บท 33: Combat

ETAN

A minute later Etan was sweating, panting, and struggling to get a read on his opponent. The man was slippery as an eel and he hadn't been able to get a good grip on his whip-fast limbs, or bring his weight to bear. But curiously, the man also hadn't engaged him properly, but seemed determined to wear him out by feinting and forcing Etan to dance across the arena to keep himself from being gripped. If he hadn't known better, he'd have thought the Warrior lacked confidence. There had been a moment when he'd shifted to avoid a lightning-fast spear-hand to his ribs and he'd been off balance for half a breath.

A seasoned warrior could have slid in and brought him down. But this Challenger hesitated and lost the opportunity as Etan got his foot back—along with his focus.

Was the warrior young? Or simply drawing out the fight?

Was he being measured, or was he already wanting, and being toyed with?