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It was Magnus who broke the silence as he walked past you, then between the two of you, looking as troubled as before.
“For the final time,” he said, more ceremonially than seriously, “There is no yield nor forfeit that can be negotiated?”
“There is not.” Yuliana answered sharply. You didn’t bother saying anything. She hadn’t said anything about Magnus’s favor tucked into your harness- maybe she didn’t know what it was.
“Then let it be decided by combat,” Magnus said wearily, unable to keep a stiff upper lip like the first words. “Whomever falls here will yield to the other. By your honor, you swear this, by appearing here.” He then spoke of the rules of engagement here. “This is no brawl, no assassination nor ambush. Failure to adhere to these rules will be an admission of surrender. Firstly, no cuts shall be made with deadly intent. Secondly, striking with the foot or knee or any part of the leg is forbidden. Similarly, one may not hold nor pin their opponent for more than three seconds.” The Moon Cutting was not Wrestling, apparently. “Finally, should you fall to a knee or collapse to the ground for more than three seconds, you surrender. An attack may not be made upon a surrendered person, and you may not attack once you have surrendered. Is all clear?”
“All’s clear,” you affirmed, and you drew your razor from its sheath, tossed it from hand to hand. You’d been briefed on the rules before, and thought about what was unsaid. You couldn’t kick, but you could punch. You could only hold or pin something for a few seconds, but that gave enough time to make a cut or twist something. The off-hand was far from useless here.
Funny as hell too, not like the knife was weighted for it, but nothing was said about throwing it.
Which made you ponder why Yuliana put one hand behind her back, like she was fencing with a saber. Yes, she had experience in fencing, but still…there was also how she seemed to not have a guard up at all. Like she was letting you have a free hit.
As for you, you stretched one arm, then the other. You could use your right hand as good as your left, but your left arm was wounded and weaker. Even if Yuliana wasn’t as muscled as you, she could probably outdo your left side.
Yuliana began to edge closer, and Magnus raised his hand as he stepped back. Time to decide your first move…
>Blade in your right hand. Best to keep the cutting thing swifter.
>Use your left hand for the blade. It was sharp enough not to need force.
>Other?
And-
>The lowered guard was a trick- but still a surrender of initiative. Make your first cut a quick snap, it doesn’t matter where.
>Let Yuliana make the first move, even if she was trying to bait it from you. Test her fighting style. Don’t attack, just see what she does.
>What did she think she was playing at? If she was letting you have at her, you’d give her a good lesson. (A well-aimed deep slash, but where?)
>Other?
