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The mage once again falls silent. He doesn't seem to want to push his luck any further. After a while, I hear him put his daggers back into his belt and then spit on the ground.

"I'll remember this swift. Don't think I won't. You'll rue the day you messed with Cutthroat Zack. And the same goes for you too, healer in armour. I'll be seeing the both of you again... soon."

After he finishes his speech he turns away in disgust as he heads into the woods on the opposite side of the clearing. Once I see just the trees in the distance I let out a sigh of relief. That was close. I can still feel my heart beating rapidly.

You do that and you'll regret it? What was I even thinking? This is a tournament to the **** Barry. This is certainly not the time to play hero.

As I try to calm myself down, the mage in armour sheathes his sword, picks up his shield from the ground and makes his way towards me.

"You had no obligation to save me ," he says. "But you did so anyway, at the risk of your own life. I cannot let suck selflessness go unrewarded. I, Garrick, vow that from this day forth that I will offer you my protection from this moment, till the end of the tournament. Tell me, brave soul, what is your name?"

His speech takes me completely by surprise.

"It's, umm... It's Barry. My name is Barry."

"Wait your name's Barry?"

He tries to contain his laughter but fails miserably. He was trying to sound solemn and dignified just a few seonds ago, but it seems it didn't take him long to drop his act.

"Now that's the weirdest name for a mage I've ever heard in my life. Especially for a swift. Do you have something you need to tell me, Barry?"