Duelbacks are strange creatures. At 2 inches in length with a leg span of 1.5 inches outstretched they are one of the smaller species of Anura. A pallid yellow skin tone and slight black speckling on the back are clear indicators of this species with males and females showing almost no difference besides a marginal reduction in body mass for the females. They are not at all difficult to find and exist mainly in marshy land along the western and southern parts of Ireland as well as the inner lowlands of Scotland.
Now don’t get me wrong, fights between amphibians of the same species are not at all uncommon. Duelbacks certainly do not meet in such engagements to more or less of a degree than other amphibians, or any other creature for that matter save man. What makes duelbacks so unusual is the manner in which they solve these disputes. Nobody has yet discovered who it is that forges the tiny rapiers they use, for these small frogs have shown no indication of industry nor society. In fact they have never shown a heightened intelligence beyond the near artistic combat skills they possess.
The bouts themselves seem to possess no tangible purpose. Neither food nor territory, not even a desire to impress or attract mates serves as the instigation for these conflicts. One would be forgiven for thinking that these engagements were a matter of that intangible currency we call ‘honour’. Regardless of the reasoning behind such, these duels do occur, giving the feisty amphibian its well deserved title. I shall narrate now for you my dear reader such a duel as it unfolded:
A small reed pond close to my own backyard serves as the arena for this clash of titans. The two combatants hop to within eyeshot of one another. This is a meeting of happenstance rather than a pre-arranged engagement. Our twin combatants come to a sudden stop upon noticing one another, the globulous protrusions upon their heads unblinking. Almost in unison they carefully grasp the hilt of the swords they had been carrying bladeside in their mouths.
As the gladiators grasp the rapiers in their webbed hands they both take a leap to one side in order to line up an attack on the other without obstruction. The two duelists stare at each other for a good 2 minutes, still unblinking, still rigid with tension. For a moment I wonder if these two will disengage and go about their day, however I quickly realise the folly of such a notion. Duelbacks never back down from a challenge and the result of these matches is usually fatal.
Then, in an instant, the two musketeers literally leap into action. Rapiers clash as they take a great leap towards each other, the midair parry bring both to the ground. They land with grace and swing to face one another, the true battle now to be joined. Upright now on their rear legs they fight as true duellists should, thrusts and withdrawals, parries and ripostes. Mindful of their spacing, the duelbacks fence to the bitter end. Strength has no bearing in such a match, speed and accuracy are the only relevant factors. To and fro the combat goes, seeming to last hours where in fact only seconds have elapsed. The clash of steel on steel, an elegant dance of vicious fighters.
In the end however, there can only be one. The duelback nearest my vantage point makes a fatal error, falling for a feint by his opponent, he responds with a riposte. The opponent recovers quicker than expected, the feint suddenly becoming apparent. Not in time to save this poor amphibian’s life. The opponent comes up under the riposte and drives his rapier into his enemies heart, all the way to the weapons guard. The stricken duelback falls back with the blade protruding from his exterior, killed instantly.
As is their way, the victor takes upon himself his victims weapon, giving a quick sword salute to his fallen opponent before hopping away with the newly acquired blade clenched in his mouth. His own weapon is left embedded in his opponent’s corpse as both a warning and a challenge to others who may be in the area. And so the cycle of nature continues as it always has.
Strange Wanderings 