He turned to Mouse. “Challenged, will you fight this duel, or present your challenger?”

Mouse hesitated. He glanced at Reginald, who stared fiercely at him over his broken nose and bloodstained shirt. He isn't going to fight this duel. Despite Dayander's warnings and his own strike earlier, vague disappointment swirled in his gut. His hands curled. I should have hit him a few more times while I had him.

From the edge of the platform, Cel coughed pointedly. Mouse jumped. He shot her a glance. I was about to do it, don't rush me!

"Challenged?" the man prompted.

“I present my challenger,” Mouse replied. Cel stood from the edge of the platform and moved to his side.

The man turned to Reginald. “Challenger, will you fight this duel, or present your challenger?”

Face twisted in a snarl, hand cupped protectively around his crooked nose, Reginald spat, “I present my challenger.”

The white carriage shook. A thick hand clutched the doorframe, and a hulking beastfolk appeared. Bent in half to fit through the door, he unfolded from the carriage. Rippling with muscle, he stood easily a foot taller than Cel. Short tawny fur crawled over his body and bristled around his neck and head in a darker-gold mane. Rounded ears mounted the top of his head. A scar passed narrowly above his right eye and down to the left side of his lip, taking a good chunk from his flat, blunt nose along the way. Poorly healed, the scar curled his lip into a perpetual grimace.

He curled his fingers, and black claws snapped from his fingertips. A low chuckle escaped his barrel chest as he looked Cel up and down. Leisurely, he strode onto the platform. Each step rattled the earth, loud as thunder, bare feet pounding the stone. He hulked over Reginald’s shoulder, easily towering over all but the tallest of the princesses.

Mouse glanced at Cel. He had no doubt she was a mighty warrior, but against a beast like this? Technique couldn’t beat brute force.

She, on the other hand, remained unphased. Cel strode forward and offered her hand. “Celedestin, daughter of Abane and Noaraen.”

Eleda gasped. Mouse itched to glance back, but refused to look distracted in front of Reginald.

The lion beastfolk stomped forward. He looked down on her hand and chuckled. “Small child, this one’s name is Sidd, Champion of the humans’ Arena. This one does not fight children or women.”

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

“I accept your surrender,” Cel replied unhesitatingly.

Sidd cracked a smile, revealing massive yellowed canines. “This one will make an exception.”

“I’m honored.” Cel retracted her hand.

Reginald retreated.

The older warrior gave Mouse an expectant glance. Mouse glanced at Cel one last time, but she ignored him. With no other option, he walked away. I’ll have to trust she knows what she’s doing.

When his heel cleared the platform, the warrior cleared his throat. “Combatants, bow.”

Cel bowed stiffly from the waist. Sidd bent his head half an inch. Both stood and retreated to the black lines.

“Fight to the first blood. Honorable tactics only. No magic or sneak attacks. Do you agree?”

Cel inclined her head. Sidd snorted, amused, and nodded.

The warrior stepped to the edge of the platform, then pointed at the sky. A tiny bold of lightning zapped from his fingers, followed by an outsized peal of thunder.

Sidd charged.

Cel stood, unmoving as a statue. She glared down the massive beastfolk as if she could stare him to a stop.

Mouse clenched his fists. Nervous sweat broke out on his back. You can’t take him head on. Even I wouldn’t dare!

The second Sidd reached her, her sword flashed from its sheath. She slashed and stepped aside at the same time as he charged past her. Strands of red-gold fur drifted to the ground.

Sidd drew to a halt. He turned slowly, groping at his chin. A chunk of his mane was missing, right in the middle of his neck.

“Your beard saved you. It won’t save you again,” Cel stated. Impassive, she sheathed her sword again and spread her stance, waiting.

Sidd threw his head back and roared. Low and loud, it resonated in Mouse’s bones and shook something deep inside him, something instinctual. He narrowed his eyes and swept his ears back, suppressing a shiver. He’d experienced the beastfolk’s roar many times before, but never on the receiving side. Not a pleasant experience.

Cel remained expressionless. Her ears twitched back, but she resisted the urge to sweep them. Mouse raised his eyebrows, impressed.

Sidd charged again. Instead of going straight at her, he darted left and right, chasing around her.

Patient, Cel waited. Her eyes followed his every move, but she stood motionless.

A heavy paw dug into stone. Sidd pushed off and vanished, so fast Mouse’s eyes could barely follow. He reappeared behind Cel, claws bared for a strike.

Mouse sucked in a breath. A scream caught in his throat. I can’t interfere! This is a duel!

“Celedesta! Behind you!” Eleda shouted, at nearly the same moment.

Cel whirled and struck in one motion.

Blood spurted. Sidd stumbled, a hand to his throat.

The warrior raised his hand. “First blood. The fight is decided.”

“Nothing is decided!” Sidd growled. He dropped his hand. A thin slice on his neck dripped blood. Giant shoulders roiled, muscles working with rage. He rounded on Cel, murder in his eyes.

She backed away, keeping her weapon between them.

Sidd charged at her, paw raised high, dreadful claws fully extended. Cel raised her sword, ready.

Lightning jumped from the side of the arena and struck Sidd in the spine. His back arced, limbs jolting. His eyes twitched in his skull.

“The duel is over,” the warrior said, deadly serious.

Sidd fell heavily to the stone platform.

Cel backed away, wary of Sidd despite his seeming unconsciousness. She hesitated, then walked by him, toward Mouse. Carefully, she stepped over a limp forepaw.

Beneath her, meaty, clawed fingers twitched.