“You know a thing or two, lowlander,” Larn said.
Thorat gave a tiny nod in response, still visibly taking the measure of the bandit.
Eppie closed her eyes, hoping that Thorat would win back the blade. She almost missed the next move.
This time, it was Larn who darted in. Thorat’s blade shot up to block the strike, then twisted. Larn’s sword spun loose, but before the sword hit the ground, Thorat had lost his grip too. Larn got behind Thorat and, with his bare fist, knocked the sword to the ground. Thorat spun around, unbalancing Larn.
For a long moment, the two men stood locked in a human knot, held together by bare strings of tension, sweat beading on their brows. Larn got a leg loose, and the two men fell to the ground together.
“Draw!” Vigda’s voice rang out.
The two men gave a mu
