Ryker lowered his stance and shifted left, trying to reset the spacing between them. His blade hovered near his shoulder, ready to cut from above or thrust straight through.
Ivor did not give him the time.
He stepped in hard. Their swords met with a sharp crack of steel. Ryker absorbed the impact and attempted to angle off to his right, but Ivor followed immediately, not allowing him room to breathe. He drove forward again, blade snapping toward Ryker's midsection.
Ryker parried and struck back in the same motion, his sword flashing toward Ivor's neck. The counter was clean and fast.
Ivor felt it before he saw it.
He dropped his shoulder and leaned inside the arc. The blade passed close enough for him to feel the air shift against his skin. His own sword rose from below, cutting toward Ryker's exposed arm.
The edge bit. Not deep, but enough.
Ryker's expression changed. He gave ground.
One step.
Then another.
