Chapter 272: Second Round of the Duel
Winterfell, Stark Lands
POV of Domeric Bolton
'Will Brandon Stark never walk again?'
Even the nearby guards were stunned by Domeric's news. For many in this era, being a cripple was worse than death.
At least Brandon Stark was a nobleman, not someone from the smallfolk. So, he didn't have to fear being abandoned by his family or starving, but being a cripple still meant he would be despised by many for the rest of his life.
"Lady Stark, please don't despair too soon. I said, 'If it stays this way,' didn't I? The Maesters may be helpless in Bran's situation, but I'm not. I can take Bran to the Dreadfort and heal him."
"Really? Then I will begin preparations to have Bran taken to the Dreadfort at once." Lady Stark said in a hopeful voice.
"That wouldn't be appropriate, my lady. Bran is in a sensitive period right now, waiting for his body to recover. He shouldn't be moved around too much during this time, and he shouldn't be tired. After Bran wakes up, I will personally send my men to bring him to the Dreadfort for treatment. Don't worry, when Bran returns to Winterfell, he will be the healthy boy he was before."
Lady Stark burst into tears at that and took both his hands in hers, and took them to her forehead while bowing to him. "Thank you," she sobbed, "Thank you so much."
Domeric looked at the two Stark guards who were looking as uncomfortable in this situation as he was. He gave them a helpless look, and the bastards turned their heads away.
It took a few minutes of consoling and a few subtle calming charms to get her to stop crying, at which point he removed his hands from her grip and practically ran away from her.
Domeric had a duel to prepare for and a sword to win after all.
Meanwhile, one of the guards headed towards Lord Stark's Solar to report what he had heard and Lady Stark's situation.
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About three hours later.
"This seems familiar." Domeric said, looking around at the crowd cheering for him, "Almost as if we've done this once before."
Jamie Lannister had no clever quip for him this time. The Kingsguard was gazing back at him with utmost focus, half his face hidden behind the shield he was carrying.
It seemed the Lannister ponce was not so confident about his sword/dagger strategy this time and had changed the dagger for a shield after his last humiliating defeat.
"Begin!" King Robert said with a clap, and the fight began in almost the same way as the last one, as instead of charging, they both started circling each other in unison.
Looking at how focused Jamie was in this fight, Domeric decided to get ready as well.
It wouldn't do if he lost to the man after the body modification ritual and being trained by both Raksa and Varko.
They both closed the distance between each other while circling, and then Jamie charged once again.
There was no war cry this time. Jamie was silent and focused as he swung his sword at him. He blocked it with his shield and then quickly moved out of the way of a shield bash.
They both separated from each other, Jamie's eyes boring in his own. Then Jamie charged once again.
He raised his shield to block the attack, but it was a feint. He blocked Jamie's real attack, a stab to his shin with his superior reflexes, and almost got a shield bash to the face as a result, but his reflexes saved him once again.
He moved, but Jamie chased after him, not willing to let go of the perceived advantage.
Unlike yesterday, Jamie was showing far more skill and cunning with his sword/shield combination, trying to keep him on the back foot and keep him there until he inevitably made a mistake and left himself open.
That did not happen.
His superior strength and speed put a quick end to Jamie's onslaught as they both locked swords and shield against each other.
He saw frustration, rage, and helplessness in Jamie's eyes as Domeric 'pushed' with his shield. Jamie fell back, skidded, and rolled for a good three meters before coming to a stop.
Before Jamie could get his bearings, he charged at the man and kicked him in the face.
Jamie raised his shield to protect himself, but it was at the wrong angle. The foot struck the shield and took it all the way to his face.
Jamie did a pathetic somersault and fell on his back. A few trickles of blood were coming down from his visor.
Domeric heard the Queen shouting something from her seat beside the King, but he was too focused on Jamie to care about her.
He allowed Jamie to get up this time. The knight did so with shaky legs, and Domeric held the urge to charge the man and punch him to oblivion as he realized that this might be a trap.
He held his shield before him and walked forward.
In the last moment, Jamie's knees steadied, and he went for an overhead strike.
Instead of blocking it and giving Jamie another chance to attack him, Domeric sidestepped the attack with relative ease and bashed Jamie's shield with his own.
Jamie fell back and rolled two times before he steadied himself in a kneeling position, his shield and sword still held tightly in his arms.
Jamie shook his head and rose from the ground. Only to meet yet another shield bash from him.
The force behind the shield bash threw him a foot back, and he rolled around in a tangle of limbs for a few times before he skidded to a stop.
The people cheered, and the Queen screamed.
Domeric thought it was over as Jamie didn't even move for a good few seconds.
Then Jamie slowly picked himself up, raised his sword against him, and moved it in a 'come' motion.
Domeric respected the man's resolve. But that alone would not save Jamie from him this time. The Kingslayer had to pay the price for throwing a little boy off a tower.
Domeric walked slowly for the first few steps and then charged at Jamie.
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Next Chapters' Name:
Ch.273: The Duel Concluded
Ch.274: Time to Return to the Dreadfort
Ch.275: Bandit Attack