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I know what to do.
As Keb hurled the koya at her head, she ducked and rolled, moving so quick she was a blur, trailing him and slashing with her blade.
The man roared as her shotel nicked his flesh. Enraged, he twisted and flung the koya at her again.
She dodged to the side lightning-fast and lunged forward. Her blade clipped his flank, and she swivelled it rapidly on its flat side to slap the top of his arm before darting away.
The kavalier grunted in pain and humiliation, swinging again.
In a whirlwind of milliseconds, Sana’a was behind him, her muscled forearm around his upper shoulders, her shotel at his throat.
As a single cheer rose from the sidelines, Sana’a growled against his temple. ‘Concede?’
‘Fokk off.’
His mohawked krest furled out and bristled on her cheek, his four other koya vibrating as if they were about to set loose on her.
‘Surrender, and I’ll let you go. I won’t even take your koya.’
When her weapon dug deeper, he lifted his hands into the air in capitulation.
With a grunt, she released him.
The man stumbled, his sab?r clattering to the ground.
The watching crowd fell silent.
She sensed them bristle around her but ignored them, crouching to the surface where she lifted her opponent’s fallen koya and handed it back to him.
Keb nabbed it from her with a snarl.
Still light-headed, he stumbled back, glaring at her as he floundered into the arms of the waiting Kiho, cursing at her.
Sana’a saluted them both with two fingers and sheathed her curved dagger.
Turning to leave, she paused mid-step as Kaniz walked up to her.
‘Keb doesn’t take well to defeat. You did well. While making a mortal enemy.’
Sana’a gave her a huff and a wry smile. ‘Not sure if you’re congratulating or commiserating, but that said, sante.’
‘You have unusual speed and great reflexes, the best I’ve seen in a while.’
The Shotelai woman shrugged, giving Kaniz a narrowed look. ‘Did you cheer for me, a xkénos?’
‘Naam,’ the master said. ‘That’s because I am one, too, in a manner of speaking. I’m from a lower-class Krypós background. It takes a long time for the imperial kavaliers and the noble houses who sponsor our fights to recognise an underdog or outsider, let alone an xkénos. I believe in backing good kavs and bankrolling winners.’
‘I appreciate the support. Twas a breeze.’
‘Don’t get too cocky. The matches only get harder from here.’
Sana’a nodded, her mind already focused on her next match.
The kísímí master shot her a keen look. ‘I’d like to repeat my earlier offer to you. I want you to be part of my training k?st.’
Sana’a raised a brow. ‘What does that entail?’
‘Some kavs bout solo, independently. Others join a house of trainers where we pool resources, skills and wins.’
