The female trainee brandished her spear, the night breeze whipping strands of her black hair back as her ocean-blue eyes locked on her opponent. Her stance was coiled, perfect footwork channeling every ounce of strength into one decisive thrust.
The spear shot forward, a streak of silver in the dim light.
Her opponent, the one who wielded not spear nor sword but a broad shield, didn't even flinch. He braced, the weight of his stance immovable.
Clang!
The clash rang out across the training field, the spear point slamming against the shield. For a heartbeat, Agnes thought she had landed, then her eyes narrowed. A familiar force surged through her weapon, her strike absorbed and twisted.
The backlash flung her off her feet. She hit the ground hard, rolling across the dirt before coming to a halt on one knee, her left foot braced and her right knee pressed into the earth. Dust clung to her lips as she caught her breath, only to freeze.
A sword hovered at her throat.
