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Volume 1 - Beggar Knight [right]A Test of Strength and Honour[/right]
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Duncan watched as the sun began to set, the camp emerging before them. An army of tents made from various exquisite fabrics had small lanterns hanging down from their entrances, almost mirroring the sea of stars that enveloped the night sky above them. Mehdi had cradled his rifle the entire journey here, and Duncan noticed him checking over it and testing the sights as the sun began to sink behind the horizon. The darkness. He had met only two people since waking up and both of them seemed terrified of whatever happened at night in this desert. 

"You must meet with the Sheikh. Merlin's contract is not just for your benefit and I fear he will test you before allowing you to fill your end of the bargain. I will vouch for you, but he is a harsh man. Fear not my friend if you must face the night, you will not do it alone."

Duncan shifted in his seat. Nothing ever came easy.

Duncan’s muscles tensed as they approached the sprawling camp, a glimmering array of colorful tents. He could feel the weight of the desert's silence, only broken by the distant rustle of fabric in the wind. The people here moved with purpose, and all eyes seemed to track Duncan as he dismounted from his camel.

Mehdi nodded toward a larger tent at the center of the camp. "The Sheikh awaits. He is a man of tradition, and honor matters here more than anything. Show him respect, and all may go smoothly."

Duncan, despite his fatigue, straightened his posture as he took in the full spectacle of the camp. This was a place that thrived on tradition, on ideals, and honour. It reminded him faintly of the court of Arthur, or what he could remember of it. He nodded towards Mehdi, signalling to him he was ready for whatever test they had prepared for him.

As they approached a guard standing post outside the large tent opened up one of its entrance flaps, revealing an opulent interior. Cushions lined the ground, and lanterns cast flickering golden light across rich tapestries that adorned the walls. The scent of burning incense filled the air and guards stood watch with their hands on their weapons, eyes suspicious and alert.

At the center, seated on a lavish cushion surrounded by his warriors was the Sheikh. He was an imposing man—tall, broad-shouldered, and with eyes sharp as a hawk’s. His beard was thick and black, streaked with silver, and his robes were pristine and decorated with intricate embroidery. His eyes tracked Duncan like he was prey as he approached.

As the two came to a stop in front of the Sheikh, Mehdi stepped forward, slinging his rifle over his shoulder and bowing slightly. "Sheikh Omar, I have brought the knight as promised. He is here to fulfill his part of the contract."

The Sheikh's eyes narrowed as his gaze shifted to Duncan. He stroked his beard in thought before speaking. "A knight you say?" His voice was deep and commanded respect. "You look more like a beggar in borrowed armour. In my land, a title is not enough to prove your worth. Strength, not stories, will be the only thing that can save you out in the night."

A murmur of laughter erupted from the crowd of warriors that sat in various parts of the tent. Duncan remained resolute, but he could feel every eye on him, weighing him, judging him. He knew better than to protest the insult. After all, maybe the statement had more truth than he'd like to admit. In his time under the sand he'd lost everything, all of his equipment, even the Ebony blade. He was no more a knight than Mehdi.

The Sheikh allowed the silence to continue on for another few uncomfortable moments, struggling to maintain his neutral expression as a playful smile broke onto his face. He rose his hand and beckoned over one his men in the corner. A giant man rose from his seated position, towering over those around him as he lumbered his way in front of Duncan. His arms and legs were as thick as tree trunks, with scars like roots tracing their way across any visible part of skin he had showing.

"If you wish to prove your worth, you will fight Omar. He is one of my finest warriors. No weapons will be permitted. Only then shall we see if your courage matches your title, Beggar Knight."

The murmur of the crowd grew louder, some of the warriors chuckling among themselves. Duncan stood his ground, his eyes locking with Omar's. The warrior’s grin widened as he sized Duncan up, he was two, maybe three heads taller than the knight.

The two turned to leave the tent to begin the test in the middle of the camp. As Duncan began to leave he glanced over to Mehdi, who gave him a slight nod and a wry smile. This was a test, a chance to earn their respect and prove his place among them.

As they reached the centre of the camp a crowd gathered. Farmers, women, children, and of course the Sheikh and his warriors all formed a large circle around the two. Echoes of giggling and chatter reverberated through the desert as the two stood staring each other down, bathed in the light of the campfires and the moon overhead. The Sheikh took his place on an elevated seat and with one word the brawl started.

"Begin."

Without hesitation, Omar rushed at Duncan like a rhino. His speed was surprising for a man his size, but his dexterity was not. Duncan managed to sidestep the initial charge, his reflexes rapidly coming back to him after his slumber as the adrenaline pumped its way into his bloodstream. 

