Kael
I could reach the panel.
Lucien had turned my first attack aside and put his weight into the return. The lower edge of his guard rose just far enough to leave the touch available.
One longer step.
One full extension of my left arm.
The point would arrive before he could close it.
Then I would have to get the arm back.
The opening was not imaginary. His blade had moved far enough, his weight had committed far enough, and I could see the marked surface waiting beyond the guard.
That made refusing it harder.
I could not tell myself it was a trap and feel clever for staying out. The problem was what the complete movement asked from me after the touch.
The official would stop an exchange which scored. My body would still have to finish or arrest the reach before the call arrived. A tired hand at full extension did not become safe because I expected somebody to announce a point.
I felt the weakness in the small fingers and kept the step short.
