The initial hesitation that had gripped the guards vanished the moment I threw down the gauntlet. Over the next hour, the training pit became a blur of motion. I moved from partner to partner, the physical exertion acting as a perfect shield against the dark thoughts trying to tear at my mind.
Eventually, Jasper called forward a new challenger—a seasoned warrior named Carlos. The moment he stepped onto the mat, the atmosphere shifted. Carlos was built like a brick wall, but he moved with a terrifying, fluid grace that told me he wasn't just strong; he was highly skilled.
"Don't hold back, Carlos," I told him, dropping into my stance, my chest heaving slightly from the previous bouts.
"Never, Your Majesty," he replied, a respectful but deadly serious glint in his eye.
We engaged instant
