A Strategic Victory and a Tactical Defeat

Blood Sport

Homoth spun around as his heart pounded. He saw Baet turn and his arm came up with the new musket in hand. Homoth lifted his arm and fired. Smoke and fire billowed from the gun.

There was no return fire. Homoth looked to the crowd and they stared back at him in shock.

Something moved in front of Homoth, and he turned back toward Baet. The smoke cleared, and he could see Baet striding at him, musket in hand. Homoth had missed! Only a few steps from Homoth, Baet fired his musket. He aimed just to the left of Paye's brother. With the report loud in everyone's ears, Baet closed the remaining distance that separated him from Homoth. He smashed his free hand into Homoth's shocked face. Homoth backpedaled and landed heavily on his haunches. His hands lifted to his nose and touched the blood that gushed from his nostrils.

With a scowl on his face, Baet reached down and took Cloud Breaker.

Paye separated from the crowd with a cry. She ran for her brother, and sat at his side.

"He broke my nothe," Homoth accused as he stared at his sister.

Now that she was sure that Homoth would live, Paye's face turned dark. She swung wide and smashed her fist into his shoulder. "You twit! You almost killed him!" she raged as she punched him again and again. "You want me raising my baby alone?!" She raged. Homoth shrugged, unsure what to say. Instead of saying anything he simply defended himself from Paye's blows. "Don't ever do that again! You scared me witless!"

Baby? Baet questioned as he stared at Paye. Could she possibly be pregnant? And if she was, how could she possibly know it so soon?

Paye stood up and stomped away from her downed brother. She wrapped her arms around Baet and settled her head on his chest. "Thank you, thank you, thank you..." she said as she kissed his surprised face.

The crowd smiled and chuckled, happy to have the duel resolved and both men still alive. It was an impossible ending, and yet nobody dared mention it was supposed to be a duel to the death. If both parties were resolved, who were the others to complain? There was visible relief from most. Azra and his other boys gathered around Homoth and helped him up. Azra approached Baet as he was crowded by other men and women of the area. His meaty hand extended to the Saot. Although he smiled and shook Baet's hand, Azra said nothing. He dropped the man's hand and turned back to his sons.

"If that don't beat all," someone said.

Paye squealed with delight as she squeezed Baet, and kissed him over and over and over.

A cheer went up among the others, and slowly the crowd dispersed with shaking heads and stunned smiles.

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