The duel between de Spinoza and Brunelli
((Note: To symbolize his injury, Brunelli received a -1 to his die rolls.))
The duelmaster shifted his feet uncomfortably. Yes, they were using bladed weapons, but he was still nervous. It was a good thing he was only a few days from retirement.
Both men bowed and drew their weapons. The duelmaster placed his hand over both blades and went over the rules. "Gentlemen, this is a duel to the death. Once I remove my hands and step back five paces, you may begin. Each of the seconds has been given a pistol with a single round, in case their party wishes to take the gentleman's way out. Now... begin!"
Brunelli recognized that the longer the fight went, the more of a disadvantage he was at. He opened with a devastating flurry of strikes, designed to drive de Spinoza back and create space. de Spinoza dodged each one effortlessly; Brunelli's one "hit" was to scratch the face of his family pocket watch. Unfortunately for Brunelli, de Spinoza's great grandfather had given him that watch, and it enraged the Stadtholder of Kiel. He charged at the Italian, nicking him on the upper left shoulder as he went past, colliding with him.
Both men stumbled to their feet, but Brunelli slipped as he tried to raise himself up with his injured hand. Spinoza stabbed viciously downward, scratching Brunelli's face, but getting his blade stuck in the ground. Brunelli took the opportunity given to him and drove his rapier into Spinoza's chest. As he pulled it out, Spinoza started bleeding profusely. The Minister of War kicked Brunelli in the face, stunning him. Bulow looked with concern at Spinoza, but Spinoza shook his head. He managed to stop the bleeding with a hasty bandage, but by then Brunelli had recovered, and both prepared for one final blow.
Spinoza thrust blindly, trying to finish off Brunelli with one final desperate blow. The duel master, who despite himself got closer to see the action, got his good foot speared for his trouble. Brunelli seized the opportunity given to him, as Spinoza struggled to free his blade from the now screaming dueling master's foot, and drove the length of the blade into Spinoza's stomach. Spinoza coughed up blood and fell over. He desperately tried to return to his feet, using his sword as a crutch, but Brunelli kicked it out and struck one final time, piercing Spinoza's chest.
The Minister of War was dead and Brunelli had a few new dueling scars to add to his collection.
((I'm going to play and update tonight. GUG, feel free to make a new character. EH, you need a new minister of war.))