“What’s up?” I asked him.
“Oh,” he said, “I think I found a way of settling this without a war.”
“Great,” I said. “What did you sell him?”
“I sold him on the idea of fighting a duel with me to determine how this thing goes,” he explained.
“God damn it, Luke! “ I said. “That guy’s a pro! And I’m sure he’s got our genetic package for strength. And he’s been living in the field all this time. He’s probably in top shape. And he outweighs you and outreaches you.”
Luke grinned.
“So, I might get lucky,” he said. He looked at Julian. “Anyway, if you can get a message back to the lines and tell them not to attack when we start this thing, Dalt’s side will be holding still for it, too.”
Julian looked over to where one of Dalt’s torchbearers had started back toward his lines. He turned toward his own side then and executed a number of hand signals. Shortly, a man emerged from cover and began jogs toward us.
“Luke;” I said. “This is crazy. The only way you’re going to win is to get Benedict for a second and then break a leg.”
“Merle,” he said, “let it go. This is between Dalt and me. Okay?”
“I’ve got a bunch of fairly fresh spells,” I said. “We can let this thing start, and then I’ll hit him with one at the right time. It’ll look as if you did it.”
“No!” he said. “This really is a matter of honor. So you’ve got to stay out of it.”
“Okay,” I said, “if that’s how you want it.”
“Besides, nobody’s going to die,” he explained. “Neither of us wants that right now, and it’s part of the deal. We’re too valuable to each other alive. No weapons. Strictly mano a mano.”
“Just what,” Julian inquired, “is the deal?”
“If Dalt whips my ass,” Luke replied, “I’m his prisoner. He’ll withdraw his force and I’ll accompany him.”
“Luke, you’re crazy!” I said.
Julian glared at me.
“Continue,” he said.
“If I win, he’s my prisoner,” he went on. “He goes back with me to Amber, or anywhere else I care to transport him, and his officers withdraw his troops.”
“The only way of assuring such a withdrawal,” Julian said, “is to let them know that if they don’t they’re doomed.”
“Of course,” Luke said. “That’s why I told him that Benedict is waiting in the wings to roll down on him. I’m sure it’s the only reason he’s agreed to do this.”
“Most astute,” Julian observed. “Either way, Amber wins. What are you trying to buy with this, Rinaldo, for yourself?”
Luke smiled.
“Think about it,” he said.
“There is more to you than I’d thought, Nephew,” he replied. “Move over there to my right, would you?”
“Why?”
“To block his view of me, of course. I’ve got to let Benedict know what’s going on.”
Luke moved while Julian located his Trumps and shuffled out the proper one. In the meantime the runner from our lines had come up and stood waiting. Julian put away all of the cards but one then, and commenced his communication. It lasted for a minute or so, then Julian paused to speak with the runner and send him back. Immediately, he continued the conversation with the card. When he finally stopped talking or seeming to listen, he did not restore the Trump to the inner pocket where he kept the others, but retained it in his hand out of sight. I realized then that the contact would not be broken, that he would stay in touch with Benedict until this business was finished, so that Benedict would know in an instant what it was that he must do.
Luke unfastened the cloak I’d lent him, came over, and handed it to me.
“Hold this till I’m done, will you?” he said.
“Yes,” I agreed, accepting it. “Good luck.”
He smiled briefly and turned away. Dalt was already moving toward the center of the square.
Luke advanced, also. He and Dalt both halted, facing each other, while there were still several paces separating them. Dalt said something I could not hear, and Luke’s reply was lost to me, also.