The presence of the duel prevented smaller companies from interacting with larger companies. But at the same time, it was what also saved them from being steamrolled into extinction.
"What can you bet in a duel?" Michael asked.
"It is not technically a bet," Dicky explained. "For example, when two companies discover a land for themselves at the same time and there is no clear winner between the two, then they commence a duel between them to settle who will obtain this land.
For fairness, they enlist the help of a diplomat from the Montgomery family. They will ensure that the duel will be fair, and that the conditions of the battle will be fulfilled.
The deed/ownership of the land will be transferred over to the diplomat for safekeeping. And once the duel is over, the diplomat will hand over the deed to the winner."
Since Xere Montgomery was the person who started this whole dueling thing, it made sense why she and the rest of her family were called upon to arbitrate the battle.
