Kael
By breakfast, I had lost the bout, won it secretly and accepted Lucien's mercy.
The last version irritated me most.
It had apparently been agreed in advance.
I wondered whether either of us had been invited to the discussion.
Two students at the next table argued over the simultaneous touch. One insisted Lucien could have moved aside. The other said I had placed the point exactly where it needed to be to force a draw.
I had placed it where I hoped to score without being hit.
My failure to achieve the second part seemed unlikely to improve their conversation.
I finished eating.
On the way out, a third student told his companion I had withdrawn when my hand failed.
I stopped long enough to say, "The full time ended."
He looked up.
"That's what I meant."
It wasn't.
His companion looked at me, then at the student who had spoken. Neither reached for the posted score or seemed about to carry the claim to an official desk.
