It’s unusual to see Byerly rattled, stammering, thrown off, and Benedict is seized with a unique anxiety in the presence of it. Something else rises in him at the same time, indignation mixed with something unfamiliar.

“We don’t do that here,” he says suddenly, drawing himself to his full height and pinning Nicola with his gaze, “Riftwatch has its own rules, and if you’ve actually joined, you’re subject to them too.”
This would be a great time, he realizes, to actually make sure he’s not making this up wholecloth, but maybe Rowntree could be convinced to ban dueling if he’s quick about it. Or maybe the bluff will be enough.