Duel at dawn.

*

The first flush of dawn was lightening the sky when Horatio and Graf Philip emerged from the side gate in the palace walls. Philip carried the long box containing the dueling swords under his arm. They had barely gone a few strides on the cobbled road that wound down the hillside before the sound of hurrying feet came from behind. Turning, they saw Ursula and Mary Amadeus hastening across the courtyard, swathed in cloaks and wearing tricorn hats. "Wait for us!" Ursula called.

"What are you doing up so early?" Horatio exclaimed as they came up.

"I could ask the same of you!" Ursula said with a smile. "Do you think I could let you fight for my honor and not be there to support you?"

"I appreciate it."

Horatio glanced at Philip but he was standing close to Mary Amadeus in the pool of light shed by the lanterns atop the gateposts. They made an odd couple, the Graf tall and slim, Mary Amadeus short and plump. But there was no denying the ardent expressions on their faces. Much like the ones on Ursula and mine, in fact. This is going to be interesting! He thought, returning Ursula's smile.

They walked arm in arm down the hillside, Ursula and Horatio leading, their feet clattering on the cobbles. An air frost had colored the rooftops and higher walls sugary white and their breath steamed in the cool pre-dawn air.

"How are you feeling?" Ursula asked anxiously.

"I'm well enough to fence."

"Your wound isn't troubling you?"

"No; I heal like a young dog. And in my profession an early start to the day happens more often than not. I'll be fine, dearest."

"I'm glad to hear it. Which weapons are you using?"

"Broadswords."

She shot him a look of surprise. "Really?"

He gave her a wry smile and squeezed her hand. "What, you were expecting cutlasses?"

"I was, in a way."

"We're not all horny-handed sons of the sea by birth, Ursula. I did receive an education in swordsmanship." He shrugged. "True, there's little room for finesse on a deck in the middle of combat. There it is a case of hack and slash, as you well know. I admired your fighting prowess when Acheron was boarded. You're quite the spitfire!"

"Thank you!"

"But in affairs of honor the old skills come into play."

"I wish that idiot Sleibnitz had minded his own business!" she grumbled. "The patronizing ninny!"

"There's no accounting for some folks' attitude." He looked at her, unwilling to broach what had been on his mind from the moment of the challenge. "The duel is to first blood. If I should lose, I'll be expected to withdraw from your life."

"I won't permit that!" she snapped. "I will determine who my friends shall be, and not some popinjay of a colonel!"

"You may not be allowed to determine that."

"Allowed doesn't come into it, Horatio!" She stopped, forcing him to halt also, and she stared at him as she clasped his hands. "You forget why the von Hetzenberg family got to the top of the social heap. I'm descended from people who were generally nastier and greedier than most. It goes right back to Duke Wilhelm the Bold, one of the most aggressive warriors of his day. When I say I shall determine who my friends are, I will have my way!"

"Looking at you now, I can well believe so," he said quietly.

"Good!"

They stared at each other. Horatio could see the heightened color in Ursula's face and realized the dawn was growing. A church clock struck the half hour. "Now that's settled, we should be on our way, dear," he said. "The hour of the duel draws nigh."

"It wouldn't do to be late," she said. "I'm looking forward to this!"

"You bloodthirsty wench!"

"It comes with the bloodline," she retorted, but smiled.

* * *

They came to the lower town and walked through streets just starting to bustle with activity as people prepared for the day. Dueling was not unheard of in Hetzenberg and they drew only a few curious glances on the way to the park. When they arrived, the gates were open and a small carriage stood on the gravel some yards inside. The coachman was tending to the horses, his figure swathed in a bulky cloak. Horatio saw Baron Zögernsie standing under a lantern not far away, similarly attired, stamping his feet to keep warm.

Philip touched his arm. "I'll go ahead and speak with this fellow."

He hastened ahead, leaving Mary Amadeus with Horatio and Ursula. "Philip tells me he's arranged for me to have a uniform fitting this morning," Mary told them. He face was pink with pleasure. "I do wish this horrid duel wasn't spoiling things, Horatio."

"You and me both," Ursula replied.

"We'll be done in no time," he replied shortly. Now the prospect of action was drawing nigh, he wanted to get on with it.

They watched as Philip and Zögernsie inspected the weapons. Zögernsie nodded his approval and Philip waved them to come over. "Colonel Sleibnitz is waiting on the ground with the physician," he said. "Shall we proceed?"

* * *

Horatio and Philip walked ahead. Mary linked arms with Ursula and they followed. "This must be like the prelude to a gladiatorial match," Mary said gloomily.

"I've seen duels before, back in Sinnlos-Amt-Schlock. When you get officers cooped up in barracks over a long winter tempers tend to fray."

"I suppose so. It doesn't make things any easier."

The path ended in a broad swathe of grass before an artfully-created ruin which stood in a small grove of trees. Known as the pavilion, it had been constructed to offer shelter to picnickers – and to those conducting affairs of honor.

