"Falling down is easy. Falling down convincingly is an art form."
***
The morning sun climbed higher. Sharp shadows stretched across the amphitheater's sand. I stood in the center of the arena, every inch the terrified failure my audience expected to see.
The practice sword trembled in my grip.
Not from fear. From the careful muscle control required to make weakness look authentic. Each quiver was deliberate. Each nervous shift of my feet choreographed to look natural.
This is harder than actually fighting would be.
Vance Thorne circled me like a predator who'd cornered wounded prey. His polished leather armor gleamed in the sunlight. The blue dye shifted between dark and light as he moved. His practice sword traced lazy figure-eights through the air. Showing off technique. Building the crowd's excitement.
