The Duel at the Shuttle Launch is a challenge between the indentured servant to the Ninth House, Gideon Nav, and its Heir and Reverend Daughter, Harrowhark Nonagesimus, in an attempt by the latter to get the former to attend muster instead of leaving by shuttle to join the Cohort.
History[]
Unhappy with her position in the Ninth House, Gideon has attempted to run away eighty-six times. For her eighty-seventh attempt, she charters transportation to Trentham in order to enlist in the Cohort. She also forges Harrow's signature on her release forms and steals the key to her security cuffs.[1]
The week before Gideon's escape shuttle is due, Harrow receives summons from the Emperor—with a note included to send her reply with the upcoming shuttle. Unaware of any upcoming deliveries, Harrow looks into the schedule and realizes what Gideon has been planning.[2]
The night before the shuttle is due, Harrow digs into the rocky ground of the shuttle landing field and buries bone matter that she might use for her necromancy. It takes her nearly all night and leaves her hands raw, blistered, and muddy-stained.[3]
The next morning, Gideon packs her meager supplies, visits her mother's niche, and heads to the shuttle landing field. She eats and wards off attempts by Marshal Crux and Captain Aiglamene to encourage her to return to her cell and serve her family with honor.[1]
Harrow rings the muster bell, calling all of the occupants of Ninth House to a meeting where she hopes to discuss the Emperor's summons—and prevent Gideon from leaving her service without permission. As the call sounds and the House is given time to gather, she goes to the landing field with Crux, Aiglamene, and a few Sisters of the Locked Tomb.[3]
The Duel[]
Harrow presents Gideon with a wager—a fair fight. She claims she will duel (unarmed) and that if Gideon wins, she can leave on her shuttle with a commission to join the Cohort. If Gideon loses, she must attend the muster call before leaving on her shuttle, still with the commission. Sensing a trap but unable to resist, Gideon accepts her conditions.
Harrow disrobes from her various bone armor and humors Gideon's pat-down. As Gideon draws her sword and readies herself, Harrow declares the duel "to the floor." Aiglamene and Crux, acting as witnesses and arbitrators, express their displeasure but do not go so far as to stop the duel. Just before the fight commences, Harrow removes her gloves—revealing dirty and blistered fingers from her time burying skeletons in the landing field ground.
Gideon charges, but is quickly chased off by a hoard of skeleton constructs. She fights her way back to Harrow but only manages a single kick before the constructs carry Harrow to safety. Dripping with blood sweat, Harrow buries Gideon in bone as the shuttle lands. Crux calls the duel in Harrow's favor and drags Gideon to the muster call.[3]
Aftermath[]
Gideon is forced to attend muster. She learns that the Emperor has summoned Harrow and her cavalier primary, Ortus, to First House.
Afraid for the safety of her son, Sister Glaurica steals Gideon's shuttle to seek safety on her home planet, Eighth House.[2] Considering her actions traitorous, Crux plants a bomb on the shuttle.[4]
Given the shuttles departure, Gideon is left in serfdom.[2] Following Ortus and Sister Glaurica's escape (and death), she is pressed into service as Harrow's new cavalier.[5]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Gideon the Ninth," Act I, Ch. 1
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Gideon the Ninth," Act I, Ch. 3
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Gideon the Ninth," Act I, Ch. 2
- ↑ "Gideon the Ninth," Act IV, Ch. 28
- ↑ "Gideon the Ninth," Act I, Ch. 4