You should check out the old swords and sorcery stories of Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser, by Fritz Lieber. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fafhrd_and_the_Gray_Mouser
F and GM are more-or-less swords for hire, and one time they find themselves put up against each other, as champions of two opposing lords. One of them shouts at the other, "Do you remember the Castle of Doom? I'm going to get you this time, just like I did then!" The other shouts back something equally fierce, and they go at each other.
It turns out that, years ago at the Castle of Doom, they were commissioned to choreograph an elaborate mock swordfight for the entertainment of a very sophisticated audience. So they step right into that choreography, only no one realizes it here and now.
It's been a long time since I read this, and I don't really remember how it comes out, but I suspect they turn the tables on both opposing lords at the last minute, and escape together with a large amount of treasure. Possibly without the lords realizing that they have been had.
This might be in "Swards of Lankhmar", or in "Swords Against Wizardry". Or it might not.
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timeasmymeasure
from You-Know-Who
Date: 2009-06-25 02:54 pm (UTC)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fafhrd_and_the_Gray_Mouser
F and GM are more-or-less swords for hire, and one time they find themselves put up against each other, as champions of two opposing lords. One of them shouts at the other, "Do you remember the Castle of Doom? I'm going to get you this time, just like I did then!" The other shouts back something equally fierce, and they go at each other.
It turns out that, years ago at the Castle of Doom, they were commissioned to choreograph an elaborate mock swordfight for the entertainment of a very sophisticated audience. So they step right into that choreography, only no one realizes it here and now.
It's been a long time since I read this, and I don't really remember how it comes out, but I suspect they turn the tables on both opposing lords at the last minute, and escape together with a large amount of treasure. Possibly without the lords realizing that they have been had.
This might be in "Swards of Lankhmar", or in "Swords Against Wizardry". Or it might not.