AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Yeah.”
Neither man was remarkable. Both were smaller in stature than the other set, but one was significantly shorter. Though she could tell immediately that he was solid muscle. He might look like an easy mark, but by the way money was changing hands excitedly, he was a favorite.
“Watch how he moves.”
Kerrigan settled in. He was fast. Not just fast for a human, but almost superhuman fast. It shouldn’t have been possible to move at those speeds. If she blinked, she missed him moving at all.
The other man tried to keep up with his quick jabs and forceful kicks, but he was outmatched.
“How is he doing that?”
Constantine arched an eyebrow. “Doing what?”
“Moving so fast. Is he using magic? I thought it was forbidden in the tournament.”
“Oh, it is. If you’re caught or if the crowd doesn’t like it.”
She opened and closed her mouth. “You mean, if the crowd likes the use of magic, it’s permissible? Are you saying that I’ll go up against magic?”
“Unlikely.” He leaned forward as the smaller man ended the fight. The crowd cheered in triumph. More money traded hands. “It usually only happens in the lower fights. Like this one.”
“And they let him break the rules?”
“He’s not going to win the whole thing.”
“How do you know?”
Constantine shot her a look. “Because I’ve seen him fight before. I know his weaknesses. He only thinks of his strength. Magic is his strength. His speed is his strength. He’s never had someone slow him down. He’s never had to challenge himself to meet somewhere where they are.”
“Does someone have the magic to slow him down?”
He laughed. “No. Not anything that wouldn’t get the crowd against you. But that’s what I’m telling you. Magic isn’t all powerful. Not in these fights. There are people, like you, who are used to fighting with it. Who use it on instinct. They haven’t fought against anyone who can counterattack it. They don’t have to learn to fight differently.”
“And you think someone can counterattack that?”
Constantine grinned. “Watch.”
They sat through the next three matches. Nothing spectacular happened. She didn’t see anyone else with magic either. Then the fourth match was announced. The man with magic returned, flexing and drawing on the crowd’s energy. Cordon came out behind him. No one paid much mind to him.
She didn’t blame them. He never looked like much, even with the scars across his front and his back. Evander took the seat next to Constantine.
“He’s ready. Didn’t think you’d be here,” Evander said. He tipped his head at Kerrigan.
“We’re still training,” Constantine told him.
The same carousing and jeering happened before this match. Kerrigan watched Evander put a considerable bet on Cordon. The odds were stacked against him, and if he won this one, they’d make out like bandits. Kerrigan appreciated the gall. Cordon was good but …
Kerrigan watched with interest as the match began and the man immediately jumped into his magic tricks. The crowd roared their approval. Even though it was supposed to be a no-magic event, apparently, they drew in a crowd. People were pushing into her on every side. Screams came from men and women alike. And then it all fell apart. Cordon didn’t exactly do anything remarkable. He wasn’t faster than the other man. He didn’t have magic of his own. Yet he mirrored his steps and leaned into his impressive footwork that was just plain better than the other man. It was like watching an artist. He was sculpting with clay, building a foundation, designing the body of his figure, and then firing it hard. At the last moment, he broke through all of his carefully laid traps and demolished the man.
Kerrigan watched with wide eyes. Half the crowd booed. Half the crowd cheered. It was something else.
“I’ll collect the money,” Evander said and then stood to leave.
Constantine jerked his head to the side, and she followed him away from the disruption. “Do you understand?”
“Cordon didn’t have magic, but he still beat his opponent.”
He shook his head. “Cordon does have magic.”
She blinked. “What?”
“He didn’t have to use it to beat the other man. He never had to show his hand. He never had a moment where he faltered in his attack. He used the man’s own arrogance against him. That was all.” He gestured to the sand at their feet. “All you need is exactly what you’re allowed to bring into the ring with you. Just because you had magic doesn’t mean you need it.”
“I’ve had to fight without magic before.”
“Then, you’ve lost the skill,” he admonished. “I’m going to pair you with Cordon in the mornings and afternoons. You’ll fight against me and Evander in the evenings. We’ll use magic, and you won’t.”
Her eyes widened. “You want me to go up against you while you can use magic? I’m not even going to see that in the arena!”
