Stories tagged “duel”
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Thousand-Yard Stares Only Get You So Far
The two men stood, back to sweaty back, under the Spaghetti Western sun. Thousand-yard stares leaped out of their eyeballs and ran off into the horizon. “Today,” cried the mayor, "these two men have challenged each other to a duel to t...
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Focus Fire
Three seconds. I stare across at “Kedge” Clawson. Small fellow, but steady as a rock. My hands are trembling. At this point I don’t even remember why we’re out here, ready to shoot each other in front of the saloon. All I know i...
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Flash of Silver
There are no rules, per se, about what you do before you start the fight. However, there are certain guidelines; to ignore them would be bad form. Certainly the purpose of duels are mainly to impress the audience with skill, and the start must not disa...
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One Important Thing
The first thing you learn at the DMV is how to get rid of customers. The training consists entirely of memorizing documents and scenarios in which they might be necessary. A simple head shake accompanied with, “It appears you’re missing you...
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Unexpected Aid
Thrust and parry. Attack, dodge, counterattack. We had been going on like this for what seemed like hours, though I knew it was only minutes. Blood seeped from a dozen or so shallow cuts all over me. I hadn’t even managed to get him to sweat. Eve...
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Dead Man's Grip
His hands are shaking, though through fear or uncertainty I cannot tell. I decide to simplify things. My own hands curl around my revolver and draw with the practised fluidity of thousands of hours of practice. Hammer drawn by a smooth movement from th...
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An Unsanctioned Event
“Street fight, street fight!” The chant grew louder, reaching a crescendo. Energy was high and if it wasn’t satisfied or redirected, the ensuing riot would destroy the entire district. Larimar snarled wordlessly at being trapped and a...
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Witness of the Feywild
The lithe, young Eladrin stood even straighter, something that Ramar hadn’t thought possible, raised his long sword in salute, and intoned, “I challenge you to an honorable battle of skill brought on by necessity. We fight until one surrend...
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No Recourse, No Remorse
Jhendayre’s face twisted at the threat. “I wanted you to understand exactly how serious I am.” Ramar nodded toward Jhendayre’s bloody leg. “You’ve made your point at least three times over.” “Then why won...