Page 86 of Of Iron and Moonlight

Njall straightened, confusion flickering plainly through him.

“A request has been made,” Oorlon continued, gesturing toward the far side of the hall. “A challenge for your position. You know Haskir, I presume? Warden of my prison on Celestine Isle.”

Haskir stepped forward from the gathered. Amethyst beads threaded through his silver braids glimmered faintly as he moved, like little trophies of arrogance. Njall remembered him well from his early days of training in glima: loud, eager, convinced strength was something proven by spectacle. They had crossed paths rarely since, usually on the docks of Celestine, where Haskir strutted like a rooster among gulls.

Njall grunted in acknowledgment, refusing to offer anything more.

“Excellent,” Oorlon said. “It would please me to see this settled now.”

Njall stared at him. “Your Majesty, a challenge is customarily announced. Time to prepare—”

“I find I have little interest in custom,” Oorlon interjected lightly. “Be thankful I’m not calling for blood… Unfortunately, I still have use for you both.” He paused. “Though if you test my patience, I will flip a coin to see which one dies instead.”

Haskir bowed with theatrical ease. “Now is acceptable to me, Your Majesty.”

Oorlon’s violet-green gaze slid back to Njall. “A duel, or a coin toss?”

Njall answered only by unsheathing his blades.

“Proceed,” Oorlon said, settling back on his throne as the nobles drew into a wide ring.

Haskir attacked instantly. Steel flashed as he drove forward aggressively, cutting for Njall’s center. Njall gave ground in short steps, letting the momentum pass, his own blades moving in tight arcs to deflect and redirect.

“You are slower than before, old friend,” Haskir taunted. “Age dulls even legends, I fear.”

Njall ignored the barb. He watched instead: footwork, timing, the angle of Haskir’s wrists. Haskir pressed harder, forcing him back another step. The nobles murmured.

Fifty-seven years. Fifty-seven years he had worn the title of Champion. Bound to Oorlon’s leash. Ceaselessly trying to earn a place in his father’s bloodline. To lose it now would be more than defeat. It would strip away the only leverage he had—the only path he had ever claimed for himself.

“When I take your place,” Haskir added between slashes, “I’ll enjoy watching you kneel.”

Njall’s teeth ground together. His thoughts flicked to his father—to Loken’s slumped shoulders, bowed beneath the strain of Oorlon’s whims. To the cost of failure.

Then he felt the faint pressure at his heels, a cold breath of air where none should have been. His foot slid half an inch as he stepped, just enough to throw off his timing.

Magic. Subtle. Utterly forbidden in a glima duel.

“You’re cheating,” Njall hissed under his breath, for only Haskir to hear.

Haskir’s grin demanded to be met with a fist. “You’re losing.”

Another pulse followed, nudging Njall’s balance as he turned. The nobles leaned closer, sensing blood, while Haskir advanced, driving Njall toward the edge of the circle.

For the first time in decades, Njall faltered.

He reset with a breath and let training take over.

If Haskir wanted to use magic to tilt the ground, Njall would make the tilt his weapon.

When the next pulse came, he allowed himself to stagger, letting the imbalance show. A ripple of surprise moved through the crowd. Even Oorlon leaned forward.

Haskir lunged in triumph.

Njall turned with the blow, crossed his blades, and caught Haskir’s strike at an angle that carried the magic’s push back into him. He stepped inside Haskir’s reach, blades flashing in a tight exchange, then hooked one sword behind Haskir’s and twisted.

Haskir stumbled, overextended, betrayed by the borrowed force. Njall drove forward, swept his legs, and sent him crashing onto the stone. One blade skidded across the floor. The other clattered free as Njall pressed a sword to Haskir’s throat and locked him there.

A long moment passed. Then Njall stepped back and sheathed his blades, leaving Haskir gasping on the floor. Little beads rattled softly against the stone.