The Hammerhead Duel
10th of Owyn’s Light, 1728
“Two brothers, both alike in dignity
In fair Reza
From ancient tradition to new grudges
Where uncivil blood makes civil hands unclean.
A pair of kin take each others lives;
Do with their death bury their strife.”
Count Viktor Ruthern had inherited a glorious legacy yet an idle duchy. While he had certainly not planned on following suit in this, it soon became the case. He soon stopped attending the regular sessions of the Duma, and failed to re-pledge his house’s loyalty to the newly crowned King of Haense. This led to the demotion of House Ruthern to comital status, and the Count’s wife to seek out a divorce with the man. Devastated and unsure of where this leaves him and his house, and the legacy of the House he now led, he ambled his way towards the next session of the Duma, at least planning on showing his House’s presence at the assembly.
Tuvya Ruthern, second born son and twin to Count Viktor. Never to be the heir, he departed Haense in search of wealth during the war of two Emperors. The young Tuvya was thought lost soon after the war ended. After years of traveling and seeking his own fortune, a letter from the Kingdom gave him grave news. His brothers shortcomings had lost the once glorious legacy of Ruthern. The Duchy of Vidaus long held for generations had been stripped from them. Tuvya returned during the festival of Golden Crow, and used what wealth he had gained to forge a sword, and branded with the words of his house and the sigil, “By Bones and Barrows.” With these words in his mind he traveled to court seeking to claim regency for his brother. Soon finding out Viktor didn’t plan to step down, Tuvya awaited outside the Duma for his brother.
Tuvya watched as his brother exited the Duma, his eyes noticing Ruther’s Hammer hanging from his back. The younger twin stepped out from the shadows confronting Viktor, “Ah dear brother, it’s been sometime.”
Count Viktor raised his gaze from the floor, his brows furrowing slightly as he glanced over his brother. “Tuvya, greetings. How've you fared?”
“Better than you,” Tuvya frowns toward Viktor, “I heard you lost the Duchy of Vidaus.” The younger twin glared at his brother, his eyes unmoving and cold.
“A misunderstanding, something I'm working on remedying.” Viktor cleared his throat. “What is it, brother? Why do you bring up such a thing?”
Tuvya Ruthern steps forward closer to his brother, his hand holding the hilt of his sword. “Even your wife doesn't wish to stay with you now.”
Viktor Ruthern's previously neutral expression faded to one of muted anger, the man glancing up his kin with a frown and widened eyes. His hand also drifted to that of his hammer. “Stay your tongue, Tuvya. That is no business of yours.”
“It is my business when our House is failing because of a weak Count.”
“What do you hope to gain by doing this? I'm making an effort to fix my errors, there's nothing more I can do but try.”
“How will you fix these errors, our House has had to many weak Lords. Maybe it’s time for a change.”
“**** if I know! Contribute to the military, return to our roots. Live by the sword, as our kin did all those years ago. But you approaching me in the streets, hand on your blade, insulting me? What do you think you're doing, brother?”
“Step down as Count, and name me your successor. I shall regain my house’s glory.”
Viktor Ruthern scoffed, quickly shaking his head. His lips pursed, his hand tightening around the handle of Ruther's Hammer. “Back down, Tuvya. You're far out of line, and I'd hate to have to put you back in place.”
Tuvya Ruthern steps back, drawing his arming sword, “Ruthern has been ruled by weak men for too long, it will never be again.” A crowd now gathered around them, watching the two brothers’ argument escalate.
Viktor Ruthern squared his body towards Tuvya, drawing at the heavy, battered yet somehow decorated and ornate hammer that was looped at his back. “Don't do this, brother. Don't make a mistake that will last with you and me alike for years to come.”
Tuvya Ruthern looks down at the blade in his hand, reading the words, “By Bones and Barrows. . . It's time we return to our roots.” Tuvya grabs the shield off his back and moves into a defensive position. Those in the crowd began to shout for the twin brothers to return home in peace.
Viktor Ruthern opted to simply ignore those around him, his focus entirely on Tuvya. “By Bones and Barrows, then.” He offered a somehow entertained smirk, raising the hammer by his side.
The twins began a dance, Tuvya’s sword matching Viktor’s Hammer. With each blow, the shield began to crack, but Tuvya would not hide behind it. He lunged forward with the speed of a warrior cutting Viktor’s side before he could move. The elder twin, seemed to barely notice the wound as he once more attacked Tuvya relentlessly with Ruther’s hammer. But still Tuvya’s shield held. He soon had Viktor off balance and drove his sword forward just under Viktors ribs. The young count let out a cry in pain but with his Hammer still held high, he brought it down for one more deadly blow. Finally Tuvya’s shield shattered from the strike, the splinters cutting his arm, but he didn’t seem to feel it. Blood flowed down his head, the Hammer had found its mark.
[!] The Twin sharks inflict deadly wounds on each other in single combat.
The last thing Tuvya saw was the Hammer cracking through his shield, then he stared forward at his brother. His vision became red as blood flowed into his eye. The younger twin fell to his knees, his hand still holding the sword within his brother. He could see Viktor look back, their eyes fixed for one last moment before Tuvya lost all vision. He could not move nor speak, but he felt the cold ground around him, faintly heard the people rushing forward to check on the twins. But he couldn’t cry out, and each breath seemed to weaken until he could feel nothing.
[!] Tuvya Ruthern’s final resting place behind the Basilica of the Fifty Virgins.
Viktor felt a crushing pain in his gut as Tuvya’s sword found its mark - the center of his chest, just below the ribs. He let out a pained gasp, his face crunching in momentary agony before adrenaline took charge. He had one thing in mind and, given his hammer was already raised, brought the famed relic, Ruther’s Hammer, down on his brother’s head with a sickening crunch. And as soon as the hammer fell, it was dropped. The Count’s grave wound began afflicting him, his vision grew blurry as he stumbled back a step, before ultimately tumbling onto his rear. Lad and lass alike crowded around the two felled Rutherns, them having grown to be quite the spectacle in the square in front of the Duma Hall. Viktor was carried off to the clinic, where his last rites were given by Siguard of Reza. It was an emotional scene as the unconscious Ruthern was coddled by his previously soon-to-be ex-wife Mariya, an odd sight to be sure. His breath faltered soon after, before he met his inevitable fate. Viktor’s breathing stopped, the Count dying in her arms.
[!] Viktor II Ruthern’s final resting place in the crypts of Reza.
“Do with their death bury their strife.
For in this Twilight our choices seal our fate.”