The Duke's Bride

[NPCs]

Harrod departs right after that, giving the other two a couple of minutes to wait before a trio of servants are seen approaching Harrod at a brisk walk. One is carrying an armload of quivers, each filled with arrows. The next carries a long, flat wooden case of some rich looking red wood. And the last is simply holding an unstrung bow that's as long as Lance is tall; even once strung and thus bent, it's close to the length of the Duke's greatsword and well past the size of the longbow he's used to hunt with. Still, that shouldn't make that much difference... right?

Turning towards them, Harrod gestures politely, then glances pointedly at the servants.

[Lance Roidmet]

Lance takes the bow, stringing it handily and offering it to Hanza to check over. "Check this for me," he says gruffly. 

[Hanza koshack]

After checking it over I nod "it's in good standing. There's been no tampering. May I inspect the second to insure they are equal?"

[Judge Harrod Blacquin]

Harrod smiles faintly. "I can spare you the effort," he replies, flicking the case open and taking out the bow inside. It's made of some pale, almost ivory colored material that looks like wood at first glance but it's too smooth. A longer look causes it to click for Hanza: this is made from the wishbone of a wyvern. Not even close to a dragon in power, rarity, intelligence or size, wyverns are still a nasty threat. Hanza can't tell which kind of wyvern it's from by just looking, but assuming Harrod chose the best, it's from a cloudswimmer wyvern, also called a cliff wyvern. Very flexible but even more elastic, the 'snap' of the bone, combined with its durability and light weight, make it one of the very best materials for a bow. "It's very much superior, I assure you." Humming, he lifts one of the coils of silver-colored thread hooked on the underside of the lid and strings the bow with ease born of long practice. It looks like silk, but silk would make for a terrible bow string; hair of some kind perhaps, but Hanza doesn't recognize it just on sight.

[Hanza koshack]

"A bow made of wyvrim bone is hardly as its magical properties constitute an unfair advantage. Please select one of plane wood or offer one of similar properties."

[Judge Harrod Blacquin]

"No."

[Lance Roidmet]

"So you intend to cheat."

[Judge Harrod Blacquin]

"That is not cheating," Harrod says politely. "The use of personal weapons is a long-held tradition in duels. The choice to have the duel so soon was not mine, and so it is not my fault that you are unable to procure your own weapon and must, as they say, make due."

[Lance Roidmet]

"Your weapon is enchanted. That means mine can be, too." Lance hands his bow off to Hanza again. 

[Judge Harrod Blacquin]

"It's not enchanted, nor blessed," Harrod says, lowering his voice and giving Lance a pointed look before sweeping his gaze around without moving his head. Ix-nay on the agic-may and all that. "It's simply made of superior materials and by superlative skill."

[Hanza koshack]

"He is correct my friend there is nothing in the law that sates he can't however you, lance, may use your own bow or one given you by a member of your party. As such" I make a motion with my hand and my apprentice brings forth an old worn case. "You may use mine it is still in good use and is of a similar make."

Indeed as it is inspected it is shown to be unenchsnted and indeed is not blessed. It is made of a harpies rib. Light and lath and nimble. The string made of sphinxes mane spun tight  this bow is in every way the equal to harods.

[Lance Roidmet]

Lance tosses the wooden bow back to the servant who brought it, taking the harpie's rib bow and lifting it gently. "Yes, this will do nicely."

[Judge Harrod Blacquin]

Harpy bone, hmm? Just as light but less durable. Of course, that is hardly a concern in a simple contest such as this; a stone wall is just as protective as a mason one against rain after all. "How lucky you are to have your... friends... here to hold your hand and correct your failures."

[Lance Roidmet]

"I'm going to enjoy beating your ass," he smirks. 

[GamesMaster]

Then there is nothing left to be done but to do it. Lance and Harrod shake hands; Lance officially proclaims the challenge to be over "the grave insults to my household that your Lord hath performed this morn, in the stealing of my maid and the insulting of my family line." 

Then a target is erected, and the two agree that the distance is suitable for both bows. Lance bows, stepping aside to let Harrod shoot first.