An Alleyway, mid-day

The three duelists glared warily at each other. The patrician was pale and sweating, but he stood his ground firmly, sword unwavering in his hand. To his left, a student of Giacomo val’Sheem brandished a rapier and her heavy cloak in her outstretched hands, set to a high guard. To his right, an adherent of the Steel Dragon school slowly ran his coiled whip along the edge of his sidesword, the metal on metal setting teeth on edge.

A crowd had gathered at the far ends of the alleyway, eager to watch the conflict but not so eager to participate.

“Please… I’ll pay what I owe. Just let me live, I’ll pay what I can now and ask my family for the rest. They’ll settle my debts!” The patrician’s voice quivered, clearly afraid. The other pair glanced at each other briefly.

“That does me no good; I don’t get paid unless you’re brought back in pieces. If you pay, I get nothing. Nothing personal.” The whip-wielding swordsman settled back into a comfortable guard. “I’m sure the young lady here feels the same way.”

“Don’t presume to speak for me! You disgust me. This bounty is mine, and you know it. You interfered, and I will have satisfaction for the insult after this is over.” The young woman’s face contorted in fury.

“We seem to be at an impasse then, signorina. Would that I could leave such a bounty, but I am somewhat in need myself. We all have our debtors to pay. I cannot leave him to you, you clearly will not leave him to me, and we cannot properly settle your perceived insult between ourselves else our quarry will depart.”

“Where three quarrel, a fourth may soothe.” The voice came from the building above. All three instinctively looked up, and then immediately back down at each other, opening their stances to account for the new potential threat. “Peace, peace. Serafina, stand down. Your temper will get you killed one day. Nicolo, hear me out and we will all profit. And as for you, Signore Eusebio…”

A lithe figure vaulted down and landed neatly between the three. Seemingly unarmed and unarmored, he moved with an exquisite grace and confidence despite the weapons all brandished in his direction. He wore an ornate mask that concealed his features, and the motley of a harlequin. “…for you, Signore, I will purchase your debt from the Cartel, pay these ruffians who would claim the bounty on your head, and even arrange to have the bounty rescinded entirely. Does that sound fair?”

All three glanced at each other in confusion. Eusebio broke the silence; “Who are you?”

“All in good time. Do we have a deal?” The harlequin gestured around to all three, and three bags appeared in his hands. He juggled them briefly, then with a flourish tossed them at the feet of the three would-be combatants. Nicolo sheathed his sword, keeping his whip in one hand, and reached down to inspect the bag. A moment later, he grinned. “This will do nicely for me. Signorina, I’m sure we’ll meet again later.” He turned and walked out of the alley. Serafina snorted in disgust, sheathed her sword, grabbed her bag and stalked out the other way.

“Thank you, thank you!” Eusebio collapsed to the ground sobbing, dropping his sword to clutch the bag of coins.

“You’re most welcome signore. Now, my new friend, come with me. We need to pay off your debt, then we have much to discuss.”