235/1/25.
It did not take long. The following Monday, after classes this time, Nava was back with the SSF. This time, Devin Girard was there as well, apparently unwilling to risk a second judgement against him. This time there was also an audience: Devin’s three cronies were there, Melissa and Rochester had come along to provide support, and Luca Newton and Mitsuko had arrived to watch the proceedings. The teacher was likely there to determine whether she had a problem student in her class, or maybe to provide support.
The subject of the inquiry this time was…
‘Nava Ward has been spreading rumours about me,’ Devin proclaimed. ‘I have it on good authority that someone has been claiming that I am an honourless coward. I have witnesses who have seen Nava Ward spreading this disinformation. I demand that I be allow to challenge her such that I may clear my good name.’
Courtney was sitting in judgement again. She looked a little tired. ‘We have received written statements from several students…’ Her gaze shifted to the three boys sitting together behind Devin. So, the witnesses were about as credible as Nava’s accuser. ‘These corroborate Devin Girard’s claim. How do you answer, Nava Ward?’
Nava, standing at the end of the table again, considered her answer carefully. To everyone around her, it seemed that there was a brief pause before she spoke in the same uninflected tone she always did. ‘I have been spreading no such rumours regarding Devin Girard. The witnesses are mistaken.’
‘She’s calling them liars!’ Devin barked.
‘Devin Girard,’ Courtney said, ‘you will leave the proceedings of the SSF to its members.’ There was a hard edge to her voice; Courtney really did not like Devin. ‘Are you calling these witnesses liars, Nava Ward?’
There was another brief pause. ‘Yes.’ She went on before anyone could respond. ‘Further, while I have spread no rumours regarding Devin Girard, he is a dishonourable coward intent on committing his eighth legalised murder.’
‘Silence!’ Courtney shouted over the ensuing chaos. The roars of anger from Devin’s side almost drowned out the sound of Melissa having a fit behind Nava. The other members of the SSF were shouting almost as loud as Devin’s people. Silence happened, if a little slowly. ‘Nava Ward, you understand that making such a claim means that you will be required to accept the challenge from Devin Girard?’
‘Courtney Martell.’ The voice came from behind Nava, but to one side. Mitsuko had decided to intervene.
‘The chair recognises Mitsuko Trenton,’ Courtney said.
‘Thank you. My impression of Nava Ward is that she would not stoop to spreading rumours regarding another student. I believe the testimony suggesting that she did is… mistaken, as she put it. Perhaps she was misheard. Further, Nava Ward is clanless and has not grown up with the deep understanding of honour within each clan. I believe she should be given the opportunity to withdraw her statement without recourse to a duel.’
‘I see. Nava Ward?’
‘I give my sincere thanks to Mitsuko Trenton,’ Nava said. ‘However, I stand by my words. I will ask that Devin Girard withdraws his challenge and his complaint now, before things go further.’
‘Oh?’ Devin said, half laughing the word. ‘And what will you do if I don’t?’
‘I’ll accept. Name the time and place.’
~~~
Devin was a little surprised to see Mitsuko standing outside his apartment door, but he did his best not to show it. He sneered. ‘Come to beg me to let your friend off the hook?’ he asked as he grandly gestured for her to enter. His family had seen to it that he got the best accommodation available. His apartment was as well appointed as Mitsuko’s, but not as tidy. There were cleaning robots for the best blocks, but even a device like that could not keep up with someone who was, essentially, a slob.
‘I’ve come to suggest that you withdraw your challenge,’ Mitsuko said. Looking around, she decided that she would not ask to sit. There was every possibility that she would discover she was stuck to whatever she sat on when she tried to leave. ‘Unfortunately, Nava Ward is not my friend. I believe that she might be a very interesting person to get to know, but she is not my friend.’
‘Then why the Hell are you defending a clanless, support stream coward? A freak! Have you looked at her? She only has one expression. She talks like a damn robot. She’s got no idea about honour. Why are you protecting her?’
‘You seem to be under some misapprehension, Devin Girard. I am not protecting Nava Ward.’
‘What?’
‘I am not protecting you either. I am here to try to avoid an embarrassment to our clan.’
‘What?’
‘If you win, Nava Ward’s words are still on record. You will have proven her false in the eyes of the law, but public opinion is another matter. Your actions will be seen as those of a bully, destroying any weaker opponent you believe you can get away with. If you lose–’
‘I won’t lose against a support stream weakling!’
‘If you lose, then she will have proven you false.’
‘That isn’t going to–’
‘It would be far better for you to withdraw your challenge, saying that her charge is beneath your dignity to answer. Beyond that, I think you assume too much about Nava Ward’s combat abilities. You believe her weak and an easy target, but you have not really met her.’
‘Careful, princess,’ Devin said, his voice low and angry. ‘Your words flirt with the same claim the orphan made.’
Mitsuko flicked away the accusation. ‘Challenge me, Devin Girard, and I will dismantle you. Then my family will dismantle yours. You’ll be clanless and penniless and, given your duelling record, dead within a year. Do as your honour demands and put your clan before your petty desires. Withdraw your challenge.’
‘I don’t ever back down from a duel.’
Turning, Mitsuko started back across the plush but somewhat matted carpet to the door. ‘Then on your own head be
