Concerning the Importance of Not Losing Face

"Well you see, the amazons have always set a great deal of store by 'face'. If Arthema's champion was to be defeated by ours, then she would lose so much face that her warriors would no longer follow her - in fact she'd be deposed. That would mean the end of the invasion. Arthema knows that, of course, and she can't be absolutely certain that the champion who has been produced for her will win. So she was hoping to avoid such a duel, by keeping us in ignorance that she had a champion at all."

Belboz paused for breath, and Jastina took the opportunity to ask: "So why have a champion at all, then? It seems to me she'd have been better off without one. Then the invasion would have been sure to succeed, given the strength of their forces and the Sundeath, for all that Joan could do."

"Because the amazons have a legend of their own, one that says that if their queen leads them into battle without having a champion, then they are bound to lose. I suspect that Zerrod, foreseeing this invasion, may have deliberately planted the seeds of that legend amongst them."

"Enough of talk," Joan said impatiently. "If I've got to fight this champion of theirs, then the sooner the better. As I said before, I'll need something suitable to wear, and a weapon."

1. "That can be most easily done by my magic," Belboz said.
2. "Duels between champions according to amazonian custom are unarmed combat," Belboz pointed out.
3. Belboz turned to Uxton. "I believe I shall require your assistance for this, old boy."

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