10:00 P.M.
November 25th, 1932
Dresden Infantry School, Germany

Silence. Throughout the main corridors and hallways of the Academy, silence is present. The darkness inside is somewhat mediated by the moonlight shining. However, there is one stray light coming from an office within the administrative building. Inside, a man in a uniform can be seen straightening out his uniform. Upon his uniform, many medals adorn it's front. From the outside, this man is not vertically inclined and is stocky in a sense. However inside of him, he possesses a strong will. A will to succeed, a will to be better. Already a thrice wounded combat veteran, the man intends to put his skills to good use. He has been an instructor for the past 4 years and in that time, he has thrusted himself into the work of improving his men in how they think and conduct themselves. Nothing (other than his wife and child) brought more joy to him than his job. After a few minutes, everything was ready. His uniform was perfectly fit and straightened out his medals and decorations were pristinely polished and straightened into their correct position, even his boots were polished enough to see your reflection clearly. All that he had to do next was place his officer cap on his head and leave his office for the ball. Something caught his eye on the door though, the nameplate was slightly crooked. Always one to present himself neatly, he straightened it out and was on his way walking through the dark corridors. The nameplate had only name and rank on it.
Major Erwin Rommel

As soon as he was outside, Rommel could feel the cold brisk air and thought it refreshing. As he trodded his boots through the snow towards the ballroom, he began to think of his time as a Cadet at the Danzig War Academy and the balls he attended there. When he was an officer cadet, the balls hosted at the war academy were to familiarize the officer cadets with proper etiquette and social skills that an officer must possess. These balls also tended to allow the girls from the city in so that they may socialize with the cadets. Some would meet their future spouses there. Rommel had found his match at a ball when he caught the eyes of his dearest Lucie. She was not like the other girls, she was not somewhat uptight and stuff. If anything, she was a young, vibrant, outgoing girl and she made it her mission to win dance competitions across the city. Along the way in her journey, she met and fell in love with Erwin. Ever since then, only war can separate him. As Rommel looked back at it, he was still surprised Lucie stayed with him after his little incident in 1913. When he was transferred back home to Wurttemberg, Erwin fell for a young fruit seller and eventually gathered a daughter through her. Most would expect him to abandon Lucie but weirdly enough, he went back to Danzig to explain the situation and she somehow understood. Throughout the war, the all lived together quite peacefully until in 1928 after Lucie and Erwin's son Manfred was born and the mother of his daughter Gertrude died. The memory still lingers in the back of his mind but he does not count it as a regret. Lucie would be hear tonight with him while Manfred was being looked after by Gertrude and his older sister Helene. As soon as Rommel entered and found Lucie, the two began to mingle with the guests present at the ball. As per usual, Rommel played his trap card, his war stories. The way he told them was captivating for the listener but it always left him unfocused to what was happening around him. But right now, it is just a ball, nothing could happen.

*** *** ***

Major Ferdinand Schörner was always one to play practical jokes on people at these balls. All around him was a large bunch of enlisted men, officer cadets, officers, and his fellow instructors. So many victims to choose from. His choice of joke was not however. It was well known by his fellow instructors that Schörner would play practical jokes on people by somehow putting a large amount of silverware in an unsuspecting victims pocket and wait for it to fall out all over the floor so that it may look like the person was trying to steal the silverware. To his eternal amusement, the looks on his victims faces were ones of true embarrassing and confusion which gave him a good laugh. Scouting about, the Major's first target was an unsuspecting Officer Cadet in the middle of a conversation with one of the local girls. He immediately set his plan into motion and was in and out within no time. After he planted the silverware, Schörner waited a few minutes before the inevitable sound of falling silverware caught his ear. For a while he did this but began to run out of targets until one caught his eye. There he saw it, that Swabian Rommel, deep in one of his war stories. Rommel was a frequent target of Schörner as the man seemed so stiff that his confusion was unmeasurable whenever the silverware began to fall from the floor from his pocket. "This will be quite easy" he thought to himself. Once again, same routine, in and out. However, it would take time for the silverware to begin to fall out as whenever Rommel is deep into one of his stories, he could spend over an hour talking about it. Knowing this, Schörner decided to take some time and beging conversing with some of the guests.

