Who Judges a (Duel in Minstrel) ?

Dueling was a complicated thing, in Leah’s opinion.

First of all, it involved honor. So much of the process was about making sure that everything began on fair terms and would be an accurate measure of skill and fighting prowess that it kind of took away any possible easygoing fun in the battle. Second of all, it was judged critically and harshly by any spectators, who liked to comment if one participant seemed to be acting dishonest or taking advantage of a weakness in the other. The latter was not always a bad thing, especially if it was viewed as strategy; nonetheless the redhead was the type of person who would aim for a broken leg purely because it would allow her a much greater chance of winning. Onlookers didn’t care much for actions like that, and the mage was in no hurry to be lynched by an angry crowd. So, the girl had determined earlier on that she would be on her *best behavior* today, and if she went back on her word well that was just Leah being Leah. But honestly, the mage intended to try her best to keep it.

Having dressed in the green Musketeer outfit that she had received while helping out the Townsend family a little while ago, Leah wandered the streets of Minstrel’s capitol with the same easy expression that revealed how utterly lost she was as well as how much the redhead didn’t care about that fact. In reality, she didn’t want to lose any of the jewel reward, if that could be a penalty for being late. No matter what she desired, however, it did not change that the emerald eyed girl was clueless as to where she was supposed to meet up with the young male Musketeer who had issued the general challenge to all foreigners as to whether they wanted to duel with him or not. The girl had accepted it with the understanding that even losers got jewels, but she wanted to win. Reputation meant a lot to her when it came to Fiore’s, even if the ReQuip mage was fairly content to be called a liar and a cheater.

Finally she made it to the site of the event, which had been clearly labelled with a small paper sign of about twenty centimeters long and fifteen centimeters tall max. Obviously, this was not going to be some grand affair, and the girl did not completely mind that. She was handed a long rapier and was instructed on how to behave herself: only low rank spells were allowed, and since it was a weapons duel she was not permitted to use much magic at all if it could be avoided. Because Leah happened to be a ReQuip mage, her weapons were not even allowed and so she was forced to use the strange weapon that they generously provided her with. She made it a point to all the spectators (a decent crowd had gathered, even though it had originally seemed to be a rather low key event by the scene, the man had admittedly broadcasted the fact that he was open to duels to just about the entirety of Minstrel, Fiore, Midi, Seven… etc.). This way, if she lost there would be absolutely no shame and Fiore would not lose any of its grandeur in the eyes of these citizens from Minstrel, since she was fighting with a weapon she had never used before.

The battle went well. It was quite boring, because she barely knew how to use the flashy and quick moving style of attack and defense that seemed to go with rapiers. Nonetheless, Leah easily held her own because her opponent was indeed a new Musketeer, and it showed. She discreetly used one of her own signature spells to whirl her blade around in a circle after it left from her hand for a brief moment, but the movement was so quick that it could have seemed as though she did it purely with physical dexterity. It wasn’t against the rules, after all; Sinister Steel was very much a low level spell. After the duel had been declared completed, the two bowed low to each other and waited to hear the judges’ declaration of the victor. Both went home with jewels in their pockets and tried to maintain a neutral expression on their faces.

730 Words.

Here's hoping I'll win the duel!

The member 'Leahndr Aspont' has done the following action : Dice Rolls

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