Page 9 of A Bluestocking for the Wicked Duke
Duke Nicholas charged towards him with his sword pointed forwards, coming with force and speed. William was slightly amused at his method of starting the duel because the charge was predictable and reckless. William waited, bidding his time till he was sure the Duke was committed to running him through then he sidestepped, allowing the Duke to follow the force of his charge. He then spun to the back of the faltering Duke and laid the blade of his sword at Duke Nicholas’ jugular. The Duke was bending, trying to prevent himself from falling while he had a sword at his throat. He was at William’s mercy.
The audience seemed to be very impressed by this as there was thunderous clapping. William smiled; this was exactly what he wanted.
“You are no match for me, Nicholas,” William said.
The Duke turned around and faced William. He started to get up slowly.
“I am at your mercy William. Take my life because I will not yield and if you leave me be, I will be back for you,” the Duke said.
William smiled more widely than before; the Duke’s threats were very amusing. He watched as the Duke moved backwards once more, putting a wide berth between himself and William.
“I won’t be so generous next time,” William said.
“There won’t be a next time,” the Duke replied.
The Duke’s second charge was careful. He walked slowly with caution but when he got to William, he attacked with force. He swung his sword with amazing strength and sharpness. William had to be careful in his parries so as not to allow the force of those swings turn his sword towards him. The Duke swung towards his neck but William was faster, bending a little and hearing the blade sing past his head. Then he moved back as the sword ran downwards, just the way he had predicted the Duke would fight.
William spent a bit more time, parrying and blocking shots. The Duke raised his sword high at a time, using both hands to bring it down with force. William just turned to the side, causing the Duke to miss. William started using movement to confound the Duke, he started turning to the sides, constantly wrong footing the raging Duke. He soon got tired as the Duke did not relent in swinging his sword. William decided to be a bit more attacking to reduce the Duke’s activity.
William swung his sword to the Duke’s right; his attack was slow but purposefully so. He wanted to keep the Duke busy; his attack wasn’t meant to hurt him yet. He poked at the Duke’s head, causing the Duke to jump back in fear. The blade was almost at his throat.
William was getting tired of the affair. He became more active. He allowed the Duke to take a big swing at him then ducked beneath the arch of the sword. Then William slipped out behind the Duke and pricked him with his sword once more.
“I could have had your life a second time,” William said.
“You better take it. I won’t be so forgiving,” He replied.
“You won’t have the opportunity of doing that. You lack the skill,” William said.
The Duke turned around, quicker than William expected and swung his sword again. William took a quick step backwards, taking himself out of the path of the sword. He wanted to make a mark on the Duke. He allowed the Duke attack again before turning to the side, causing the Duke to miss greatly. Then he twirled quickly to the back of the Duke and slashed down hard.
“Arrgghh!” the Duke screamed.
William could see blood dropping down his sword. His aim had been true. He had torn a huge slash down the back of the Duke, creating a long but shallow wound.
“I have only engaged you once and see what I have achieved. Yield to me,” William said to him.
“No. I will catch you once William. You have made me a good laughing stock. You will not go unpunished,” the Duke replied.
William watched him as he rose upon. His face was a mask, his teeth clenched. William appreciated his courage, deciding to continue fighting though it was obvious he was the better fighter.
The Duke came at him again, this time swinging his sword in different directions. William had to parry each and twist when the Duke came again with force, putting all his weight behind a single slash. William sidestepped and had to be alert again as the Duke pushed his blade forward in a poke intended to unhinge his bowels. He hit downwards at the blade sending it down while he swung his second leg with savage force. His shin hit the Duke on the forehead causing the Duke to fly backwards, landing a few feet away. The Duke didn’t stop and came back again, this time his charge was as amateurish as the first. William timed the impact of the Duke and moved to the left at the last moment. He was pivoting on one leg and was not ready for the impact against his feet.
The Duke had thrown a leg at William with brute force, making William to lose his footing. He fell down and quickly turned around. He was about standing up when he saw the sword of the Duke coming down with more force; he raised his sword to block the incoming blade. The collision was powerful.
The sword reverberated in William’s hands and William was shocked when it was rent apart at the point of impact.
Swords don’t break.
The Duke didn’t mind that and raised his sword again, bringing it down with viciousness. William made to block again, raising his broken sword up to catch Duke Nicholas’ swing but he miscalculated. The sword was shorter now and Duke Nicholas’ sword passed through air and bit into his arm. The gash was huge and deep.
William cried out as he felt incredible pain. Duke Nicholas wasn’t finished; he raised his sword again for what would have been the finishing blow if not for the scream William heard behind them. They turned to see a woman on a horse; she covered her face completely with a shawl and a scarf. But William recognized that voice; that was his mother.
What was she doing here?
“Stop, please Nicholas stop,” she yelled.
Duke Nicholas turned back to William and put his sword on his chest.