Colonel Sleibnitz stood there, standing to his full height and wearing undress uniform. A junior officer stood nearby with a soldier-servant holding the Colonel's cloak. Another, older man in a black cloak stood nearby, a medicine bag resting on the wet grass at his feet. As the sun heaved clear of the distant hills they presented a strange tableau against the backdrop of the mellow stone walls of the pavilion.
"It seems the good Colonel disdains the use of a cloak!" Ursula muttered.

"It's a trick to make the opponent think his adversary has superhuman qualities," Mary replied. "I don't think Horatio will fall for that. He's warm enough in his cloak and that'll count for much. But there is only one physician. Is there not supposed to be two?"

"I suppose one will be sufficient, since this is not a duel with pistols or with swords to the death."

The three men walked over to Sleibnitz and the seconds held a brief discussion before examining the ground for the duel. The combatants ignored each other as was only proper, both accepting total direction from their seconds in the affair. Once the ground had been deemed acceptable for the purpose the women watched as the sword case was opened again and the choice of weapon given to Horatio. He took a blade, stepped away from the group and swished it through the air to test its balance before nodding his satisfaction. Sleibnitz did the same, and appeared satisfied too.

"What is to be done about that wretch Zögernsie?" Mary asked.

"It'll be too much to hope a wild swing with a sword will lay him low," Ursula replied. She glanced around. "If he's being watched, whoever is spying upon him is being deuced discrete."

Mary nudged her. "Uh oh, here we go."

Philip and Zögernsie had stood back. "I must ask for the last time if either party will make apology, or withdraw his challenge," Philip said loudly.

"I do not," Sleibnitz rasped.

"A bit hoarse there," Mary murmured. "He's feeling nervous."

"We can but hope!" Ursula replied, watching Horatio shake his head.

"Gentlemen, take up your positions!"

Horatio and Sleibnitz stepped away from their seconds and turned to face each other. The seconds withdrew and stood near the doctor. "Salute!" Philip cried.
The duelists saluted, raising their swords to the vertical before their faces then sweeping them off to their right with a short bow.

"En garde!"

The swords crossed, clashed – and the fight was on.

*

Horatio attacked. He struck a beat to the middle of Sleibnitz's blade. The Colonel parried and moved directly to an opposition. Horatio felt the pressure but countered with a sweep low and up. Sleibnitz danced back, his blade whirling to parry in sixte then tierce. Horatio kept up the attack, stamping to distract his opponent, their blades striking in a glissade that echoed in the still air.

Even after a few passes Horatio was able to get a feel for his opponent. Competent in a salon, has probably been out a few times – but experienced in action? I think not! But it won't do to become complacent.

He tried a ballestra lunge, a risky move against a skilled enemy, but Sleibnitz skipped out of the way. He unexpectedly recovered forward and Horatio in turn had to skip back when Sleibnitz's blade hissed past his ear in a well-timed redoublement.

Hmm! Tricky!

Their blades had a conversation for a few passes, the air ringing with the pot-mending clash of metal as Horatio looked for his opening. Sleibnitz tried a coulé but he beat it aside and attempted a disengage, feinting an attack by extension and circling his blade using as small a circle as possible. Sleibnitz brought his blade around to parry but Horatio avoided it and the tip of his blade pierced the fine broadcloth of Sleibnitz's coat.

"Halte!" cried the seconds as one. "Trompement!"

Horatio and Sleibnitz lowered their swords and stepped back, both breathing heavily while the seconds inspected the cut in Sleibnitz's coat. The Colonel stood his icy gaze level and scornful. "No cut. Fence on!" Philip declared, stepping back. "En garde!"

Sleibnitz came on hard, and Horatio was forced to parry quarte and prime, giving ground in the face of the man's fury. His wound began to prickle and he hoped the stitches would hold. But he's tiring! The fool doesn't spend time in the field with his troops, it seems!

Horatio moved into opposition, and found Sleibnitz began to react instead of acting. He launched a false attack, and Sleibnitz fell for it. Horatio didn't follow up, making Sleibnitz realize who was controlling the encounter now. A sheen of perspiration rose on the Colonel's brow as he gritted his teeth and came on. Horatio responded with an invitation, deliberately keeping his blade wide to fool the Colonel into making an attack. He fell for it, lunging with a cry. Horatio side stepped, flicked his blade around to strike the Colonel's upper arm and when the man flinched and stepped back, followed it up with a simple extension.

The tip of his blade shot past the feeble response and scored a line along Sleibnitz's forearm.

"Halte!" cried the seconds.

The opponents stepped back but there was now no doubt. Sleibnitz was clutching his arm and blood was staining his fingers red in the growing light. "The contest of arms is therefore awarded to Lieutenant Horngebläse!" Philip announced, failing to keep the note of satisfaction from his voice.

*

"Sleibnitz looks furious!" Ursula grinned, relief filling her soul.

"At least he's doing the decent thing," Mary replied, as the Colonel gave Horatio a stiff bow.

Horatio handed the bloodied sword to Philip then turned and came over to them. "All done," he said with a tired smile, as if he'd just finished taking out the trash.
Ursula drew him into her arms and made sure Sleibnitz would be able to see as she kissed Horatio full upon the lips. Sleibnitz could only glare impotently at them as the physician dressed his wounds.

At that moment they became aware of the sound of horses galloping furiously through the streets nearby.