27: Pattern
The duelists made the required salutes and took their positions on either side of the field. The judge looked on approvingly and raised a hand to signal the two should prepare to commence the fight on his signal.
“I hope you are ready to pay for your insult,” shouted one duelist (it does not particularly matter which one).
“I could say the same to you,” replied the other (see, I told you it didn’t matter).
The judge’s hand fell, and the two duelists charged at each other. The fight played out the way it always did: one went high, the other went low, and the faster one managed to stab the slower one first. In this case, it was the one who went low, which meant that he had all of a half second to celebrate his victory before the slower duelist’s sword reached its mark and skewered his brain.
Both duelists fell – the one quite dead, the other quite mortally wounded. The judge looked on, disappointed, and announced to the assembled crowd that as both were dead, both had been guilty of crimes against the other. Then the judge shrugged, commented under his breath that really, both had been idiots, and left the dueling grounds.
The assassin was waiting patiently for the judge in the local tavern, which the judge entered a few hours later.
“Well,” asked the assassin, “are you satisfied?”
The judge shrugged. “I suppose. I will admit it is impressive that you were able to set these events into motion.”
“Patterns,” the assassin replied, “are easy to manipulate if you have the right tool.”
“And your blade, I suppose, is such a tool?”
The assassin’s eyes narrowed. “I never said it was a blade.”
“And in truth,” the judge admitted, “I was not sure it was. But one hears rumors of such things in my line of work, and your order has been known to wield such tools. It seemed a safe guess.”
“Well,” the assassin replied, “I would advise you keep such theories to yourself in the future. The pattern of a duel is not the only thing I know how to influence, but my order is not eager to use such tools against current or former clients. It would give us a bad reputation.”
“I will keep that in mind,” the judge said, “and contact you again should I find myself in need of your services once more.”
The assassin, who had quietly used their blade to make sure the judge would have need of them in the future already, smiled a winning customer-service smile. “I am sure my order will be pleased to hear it.”