Janius was subdued compared to the roaring spectators around him. He knew Kaleeth's tenacity and fighting skill well, though he did not often watch her in these fighting pits. Watching Julan or tending to other duties almost always kept him too busy. In this, he realised for the first time just how adept Kaleeth had become in hand-to-hand fighting. She made it look easy. Her practice had paid off.

Still, Janius never could shake off the empathetic twinge he felt every time Kaleeth suffered a hit like her opponent was dealing out. He hoped she would finish the bout soon without leaving both her and the challenger in a bloody heap.

What would her tribe think if she returned so wounded?