*** *** ***

Rommel never liked noblemen. The Swabian always had a severe disdain for the nobles ever since the Great War. The nobility controlled the German High Command and their tactics saw the lives of so many of his comrades in arms be taken. Not only that, but the Dresden nobles were quite annoying and persist whenever he told stories to them. "If these fools actually got off their ass and went to the front, they would understand exactly what I mean" he thought. But he was a soldier, and a soldiers duty in peacetime is to follow his orders, always show the best of himself, whether it be in private or public, and to stay out of politics. A soldiers must not be occupied with petty political nonsense and must always be ready to defend his nation and government, regardless of political situation. Finally the story was over and Rommel was finally able to leave and go find Lucie. Suddenly, he began to feel things fall out of his pocket and then hit the floor. Silverware... everywhere.... Even before he thought to pick up the dishes, one word popped into Rommel's mind.
Schörner

*** *** ***

Still snickering at the way he saw the Swabian reacted, Schörner did not pay attention to the different expression on Rommel's face until after he saw Rommel walking towards him. His normal reaction would be confusion, mild anger, and overall embarrassment but tonight was different. As Rommel walked towards him, the Bavarian could see that Rommel was not in the mood he expected him to be in. His face was stoic, almost wooden. His eyes were not exactly showing anger, but their gaze was deadly. As Rommel walked towards him, he looked as if he was marching in anger and yet the sound of his boots could not be heard stomping. Schörner did not fear Rommel but this change of manner did worry him. His thoughts ceased as soon as a stern voice with a Swabian lisp spoke to him and uttered the words, "May I speak with you in private, now." Schörner never heard Rommel speak with his native dialect. The man was known to seem more like a hard Prussian than a simple thrifty Swabian and it was apparent Rommel tried to hide his accent whenever he spoke. After about 30 seconds of walking, the two finally sat down at a table and for a minute, each stared into each others eyes. Schörner was about to speak first but before he could utter a word, Rommel beat him to the punch.
"So, you seem to enjoy making a mess for others for your own amusement", Rommel had said. The first attack was launched.
Schörner counterattacked with "One must not be stuck up in a time a peace. Besides, it was merely a little joke. Learn to live and laugh a little."
Rommel was swift to punch back at the counterattack with "Unlike you, I pride myself to uphold military regulations at all official events as you just like me, represent the Reichswehr. You do not know me well enough to call me a "Stiff Little Swabian"."
Before Schörner could respond, Rommel added one more jab, "But then again, unlike you, I am not a Bavarian Cheat."
Within a few minutes, both began to bicker while still raising their voices.

*** *** ***

Officer Cadet Hermann Manheim is enjoying the ball as he finally gets to mingle with some of the ladies. He sets his sight on one until he is pushed aside by a group of people. With curiosity getting the best of them, Manheim followed the crowd to see what was going on.

*** *** ***

By now, Rommel and Schörner were loud enough to attract the ballroom. Each insult they threw at each other was becoming worse each time. By this time, the two men are beginning to attract people to their respective sides. After what seemed like more than half an hour of arguing later, Schörner had crossed the line.
"Well, at least I have the dignity to marry a German woman instead of a Polish Italian hag."
Schörner was surprised that no answer came from Rommel's mouth. So much so that he considered it a victory. Something was off though, Rommel stayed put, the look in his eyes turned nearly from fire to full on rage. Yet the Swabian kept his mouth shut and so did the rest of the ballroom. Finally after about a minute, Rommel uttered words that Schörner did not expect to be uttered at all.
"Major Schörner, you may insult me, my military career, and my honor. But you do not dare question the Honor of my wife and marriage. If you will not retract your statement, then I challenge you to a duel of honor."
Two words went through Schörner's head, "Oh shit." He really crossed the line now. But looking around the ballroom, people had clearly chosen sides and Schörner knew that his side would compell him to accept this duel of honor. If not, he would put himself into a deeper hole than what he was already in. Not only would Rommel gain more support, but Schörner would be seen as a coward.
"I must put this Swabian in his place, even if it means putting him 6 feet under." He thought to himself. What seemed like minutes but was merely a few seconds saw Schörner answer.
"I accept your invitation."

*** *** ***

11:40 P.M.
November 25th, 1932
Dresden Infantry School, Germany

Within a span of 20 minutes, the guests present at the ball as well as all military personnel were present in a field in front of the Academy armory. The quartermaster came and retrieved two standard issue PO-8 Luger pistols and handed one to each duelist. Within 30 seconds, both men are back to back, ready to March their paces. Both Majors think that their counterpart will backstab them and they both prepare themselves in case that does happen. However, they walk their 10 paces, and turn to face each other with equal amounts of surprise. Soon, they take aim. And in a split second fire at each other, hate in their eyes. Suddenly, all is quiet. Nothing can be heard. It is if time has stopped. Finally, there was simply only darkness.

Author's Note

First time ever writing a fanfiction/story at all so please leave comments on how I can improve my writing skills.

The story of Schörner and silverware is actually true and Rommel did not exactly take kindly to his already arch rival at the time.

If you wish to look up more on Rommel's little incident, search up the name Gertrud Stemmer, should give you just enough.