The Duel

Sangria stood merely three yards from the man in the alley, hand firmly placed on his sword hilt. He knew the setting sun loomed behind him, and hoped its shining light would give him an edge in the confrontation to come. In this brief moment of calm before the storm he paused for a moment to reflect on the pure irony of it all. Here he was, ready to kill or die for the very people he had been sent to spy on.

When his ship first left Lapor for Giallo the official reason was to establish trading links with some of the local trading companies on behalf of his own, but in truth he was sent to gather intelligence on Yellow trade routes, politics, and technology before returning home and reporting back in two years. Even before reaching the city's Golden coast he knew he’d be an outsider, even though the city was filled with traders and travelers from all over the world he was still a Red in a city predominantly occupied by Yellows.

At first Sangria found adjusting to be nearly impossible. While he found all of the new experiences exciting he also felt isolated. Outside of the official business he got to attend to, most of the Yellows he met kept a respectful distance from him, that was, until he met Ciza Saffroni. She was the head of the powerful Saffroni family, who were in turn behind the powerful Saffroni trading company. She was a noted patron of the arts, and surrounded herself with artists, poets, historians, and all sorts of eccentrics. After meeting with her and the major investors of the company (and sneaking a few looks at her company’s confidential trading logs), he found himself answering question after question about his homeland. Soon all sorts of invitations for banquets, balls, and plays were forthcoming, and before Sangria knew it he had found a place in Giallian high society as a member to her entourage.

At first Sangria saw this merely as an opportunity to further his mission, but at each subsequent event he found himself listening less and less to the whispers about political schemes and trading ventures and began more and more enjoying the company of those around him.

One member of said company, Tasso Saffroni, was one of the youngest members of the Saffroni family. While he was kind and clever he was also stubborn and outspoken. These were good traits to have but they matched poorly with Tasso’s small frame and clumsy nature. Regardless neither Sangria or Ciza or anyone really feared for his well-being. That was, until he met Rudo Vandell.

The Vandells were bitter rivals with the Saffronis. Why exactly Sangria could never say but the bad blood mostly spoke for itself. At a ball of all places Tasso overheard Rudo loudly insulting his family, deriding them for being soft pencil pushers and keeping “unclean company”. Tasso launched into a fury, hurling back insults at Rudo, who replied in kind. Eventually Tasso became so enraged he struck Rudo across the face.

The whole ballroom went silent, with every eye waiting for what Rudo would do next. The man merely smirked, and proclaimed loud enough for the whole room to hear:

“Very well, I accept. Meet me in the alley behind the Swimming Bee inn in three hours time at sunset, there we shall duel with swords. That is if you have any courage or honor in you”.

Before anyone could muster a response Rudo strode out of the ballroom, leaving Tasso standing there dumbfounded.

Tasso, now the very picture of a nervous wreck, returned to the side of Ciza. Despite his clear terror he was able to calmly say:

“Well Aunt Ciza, it would seem I am in need of a sword.”

“A sword? You’ve never held a sword in your life. That wouldn’t be a duel, it would be an execution!” Ciza responded.

At those words Tasso seemed to muster up some resolve, he stood up a little straighter and kept his voice steady as he said:

“This is a matter of honor, if I cower away I would forever tarnish the family name!”

Sangria was often dumbfounded by the yellow perception of honor, and he knew for sure he didn’t want Tasso getting himself killed for it, but he couldn’t do anything about it, could he?

“Hold on, why don’t you let me talk to Rudo for you.”

Sangria was surprised to find himself to be talking. Nevertheless he continued:

“Maybe I can get him to back down, let everyone save face here.”

Tasso looked slightly relieved at the notion, and Ciza nodded slowly.

“Yes I think that’s for the best.”

Thirty minutes for the appointed meeting time Sangria walked into the designated alley behind the Swimming Bee inn, and found Rudo already waiting there with several others. Most likely cronies waiting to cruelly watch him cut down Tasso.

“My name is Sangria, I’m a close friend of Tasso and I’m here in the hopes you might avoid bloodshed.” He said after approaching the group.

“And why would I want to do that?” Rudo replied.

“I get that he deeply insulted you but there surely has to be some other resolution to this.” Sangria said.

“There may be, but this is the only resolution I want. Now go away and tell your little friend I’m waiting for him.” Rudo said, a touch of impatience seeping into his voice.

Sangria straightened:

“Well if that’s the case then there is another affair I wish to discuss.”

Rudo sighed:

“And what’s that?”

“I have my own challenge. Swords. Right here, right now, that is if you don’t want to bring shame on your family name.” Sangria said coldly.

“And what would a Red know about honor?” Rudo snarled.

“More than you.”

Sangria placed his hand on his sword hilt. He had never used it once in his entire stay in Giallo, but he had been chosen as a spy for a reason. He wasn’t just expected to be able to learn secrets, he was expected to be able to protect himself.

Rudo’s sword came out in a flash, and Sangria’s sword answered in turn. Rudo growled as he thrust his sword towards Sangria’s chest, but Sangria parried it away. The unmistakable ringing of steel against steel filled the alley as they exchanged attacks and parries. Sangria felt a sharp pain in his shoulder as he wasn’t able to move away from a thrust in time, and he looked down to see his sleeve stained with blood. He knew it was time to end it. He moved sharply to the side, narrowly avoiding another attack, and let the light of the setting sun fully shine into Rudo’s eyes. Before he could adjust, Sangria's blade found him, piercing straight through his chest and out his back.

Rudo fell in a lifeless heap, and the hushed spectators quickly scattered. Nursing his wounded shoulder he walked back to the ballroom, and back to Tasso.

“It would seem you won’t be needing to make that appointment”. He said.

Maybe Sangria would write home and ask for an extension to his assignment.