The ritual combat began at sunset, according to the vampire tradition. The moment the last rays of sunlight vanished, horns rang out throughout the arena, indicating the match had been declared open.
Ravenna attacked first. She moved with ease, delivering probing strikes meant to test rather than kill. She studied Lyanna's skills, reaction time, and defensive capabilities. She didn't use her full power yet, she acted like a predator assessing new prey.
Lyanna was good but not perfect, intentionally hiding her true capabilities. She blocked some attacks she could have dodged and dodged strikes she could have countered. She wanted herself to look skilled enough to be interesting, but not so threatening that Ravenna would give her full attention.
"Is this all the famous Thornfield queen can manage?" Ravenna mocked. "Barely competent defense? I expected more from someone who supposedly defeated the Council of Light."
