Page 70 of War Hour

Evander takes it in stride, raising his sword in my direction before nodding.I’ll be okay,Evander mouths to me.

The crowd claps as the opponents face each other.

Rendering his bow and arrow useless, Lord Rhen reaches for the sword still stuck in the sand before bowing to Evander just as he did Bash.

Evander mimics his motion.

It’s hard to imagine a fight being more intense than the one between Lord Rhen and Bash—every moment someone else having the upper hand. But within seconds of the fight beginning, I already know I’m wrong.

While the previous battle had taken over the entire battle field, each move unpredictable leaving me and the crowd in anticipation, this one was solely based on skill and mastery.

Each equipped with a sword, Lord Rhen and Evander circle each other on the field. It’s much like my training with Evander but on a different level. Each clash of swords bears the weight of true intention behind it.

After defending a low hit from Evander, Lord Rhen slams his shoulder into Evander’s chest, knocking him back several feet. Without giving Evander a moment to catch his bearings, Lord Rhen rains hits with his sword. But Evander keeps up with coolcomposure. He sidesteps each swipe, blocking Lord Rhen from landing any attacks.

I watch closely as Evander taught me, trying to catch even a hint of what powers might be practiced before me. Evander never talked about if he has Trialed or any ability he may have received. But, then again, part of me doubts he has—he did say that Lord Gennady rarely let people Trial in Truth since it has the highest death rate.

Turning to Lord Gennady, I expect to see my anticipation mirrored in him, but he watches with a blank face, mentally distanced from what takes place on the arena field.

“Have they fought before?” I ask, wondering if he knows something I don’t.

But Lord Gennady shakes his head, eyes not leaving the battle taking place before us. “No, I don’t think we have seen this particular match as of yet. The Heirs are only just being of an age where the fight would be even worth it.”

The arena seems to gasp when Evander dodges a hit, surely to land deep in his torso. As he swings out to the side, he brings up his blade, swiping across Lord Rhen’s shoulder. It leaves behind a gaping wound, blood pouring from the cut.

I lean back as Lord Rhen growls in pain. The wound is not what surprises me but the reaction. While the gash is deep, it surely can’t be worse than a leg being dislocated and twisted in its socket. Yet Lord Rhen hadn’t shown a wince of pain then, but he’s obviously hurting now.

Narrowing my eyes at the fight, I lean forward with renewed interest. I’d thought for a moment Lord Rhen had some resistance or immunity to the pain he experienced, but that suspicion is disproven now.

What has changed between this fight and the last?

Pausing in his relentless attacks, Lord Rhen looks at his arm before examining Evander with a new apprehension in his eyes.More critical in his appraisal of Evander, Lord Rhen switches to a slower, more calculated attack style.

Evander does the opposite, launching into a quick flurry of well-aimed strikes pushing Lord Rhen backward in retreat.

Lord Gennady stands next to me, and I recoil in surprise.

Pushing forward on a shaky cane, Lord Gennady stares through the window at the battle before turning to walk away.

“Sir?” I call after him, standing. “You’re leaving before Evander’s done?”

Lord Gennady turns to look at me, a sad expression forming in his eyes. “I find watching only makes me anxious. Better I finish some work before the Peace Ball anyway.”

I nod, turning to find Evander once again on the field.

He holds his sword up defensively as Lord Rhen presses his own against it with his weight. Despite the blades resting so close to his throat, Evander’s eyes are on me.

Did he see his father leave? Is that what has him distracted?

In a flash, Lord Rhen kicks Evander’s ankle out from under him, making him fall backward. Lord Rhen presses a foot to the center of his chest, leveling the blade at Evander’s neck.

Evander doesn’t wait for Lord Rhen to prompt him before he yields. But his eyes don’t leave mine until a crease forms between his brows as his gaze bounces from me to Lord Gennady’s vacated spot.

Chapter 27

I’d like to think in my time at the capital, the people here have begun to palate my presence. Keeping my head down is instinct after living under the guard’s terror in Falland, and it works just as well here. I blend in until I’m just another invisible among the rest.

But as hard as I work to fall to the background, Evander draws focus like a beacon in the night. As my constant escort, he pulls me under scrutiny with him.

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