- Attack in the 'Attack' stance
- If injured, spend a void point to reduce wound penalties
Slowly, cautiously, the two of you prowl around each other in a tightening circle, seeking advantage in the shifting footwork as you search for an opening. As you do so, your opponent speaks, his lips barely moving.
"You disgraced me in front of my lord's own family, Scorpion. Did you imagine I would forget it?"
You frown slightly, but are well aware that he is likely to throw you off balance. It is a poor strategy, for it relies on being better at preying on psychological weaknesses than someone who trained under the Bayushi. Still, if your enemy opts to hand you a weapon, it would almost be rude to turn down the chance to wield it.
"You disgraced yourself, Lion. That confrontation was of your own making." You say quietly, pitching your voice so that none of the audience can hear. "But you apologized, and I accepted it. That could have been an end to it."
You pause for a moment to give your words the greatest impact. "Only an absolute fool and incompetent would seek to compound the error by trying again before the eyes of the entire court. Your ancestors must be ashamed of you."
Ginwei's eyes bulge in momentary shock, before his face becomes a mask of rage. Roaring, he raises his katana above his head and hurls himself forwards, seeking to bring the blade crashing down on your exposed skull. You can see it in an instant - Matsu Ginwei is not intending to stop at a mere scratch. He is aiming to kill you, indeed he likely has been since he stepped onto this field. If you allow the strike to land, it will cut you in half from nose to groin.
You have no intention in allowing that to happen, and fortunately have a perfectly viable way to prevent it. In lifting his arms so high, Ginwei has caused the thin metal plates of his armour to stretch and pull apart, exposing a narrow strip of his gut to the air. You seize the opportunity presented with a rapid horizontal cut that slices straight through the flimsy protection available and sends a waterfall of blood cascading down your foe's legs.
Naoto's attack roll 5k3 = 18
Naoto's damage roll 5k2 = 17 -5 reduction = 12. Your enemy is in the 'Crippled' wound rank.
To his credit, Matsu Ginwei still attempts to attack, bringing his sword crashing down as he all but falls on top of you due to the strength leaving his lower limbs. You were prepared for this, however, and step aside at just the right moment to avoid the desperate lunge, moving clear as your opponent all but collapses.
Ginwei's attack roll (full attack with void point) 9k5 = 48 (versus TN 50)
Carefully you step away from your opponent, who can barely stand much less pursue you. With that margin of safety established, you turn your head to look at the audience for the first time, properly appreciating just how many eyes are upon you.
Most of them are Lions, as is to be expected, and while the ones who are looking at you generally manage to maintain their On, the one who are looking at your opponent seem to be disapproving. You suspect they saw how he gave into his emotions and exposed a vulnerability, and have little actual sympathy for his resulting injury.
The rest of the delegates are more interesting - aside from those who are competing directly, they all appear to be present. Doji Moriko looks pensive, as though weighing up the possible implications of this event, a look shared by the Dragon and by Asako Tani. The Unicorn and Crab delegates seem approving, though the look from the Yasuki leading the Crab makes you feel uncomfortably like a commodity that might have just increased in value.
Towering above them all, however, both literally from her viewing platform and in sheer force of presence, is Matsu Ketsui. The Daimyo's face is an expressionless mask, but her eyes blaze with angry contempt as they fix upon the staggering form of Matsu Ginwei (who does not appear to have noticed). Her gaze shifts to you, and you almost stagger beneath the force of it, noting that she seems to be almost anticipating something.
The bout is effectively yours, though technically you have not yet won through 'third blood'. The eyes of the court are upon you. How do you wish to conclude the duel?
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