“That’s just the rule for tourneys,” Dara said. “Makes an interesting bout for the spectators that won’t end too quickly.”
“It is more than that,” Berg said. “Tell me the target area for a duel.”
“Anywhere that can bleed scores a point, even the hand.” Hand touches were Kel’s specialty. The dominant hand was always the closest target on your opponent. Dara could do them too, but she was better at dependable shots to the shoulder after clearing her opponent’s blade with a clean parry. Her style was all about careful precision.
“Yes, of course. Anywhere that can bleed. Prince Sivarrion believes he can win with a single fatal hit if ever he is attacked. He must see that ten hits to the hand, the arm, the toe, will bleed enough to put him in grave danger. And he must see that the fatal shot is not as easy as he thinks against a superior opponent.”
“But I’m sure you’ve taught him all this,” Dara said. “Why do you need me?”
“He does not listen,” Berg said. “He thinks he listens. But he does not understand. I am not so fast as I once was. You are the one to show him.”
Dara didn’t want a distraction this close to the Cup, and she already struggled to get enough time for practice when her parents needed her in their shop. It worried her that this prince was frustrating enough to send Berg into a rage. But she couldn’t refuse her coach. He had trained her for years, and she hated letting him down. Reluctantly, she agreed.
“Okay, Coach. I’ll duel him. But would it be okay if I have an extra private lesson in exchange for missing practice?”
“This will be a good lesson for you too, young Dara,” Berg said. “It will be worth one practice. Meet me by Fell Bridge at dawn in two days.”
Download Duel of Fire to keep reading!
Also by Jordan Rivet
Fantasy
STEEL AND FIRE
Duel of Fire
King of Mist
Dance of Steel
City of Wind
Night of Flame
THE FIRE QUEEN’S APPRENTICE
The Watermight Thief
The Thunderbird Queen
The Dragonfly Oath
EMPIRE OF TALENTS
The Spy in the Silver Palace
An Imposter with a Crown
A Traitor at the Stone Court
Science Fiction
BUNKER SERIES
Wake Me After the Apocalypse
Meet Me at World’s End
THE SEABOUND CHRONICLES
Seabound
Seaswept
Seafled
Burnt Sea: A Seabound Prequel
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