days from now in the city arena!"
52 "I'll be there!" agreed The Young Speaker.
53 The Young Speaker's people gathered around him in disbelief. "Well,
that didn't go well," Bullet argued.
54 "Yes, it did," The Young Speaker told him, "it went
exactly the way they wanted it to. This whole party was a trap,
precisely designed to draw me into the situation you just witnessed."
55 Of any of them, Bullet was the most confused. "You mean you KNEW
what they were up to, and let them pull you into it? You really plan to
fight that fool?"
56 "That's what I intend," announced The Young Speaker. "Let's get out
of here!" As they went out the door the other guests were looking at
them, some in amusement, some in bewilderment.
57 "I can't believe this!" complained Bullet, "With all the trouble we
go to to protect you, you're going to fight a battle to the death in
the city arena? Nothing like that has happened in thousands of years! Is
it legal?"
58 "The Laws have never been changed," explained The Young Speaker.
"It's as legal today as it was ages ago. He KNEW that before he ever
made the challenge. He might be crazy but he's not stupid.
The only thing is, he doesn't know that I've been taking fencing
lessons and probably am far better than he ever dreamed of being!"
59 I don't believe this!" Bullet raved, "I simply do not believe this
is hapening!" He walked back and Forth 1ike an angry tiger in a cage.
"Isn't there something in The Old Law about if a person is injured,
someone else can substitute for him in a battle of honor?"
60 "Don't get any ideas!" warned The Young Speaker. This is
my fight. I have to handle it."
61 Bullet picked up a small rubber ball off the