As You Wish

Chapter 5: A Mighty Duel

"Hello down there!" Puckerman called to the man in black, "Slow going?"

"Look, this isn't as easy as it looks, so I would appreciate it if you wouldn't distract me...."

"Sorry."

"Thank you."

Puckerman pulled out his sword and prepared for his fight.

"I don't suppose you could speed things up?"

"If you're in such a hurry, you could lower a rope or a tree branch or find something useful to do."

"I could do that, I have some rope up here, but I don't think you would accept my help. Since I'm only waiting around to kill you."

"That does put a damper on our relationship."

"But I promise not to kill you until you reach the top."

"That's very comforting, but I'm afraid you'll just have to wait."

"I hate waiting..." Puckernan sighed, "Is there any way that you can trust me?"

"Nothing that comes to mind."

"I swear on the soul of my father Dominick Puckerman...you will reach the top alive," Puckerman said. The man in black could see the honesty in his eyes.

"Throw me the rope."

Puckerman dropped the rope down to the man in black, who climbed up to the top.

"Thank you." The man in black said, then began to pull his sword out.

"No-no, wait until you're ready," Puckerman said

"Again, thank you."

The man in black and Puckerman both sat down.

"I don't mean to pry...but you don't happen to have six fingers on your right hand?" Puckerman asked.

"Do you always begin conversations this way?"

"My father was murdered by a six-fingered man," Puckerman said. The man in black raised his right hand, five fingers only.

"He was a great blacksmith, my father. When the six-fingered man came requesting a special sword, my father took the job. He was slaved for a year before he finished it," Puckerman said, and pulled his sword out handing it to the man in black. It was a magnificent sword with a golden handle with rubies and emeralds.

"I've never seen anything like it." He said, admiring the beautiful sword.

"When it was finished, the six-fingered man returned and demanded it, but at one-tenth his promised price, my father refused. Without a word, the six-fingered man slashed him through the heart. I loved my father. So naturally, I challenged his murderer to a duel...I failed. The six-fingered man left me alive." Puckerman explained,

"But he gave me these." He said, gesturing to his face; on each cheek was a scar. The man in black had deep sympathy.

"How old were you?"

"I was 11 years old. I dedicated my life to the study of fencing so that when we meet again, I will not fail; I will look the six-fingered man in the eye and say, 'Hello...my name is Noah Puckerman. You killed my father...prepare to die."

"You've done nothing but study swordplay?"

"Mostly pursue than anything," Puckerman said, sitting next to the man in black, "You see, I cannot find him and have started to give up. I just work for Rachel to pay the bills, there's not a lot of payment in revenge."

"Well, I do hope you find him." The man in black said, standing up.

"You're ready then?"

"Rather I am or not, you've been very generous."

"You seem a decent fellow. I hate to kill you."

"You seem a decent fellow. I hate to die."

"Begin."

Circling each other, their steel clashed in a rhythmic pattern, an orchestra of steel testifying to the conflict.

"You're using Bonetti's defense against me, huh?" Puckerman asked

"I thought it fitting, considering the rocky terrain."

"Naturally, you'd expect me to attack with Capo Ferro."

"Naturally. But I find that Thibault cancels out Capo Ferro, don't you?" The man in black asked as the blades clashed.

"Unless the enemy has studied his agrippa!" Puckerman said, jumping off the rock, "Which I have!"

"You are amazing," Puckerman exclaimed.

"Thank you, I've worked hard to become so."

"I've just admitted that you are better than I am!" Puckerman said smiling.

"Then why are you smiling?"

"Because I know something you don't know. I am not left-handed!" Puckerman exclaimed, then switched his sword to his dominant hand. Their swords clashed, and Puckerman had the man in black cornered.

"There's something you should know!" The man in black grunted.

"And what is that?"

"I am not left-handed either." He said and the man in black tossed his sword to his right and continued to duel Puckerman.

"Who are you?" Puckerman asked circling the man in black.

"No one of consequence."

"I must know."

"Get used to disappointment."

"Alright." Puckerman shrugged and swung his sword once again.

Puckerman had bested many swordsmen in his life, but the man in black was a true force of nature.

He felt a tinge of fear when the fight didn't end, he swung viciously at the man in black, who dodged his every swing, and soon Puckerman's sword was knocked out of his hand, meaning defeat.

"Kill me quickly...." He requested as he dropped to his knees.

"I would as soon destroy a stained glass window as an artist like yourself. However, since I can't have you following me either...." The man in black then struck Puckerman in the back of his head, knocking him unconscious.

"Please understand, I hold you in the highest respect." The man in black said, picked up his sword, and took off.