Dueling Casters
Euden: Joe! I need you!
Joe: Well, shucks, Euden. I'm guessin' it's serious?
Euden: The convoy carrying the manacaster was waylaid. The carriage driver is safe, thankfully...
Joe: But the caster's gone. I get you. I'll help track down whoever took it.
Euden: I appreciate it. I'll make for Chanzelia to inform my sister of what's happened.
Euden: I would ask you to track the thief. And let me give you this spare caster Chelle sent, just in case.
Joe: I'd rather put my caster days behind me, but I suppose now ain't the time to be picky.
Joe: Any idea where our rat might be hiding?
Euden: The convoy was ambushed just south of the Egan Flats, so—
Joe: Found you. Now, how's about you hand over the caster before things get ugly?
Sharpshooter Joe: Wait. Miguel?! But you're... That's not possible!
Manacaster Thief: No, it isn't. Because Miguel is dead, Joe, at your filthy hands. You killed my little brother!
Sharpshooter Joe: Your brother?! Then you're—
Ramon: Ramon. Miguel was the only blood I had, and you killed him in a ridiculous duel for the right to challenge that bowmaster.
Sharpshooter Joe: Funny. He never mentioned a brother. Least of all an identical one.
Ramon: Hmph. I'm not surprised. He always had a chip on his shoulder as the younger twin.
Sharpshooter Joe: So now you've come to get revenge.
Ramon: I'm fresh out of flowers for his grave, you see. Figured he'd prefer your head anyway!
Sharpshooter Joe: Rgh, he's quick!
Sharpshooter Joe: *Tsk* He actually grazed me.
Ramon: What's wrong? You forget how to pull the trigger, or are you planning to just stand there and accept your fate?
Ramon: Well, I won't keep you waiting. The next bullet's going straight through your heart!
Euden: Not on my watch!
Ramon: Gah! The coward brought friends!
Sharpshooter Joe: Euden?! When'd you get here?
Euden: I set out after you straight from Chanzelia. But forget that, Joe. Use the caster!
Euden: I know you said it was a soulless weapon, but I think there's more to it than that.
Sharpshooter Joe: Oh?
Euden: You just didn't have the right opponent— someone to put that fear you were missing into your heart.
Euden: But now, each of you holds the same caster, and the same threat of death hangs over your heads. Do you feel it?
Sharpshooter Joe: Heh. Damn right I do. My blood's pumpin' red-hot through my veins.
Sharpshooter Joe: This duel will tell me all I need to know about the caster's worth as a weapon!
Euden: Then I'll stay out of your way.
Sharpshooter Joe: Just don't blink, or you'll miss the show.
Euden: I won't. I leave it to you, Joe.
Sharpshooter Joe: Sorry to keep you. Let's finish this. Quick draw contest suit your fancy?
Ramon: Suits me fine. Bow or caster, there's no one quicker than me.
Sharpshooter Joe: Not even Miguel?
Ramon: Who do you think taught him? He was a genius with the bow, no question. But he lacked consistency.
Ramon: We were an even match, the two of us. I knew that once he found his form, he'd go on to surpass me and be the world's best!
Sharpshooter Joe: ......
Ramon: If he was in peak condition, he'd never have lost to the likes of you. I'll prove that when I kill you, here and now.
Sharpshooter Joe: Fair enough. I can tell from your opening volley you're a crack shot to rival Miguel.
Sharpshooter Joe: But are you good enough to kill ME? Reckon you're about to find out.
Ramon: In a hurry to die, are we? Fine by me. ...We draw when the bird on that outcrop takes off. Agreed?
Sharpshooter Joe: As you like. I'm ready whenever.
Ramon: Those your last words?
Sharpshooter Joe: ......
Ramon: ...!
Ramon: (Got him! I knew I was the fastes—?!)
Ramon: NRAAAUGH! My aaarm!
Sharpshooter Joe: Heh. Looks like I'm the quicker draw.
Ramon: How?! I reacted before you—I'm sure of it!
Sharpshooter Joe: Don't quite know what to tell you, brother. Proof's in the puddin'. I'm just better.
Sharpshooter Joe: Guess if I had to say why, it'd be... because I put my soul into it.
Ramon: I've lost. Kill me and get it over with.
Sharpshooter Joe: Pass. See, I don't much cotton to taking orders.
Ramon: Sure you can afford to let me go? As long as I draw breath, I'll keep coming for you!
Sharpshooter Joe: Sign me up. I'll roll out the welcome mat. But next time, make it interesting. Can't shoot straight when you're drunk on hate.
Sharpshooter Joe: Revenge is a dish best served cold. Go cool off and we can try this again.
|