Beasts in Velvet by Warhammer

Author:Warhammer [Warhammer]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

IV

Graf Volker von Tuchtenhagen looked less arrogant this morning.

сSurely, there is some other way we can settle this?т

He had obviously been dragged from his drunken bed by his second and could barely remember the grave offence he had given the family of von Liebewitz.

Leos slashed the air with his rapier. It felt like an extension of his body. Bassanio Bassarde had once jested that it was the only sexual organ the viscount possessed. The noted Marienburg wit was dead now, his windpipe laid open by an elegant manoeuvre.

сWe are all gentlemen here,т von Tuchtenhagen blathered as his seconds stripped his jacket. сNo offence was meant.т

Leos said nothing. He had risen early, untired after his late night in the fog, and taken his usual run around the palace grounds. Men who neglected their bodies were fools.

сWhatever it was that I said, I retract.т

Leos stood, arms loose, ready. That calm that always came upon him before combat was like a cloak. He never felt more alive.

сAmbassador,т he said to Dien Chрing, the Celestial who had consented to serve as referee, сconvey to my honoured opponent my apologiesет

Von Tuchtenhagen sighed with relief, stepping forwards.

сеthis is no longer a personal matter. It gives me great regret to kill himет

Von Tuchtenhagen froze, his flabby face a mask of fear. Tears were trickling from the corners of his eyes. He was unprepared. The sleep was still in his eyes, the stubble on his face. Leos rubbed his own smooth, beardless chin with the back of his hand.

сеbut this is a matter of the honour of a lady.т

Last night, at the von Tasseninck ball, Leos had overheard von Tuchtenhagen discussing the Countess Emmanuelle with a cleric of Ranald. The graf had suggested that Leosрs sister resembled a rabbit, not in appearance but in conduct.

сAnd of my family.т

The Celestial nodded gravely. He did not need to relay the message.

сLeos, I have moneyт said his opponent. сThis need not happenет

A cold fury burned in the viscountрs breast. The suggestion was unworthy even of von Tuchtenhagen. The family were new to the register, elevated by Matthias IV a short century ago and still striving to obscure the memory of the merchants and tradespeople they had been. Von Liebewitzes had fought alongside Sigmar at the birth of the Empire.

Leos brought up his foil, bent at the knees and hung his left hand in the air.

сYou have accepted the terms of this combat,т Dien Chрing said in his high, musical voice. сThis is a matter between gentleman and no other may intervene.т

Von Tuchtenhagen brought up his shaking sword and Dien Chрing held its point against Leosрs weapon.

сThe duellists shall fight until the matter is settled.т

сFirst blood?т Von Tuchtenhagen suggested, a flare of hope in his tone. Leos shook his head, impatient to get on with it.

сThe victor shall be the gentleman left alive at the end of the duel.т

Dien Chрing took a handkerchief from his sleeve. It was silk, embroidered with dragons.

When the silk touched the polished wooden floor, the duel would commence.

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