| abstract | - Volkova calls herself a lady’s tutor, and, recommended by word of mouth, a good number of the finest ladies of Altdorf have begun to hire her for her special tuition. When their fathers and husbands might imagine they are going over the finer points of dinner party conversation, or how to fold a napkin, they are more likely to be hard at it perfecting their flunges and sixtes.[1a] For Volkova is an ace duellist, trained by some of the finest swordsmen of Remas, and a devout follower of Myrmidia. Her father, the Erengrad ambassador to Remas, eventually became tired of her duelling and masculine pursuits and tried to marry her off. What became of the prospective husband is not hard to imagine, and Volkova fled to Altdorf.[1a] So, Volkova now makes her living by teaching the ladies of Altdorf some of what she knows of cold steel. One should not be misled by Volkova’s impeccable manners and fine deportment; she is a ruthless opponent, and some might even say, a born killer. She encourages the fine ladies of Altdorf to follow her in this respect.[1a]
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