“’Twas not fitting to continue an unfinished argument before a company of friends and family,” Bayard said crisply. “And truly, we could not have begun again without finishing what was left unfinished. No doubt we both have found more arguments to make in favor of our own side. ’Twas not the reason we were gathered, and to begin such a dispute would have been an abuse of our host’s hospitality.”
Silence stretched between them. On impulse, Bayard drew his sword and lifted it toward his brother. He smiled. “Come, Amaury. Show me what you have learned these five years past. Show me how much more difficult you are to defeat.”
A familiar light glinted in Amaury’s eyes and he drew his own blade with grace. “En garde,” he murmured and their blades clashed between them.
En gardeAmaury was indee
