---
Rauk tried to push himself up. His right arm did not answer. His left arm shook and slipped in the blood under him. He blinked once and his eyes focused on Kai's boots.
"Stay down," Kai said.
Rauk spat red and pulled air through his teeth. "Finish it. Kill me."
"No," Kai said. "Not yet." He knelt, took hold of the five-star's wrist, and set the spear point where plate met flesh. "You put your hands toward my child. I will show you what that costs."
He cut clean. One stroke. Then the other.
Rauk screamed once. It was deep and raw. Then he bit the sound off and stared at the sky, face white. His arms lay in the sand like heavy sticks. Blood pumped and then slowed.
Kai wiped the spear on Rauk's chest plate. "You live because I want you to see the result of angering me."
He turned. "Azhara. Give me your Bow."
