Burr's POV
One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine... it's the ten duel commandments.
#1
The Challenge: Demand satisfaction. If they apologize, no need for further action. But this is Hamilton and Laurens we're dealing with. No apologies will be made.
#2
If they don't, grab a friend. That's your second. Your lieutenant when there's reckoning to be reckoned. Laurens naturally chose Alexandra as her second. I was reluctant when Lee approached me asking if I would be his second, but I knew someone would have to try to keep the peace.
#3
Have your seconds meet face to face. Negotiate a peace, or negotiate a time and place. I tried to reason with Alexandra. I really did. But she and Joan refused to back down. Whatever. This is commonplace; especially between recruits. Most disputes die and no one shoots.
#4
If they don't reach a peace, that's alright. Time to get some pistols and a doctor on sight. You pay them in advance, you treat them with civility, and you have them turn around so they can have deniability.
#5
Duel before the sun is in the sky. Pick a place to die where it's high and dry.
#6
Leave a note for your next of kin. Tell 'em where you've been. Pray that hell or heaven lets you in.
#7
Confess your sins, ready for the moment of adrenaline. When you finally face your opponent...
#8
Your last chance to negotiate. Send in your seconds. See if they can set the record straight. I'm riddled with anxiety. Standing across from Alexandra, I try once more to end this silly conflict.
"Alexandra,"
"Aaron Burr, sir!" She says, chipper as ever.
"Can we agree that duels are dumb and immature?" I say, trying to hide the desperation in my voice.
"Sure." Oh good. She's on board. "But your man has to answer for his words, Burr." I spoke too soon.
"With his life? We both know that's absurd." I don't know how else to explain that this is a bad idea.
"Hang on." She points an accusing finger at Lee. "How many men died because Lee was inexperienced and ruinous?"
I give up. "Okay. So we're doing this."
#9
Look him in the eye. Aim no higher. Summon all the courage you require. Then count!
One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine...
#10
Ten paces! Fire!
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Alexandra Hamilton
Fiksi PenggemarAlexandra Hamilton, Elijah Schuyler, Joan Laurens, Mark Reynolds and a few others are genderbends. I'm taking a lot of creative liberties because I want this to be an empowering story. I also changed Alex and Eli's children to mostly girls. I don't...
