The man lowered his head and seemed to be smelling Eli, as though trying to identify an unfamiliar scent.
Eli suddenly seized the stranger's long black hair and yanked it sharply to one side.
"Don't pull my hair!"
This was a trick Lancelot had taught him during physical training. His instructor's original words had been simple enough: in actual combat, a person should use every means available to win, even if the method was considered unethical. Winning mattered more than appearances, and there was no point worrying about dignity when someone was trying to kill you.
