>I think it was in one of the Vlad novels, wherein he is discussing his >trade. Imperial witnesses come to mind, as does "recognized dueling area". >Morrollan has dueling in Castle Black, I don't recall any mention of its >legality, however. _The Phoenix Guard_ has several instances of formal duels. I don't think there's ever a point where all of the rules are enumerated laundry-list style, but the examples given throughout the book tell the story. A formal duel consists of a challenge given, a challenge received. The appointed time arrives. The circle (which is really a square) is drawn, using a poniard or some other device that is NOT a sword. (Your sword holds your honor.) As I recall, the circle is 17 yards per side, but that's probably wrong. Each duelist has a Second to act as advisor and witness, but otherwise to not interfere. The Seconds apparently do all of the communicating with the judge as well, presumably because the injured parties are too incensed to speak to each other. The other function of the Second would seem to be the arrangement of first aid or other succor once the duel is concluded. The Seconds state the grievance, the terms, and the agreement of their duellist with the given terms. The judge, upon satisfying himself that all is in accordance with the regulations, requests once that the parties reconcile themselves. If they do so, the duel is canceled. Since this is a formality, most duels proceed to the actual fight. (Aerich caused a bit of a sensation by asking Kathana and Uttrick twice, the moreso because he was a Lyorn and ought to have been a stickler for ritual.) The judge gives the signal and the duelists proceed to inflict harm upon each other's persons, according to whatever terminating condition has been agreed upon. Khaavren and his friends where always in duels to the death, but it seems safe to assume that one could duel to first blood or such if agreeable to both parties. No-one in any of the stories violated the circle so we don't know what happens in that case. The House of the Lyorn has rules that limit when warriors can challenge non-warriors, so it seems safe to assume that other houses have their own "house" rules concerning duels. These might or might not figure into an Imperial judgement as to the legality of a duel. Dragons certainly wouldn't bother overly much about official rules as long as both combatants were willing to fight. This probably works out fine when fighting other Dragons, but I'll wager that more than one Dragonlord has "won the battle but lost the war" when he allowed himself to be provoked into an unsanctioned duel with a non-Dragon and found himself at the mercy of some enemy with lesser strength but greater political savvy. Duels that follow these rules are considered "legal" provided that there are plenty of witnesses to vouch for the adherence to the rules. I'm not sure that one could consider them "sport" though there might well be some nobles who view it that way, particularly with the advent of rescuscitation.