*
Upstairs at the back of the house Franco had confronted Tsuba,
“Turn and leave...” Franco waved his Spanish duelling knife in the direction Tsuba had come, “...or die.”
“Wait, listen to me...” Tsuba didn't want to fight, his vague plan of preventing Richard from attacking Eve already in tatters, “...I'm not here to harm her, I came-” He had to jump backwards as Franco stepped forward with a wide sweep of his knife, “-Listen to me!” But Franco wasn't listening. Tsuba had to defend himself, flashing his Tanto blade rhythmically in front of him. They circled each other, both studying their opponent and the room they were to fight in, looking for a weakness or for a way to take the advantage. Tsuba was younger and faster, Franco was old and wily, a veteran of many such contests.