[Act 1] [Scene 10] [Challenge Accepted]

[thirtythr33]

Morning feels like it comes too soon again.

Giacomo meets to rest of you in the dining room for breakfast in the morning. Giacomo introduces the new serving maid, Matthia, that he has hired on to take care of Claudio for the time being as well as watching over the shift change of the guards. Giacomo is wearing bright colours as if he were going to ball or some kind of festivity; not like his usual dour self. He has an ornate cinquedea resting at his lower back; not a lion of St Mark. He doesn't appear to be bringing his rapier. Before you leave Giacomo mentions "I hope to see Blasio as a friend. Please let us be civil, before you confront him and force force his hand, Marco."

The walk to the Soranzo estate is not very far and uneventful. It is right next to a canal, with a private walkway and dock lining the access where there are multiple smaller boats moored. At one of the boats is none other than Blasio, apparently loading boxes into it. As you approach Blasio sees you and stops what he is doing. Then picks up the box he just placed onto the boat, places it down on the dock and then picks it up again before placing it back down in the boat in it's original position. He looks around from box to box, as if unable to decide which one should go where.

[Korbel]

This day Marco tries to dress well, too. As his cinquedea belongs to Ferran now, and he doesn't want to take his rapier, he goes unarmed.
He stays with Cirillo and behind Giacomo, trying to be cool - but only until he sees Blasio...

"You fucking bastard!"

[thirtythr33]

At first Blasio seems genuinely surprised by Marco's outburst, but then throws his head back and lets out a raucous laugh. "Whats the matter? Don't tell me that witness of your's fell through, did it?" Blasio bends over into the boat and picks up his sword belt with a rapier in the scabbard but he doesn't draw it.

[Marras]

Cirillo is dressed as usual, he has been too busy to visit his home to even change his shirt. He carries his pack of medicines and his short sword. Seeing that Marco is unarmed he feels like being some sort of bodyguard as well as physician.

When Blasio grabs his rapier, Cirillo puts his hand to his sword but is careful not to further provoke the situation. He let's others to speak and he just concentrates on the surroundings trying to be aware of any dangers.

[Korbel]

"And what makes you think that? Probably the act of sending thugs to intimidate him? Good idea, Blasio, but you fool have failed. And thank to you we have acquired more witnesses."
Marco gathers himself.
"You are a liar and a coward, Blasio Soranzo. Hereby I want to challenge your pity person, for the assualt on our servant girl, intrigues and an attempt to rough the woodcarver up. You will speak with my second, now."

[thirtythr33]

He laughs again. "What is the point of having witnesses if you intend to die by my sword anyway? I accept your challenge, and I name rapier as the weapon. Enrico will be my second." You remember hearing in passing that Enrico is Blasio's younger brother. "When I win you will publicly apologise for your baseless accusations and cease any investigations into me or my family."

[Marras]

Cirillo tries to negotiate the terms with Enrico to make things easier for Marco but as a commoner he fails to impress Blasio's brother. In frustration he looks at Marco's brother with a pleading look for help.

[Korbel]

"No point in negotiating with them, Cirillo. Just tell him that we fight tomorrow morning, outside the city."

[Marras]

"Will do, Marco.", answer Cirillo and turns towards Enrico.

"The duel will take place tomorrow at dawn, outside the city.", as a Venetian Cirillo will probably know an appropriate spot, perhaps at some small island.

[thirtythr33]

Enrico and Cirillo finalise the arrangement and agree to hold the duel the next morning on Campalto Island. It is a small uninhabited island to the North of Venice city that has small sandy beaches, knee high grass and a few trees. Cirillo knows It has some old ruined bunkers which were historically used as defensive fortifications but are now long neglected.