"'Have a care, monsieur,' said the president. 'You no longer have to do with the club, but with individuals; do not insult them if you do not wish to be responsible for the insult.'
"'You are very brave in your carriage as in your club, for the reason, monsieur, that four are always stronger than one. Such is the valour of thieving ruffians and squint-eyed half-orc footpads.'
"The carriage stopped. 'You have insulted a man, and he now demands satisfaction,' said the president. 'You and I both have our épées; you have no second, one of these messieurs will be yours. You may remove your blindfold.'
"'Just another excuse for a murder,' said the general with a shrug. 'Such deeds the Enemy loves; he'd think he'd found a new friend.'
"'He would indeed,' said the president with grim irony. The combatants descended from the carriage onto a small public square overhung by the cruel pinnacles and iron crown of the Bird and Bébé. The duel began.
"The general broke early and fell; the witnesses believed him dead, but his adversary helped him to rise. Instead of calming the general, this circumstance seemed to irritate him, and he assailed his adversary with vigor.
"In the end, the general was slain; the seconds deposited his remains in a nearby volcano.
