<div class="floatright"><div align="center">(https://i.imgur.com/XVTQGQr.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/zul5hep.jpg)</div></div><br/>The meeting with the matronly vampire brought about a slew of revelations. Not only had Sera not been kidnapped by the Countess, and came to the manor of her own free will, but the two of them were engaged to wed (which not only explained her sudden disappearance, but also why the Adventurer's Guild had refused to investigate the matter, for they were already in the know). While they had not shared the full story of how they had met and fallen in love, what had been made clear was that Sera's father, Lord Blackcrest, would not approve. His hatred for Carmilla was only equaled by his protectiveness for his daughter, so if they wished to be married in peace, he would have to be dealt with, and so the Countess countered Lord Blackcrest's offer with one of her own.<br/><br/>However contrary to the gang's assumptions, the noble undead did not wish to see Lord Blackcrest come to harm or put to death. Instead they would take a more subversive approach, and target one of his greatest weaknesses: his pride. Harlan Blackcrest was a renown duelist, having claimed fame and fortune fighting in the Wyrmfell's grand arena, the literal center of the city. While he was well past his fighting years, he still took great pride in being a former champion, in the prestige and honor won through skill and valor, and there was nothing he respected more than the terms of a fair duel. Many would consider this a virtue, but Carmilla saw it for what it really was: an opportunity.<br/><br/><br/><br/><div align="center">(https://i.imgur.com/MGigRdw.jpg)</div>The plan was simple in concept, though challenging in execution. Firstly the Second Chance Club was sent back to the city, to meet again with Lord Blackcrest. However they would not be bringing Sera in tow, but come bearing a letter penned by her hand:<br/><br/><em>Dearest Father<br/><br/>Through strange circumstance I have found myself interned within the dark halls of Countess Feratti's mansion. I fear not for my life, for no harm has come to me so far, but it has been made clear I shall not be granted freedom without a price. The adventurers you sent attempted to rescue me, but were stopped by the Countess and her minions. However through their charm and guile they have convinced Lady Carmilla to grant us a chance to set me free. To that end she has issued you a formal challenge, a duel by proxy at the grand arena. You are to choose a champion to represent you in this duel, who will face off against Carmilla's own chosen champion. If you win the duel then the Countess has sworn to set me free, allowing me to return home unscarred. However should she win, she shall keep me here for as long as she pleases, and you most give up your efforts to rescue me. She claims this is the fairest way to settle the matter without bloodshed, but I know in truth she wishes to deliver yet another blow to your pride and reputation. Even knowing that, I beg you Father, please accept her challenge. I wish for nothing more than to return home, and I fear this might be the only way. The Countess has bid me to write out the terms of the duel, failure to adhere to them shall null the agreement and any hope of my freedom will be lost. She has made it clear they are not up to negotiation.<br/><br/></em><div style="text-align: right;"><em>With love and hope,<br/>Sera</em></div><br/><em>-Harlan Blackcrest and Carmilla Feratti shall contend in a Duel by Proxy<br/>-The duel is to be held within the Grand Arena, with official sanction, in full view of the public<br/>-The duel shall be fought with sword and shield, with the use of magic or powers prohibited<br/>-The duel shall be contested under the Blue Rules, with victory determined by either submission or incapacitation. Intentional lethality is prohibited, as judged by Arena officials.<br/>-Harlan Blackcrest is allowed to select a representative fighter from amongst the following members of the Second Chance Club: Katra, Valna, Juro the Druid, and Peaches Fizzwhimsy. No other champion may be selected or substituted. <br/>-The winner of the duel shall be awarded custody of Sera Blackcrest, with her consent given to either outcome.</em><br/><br/>Included with the letter was her signet ring and a few drops of fresh blood; the ring as proof that it had truly come from Sera, and the blood so that a scryer's spell could confirm that she yet lived. To say that Lord Blackcrest was unpleased with this outcome was an understatement. The emotions that played across his face as he read the letter were unbridled, and the contempt in his eyes as he stared down the party was palpable. However for as much as he wanted to, he could not just berate them for their failure and send them away. Like it or not he would have to accept this challenge, and like it or not he would have to choose one of them as his champion. He needed them if he wanted to get back his daughter. Little did he know that the party was actually aligned with Carmilla, and now conspired to rig the duel in the vampire's favor. Perhaps if he had been in a better state of mind he would have been more scrutinous, but as he was now he had not whiffed out their deception. At least not yet. In the end Katra had been chosen for the role of champion, owing to her sturdiness and skill with a blade, with Lord Blackcrest woefully unaware that her spectral swordsmanship would not extend to a more tangible weapon.<br/><br/><div align="center">(https://i.imgur.com/aUQeMgE.jpg)</div><div class="floatright">(https://i.imgur.com/NEPKBSx.jpg)</div><br/>With the message delivered and his champion chosen, the party was dismissed from Lord Blackcrest's manor. The duel would take some time to arrange, a couple of days at the least, and so for now the group would be left to prepare as they saw fit. However it had been quite a long day, and while their resurrected bodies did not fatigue as quickly as they had in life, it had no doubt been mentally tiring enough that they would still be due some rest. All that was left was to report back to Cass'andra and fill her in on what had all happened...<br/><br/>"t-t-t-two thousand!?" she stammered, eyes wide and whole body shaking. Truth be told she hadn't even expected them to come back successful at all, let alone that they had somehow managed to talk their way into doubling their original reward. Not only that, but instead of having to slay a vampire to get it, all they had to do was lose a fight. They were<em>great</em>at losing fights! She'd argue it was the thing they were best at. It was like this job was made for them! "That's...I can't...belieeeveit......." she trailed off as she straight up fainted right in front of them, hitting the hard wooden floor with a heavy thud.