He knew full well that according to the rules of noble duels, when both combatants were evenly matched and both had been injured, he, as the witness and arbiter, was obligated to intervene and halt the proceedings.
This rule had come into existence due to an absurd, yet lamentable, chapter of history.
Centuries ago, two of the Empire's Border Marquises had been goaded into a noble duel by individuals with ulterior motives.
In the name of family honor and personal glory, neither was willing to back down, and so they were forced to fight to the bitter end.
The result was the death of one Border Marquis, while the other sustained injuries that led to a chronic illness, and he too passed away six months later.
