First Impressions
"i gather that they engage in ritual combat, captain. if you provoke them, you might not enjoy the encounter." may reflected on the fight between xabok and malim, and on xabok's forearm-length claws. "not a bad idea. she really did a number on her xo.
Broken World: Desire (Part II)
ritual combat. it's really more of a formality, i suppose." "two giant wolf-people fighting is a formality?" "well, everyone knew how it was going to turn out. there was no way our alpha stood a chance, and he knew that as well as anyone.
Blinded by the Light
Nekal had a tradition of ritual combat; they didn't know what to do with real particle cannons. not that what the longshoreman said wasn't true. the nekal had sued for peace and joined the terran confederation.
The Zoo: The story so far (incomplete, but probably worth it)
We would also like to thank you for sharing your ritual combat with us, and helping us to learn about you." both wolvan laid their ears back. "i don't suppose it ever occurred to try learning about us like civilized people, through conversation?"