She offered before heading out as well.

Meanwhile Clair waved to sapphire as she left, after she had already given and received the bow of course.
"Hey Olivia, I think I'll return to my workshop if you want to join, unless there was something else we needed to do that is."

Meanwhile Ethel was leaning on a wall, in Olivia's view looking at her like she wanted to talk.
 
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