The Blade and the Cycle

"What exactly was this insult?" asks Actium.

"She said I was ranked beyond my station, that my lunge reminded her of a man wading through a pool of molasses, and that my uniform made me look like a scarecrow had a run-in with a swarm of colorblind moths."



"Shame on you, Aquinna." Actium steps gingerly between the crossbow and the belligerent Gelton. "You forgot to mention how odiously odorous he is." Aquinna stifles a laugh that threatens to throw off her aim.

"I see what you're trying to do, Actium, and it won't work," says Gelton. "I demand satisfaction."

"I have a good arm's length of satisfaction bared right here for you, Gelton." Actium swishes his ladyfriend through the air for emphasis. She whistles her razor approval. "I'm sure Aquinna has as good reason to avoid a duel with you as I have for seeking it."

"And what would your reason be?"

"Do you have half an hour for the abridged version or would you like me to write it down for you later?" Actium brings up the thrillant business end of his rapier and settles back into a fighting stance. "Or would you rather face me, before that shaky hand of yours gets too sweaty to swing a saber?"

"Actium," Aquinna's voice is low and urgent. "I don't think you should-"
"Don't worry about it," mutters Actium over his shoulder. "Just nurse your hangover or whatever it is. Gelton's a chump."

Gelton laughs. A barking, ugly thing with no trace of humor. "Very well, Actium of Karstrix. I shall carve my way through you and then seek satisfaction from that craven skulking behind you."