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Rikar’s father had died, that all ended. Because Talis’s father had refused to grant the Rite of Royal Blood to Rikar’s dead father, it meant the Lords of the Underworld had condemned Rikar’s father to the torture of the Grim March. And now Rikar hated Talis. It was so unfair. Talis hadn’t done anything to Rikar, but Rikar made him feel like he was responsible.
    Mara stepped towards Rikar and brought a dagger across her throat.
    Rikar chuckled. “This little one can’t wait to get her hands on me. I can’t say I blame her.”
    “I challenge you for the right to wield the Blood Dagger,” Talis said. “And the Blood Dagger we shall hold”—he flushed, trying to remember the words—”we shall hold until the spring bud kisses the maple tree.” He raised his sword and aimed at the zenith.
    Jarvis harumphed. “Then begin…and fight until one of you are wounded—severe enough to require intervention by the healer. From that, the winner.” He gestured towards the shadows so thick that Talis couldn’t see a thing. “Master Healer Nonce…”
    A bald man in a blood-red robe emerged from the blackness and shuffled towards them. He peeled an orange, not even bothering to look up. Although healers cured many wounds with magic, sometimes nothing could be done. The fate of the sword. Talis remembered the boy who’d had his head hacked off. He touched his neck, feeling the blood pulsing through his veins, and swallowed hard. In Naru, law allowed the sword to choose the strong from the weak.
    From the crazed look in Rikar’s eyes, Talis knew he meant to inflict as much pain as possible. And Nikulo twirled his bladed staff so fast it hummed. Rikar whirled his curved sword around in a flourish, raised a finger and summoned a huge, shimmering blade above his head. Talis felt his skin go clammy, wishing he could cast magic like that. Memories of his failed attempt at magic yesterday with Master Viridian flashed in his mind’s eye.
    “No magic in the arena.” Jarvis scowled at Rikar. “You know the rules.”  
    Rikar strode towards Talis, spinning his sword deftly. “Your screams will be like honey.”
    Talis gritted his teeth and ignored his taunts. He circled around to his left, and Mara followed his lead, staying close.  
    Rikar’s blade sung as it cut through the air, just inches from Talis’s stomach. Talis clasped a hand to his stomach, almost feeling the steel blade lash into his body. A few inches closer and my guts would spill out onto the sand, Talis thought.
    While Rikar leered at Talis, Mara leapt at Rikar’s back and punctured his scalemail armor just above the hip on the side. Blood dripped from her dagger, and for a moment, her face flashed a triumphant look.  
    Rikar whirled around and kicked Mara on the shoulder, sending her twirling through the air. She fell hard on her back and whimpered. A cold sweat fell over Talis as he remembered her being injured by the boar. He charged Rikar, hoping to catch him unaware, but Rikar just riposted and deflected his sword aside.  
    Mara pushed herself up and grabbed her daggers, nodding as if she was okay.
    Rikar clapped his sword against the bloodied spot on his armor. “You barely pricked me. Next time shove your dagger in a bit harder….” He scoffed, and motioned Nikulo towards Talis.
    Nikulo charged, spinning wide, causing Talis to leap back. Talis thrust his sword at Nikulo’s chest, but Nikulo swatted the weapon aside, spun, and slammed his staff into Talis’s shins, knocking him face-first onto the ground. Stars spun wildly in his eyes. To the side, Talis could see Rikar raising his blade. Rikar struck down at him, but Talis rolled aside. Mara this time jumped on Rikar’s back and tightened a dagger against his throat. A line of blood trickled down his neck as he sank to his knees, face red and sweaty.
    Rikar growled. With one lightning-quick move, he yanked her dagger arm and sent her tumbling over his shoulder and onto the ground.