On a 10+, Conker wins, and Grace is inclined to help you.

Chain and Conker stand poised for the signal.

"Combatants stand ready," the Tutor intones, holding the sparkling ward between them at the midpoint of the long dueling pit.

"Come on, Chain," Grace whispers.

Preston Sharper releases the ward. Sextus Chain summons a powerful spell and cocks it for release. But Albert Conker seizes the moment. He fires off a STUN. Chain abandons his attack, his poised spell shattering into fragments as he makes a **** block. While Chain struggles to recover, Conker repeats the STUN, bringing him to one knee. Chain's wand flies back, rattling over the floor of the pit.

"Hold," Preston Sharper says. "Victory to Conker."

There are some gasps and mumbles, but Albert Conker clearly had another STUN ready, and Chain had little hope of blocking or recovering.

"Ohhhwwww," Grace moans. "Sextus, how could you?"

"Attendants to Chain," the Tutor says. "Conker, advance." Preston Sharper pins the little laurel to Conker's tunic and speaks quietly to him. This evening, you'll be facing him at your next duel. You think you might have his measure.

You commiserate with Grace.

"I could get **** on Conker for Chain," you say. "Would you help me practice?"

⚃⚄ + 1 = 10.

On a 10+, Grace is inclined to help you. Take +1 Forward to ASK FOR A FAVOR.

"Conker deserves it," Grace says. "What a thug. I never see him really studying, he just blusters through it all. I hardly think he should have been allowed to stand in the tournament. But SOMEONE sponsored him in."

You twist uneasily, feeling more kin to Conker than to Grace or to Sextus. But you've overcome Grace Winterthorn, so she can hardly make you feel inferior, and for a while, she's inclined to see things your way. She smiles at you with genuine feeling. Even if that feeling is primed by your charm spell. You sigh. Best to make the most of it.

"So-ohh, Grace," you say. "Would you help me practice before this evening's bout? We've got all afternoon."

Rolling +Ambition(+4) (+2 Ambition, +2 CHARM, +1 Forward: max is +4) to ASK GRACE FOR A FAVOR:

⚂⚀ + 4 = 8.

On a 7-9, Grace offers a trade: They grant you a favor if you have sex with them (and they enjoy it). HAVE SEX with them, and on a 7+, you gain a FAVOR from them.

Her eyes meet yours. "All afternoon...?" she says, her smile widening. "You know, Morgan, I've always been curious about something."

"Oh?"

"Fay was the most outrageously promiscuous woman in her class year," Grace says. "Until she met you. I'm...curious about how you hold her interest."

You hold back a biting retort and manage to control your expression and avoid flushing, whether that feeling would be anger or shame. You take a deep breath. Minerval, you tell yourself, pretend you're still a Minerval. Stay cool.

"Pure virtue," you say with a smile.

"No-ooo," Grace says. "I don't believe it. Virtue?"

"All right, pure vice, then," you say. "I admit it."

"Well, if we have all afternoon, you have time to show me first."

Roll +BRAVERY(-1) to HAVE SEX with Grace Winterthorn. On a 7+, she grants you a FAVOR to practice before your duel with Albert Conker.