Thank you [mention]slackywacky[/mention]: Chapter IX will combine action and epic. Please do not let distract you by some of the Vocabulary. Some Expressions are difficult to translate into English and they ad flavour to this chapter.
As you may notice the customs and traditions of German Student Fraternities are rather different from those of their Anglo-American-Counterparts
Chapter IX:
The duel:
“Let us assume for a moment, we do talk about the Collection. I want to make you a proposal Frau von der Marwitz. As you know Carl von Winterfeldt and I are Corpsbrüder.”
Christine nodded.
“I take it you are familiar with the Corps Laws?” Stromberg continued.
“Your friend, Robert von Harenberg told me of your ways.” Christine nodded again, fixated entirely on Stromberg: Two strong willed characters striving to dominate the other.
Charlotte von Gräfenstein returned with a Trolley on which six exquisite Crystal Glasses stood and a decanter, in which a dark red wine gleamed.
“Lachrimae Christi”, Stromberg explained. Charlotte von Gräfenstein wanted to leave the cabinet but Stromberg called her back, “Charlotte I would like you to stay, as witness of this Conversation.”
“You do not have any objections against her presence do you, Frau von der Marwitz?"
“Of course not”, Christine nodded. “This is your house: your house, your rules.”
“I'm glad we agree on this”, Stromberg smiled graciously.
They tasted the Wine, which was excellent and had the perfect temperature. After they savoured the rich taste for a moment in silence, Stromberg set down his glass on the table:
“Let me tell you this, under any other circumstances we would not have this conversation. But things are different. As I said, Carl von Winterfeldt and I are Corpsbrüder." His guests nodded. “Decades ago I rendered Carl von Winterfeldt a service. The details are irrelevant, for now.”
“To honour my services, Carl presented me with the autograph of Dufay´s Mass “Sine nomine”. He gave me his word of honour as Corpsbruder never to demand anything else from me and never to demand the autograph back.”
“As Farbenbruder von Hardenberg can tell you the word of honour among Corpsbrüdern is sacrosanct. Once given it can never be broken, or taken back, isn´t it that so, von Hardenberg?”
“It is”, Robert nodded gravely.
Anna interrupted: “But von Winterfeldt did not feel bound by his Word of Honour?”
Stromberg regarded her with a grave nod. “Carl demanded the Dufay-Autograph back and threatened me and my assistant." he nodded at Charlotte, "when I did not relent. I consider that as severe breach of conduct and this is the only reason we have this conversation.”
“I will make you an offer – and this offer is the reason, why I insisted on Farbenbruder von Hardenberg´s Presence.”
Stromberg looked Christine directly in the eye: “You are familiar with the Code of Honour and the Corps laws?”
“I am”, Christine replied simply.
“I challenge you to duel me.”
The room fell silent.
“If you win, I will give you the autograph and I will tell you all I know about the Weinstein-Collection, which means I will tell you, where you will find further Information."
"But be warned. If you find meeting me difficult, you will find getting him to meet you an even greater Challenge, even a dangerous one. If I win, you will leave this house and never come back. These are my conditions. Do you accept them?”
“I will, but we have to clarify a point”, Christine responded evenly, "When do you consider the duel lost?”
“The winner is the one, who strikes his opponent three times first and is not hit in return”. Stromberg explained.
“I accept”, Christine said firmly. “But I have one counterproposal to make.”
“What would that be?”, Stromberg asked.
“I take it, that we will wear the usual protective gear, including protection for the eyes?”
“That the duel code states.” Stromberg nodded.
“Then let me tell you this”, Christine spoke in a clear strong voice, “I will fight without any protective gear.” Kate, Anna and Robert looked astonished at her as if she had lost her mind.
Stromberg looked long at Christine, appraisingly, Christine held his gaze then he spoke not unkindly so: “Frau von der Marwitz, don't you fear for your beautiful face?”
“I do not”, Christine countered calmly, another moment of silence. The two opponents regarded each other for a moment then Stromberg spoke:
“I accept your proposal, Frau von der Marwitz. The rules will be the usual. Farbenbruder von Hardenberg will be umpire. Is this acceptable?”
“Absolutely.”, Christine agreed.
“This is settled then”, Stromberg said. “Let´s go upstairs in my “Paukraum” on the first floor.” Stromberg stood up and his guests and Charlotte von Gräfenstein followed.
Robert whispered agitated in Christine´s ear: “Chris, are you out of your dammed artist´s mind?”
“No why?” Christine replied evenly.
“Why? You ask why? She asks why?” he asked nobody in particular. Robert´s face bore an expression of utter astonishment: “Stromberg was and is a legend for his duelling skills. He trains regularly still.”
“So do I, Robert, believe me, I know exactly what I am doing.”
