Gelox pats his face, wiping at the foam and beer from his hair and cheek, shaking it on the ground. He looks up, making eye contact with Eloannah, who is cowering behind Osmund. "Borrow one of their sword."

  "What?" Luthalwyna says meekly.

  "I'm challenging you to a duel."

  "I've never held a sword, I'm not dueling you; I'll die."

  "You should have thought about that before hitting me with that stein." Gelox kicks the stein back towards the table. It hits the leg of one of the chairs, and the thin metal dents again.

  "I've done—" She is cut off as Dyder places a hand over her mouth.

  "Gelox, this is your doing; you brought this upon yourself. Apologize for addressing Eloannah by her f?dhyrbrunem and leave; there is no need for a duel." Dyder suggests. He's seen situations like this before; each time they have ended in a duel, each duel has ended with a man dead.

  "Do you think you have any say over what I do? Captain of the Queen's Guard." Gelox scoffs and gets up close to Dyder's face. "You bring little Miss Herst down from her high tower, and get her to tell me to leave, and maybe, I, just, will."

  The man's breath reeks of alcohol. Dyder begins to stand, being the Captain of the Queen's Guard, applies to Gekaryna's honor as well.

  Gyores raises a hand, stopping his brother. Dyder has far, far further to fall than himself."How about we take this outside? hmm? If you want a duel, I will duel you in her stead." He speaks through gritted teeth.

  "You want to duel me over the honor of a bar-whore?" Gelox laughs. "A Dornytter, dueling me over a bar-whore. Fine by me."

  "Rules? First blood?" Gyores stands.

  "Smock." Gelox dismisses it. "First one to cry home to mother."

  "Fine." Gyores thumbs the hilt of his blade; to him, this was no different.

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  Gelox turns and leaves the bar. Gyores and the others follow.

  Some of the patrons of the Oaken Standard went outside with their drinks to watch the spectacle, others crowded against the large glass windows.

  The word of the duel spread quickly; people ran between buildings, poking their heads into the doors and yelling 'duel in the street!'

  Gyores and Gelox make their way into the center of the street. It was late enough that there were few carriages. The two men had a clear, snowy arena.

  Luthalwyna claps and cheers for Gyores. Even with the scare she had from the initial confrontation with Gelox, it is proving to be a wonderfully entertaining break.

  Osmund watches as a man in a suit walks seemingly out of nowhere and approaches his eldest brother. His hair is black and combed back; thick mutton chops go down to his jawline. A pair of small, round glasses hangs by an arm around his neck.

  Ensitz rests a hand on Dyder's shoulder. "I live for this; a fool and his life are easily parted." He laughs.

  Dyder gives the cackling god a sidelong glance. "I hope you are not referring to my brother Ael'Ensitz."

  "Oh no, your brother is fine. I speak of the drunk. I dare say this is a duel not a soul would bet on."

  The light of the street-lamps cross, casting the shadows of the two men in every direction upon the slushed snow. They raise their rapiers and tap the tips together. The duel has begun, and the blades begin to circle each other.

  Ensitz begins to count in a whisper. "Three."

  Gelox quickly loses the rhythm.

  "Two."

  Gelox's blade falls out of line.

  "One."

  Gyores sees his opportunity.

  "Zero."

  Gyores trusts his blade; it pierces Gelox's abdomen. Withdrawing the blade, Gyores steps back.

  Gelox blinks rapidly as the pain sets in. "Ah." Is all he can manage. Maladroitly, he sheaths his blade. Placing both hands over the wound, he hunches over and waddles down the street.

  He checks his hand as he feels the blood oozing through his fingers. This will be far worse in the morning than any hangover.

  Gyores looks down at his rapier. Blood covers about a palm's width of the tip. He swallows sharply, wipes down the blade on a handkerchief, and sheaths it.

  "Fine job, fine job." Ensitz claps. "I would expect no less of a man who trained with my beloved Gekaryna."

  The three brothers grumble in unison.

  "Nothing fails to please me like the tainted egos of drunk men. A wonderful night to you all."

  Ensitz vanishes.

  "You did wonderfully," Luthalwyna says, hugging Gyores. It was thrilling. Absolutely thrilling. She and the other girls at the Oaken Standard would occasionally talk about having a man duel over their honor, but it was no longer just a fantasy for her. They will all be so, so jealous.

  Gyores looks down at Ely. "Thank you." She seems pleased, looking at him with eyes like a rescued princess, but he cannot tell her.

  She looks up. His face is somber, his brow knit, his lips and nose making tiny, twitchy movements. She chalks it up to adrenaline.

  The streets cleared just as fast as they had originally filled.

  The group heads back into the Oaken Standard.