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But Cassia trusted Lio to drop hundreds of heart hunters unconscious at her feet—with their hearts still beating.
Chrysanthos stared all the daggers at Lio that were forbidden in the gymnasium. If the mage was hoping to evaluate his opponent with the silent feints, he was using the wrong tactics. Lio already knew Chrysanthos was expert at insulting glares. He would show the Dexion that a diplomat of Orthros did not stoop to such mean strategy.
Lio was not concerned about what hand-to-hand combat haughty princes learned in Corona. He only hoped Chrysanthos had no intention of breaking the rules and resorting to magic. He prayed the war between Hesperines and Aithourians would not begin tonight in the middle of the Summit dedicated to preventing it.
MAGE’S SUPPLICATION
Lord Severin and Lyrosmet in a mannerly and engaging fight. Mortals and Hesperines alike seemed to enjoy watching the two warriors test each other. With impeccable precision, Lyros walked a fine line, giving Lord Severin room to show his skill without ever condescending to the man.
More than once, a smile flashed across Lyros’s face, as if he had just heard an unfamiliar poem in a beloved tongue he had studied for years. Lio’s Trial brother was clearly enjoying himself, for he let the fight go on much longer than he might have before downing Lord Severin.
Lyros reached a hand out to Lord Severin. “I’m glad we met on sand instead of snow this time.”
Lord Severin grasped the offered arm and let Lyros pull him to his feet, as the Steward had done in Martyr’s Pass to save the mortal from an avalanche.
Lord Severin dusted himself off and bowed. “Perhaps we’ll have time to do this again before the Summit ends.”
“Name the night,” Lyros replied.
Whatever came of Chrysanthos’s challenge, Lio vowed, he would not let it taint the victory he now saw before him.
Mak was as good as his reassurances to Cassia and did not damage Benedict excessively, although their battle turned into a hard wrestling match in the sand. It appeared Benedict was accustomed to using his build against a lither opponent. Perhaps he was the draught horse…and Flavian the racing stallion, Lio thought with a glower.
Benedict’s strategy prepared him well to withstand the way Mak used his bulk as an advantage. The knight was adaptable, too. As his defeat drew nearer, he transitioned into using Mak’s size against him. So Benedict knew how to race when he needed to.
Benedict was a graceful loser. As he let Mak pick him up off the sand, there was a peace on the knight’s face that came only from satisfying your own honor.
“That was fun,” Mak said. “You must have had some fine brawls back home in Segetia.”
“I learned to fight as soon as I learned to walk.” Wistfulness crept into Benedict’s tone.
“That’s the only way to grow up.”
“I did not realize any Hesperine received a warrior’s upbringing. It seems we have both devoted all our strength to protecting our homes.”
“It’s a good night when the children can go to sleep without worrying about what’s outside the gates.”
Benedict bowed.
It was Tychon’s turn. He strutted onto the sand barefoot. Facing Kadi, he fell into a threatening crouch, his arms out to his sides, ready to make a grab.
She stood and watched him, her face unreadable.
Tychon charged her. The only effect the potion seemed to have on Kadi was that her graceful sidestep was slow enough to be visible to the mortal eye. Tychon snarled, turned, and barreled at her again.
She tolerated his posturing for a few moments, evading his every attempt at contact. Finally she sighed and tapped him neatly at his neck, ribs, and groin. He fell at her feet and didn’t move.
“Your apprentice seems to have lost consciousness,” she said to Chrysanthos. “I’m afraid that concludes our match.”
Chrysanthos came out onto the sand himself. He got his apprentice’s limp body upright. None of the Tenebrans helped him.
“Be grateful he still breathes,” the Dexion said through his teeth.
“Spare me your threats,” Kadi replied. “I am too skilled and too conscionable to harm a child. I cannot say the same for your Order.”
“Spare me your lies.”
The Dexion delivered his apprentice to the seat next to the Gift Collector before returning to the ring.