“Oh she does”, Anna quipped “You should have seen yesterday what she did with that Katana.” Robert stared at her, as if he saw Christine for the very first time.
“Yesterday? Katana?” He asks, shocked.
“Yes”, Anna replied grinning “Our fearless leader beheaded the Dark Lady yesterday – well almost.” Robert looked so stunned as if someone had hit him with a bludger squarely above the head.
They had reached a dark wooden door at the upper floor. Charlotte von Gräfenstein typed a combination into an IPad – and the door swung open. They entered.
The room measured roughly 20 x 10 x 5 Meters. The floor was made from polished dark wood, high ceilings, large arched windows at the two corresponding long walls of the rectangular room.
In the centre of the room two white lines were drawn onto the polished wooden floor. “There will stand the two duelists”, Robert explained to Anna and Kate – he seemed to have regained his composure somewhat. “Leaving that line, or moving only one inch backwards means, that the fighter has lost and eternal shame will be his.”
“The combatants stand on their line. Feet apart, the left arm behind the back, you hold the right arm above your head, the hilt of your sword as high as possible above your forehead and the point of your sword near your left shoulder.”
“You do not move your arm, but only your wrist, correct?” Kate asked Robert.
“Basically yes", he replied.
“You see the swords Charlotte von Gräfenstein is holding? “
”They look different to ordinary sabres”, Anna stated.
“Yes”, Robert explained further. “These weapons are called “Schlaeger, its blade is roughly three feet long and about half an inch broad. The entire front edge is sharp as is one third of the back. The blade is the same width around its complete length."
“A duel normally lasts fifteen Minutes, every round or “Gang” roughly fifteen seconds”, Peter lectured, as Anna tried to imagine herself with the sword in Christine's place.
Stromberg had removed Jacket and tie and rolled up his shirt´s sleeves. Christine had laid her daisho on a bench and went through some stretching moves. Robert turned to Anna and Kate: “I must leave you now I must control the weapons and prepare both Combatants."
Kate watched the Preparations of both duelists. Both seemed calm and total collected. In Kate's eyes, Christine's face bore the same look of deep concentration she had displayed yesterday in Suite 365.
After Christine had completed her warm up, she and Stromberg went to Robert, who had examined the blades and selected three, which he found suitable. Both duelists chose one. Christine took her weapon took the position, which Robert had described to them and executed a series of strokes, so fast, that the blade could hardly be seen.
Charlotte von Gräfenstein had followed the preparations intently. She had seen her Boss train and fight many times. So she had not been overly concerned. Stromberg was a formidable fighter. Beating him, she considered impossible.
But she grew uneasy, when she watched the preparations of von der Marwitz: The grace, the fluidity, the ease and the speed with which she went through the motions. Von der Marwitz seemed indeed to know what she was doing.
Charlotte and her Boss had disregarded Christine´s Counter-offer: regarded it as bravado, or mere enthusiasm: Courageous but out of her depth in a fight like this. Now Charlotte was not so sure anymore.
The two combatants stood on their lines. Robert between them and explaining the rules:
“According to the laws, this duel will last 15 Minutes or ends when one of you two is unable to continue the duel. Each round will last 15 seconds. Is that agreed?" Both Parties nodded their agreement.
“Frau von Gräfenstein, Farbenbruder Stromberg explained to me, that you are qualified as surgeon, so you will act as the Paukarzt.”
“I will”, Charlotte confirmed with a confidence she did not feel.
“You will follow the oath of Hippocrates and tend to each of the combatants accordingly?” Robert asked her in a stern voice.
“I will." she confirmed solemnly.
“You know that any favouritism towards one of the duelists is regarded a grievous offence?"
“I know.” Charlotte confirmed without any hesitation and retracted to the side, so that she would have an unobstructed view
Robert asked the two duelists. "Do you solemnly swear to fight a fair duel according to the duel code of the KSCV?"
“We do”, both, Christine and Stromberg responded loud and clear in unison.
“Then assume the position.”
Stromberg and Christine stood on their respective lines. The Schlaeger high above their head in exact the same position, Robert had described to them, Kate found, as she and Anna stood on Christine's right side.
Robert stood between the two duelists, his own blade held high between the two. Time seemed to have frozen. No sound penetrated the silence.
Then Robert´s blade cut down and he cried “Los!” (Go!) The swords flew down in tremendous speed. The blades rang, when they connected, stroking sparks.
Anna tried to count stroke and counterstrokes but lost count quickly. After fifteen seconds Robert cried “Halt!” (Stop) both Combatants assumed the position they had been in before the first round.
No blade had drawn blood at least there were no open wounds to be seen. Stromberg seemed a little more out of breath than his younger opponent, his face already slightly red, while Christine looked concentrated but relaxed.
Stomberg smiled: “You are a worthy opponent Frau von der Marwitz!”
