The two swordsmen first—swift, close footwork, slashing angles to drive them apart.
Seris met the left one face-to-face, blades flashing in brief bursts. The right pushed Reth hard, short sword snapping for his throat.
Reth spun under the swing, steel raking his hair, and crushed an elbow into the man's ribs. The swordsman grunted but did not flag. These were not amateurs.
The mage remained behind, hands manipulating, dark tendrils spreading farther across the floor. Observing.
Seris grabbed her opponent's wrist and pulled him toward Reth. One strike—Reth's dagger thrust beneath the man's chin. Dead weight crashed to the floor.
The remaining swordsman let out a shout and attacked Seris. She closed in, punched her pommel into his jaw, then plunged her blade into his abdomen. He fell silently.
The two swordsmen were defeated.
The mage hadn't budged yet. Shadows wrapped around his boots, twisting like water smoke. His gaze pinned Reth.
