Chapter XV: Noblewomen in Competition.

Sorcha and Ivanka are bitter enemies, two are desperate for Justinian. Either for love or only for the power, perhaps both? But I hired female spies to look after them, one is a close friend of Ivanka, while the other one is a female bodyguard for Sorcha.

I have heard from both spies that those two are planning a duel to who shall maryy Justinian without even knowing about the event, they went on. I escorted Justinian on the outskirts of Constantinople just to see the sunrise as friends, not as Emperor and the General. But we instantly saw hordes of steppe horsemen going towards us, we were on a hill on that time. However, they turned right and as we look to the direction we are facing we also saw groups of Bulgarian levymen, I saw the leaders who were leading them.. It was Sorcha and Ivanka!

Then after a brief pause, two of them suddenly turned at us and pointed at Emperor Justinian, even without the lavish clothes, they still remember him. Justinian watched them with full confusion and amazement, we fear that this encounter will trigger a war again.

However, they dismounted their horses, and soon a duel will happen.

Ivanka, was the daughter of a wealthy nobleman, and had been trained in the art of combat by the finest swordsmen in Bulgaria. She stood tall and confident, her sword arm steady and her eyes locked on her opponent.

The other, Sorcha, was a fierce noblewoman from the Cumans. She had risen through the ranks of her clan's warriors, and was known for her fierce fighting style and unyielding spirit. She stood with a fierce determination, her sword held high and her eyes burning with a fierce intensity.

The two women began to circle each other, each sizing up the other's strengths and weaknesses. Ivanka was quick on her feet, and her swordplay was precise and elegant. Sorcha, on the other hand, was powerful and relentless, striking with heavy blows that could crush an opponent's defenses.

The duel lasted for what seemed like an eternity and Justinian already planned to stop them but, as the two women clashed swords in a fierce dance of death. Blow after blow was exchanged, each one ringing out across the clearing as the two women fought with all their might.

Finally, Sorcha made a critical mistake and Ivanka took advantage, disarming her opponent, Sorcha fell to the ground, defeat in her eyes. Ivanka stood victorious, her sword held high. She offered a hand to Sorcha to help her up, and the two women shared a moment of respect and honor before parting ways as enemies no more.

Justinian was amazed in this chilvaric moment, he plans to marry them both. I was in shock when he planned that. It will trigger a controversy on the nobles and the church, I highly disagreed with his idea but he said to me in this words: "Demetrios, let's not talk about this matter anymore." Then he walked towards Ivanka, possibly saying the words of a marriage proposal.

I followed him shortly after, and he turned to me and said: "Megas Domestikos Demetrios, I order you to marry Sorcha and have heirs." I was in shock again, but before I could react Sorcha suddenly grabbed my hand and gave me a horse, which is supposedly a gift for me and I mounted my horse and hers too, and Justinian and I went to our separate ways.

I have been hearing that George is in Jerusalem, doing a diplomatic work with the King Conrad IV to maintain the relations and also to keep the Muslims at the bay.