"As are you, Herr Stomberg." Christine said a with a sincere bow,
Robert asked the pair: “Ready?” Then: “Assume the position! Los!”
The next two rounds ended like the first without a hit. But Anna could not be totally sure, but she had the impression, that Stromberg had been a little slower the last time.”
“What do you think?” Anna whispered to Kate,
“Difficult to tell”, her friend responded. "So far the two seemed evenly matched ….”
And on it went. And then it happened, so fast that nobody saw it actually happening. During the fifth round Robert's blade suddenly flew upwards and divided the blades of Christine and Stromberg.
“Halt”, Robert cried out. The reason for the break was obvious, Above Stromberg´s right brow a nasty gash had opened. Blood dripped on the floor.
“Paukarzt!” (Surgeon!) Robert commanded and Charlotte von Gräfenstein hurried nearer to examine Stromberg's wound. She used some sterile cotton to clean it, disinfected it then stapled it. Then she turned to Robert: “The Combatant can stand the Mensur, Herr Schiedsrichter!” (Umpire)
“Very well then”, Robert spoke. “Assume the position in two Minutes!”
While Charlotte von Gräfenstein had treated Stromberg´s wound, Christine had taken a sip out of a water bottle.” “What do you think, Chris?” Anna asked her."
“He is very good, he is remarkable fast for his age, has good reflexes. But he is getting slower. I must concentrate though every second, if I let my guard down for a moment, things will change.”
“I must go.” And she returned to her line and assumed the fighting position, the blade held high.
“She is incredible fast”, Stromberg thought, so far von der Marwitz had presented him no opening, not the slightest. The Artist seemed to anticipate his every move, in a split second. While the first cut, was only a superficial wound, he had to be careful now. But he had always loved a challenge, the thrill the anticipation.
The command of the Umpire came: “Fertig! Los! Terz. Prim. Quart, riposte …”
The sixth, the seventh and the eight round passed, none of the two combatants landed a hit. But it was obvious, even to the untrained eye, that Stromberg had more difficulties to hold his ground against his opponent. He sweated profusely now his face became redder with each passing round.
The prolonged fight took its toll on both opponents. Even Chris reactions had become slower. But for Stromberg the price was higher. Grudgingly he had to admit that he had never come close to break through von der Marwitz parades. This could only go on so long.
In the aftermath the ninth round was to be considered the turning point: A sharp clang. Robert´s blade interrupted the Gang.
“Paukarzt!” “Fast!”
This time Christine had hit the right cheek of her adversary.
Though displaying a stoic attitude Stromberg grimaced slightly as Charlotte tended to his wound. “Now Carl and I can compare notes”, he thought sarcastically.
“Only one more time Chris! You nearly had him!” Anna was giddy with joy.
Kate, though not quite as enthusiastic as the Russian, agreed. “He grows ever weaker and slower.” She paused for a second. Try to hit him high. Stromberg seems to have considerable more problems to parry the strokes you aim at the crown of his head.”
“The Mensur will continue. Prepare yourself!” Robert´s loud clear voice cut into their whispered conversation.
The end came in the eleventh round: A stroke of Christine which Stromberg failed to parry cut deep in his upper head. Blood streamed from the wound, dropped on the floor. This time Charlotte von Gräfenstein had difficulties to staunch the bleeding.
Robert demanded: “Can the Paukant still stand the Mensur?”
Charlotte replied clearly: "No, Umpire, Paukant Stromberg cannot continue the duel. The danger for his health is too great!”
“Very well”, Robert spoke then in a loud and clear commanding voice:
“Die Persönliche Contrahage” (the personal duel) between Christine von der Marwitz and my Farbenbruder Peter Stromberg is finished. Christine von der Marwitz has won! The duel is finished. Paukanten congratulate each other!
Stromberg had style. Christine had to give him that.
He saluted her with his blade and then shook her hand:
“You were and you are a worthy adversary. I consider it as honour and a privilege to have duelled with you.”
“Please return downstairs in my cabinet, the Staff will take care of you. I will join you as soon as Charlotte has stitched me up. Then we will talk.”
He turned and left the room with Charlotte von Gräfenstein.
Anna, Kate and Robert joined her: Robert bowed down before Christine. “This was one of the finest demonstrations of sportsmanship I ever saw from both of you and you can think of Stromberg what you want, but he has style.”
“Yes”, Christine replied, “that he has.”
She was in a strange mood. Tired, but relaxed but poised and alert … all together at once. Anna and Kate hugged her friend tightly. “You did great Christine! You really did!”
“Let us get down in Stromberg´s cabinet!” Anna called exhilarated “There must be more of this red wine – or even better!” Champagne!”
“She is incurable”, Kate sighed, with a grin. “This time she is right!”
They left the Hall and returned downstairs.
