n't willing to leave without L

on growled. "Come, King. Let'

s interjected. "The question that d

urned

you

t Kael. He was a step away. He was

back at t

," I said, referring to Argon

"There's no right to c

ain, without sh

other one," he sa

p. And the fore

surrenders, the other cannot kill him. Whatever happ

ised an

of getting you

nage victory," Kael said. "The fi

il nodded

es. Without using swords, daggers, or any othe

someone asking permission and led me o

his shirt. Kael

their right pal

r," Kae

," Argon

oulder, weight to weight. Argon pushed, trying to unbalance him.

lowered his forearm, blocked, and responded with a

" Argon spat. "

dvance. Ares barely grazed my shoulder wi

w. Kael fell to his knees and smiled. He caught the wrist that was coming for

dn't applaud.

d, for a heartbeat, bared his c

the woman

long, and pushed him. Argon stumbled back three times. The edge of the cir

thout hatred. "And I'll le

o give in. I was

dignity,"

him for a couple of seconds. It was enough time for Argon to attempt a blow to the wind

ned," said the w

ng himself with a hip twist and a precise shove. Ar

man. "Either you give

ack of his hand. There was blood

't giv

ing permission. "If you fall, I'll see y

were seeing me for the fir

growled.

a twist and a shoulder lock that turned Argon's body into

wed and pinned him down, placin

emanded, taking

earched for looks of humiliat

e said almos

ook a de

rgon half-heartedly accepted his hand, rage clenched behind

enough for those very close to me to

the truth. And

black against ochre, their shadows dissolving among the tree

ranted. Claim denied. Duel co

dan's shoulders slumped. Ares ran

urned

ou alr

wolf, behind me, add

say somethi

nodded. Ka

d into t

ena and Íñigo. I am one of those

wasn't from people: leaves, branches,

or the second

There's

rily. My body was c

smell cut through the air: old iron, smoke. Kael stopp

ell it?" I

nod

aid. "This

revealed wha