Chapter 28: The Duel, Part II

Thane twisted to the side at the last possible moment, the blade of Arcturus whistling inches from his face as it came down hard, the point sinking deep into the ground. There the blade remained buried, and Arcturus was forced to release his hold on the sword to keep from slamming into the pommel and possibly breaking his hand. He spun in the air to right himself at the same time Thane flipped his weapon in a wide slash, nicking the forearm not holding the buckler.

Arcturus landed and skidded to a halt, his momentum taking him almost ten feet away from his sword.

“Point to the Ambassador,” Captain Brunwalt shouted.

The pale figures in the audience did not gasp or applaud. They watched in silence, waiting for the next exchange to take place.

Thane walked over to his opponent’s sword, took hold of the handle and pulled it free from the cold, hard ground. He tossed it unceremoniously at the feet of Arcturus. “You dropped that.”