On the Knife's Point

Posted on Thu Mar 13th, 2025 @ 3:59pm by Commander Kevin Lance

Mission: The days of our lives
Location: Amar VI
Timeline: Current

on:
{Great Hall, House of Har'lok}

Rurik's steward pounded his staff on the stone floor of the great hall so hard and often that Kevin thought that the wood would shattered. His efforts to gain the attention of the assembled Klingons was not initially successful but repetition and time for the shock to wear off eventually rewarded his efforts. The hall fell silent except for the sound of the staff hitting the stones. Every eye was turned on the steward awaiting his pronouncement.

"A challenge has been issued and accepted," the steward announced, "Clear the center of the hall."

As the other Klingons shuffled back towards the edge of the hall, Garvik urgently imparted advice to Lurkan but Kevin could tell that the boy wasn't listening. He gave a curt nod and approached D'rown in the center of the hall.

Kevin expected the challenge to be conducted with bat'leths but D'rown drew his d'k tahg instead. After a moment, Lurkan did the same. D'rown gave the briefest of nods then the two Klingons closed upon each other.

Lurkan immediately pressed the attack with an aggression suitable to a Klingon warrior but D'rown, to Kevin's surprise, adopted a defensive stance, easily deflecting the attacks of his rival. Lurkan's blade was a blur as he repeatedly cut, thrust and slashed but none of his attacks came close to connecting with D'rown.

Kevin's eyes narrowed as he watch the fight. Lurkan was by no means deficient in skill but D'rown fought in a conservative manner that was coldly efficient and in contrast to the wildly strong attacks of the teenager. As he watched, Kevin thought that he could detect old Earth martial arts styles in D'rown maneuvering. Something wasn’t right here.

As Lurkan continued his assault, he grew more reckless, trying to find a gap in his opponent's defenses. D'rown merely persisted in his efficient parries and dodges. Kevin realized that the older Klingon was getting Lurkan to exhaust himself while he conserved his own energy. Sure enough, Lurkan began to tire and as he dis, D'rown began to make subtle, probing attacks of his own.

D'rown's strikes did not appear to Kevin to truly seek to connect with Lurkan, rather they were feints designed to put the boy off guard and force him to expended even more strength to defend himself. Clearly, the older Klingon could win the challenge whenever he chose. Why didn’t he claim first blood and have it over with, Kevin wondered.

Then it hit him. He stepped forward to intercede but was stopped by Garvik. "We have to stop them," Kevin warned, "It's a trap."

"To interfere would bring dishonor upon the House of Noggra," Garvik growled.

"D'rown isn’t going to stop at first blood," Kevin said urgently, "He intends to kill Lurkan!

Doubt entered Garvik's eyes as they darted towards the combat. Lurkan's attacks were slowing and his parries feeble had D'rown's thrusts been more determined. "He wouldn't," Garvik declared, "Assassination during the Challenge of Kahlass would be too dishonorable, even for one of the House of Duras."

"He'll make it look like an accident," Kevin insisted.

Before Garvik could respond, Lurkan gave a might roar and charged his enemy. Instead of retreating from the attack, D'rown stood his ground. He expertly deflected Lurkan's blade with his free hand as the teenager crashed into him. Both Klingons fell to the floor in a great spasm of flailing limbs. A pool of blood quickly formed under where the two wrestled.

Before his eyes, Kevin could see the life slipping away from Lurkan as his attacks became ever more feeble. Finally he lay still and D'rown pushed the boy's body off of himself. His blade stuck out of Lurkan's chest.

There was a great uproar in the chamber. The steward motioned guards to move forward. They pulled D'rown to his feet.

"Assassin!" Garvik shouted, "You have dishonored the Challenge of Kahlass!"

"Lurkan fell upon my blade," D'rown countered, "His death was an accident percipited by his own attack."

The steward pounded his staff on the ground to get the attention of the shouting Klingons. Finally he spoke, "D'rown will be held while the incident is investigated. This assembly is dismissed until tomorrow."

This was bad. Lurkan was the Federation's gamble and they had just rolled snake-eyes. Shadow had not told Kevin about any back up plan. Just a command to do whatever was needed to keep the House of Har'lok on the Federation's side.

Holy Void, Kevin thought.

:off

Commander Kevin Lance
Executive Officer
USS Chuck Norris