"Daley,.Brian.-.Coramonde.1.-.Doomfarers.Of.Coramonde" - читать интересную книгу автора (Daley Brian)

Springbuck recognized as Count Synfors.

"I would be honored to answer the Duke's insult," Synfors said. "If
the coward will draw steel, I'll make my argument"

Hightower, head cocked to one side, was studying the urbane
young Count with a hint of amusement. "How long," he asked,
"have you been groomed for this occasion, little man? Never mind,
never mind; shall we call the armigers, or shall I kill you without all
that ironmongery?"

The ends of the Count's lips curled for an instant and for answer he
detached from his sash a case of swords, twin rapiers decorated
en suite, hilts flattened on one side so that they fit together in one
sheath. Synfors took the two hilts and, with an abrupt jerk, sent the
sheath flying free and held a wicked-slim weapon ready in either
hand.

Unarmed, Springbuck thought for a moment to intervene but
checked himself. This was a personal contest, if unorthodox, and,
it seemed to,him, not to be meddled with since it had been fairly
challenged and freely accepted.

Hightower tossed his cap aside, and the scrape of his sword
coming clear of its scabbard was, to Springbuck's mind, a terse
announcement of imminent death.

They closed upon one another with no further word, as quiet
wagering began among the onlookers, who pressed inward a bit.
Though Hightower was well seasoned, young Synfors was supple
and generally known to be expert with his unusual blades.

They clashed for a moment, the hurried conversation of blades too
quick to follow well, and were apart again. The Count had thrust
with his right-hand rapier and replied to the Duke's instant parry with
a second thrust from the left-hand one. Surprisingly, Hightower had
managed to bring his big sword around in time to block that move
too, but not in time to avoid sustaining a cut along his shoulder.

The conduct of the duel, as everyone there knew, was not
according to form or custom. The inequity of weapons and the
failure of the Queen to attempt mediation

10 THE DOOMFARERS OF CORAMONDE

were improprieties of the first water. But in that entire room, no one
thought that the Duke would live to register a complaint, whatever
the outcome of the match itself. Springbuck was certain that all of
this had been forseen and that the Duke's famous temper had
triggered the spontaneous-seeming contest quite in accordance