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shouts brought forth a crowd as the remaining men gathered at the riverside, but no one intervened. Eventually, Lucien eliminated his opponents, one at a time. He flicked the tip of his sword across Mason's wrist before sending his sword flying. Mason shouted in alarm and clutched his slit wrist. Lucien followed up quickly with the startled Peyt in the same manner. He did not cut deep, grazing just enough so they could not pick up their weapons and continue the fight. They would heal once they regenerated.
    No one else entered the fray, leaving Lucien to deal with Nadan alone. Lucien succeeded in knocking the sword from Nadan's hand, but Nadan maneuvered himself quickly and protected his wrist. Lucien feigned a swipe at Nadan's throat, and when Nadan dodged, he tripped on the rock-hewn ground. In no time, Lucien stood over him, touching the tip of his sword lightly against Nadan's bobbing Adam's apple.
    "You kill me, and you bring the wrath of the king's army and the full Sorcery Circle down on your head for murder!” Nadan shouted.
    "I have no intention to kill you.” Lucien smiled without amusement. He moved the tip of the sword to Nadan's right shoulder and tapped it once before returning to his throat. “Your right arm shall be sufficient."
    Nadan looked appalled.
    Lucien manipulated his advantage. “An exchange. Your arm for your protection of Lady Aislan."
    Nadan gaped. “I cannot go against the Sorsverein 's command! You think I value my arm more than my obligation to my master?"
    Lucien expected that. “You shall protect her babe."
    "What babe?” Nadan's mouth opened and closed. “The babe has yet to be born!"
    "You are the guardian of Lady Aislan's firstborn,” Lucien assigned. “You ensure her safe delivery of the child and raise it should it be orphaned."
    "You have lost your fucking mind!"
    "I thought ‘twas quite clever."
    "The hell with you! I'll not be burdened with some brat!"
    "Your right arm should be worth any burden. ‘Twould be an honor guarding the life of a child. Nadan, you have acquired your first apprentice."
    "Damn you. You make a fool of me!"
    "You have become tedious. Your arm, or your protection of Lady Aislan's firstborn. Make your choice now."
    Nadan visibly gnashed his teeth. Murdering a sorsvasus brother was punishable by death, but Lucien's taking of Nadan's arm would not be as dire because of the condition of their combat. The winner had the option to set terms as long as it did not involve killing. Nadan no doubt had expected to defeat Lucien.
    Lucien had no intention taking Nadan's arm, but he had always been good at bluffing.
    "You shall pay for this,” Nadan gritted through his teeth. “I'll take care of her brat."
    "And ensure its delivery."
    "Fuck you."
    Unable to delay anymore, Lucien moved the point of his sword above Nadan's right armpit and pressed hard enough to draw blood. “Your word of honor. Now!"
    "I cannot go against decree to keep her alive."
    "You leave her be until she delivers her child."
    Nadan relented and sighed. “Very well."
    "Swear to it."
    Nadan looked about the circle of men standing around. Even if he had no witnesses, his word would have sufficed for Lucien. After all, Nadan was a sorcerer and bound by the code of the Sorcery Circle when he swore allegiance. Some rules were harder to skirt around. Witnesses helped when it came to interpretation, and he had plenty of witnesses, regardless of whose side.
    "If she still lives, I swear I'll protect Lady Aislan's firstborn as my ward."
    "Until then, you ensure that she will deliver her child."
    Nadan's face turned beet red. “You are a stupid fuck, Lucien. You stand ready to throw away the Realms and the glorious Stonebrush. There are plenty of pussies to have, but no, you must have this one. ‘Tis true. You are a contender to be one of the new Lords of the Realms. You deserve what awaits you now."
    Despite his shock, Lucien hid it well. However, he would not sacrifice Aislan. “Until then, you