But Omar was relentless. Duncan could understand why he was one of the Sheikh's best warriors, he would have made a stalwart ally in the fight against Mordred all those years ago. He did his best to dodge or block the thunderous punches Omar rained down upon him. He could feel his arms bruising and his guard weakening as he waited for the opportune moment to strike. Just then, Omar overextended his arm on a wide swing attempting to get around Duncan's guard, Duncan bobbed and weaved the punch, circling around the giant as he drove a heavy hook into his ribs, causing Omar to stumble backwards, his hand instinctively clutching the affected area.

The crowd gasped in surprise, and for a second a look of shock and anger spread on Omar's face, before being replaced with an even wider grin than before. Finally, a challenge.

"Not bad for a beggar." Omar said, his voice a low growl. They locked eyes again. Duncan was smiling too now. It had been too long since he'd had a good fight.

The battle continued, Omar's brute force becoming less of an obstacle as Duncan started relieing on his agility and speed more. He kept mobile, attempting to tire Omar out before delivering a knockout blow. He could feel his muscles burning as he moved. If this went on any longer he might collapse, but he pushed through every ache and pain. 

Finally, his chance. Omar, breathing heavily now, lunged wildly at him. Duncan dodged once more, grabbing the huge arm and using Omar's momentum to trip and throw him to the ground. He quickly held his foot on his throat, preventing him from rising as Omar lay on the ground, that grin never leaving his face. The crowd fell silent for a moment, unsure whether they should cheer or attack the knight for besting their guardian. The silence was broken by the Sheikh, laughing as he parted the crowd and approached, clapping all the while.

"Good, good, Beggar knight! No one has bested Omar in years, and certainly not a foreigner." He slid a dagger sheathed in an ornate scabbard from his belt and handed it to Duncan. Duncan held the knife in his hand. "Now, as is tradition, I give you my blade to finish the battle. Kill Omar and you will be one of us, we cannot allow one of our best to be defeated by a foreigner, even one who is a knight."

Duncan's brow furrowed at the order. He held the sheathed dagger in his hand as he looked down at Omar, whose grin was now replaced with a look of shock and pleading. Duncan's eyes glanced down at the hilt of the dagger, and he slowly unsheathed the blade, staring at the metal as it gleamed under the light of the moon. Intricate patterns decorated the dagger, images of battles long since fought and animals ridden by mighty warriors told a grand story Duncan didn't know. Before the knife was fully unsheathed, he slid it back into its scabbard. Looking up at the Sheikh with fury in his eyes he tossed the weapon onto the sand in front of the desert leader. He removed his foot from Omar's throat and stepped back.

"I will not. Your man fought valiantly and it would not be right to murder him in cold blood. I would give my life as forfeit before following this crude request, Sheikh." 

The crowd gasped once more, and a rumble of conversation broke out. Duncan stood tall, catching a glimpse of Mehdi once more, that same wry smile playing on his lips as he stood, arms crossed watching what was unfolding. The Sheikh allowed the noise to go on for a while longer before he raised his hand and everyone fell silent. Another few moments passed before he spoke.

"Beggar knight, I give you the mercy of sparing your life in exchange for his and instead you would spit upon our millenia old tradition? So be it. The Bedouin are honor bound to Merlin's contract. But Omar must die." He picked his dagger up from the ground, quickly unsheathing it and thrusting the blade into Omar's stomach. The giant let out a painful gasp as his eyes widened and he fell to the floor clutching his midsection. One last death rattle escaped his lips as his eyes closed and he fell to the floor.

Sensing what was about to happen, the Sheikh's guards leapt onto Duncan before he could finish leaping at the Sheikh. Duncan was an inch away from the Sheikh's face struggling against the robed men holding him back. The Sheikh regarded him with disdain, before laughter eminating from the ground next to them broke the tension. The Sheikh let a smile pass his lips, before joining in on the laughter as he helped Omar up, the familiar wide grin on his face as he looked back at Duncan's confused expression. 

"Beggar Knight," the Sheikh said, chuckling as he showed the retractable dagger, pressing its tip against his palm to reveal the hidden trick. "A small test of your character. You are strong, yes, but now we see that you are also honorable."

Duncan let out a slow breath, his tense muscles beginning to relax as the Sheikh’s smile remained. The guards released him, and Omar clapped a firm hand on his shoulder, his laughter growing louder.

"You, my friend, are truly a great warrior!" Omar exclaimed warmly. "It’s been too long since I’ve had such entertainment! Not since Mehdi outshot me in a hunting contest."

Duncan glanced at Mehdi, who gave him a knowing smile and slight nod. The crowd dispersed as the Sheikh led Duncan away from the center of the camp. “Come,” he said, gesturing towards a larger tent near the outskirts of the camp, "Tonight, we feast. You’ve proven your strength, now we shall see how well you fare against our wine."