Author's note: Before you read this, just wanted to let you guys know that I uploaded the unedited version of the last chapter yesterday. It was blunder on my end, and I'm sorry. Nothing major but only a few dialogue changes were done in the edited version.
The staff cracked against Lucian's ribs before he caught the motion. A clean hit. Abnet stepped back in a smooth pivot, his stance easy and unreadable, as if the strike had cost him nothing.
Lucian let out a sharp breath and circled left. Sweat rolled down the back of his neck. The courtyard stones shimmered in the late sun. Abnet waited for him, calm as a man watching a kettle warm.
Lucian lunged.
The attack had speed but lacked something deeper. Abnet parried with a short twist, caught Lucian's wrist with the end of the staff, and tapped his forearm with enough force to sting. The feint fell apart as Abnet's counter caught his wrist, knocking his balance off.
"Again," Abnet said.
