The circle finished,both Keir and Antas stepped into the circle and wasted no time. Keir, with his two curved swords. Antas, with sword and shield.
Antas moved fast, to block and swing. But Keir leapt to one side, and slashed hard, cutting Antas below the eye. Blood dripped down into Antas’s blond beard. He roared his anger.
Keir grinned, took a stance, and waited for the charge. Keir’s swords thudded on Antas’s shield. The air whispered as Antas’s blade failed to hit.
It was brutal, which was exactly as expected. Two warriors evenly matched as far as Joden knew. Antas was older and experienced; Keir was younger and stronger. They both hated each other with a passion, and Joden could feel it in their blows. Any outcome was possible.
Joden watched, holding his breath, transfixed as the two circled on another, looking for an opening. But a slight movement, caught his eye. Veritt, Antas’s Second had shifted his stance, his arms folded over his chest. Joden looked away, but something felt… wrong.
Joden focused on Veritt.
Antas’s Second was a troubled man if ever Joden saw one. The signs were subtle, but they were there. Twitchy, shifting weight, watching the fight with a desperation that made little sense.
“Ha,” Antas shouted. Joden looked back as he scored a blow on Keir’s arm, drawing blood. Keir never stopped, just charged in with a flurry of strikes against Antas’s shield, forcing him back.
Essa and the other Singers watched, their faces neutral. Simus and Ietha were stoic as well, arms crossed as unconscious mirrors of each other. Joden gave them a glance, then stared back at Veritt.
Who was looking at the piles of sod beside him.
The sounds of the continued fight filled the air, the sounds of two men locked in deadly combat.
But Joden kept his eyes on Veritt and waited.
Veritt looked up, and Joden caught his eye. Veritt met them for a second, and then flicked past to look at Antas.
Joden didn’t look away. He waited.
The fight raged on, with the sounds of scuffling feet, the ringing of sword on sword, and the clang of blows on the shield. Antas’s breathing grew ragged as the fight went on. Keir was silent, but Joden knew his friend’s entire focus was on killing his enemy.
Joden watched Veritt, who glanced at him every now and then. Joden made sure the man knew that his eyes were on him every time he looked Joden’s way. Joden didn’t look with hate, didn’t glare or threaten.
But he was watching.
Veritt’s glances grew more frequent as the fight went on. Joden kept staring. Veritt’s nervousness seemed to grow, and then oddly he stilled, staring at the earth.
Joden didn’t dare look away, although the sounds of the fight were changing. Antas seemed to be retreating, catching his breath behind his shield. Keir was having none of that, if the blows to the shield were any measure.
Veritt look up, and stared at Joden. He took a deep breath, eased his shoulders back and nodded at Joden. Just a quick nod that no one seemed to catch. Veritt had come to a decision, it seemed.
Joden nodded back.
A cry of pain. Antas was on one knee, his shield up. “Veritt!” he cried out.
Veritt stood like a rock, unmoving.
Keir lunged, and Antas dodged, rolling out of the circle to get to his feet. But he wasn’t fast enough for the block. Keir’s sword bit into his neck. Blood spurted out.
Antas snarled, charging Keir with the shield intent on beating him down. Keir stepped to one side, let him pass.
Antas stumbled, his sword and shield still up, but glaring at Veritt. “Veritt, you betray—
“Antas,” Keir roared.
Antas swung back, and stood there, panting. “I will kill you,” he screamed, and charged Keir.
Keir waited, dodged the charge, and hammered his sword into Antas’s neck, almost severing it.
Antas’s eyes rolled up. He staggered, fell, and died.
