Captain Henri Serf-Edly,
While I understand your concern, I belive that you had the Major had
reached an understanding of the practicalities of your discussion. It is
my believe that as a practical matter the terms that had previously been
agreed will sufficiently approximate what you ask for here, and is much
simpler [OOC: from a game mechanics point of view].
I appreciate your cooperation on this matter,
Yours,
Lt. General le Baron Soire de Success
At 04:16 PM 3/22/01 +0000, Peter T Davies wrote:
>To the esteemed Lt. General Baron Soire de Success (SdS)
>
>Sir,
>
>I write concerning the forthcoming duel between my good self and Major
>Chevalier Jean Baptiste Doutron (JBD), whom I understand you will be
>seconding in this matter of honour. Please excuse this direct
>communication, but my second, the honourable Captain Jean de Lacey (JdL),
>is hard pressed repulsing the accursed foreign foes of our beloved France,
>even as I hurriedly write in this brief respite from fighting.
>
>While the choice of rapiers has been agreed, I am a little concerned that
>there remains, at least in my mind, a little confusion over the precise
>terms of the engagement. I originally asked that the duel be fought to
>first blood, after having been made keenly aware by my second of the views
>of his immediate commanding officer, the most esteemed Major Alain de
>Sevigny (AdS), Commissioner of Public Safety. Major Doutron wished to
>reject this proposal, perhaps understandably, for fear that some lucky
>blow from myself might surprise him and count as a victory for myself. His
>response was a request to fight to half-endurance.
>
>When discussing this with Captain de Lacey, I suggested a middle path
>between these two ways, one which I referred to as "second blood." Please
>forgive my inexperience with such matters, but this was not some codified
>means of agreeing to fight to half endurance as might have been first
>imagined. I merely meant that, just as "first blood" affords a victory to
>the duellist who first strikes his opponent, "second blood" was used as a
>means to denote the winner would be the first duellist to successfully
>gain two hits against his opponent.
>
>This "middle way" should, I trust, allay the fears of Major Doutron of
>losing to a lucky blow of mine, but should not seriously incapacitate
>either of ourselves, should further combat at the front be necessary. (I
>realise this is far more likely for myself than Major Doutron, unless I am
>privileged enough to gain some pecuniary success when looting our defeated
>foes this month). I hope that honour would be satisfied with this
>proposal, and would be grateful if you would discuss the matter further
>with your principal, and send word to me of the outcome of your
>deliberations. Thank you, sir.
>
>Your humble and obedient servant.
>
>Henri Serf-Edly (HSE), Captain and Regimental Adjutant, Grand Duke Max
>Dragoons.
