[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
these men and their sons. The fathers cheered just as avidly as the crowd, not even flinching
when Trey or Chris got injured. It was just like my father and Keith s. Nothing mattered except
family pride and playing by the group rules.
I d lost track of the points until Master Jameson said, Ah, this will be good. Next point determines
the winner. It always makes me proud when the contenders are so evenly matched.
Lets me know we ve done the right thing.
There was nothing right about this. Tears stung my eyes, but whether it was from the dry,
dusty air or simply my anxiety, I couldn t say. Sweat was pouring off Trey and Chris now, their
chests rising and falling with the exertion of battle. Both were covered in scrapes and bruises,
adding onto old ones from days past. The tension in the arena was palpable as everyone
waited to see who would land the final hit. The cousins paused slightly, sizing up each other
as they realized this was the moment of truth. This was the blow that had to count. Chris, face
excited and alight, acted first, lunging forward to land a hit on the side of Trey s torso. I
gasped, jumping to my feet in alarm with most of the crowd. The sound was deafening. It was
clear from Chris s expression that he could taste victory, and I wondered if he was already
imagining the strike that would kill Sonya. Sunset bathed his face in bloody light.
Maybe it was because I d seen enough of Eddie to learn some of the basics, but I suddenly
realized something. Chris s movement was too rash and sloppy. Sure enough, Trey
was able to evade the strike, and I breathed a sigh of relief. I sank back down to my seat.
Those who had been certain he was about to be taken out roared in outrage.
That left Trey with a beautiful opening to get in on Chris. My tension returned. Was this
really any better? Trey winning the right to take a life? The point was moot. Trey didn t take
the shot. I frowned as I watched. He didn t exactly fumble, but there was something that didn t
seem right. There s a rhythm to fighting, where instinct and automatic responses take over. It
was almost as though Trey had purposely fought against his next instinctive move, the one
that said strike now! And in doing so, Trey left himself open. He took a hit from Chris, which
knocked him to the ground. I rested a hand on my own chest, as though I d also felt the blow.
The crowd went crazy. Even the decorous masters jumped up from their seats, screaming
approval and dismay. I had to forcibly stay seated. Every part of me wanted to run down there
and make sure Trey was okay, but I had a feeling one of the armed members of my escort
would shoot me or knock me out before I took two steps. My worry faded a tiny bit when I saw
Trey stagger to his feet. Chris clapped Trey good naturedly on the back, grinning from ear to
ear as those assembled shouted his name.
Trey soon retreated to the crowded stands, yielding the victor s spot. His father met him
with a look of disapproval but said nothing. The man who d given out the clubs approached
Chris with the sword I d returned. Chris held it over his head, earning more applause. Near
me, Master Jameson stood up and bellowed, Bring out the creature!
Creature was hardly how I d describe Sonya Karp as four heavily armed Warriors dragged
her out across the dusty arena. Her legs barely seemed to work, and even from this distance,
I could tell she was drugged. That was why Adrian couldn t reach her in dreams. It also explained
why she wouldn t have used any magic to attempt escape. Her hair was a mess, and
she wore the same clothes I d seen her in that last night at Adrian s. They were bedraggled,
but otherwise, she didn t seem to have any signs of physical abuse on her.
This time, I couldn t stop myself from standing up. The blonde girl immediately put a hand
on my shoulder, forcing me down. I stared at Sonya, wanting so desperately to help her, but
knew I was powerless. Swallowing back fear and rage, I slowly sat back on the bleachers and
turned toward the council.
You told me I d have a chance to talk. I remembered their sense of honor. You gave
your word. Doesn t that mean anything?
Our word means everything, said Master Ortega, looking offended. You ll have your
chance.
Behind Sonya s guard came two more men hauling a huge block of wood with arm constraints [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
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these men and their sons. The fathers cheered just as avidly as the crowd, not even flinching
when Trey or Chris got injured. It was just like my father and Keith s. Nothing mattered except
family pride and playing by the group rules.
I d lost track of the points until Master Jameson said, Ah, this will be good. Next point determines
the winner. It always makes me proud when the contenders are so evenly matched.
Lets me know we ve done the right thing.
There was nothing right about this. Tears stung my eyes, but whether it was from the dry,
dusty air or simply my anxiety, I couldn t say. Sweat was pouring off Trey and Chris now, their
chests rising and falling with the exertion of battle. Both were covered in scrapes and bruises,
adding onto old ones from days past. The tension in the arena was palpable as everyone
waited to see who would land the final hit. The cousins paused slightly, sizing up each other
as they realized this was the moment of truth. This was the blow that had to count. Chris, face
excited and alight, acted first, lunging forward to land a hit on the side of Trey s torso. I
gasped, jumping to my feet in alarm with most of the crowd. The sound was deafening. It was
clear from Chris s expression that he could taste victory, and I wondered if he was already
imagining the strike that would kill Sonya. Sunset bathed his face in bloody light.
Maybe it was because I d seen enough of Eddie to learn some of the basics, but I suddenly
realized something. Chris s movement was too rash and sloppy. Sure enough, Trey
was able to evade the strike, and I breathed a sigh of relief. I sank back down to my seat.
Those who had been certain he was about to be taken out roared in outrage.
That left Trey with a beautiful opening to get in on Chris. My tension returned. Was this
really any better? Trey winning the right to take a life? The point was moot. Trey didn t take
the shot. I frowned as I watched. He didn t exactly fumble, but there was something that didn t
seem right. There s a rhythm to fighting, where instinct and automatic responses take over. It
was almost as though Trey had purposely fought against his next instinctive move, the one
that said strike now! And in doing so, Trey left himself open. He took a hit from Chris, which
knocked him to the ground. I rested a hand on my own chest, as though I d also felt the blow.
The crowd went crazy. Even the decorous masters jumped up from their seats, screaming
approval and dismay. I had to forcibly stay seated. Every part of me wanted to run down there
and make sure Trey was okay, but I had a feeling one of the armed members of my escort
would shoot me or knock me out before I took two steps. My worry faded a tiny bit when I saw
Trey stagger to his feet. Chris clapped Trey good naturedly on the back, grinning from ear to
ear as those assembled shouted his name.
Trey soon retreated to the crowded stands, yielding the victor s spot. His father met him
with a look of disapproval but said nothing. The man who d given out the clubs approached
Chris with the sword I d returned. Chris held it over his head, earning more applause. Near
me, Master Jameson stood up and bellowed, Bring out the creature!
Creature was hardly how I d describe Sonya Karp as four heavily armed Warriors dragged
her out across the dusty arena. Her legs barely seemed to work, and even from this distance,
I could tell she was drugged. That was why Adrian couldn t reach her in dreams. It also explained
why she wouldn t have used any magic to attempt escape. Her hair was a mess, and
she wore the same clothes I d seen her in that last night at Adrian s. They were bedraggled,
but otherwise, she didn t seem to have any signs of physical abuse on her.
This time, I couldn t stop myself from standing up. The blonde girl immediately put a hand
on my shoulder, forcing me down. I stared at Sonya, wanting so desperately to help her, but
knew I was powerless. Swallowing back fear and rage, I slowly sat back on the bleachers and
turned toward the council.
You told me I d have a chance to talk. I remembered their sense of honor. You gave
your word. Doesn t that mean anything?
Our word means everything, said Master Ortega, looking offended. You ll have your
chance.
Behind Sonya s guard came two more men hauling a huge block of wood with arm constraints [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]