Ironsides Family/Bowie/Duel

Account of the Duel between Black Bowie Ironsides and Sir Asriel Octavius

As was Black Bowie’s perverted custom, the fair Katrina Dragul was harassed when she arrived on shore. Along with this, he frequently kept up his disdain for Marshal Cenarious Stormrage. Upon calling the General a dolt, many nobles were offended. Of these, Sir Asriel decided to defend the name of Cenarious by challenging the demoniac to a duel to surrender. Happily, the fallen judge accepted. The duel was to occur in the capital city, Port Raviel.

The challenge was issued as such on the 29th day of October.

Letter from Asriel Octavius

Sir Bowie,

I must regretfully warn you that if you do not publicly appologise to our Marshal then I shall be forced to duel you in defence of Cenarious' honour. Whilst I am certain that our Lord Marshal could best you easily, I would not see him sully himself by fighting one such as you.

Asriel Octavius (Knight of Paisly)

The reply was in this manner.

Letter from Bowie Ironsides

Challenge?

Wonderful. I accept.

Let it be known, Sir Asriel, man of Cenarious, will duel Black Bowie to the surrender. The venue for this duel will be the capital city of D'Hara, Port Raviel.

Sir Asriel fights for Cenarious' honour, Bowie for his own amusement. Winner attains glory over the loser. Loser is shamed and mocked endlessly by the victor.

Will anyone take bets?

Asriel, I await you in the capital.

Black Bowie,

Bowie Ironsides (Knight of Port Raviel)

While the noble Asriel travelled by boat to the capital, the two engaged further in verbal jousting. Black Bowie taunting the man, and Asriel trying to incite the shades nobility. Their feud waged publicly as well as privately until the allotted day of rectification.

On the 31st of October, the two dueled to surrender in the capital city, defeat falling to the wicked man Bowie, and victory elevating the righteous noble Asriel.

The duel was determined in this way.

Duel

Asriel Octavius (Noble) meets his challenger Bowie Ironsides (Knight of Port Raviel) for the agreed duel till surrender.

Bowie has decided to use the 'aggressive' strategy while Asriel has choosen the 'defensive' strategy, giving Asriel the advantage.

After a series of blows, Bowie surrenders to his clearly superior enemy.

Or detailed like this.

The two combatants faced each other as the sun set slowly over the city. Around the square a small crowd had gathered to watch the combat, some supporting Sir Asriel, others his opponent ‘Black’ Bowie, whilst many supported neither and had merely shown up for the rare spectacle of a duel.

The referee stepped forward between the two combatants and explained the rules of combat. In accordance with the law it was to be a duel to the surrender; the combatants were not expected to seriously wound one another. If murder looked likely then the seconds would intervene. On the word of command the duel would commence.

The rules explained, the combatants bowed to each other, neither sincere and each carefully keeping their eyes on the other. The referee spoke the word and hastily stood back. Immediately Bowie lunged at Asriel who brought his sword up swiftly in defence. In a shower of sparks the two swords met as Asriel blocked, before he swept his arm out and sent Bowie stepping back.

The two combatants paused, eyeing each other as they readied themselves for the next clash. Asriel moved his feet into a defensive crouch and brought his sword up to guard his chest whilst Bowie readied himself to strike.

Suddenly Bowie lunged forwards; attacking with a flurry of violent blows which Asriel scarcely blocked. Bowie yelled in frustration at being able to break past Asriel’s guard but not knocking him down or finding his surrender. As if at some unspoken signal, both withdrew abruptly, breathing heavily from the combat.

As they panted Asriel assessed his opponent. Bowie was more experienced and driven by his own demons to win. His skill was equal if not better than Asriel’s and so Asriel had to think of a way to negate those advantages. Thinking back to the way Bowie had thrown himself into combat, Asriel saw the answer.

Meanwhile Bowie clenched his hand into a fist. Mind racing in different directions. How can the sprat still be standing, he thought, I threw a great deal at him. Noticing that Asriel was searching for a new tactic, Bowie thought right then would be the best time to attack; to try and throw off his mind's path of thought.

Bowie charged forward once more. Asriel neatly sidestepped and tripped Bowie before spinning round and bringing his sword slashing down towards Bowie’s neck. The tip of the blade stopped just against Bowie’s neck as he lay sprawled on the ground.

“Do you yield?” asked Asriel. The response was foul mouthed swearing from Bowie. “I said, do you yield?” repeated Asriel, emphasising it by increasing the pressure on Bowie’s neck.

“Yes I yield, damn your eyes!” said Bowie.

Asriel stepped back and allowed Bowie to get up, who immediately stormed off, cursing furiously and shoving bystanders out of his way. Honour satisfied and insult avenged, Asriel thanked the referee and the seconds before retiring to his accommodation to give thanks to the Allfather for his victory.

Though defeated, Black Bowie continues his unhealthy scorn for his peers, and the victorious Sir Asriel continues to uphold his noble duty.