You orchestrated the fight scene with exquisite precision. You not only lead us through the sword scene so that we might imagine each parry and thrust, but you also give us the emotional content of the battle. After all, this is about pride, and love. In the end, pride loses and love wins.
A tragic end, but one the reader can accept with peace because victory brings no joy to Zik.
Thank you very much @agmoore, you summarised the story into just a few words. That's just the long and short of it. Love eventually winning.
I'm glad you enjoyed it, thank you once again for reading.