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Aris seemed fair, and
     Shale idly wondered how she’d react if she knew about Melaina’s threats.
     Not that Shale would ever tell her. Aris might be fully aware of Melaina’s
     actions, though Shale doubted it. If Melaina was as devious as Shale
     suspected, she would be quite dangerous. They needed to keep their
     distance.
    “Are you all right to spar
     after Kale?” Aris asked, as the fight was about to begin.
    “Yes,” Shale replied.
    “Hi,” Anikett said, appearing
     out of nowhere.
    Shale smiled at the young
     woman. “How’s your nose?”
    Anikett giggled. “Much
     better.”
    It went quiet, then Tryphosa
     threw the first punch, causing the circle of warriors to hoot and holler.
     Shale knew that if Kale wanted to, she could’ve put Tryphosa down after
     that first move, but she didn’t, seemingly remembering Shale’s earlier
     words about trying to fit in. Kale let several more mistakes go by her
     before nailing Tryphosa with a right hook to her jaw.
    “She should’ve kept her arm
     up,” Anikett mumbled, grinning when a humorous look crossed Shale’s face.
    “All right, stop,” Aris
     ordered, clearly recognising Kale was high above the standard level.
     “Tryphosa, you’re out.” She searched the crowd for a moment. “Herona,
     you’re in.”
    While Herona made her way
     forward, Aris focussed on Shale. “Who’s better, you or Kale?”
    “We’re equal.”
    The fight began, and Shale
     noted that Herona was a lot closer in skill. Kale took a couple of blows,
     one to the face, and another to her midsection, before she was able to put
     Herona down with an elbow to the jaw.
    “Nice,” Aris complimented
     loudly, as Herona was pulled to her feet by Kale. “Well done.” She glanced
     around. “Amber, you’re in.”
    Shale heard the warriors
     surrounding her murmur excitedly. “Is Amber your best fighter?”
    “She’s one of them,” Aris
     said.
    “Who’s the best?” Shale
     watched as a pretty red-head passed by her, her curly auburn hair bouncing
     with each step.
    “Melaina, why?”
    Figures. Shale had to hold
     back her frown. So much for keeping away from her. Melaina now had the
     perfect opportunity to show them that she was in charge, and Shale
     suspected she wouldn’t fight fair.
    Aris smirked. “You think
     you’re that good?”
    “I guess we’ll soon find
     out.” She could tell Kale was holding back, carefully controlled. “Do your
     warriors fight without restraint?”
    “When we spar in the ring,
     yes. Was it different in your tribe?”
    “It had to be stated in
     ours.”
    Aris spoke up quickly, “Kale,
     no restraint.”
    Shale immediately saw the
     shift as Kale released herself, now able to fully let go.
    Kale attacked in a flurry of
     motion, and Amber, who was a brilliant fighter, had to back up swiftly to
     avoid getting hit.
    Most of the village was now
     watching, it wasn’t just the warriors anymore. The event had drawn a large
     crowd, and the circle surrounding the fighters grew, giving them more
     space.
    Shale was impressed by
     Amber’s skill and technique, but she knew Kale had the upper hand. They
     traded blows, kicks, and blocks for quite some time before Kale found the
     opening she needed. Snapping her leg out, Kale connected solidly with the
     side of Amber’s head, causing her to fall heavily. Kale waited, then
     dropped down beside her.
    From the sidelines, Shale
     could hear their conversation. “Are you all right?” Kale asked.
    Amber sat up, holding her
     head on one side. “That’s quite a kick you’ve got there.” She opened her
     jaw and closed it again. “Ow.”
    “You gave me a good fight,”
     Kale said. She offered her hand and helped Amber to her feet.
    “Kale, you’re out too,” Aris
     shouted to her.
    “Thank the gods,” Kale
     murmured. “I was about to collapse.”
    Amber sniggered. “Tired you
     out, did I?”
    “You certainly did,” Kale
     said. Amber was hesitant in letting go of