Warhammer - [Genevieve 03] - Beasts in Velvet by Jack Yeovil (epub)

Author:Jack Yeovil (epub)
Format: epub

IV

Graf Volker von Tuchtenhagen looked less arrogant this morning.

'Surely, there is some other way we can settle this?'

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.

'We are all gentlemen here,' von Tuchtenhagen blathered as his seconds stripped his jacket. 'No offence was meant.'

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.

'Whatever it was that I said, I retract.'

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

'Ambassador,' he said to Dien Ch'ing, the Celestial who had consented to serve as referee, 'convey to my honoured opponent my apologies'

Von Tuchtenhagen sighed with relief, stepping forwards.

'this is no longer a personal matter. It gives me great regret to kill him'

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.

'but this is a matter of the honour of a lady.'

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 Leos's sister resembled a rabbit, not in appearance but in conduct.

'And of my family.'

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

'Leos, I have money' said his opponent. 'This need not happen'

A cold fury burned in the viscount's 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.

'You have accepted the terms of this combat,' Dien Ch'ing said in his high, musical voice. 'This is a matter between gentleman and no other may intervene.'

Von Tuchtenhagen brought up his shaking sword and Dien Ch'ing held its point against Leos's weapon.

'The duellists shall fight until the matter is settled.'

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

'The victor shall be the gentleman left alive at the end of the duel.'

Dien Ch'ing 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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