Masque of Death (Kormak Book Nine) (The Kormak Saga 9) by William King Page A

speak to me of remaining calm. I demand satisfaction, sir. I demand it now.”
    Zamara stood there, mouth open, stupefied. He quite clearly did not know whether to intervene or not. Among the nobility duels were a matter governed by etiquette.
    “Satisfaction? For what?” Kormak asked.
    “For your behaviour, sir. Surely you’re not going to be so indelicate as to force me to spell this thing out.”
    “I’m afraid I am. When a man challenges me to a duel, I feel the need to ask why.”
    “For your behaviour towards my wife, of course.”
    “Your wife?”
    “Don’t play the innocent with me! I won’t stand for it.”
    The Governor had been watching all of this with mild amusement. Kormak suspected that Aurin would be quite happy for this man to kill him in a duel. It would certainly put an end to the investigation. He began to wonder if this had perhaps been arranged.
    “I don’t understand what you’re talking about,” Kormak said. “And I don’t fight duels.”
    “What sort of coward are you?”
    “If you want to try and kill me, go ahead. It will give me no pleasure to cut you down.”
    The man stared at him. Clearly, this was not how he expected things to go. “I do not have my duelling sword with me. Nor are you properly equipped.”
    “I have fought many a battle with this blade. And it has shed the blood of considerably more noble men than you.”
    “This is not the way such things are done,” the man spluttered.
    “Do you need an audience? If there is a matter worth killing over surely it is best to get it out of the way. If honour must be satisfied, there is no time like the present.”
    The man took a step back now and looked at Kormak as if seeing him for the first time. His expression was confused. He looked as if he suspected he was being mocked and at the same time there were something like respect in his eyes. Kormak judged his opponent. He moved very well for such a large man and doubtless he would be formidable in a fight.
    “You have no honour, sir.”
    “I’m not the one who charged in and started making false accusations.”
    “Are you calling me a liar, sir?”
    “Why? Would it give you cause to challenge me to a duel?”
    “I am sure it would.”
    “Sir Kormak is mocking you, Count Shahad,” said the Governor.
    “No man mocks me and lives.”
    The Count placed his hand upon his sword. “I want witnesses to show I cut down this clod in a lawful manner.”
    “Since I am about to die, may I ask who put you up to this?” Kormak asked.
    “No one but yourself, sir. Your behaviour with my wife was unforgivable.”
    “What am I supposed to have done to your wife?”
    “You have polluted her, sir. You have sullied my good name and dragged hers through the mud.”
    “And how exactly have I done this?”
    “In the usual way, sir. In the manner of a lustful man venting his evil desires on pure and innocent flesh.”
    “And when did I vent my evil desires?”
    “You know full well, sir.”
    “Indulge me.”
    “Last night, when in your cups, filled with drunken lust you pulled my poor wife into a darkened room and had your evil way with her.”
    “That seems very unlikely,” said Rhiana. “Sir Kormak was with me last night. And I saw your wife nowhere in our chambers.”
    Count Shahad turned to her and said, “And you are prepared to admit to such lewd behaviour? I would expect nothing less from a moonchild.”
    “I am far from the only person around here indulging in it. If the rest are hypocritical enough not to want to talk about it, that is their lookout.”
    Count Shahad shook his head. “I do not believe you.”
    Rhiana laughed at him. “I do not care. It alters the truth, not one whit, you ox.”
    “By the Light, woman, if you were a man I would call you out.”
    “Don’t let that stop you! Or the fact you have already challenged someone else. Not that I think you’ll live long enough to get to me. If you are idiotic enough to fight Sir Kormak, you deserve