“Rolf,” I snapped. “Tell that fucker to keep his hands off the stakes until the challenge is done, or so help me, I’ll walk back to my house, get my rapier, and cut his fucking balls off.”

Rolf stepped forward. “I’d listen to him if I were you, Jarek. I heard what he did to a man up in Taralith.” He shook his head sadly. “It wasn’t pretty. It really wasn’t pretty.”

Jarek dropped Senna like she was contagious, staring at me for a long moment. “Rules o’ the challenge, Kaelan. Fists only, righ’?”

“Stay away from my girls until we’re done.”

“Yeah, whatever.” He pointed a finger at Senna. “I’ll have time enough with yer tonigh’ anyway. Gonna enjoy every second.” He leered at her. “Every hole.”

Senna flinched at Jarek’s words, her face paling. She was trembling as she quickly moved behind Lira, desperate for the small barrier her friend offered. She kept her eyes on the ground, too scared to meet Jarek’s smirking gaze.

Lira, by contrast, stood tall and unyielding, her eyes fixed on Jarek with a quiet, cold fury. Bless my fearless High Priestess, but she was looking at Jarek like he was something she’d stepped in, not in the least bit cowed.

“Can we get on with it?” I asked Rolf. Jarek’s crudities were pissing me off. I wanted this done, and him gone.

“Yeah. Ready, Jarek?”

Jarek grunted.

“I’m ready,” I said, before Rolf asked me. Then I ran at Jarek.

He blinked in surprise to see me coming, then his arms spread wide, and he grinned.

He probably thought I was going to grapple with him. At least, that’s what I wanted him to think.

But two or three paces away, I launched myself into the air, driving both feet forward in the crudest flying kick imaginable. To my surprise, my Unarmed Combat skill points triggered more than I’d hoped, adding elegance and power. Jarek took both boots square in his chest. I hit the ground hard, the breath knocked out of me, but Jarek flew backwards, landing in the crowd and knocking over several of the innocent spectators.

“Sorry about that,” I said to them, climbing back to my feet and brushing the dirt off my leather trousers.

Jarek shoved a man off him, growling as he pushed himself up. He had two large boot-prints on his chest, and they suited him well. He growled again, coming out of his crouch with fists swinging. I backed up, giving us space—both for the crowd’s safety and my own need to dodge. Jarek put his head down and charged me, faster than I’d have thought possible for a man his size.

His large arms were outstretched, this time held too low to easily duck beneath. I only had a split-second to react, and only one move came to mind—a move I’d only ever seen, never tried to perform.

I let him reach me, falling backward as he did. With nothing solid to grab onto, I figured what goes around comes around and used his hair. My foot went into this stomach as I fell, and then I pulled and kicked off at the same time.

Pretty sure it was called a Tomoe Nage or something, but basically a judo throw … if my Unarmed Combat skill gave me the help I needed.

It did. Jarek went flying, landing on his back with an oof, bounced once and skidded through the dirt. That was more than I’d hoped for, skill points at work. Not bad for my first attempt at judo. I used the momentum of my fall to roll to my knees, and it allowed me time to recover from my own surprise that I’d made it work. I rose to my feet while Jarek still lay stunned, then dropped my knee into his throat.

He grunted, glaring up at me. I flashed him a pleasant smile. But I’d underestimated how much of an ox he was; his recovery was phenomenal, and even now he was faster than I expected. One spade-like hand grabbed my arm, and the other fist pummeled into my face.

I rolled with the first blow, barely getting my arm up for the second. My cheek stung like hell, the bone likely fractured, but I didn’t have time to worry about that. I needed to get out of there before he pinned me down and smashed the shit out of me. People didn’t ‘usually’ die, according to what Lira had said, but I knew Jarek would kill me if he had the chance. Sure, I’d respawn, but that would be at the hut in the valley – half a day away. Plenty of time for Jarek to have his way with my girls.

The thought of Jarek alone with Senna and Lira tore through my mind, a cold surge of panic lighting a fire in my gut. I couldn't let that happen. I twisted away from him with a burst of desperation, letting instinct and my fear for them fuel my movements. His next punch grazed my side, but I barely felt it, landing a kick to his face as I scrambled backward.

We both staggered to our feet, winded by the exchange.

“Once I’m done with you, Kaelan, I’ll take my time with the girls,” he said. “No one’s gonna stop me. Especially not them.”

A small, frightened gasp came from behind me.

I smiled. “Thanks,” I said. “I’d was wondering where to hit you next. Now I know.”

He growled his confusion and came at me again. But he’d learned his lesson—no more bull-like charges.

I stood tall, raising my fists in a mock Marquess of Queensbury stance. He sneered at my pathetic attempt, but if he thought I’d match him blow-for-blow, he was as dumb as his single eyebrow suggested.

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I let him close in, my weight evenly balanced, guard up. He took a step, eyes narrowed, searching for a trap. I had no intention of going toe-to-toe with him—I just needed to present a tempting target. He took the bait. His eyes gleamed as he lunged forward, one large fist pile-driving at my head.

Which wasn’t there anymore. I dropped to a knee before him, then brought my fist up with all the power I had. Right between his legs. That’s what happens when you don’t have rules.

Jarek screamed, a high-pitched sound, falling to my feet with both hands clasped over his balls.

God Power Deactivated.

“Stop,” Rolf said, amusement in his tone.

I turned away from Jarek, who lay whimpering on the ground, and walked back toward the girls.

Strength has gained 1 point.

Attack has gained 3 ranks.

Defense has gained 2 ranks.

Speed has gained 5 ranks.

Dodge has gained 2 ranks.

Endurance has gained 3 ranks.

Unarmed Combat has gained 8 ranks.

That was more like it. I even scored a point in Strength - finally. Now I was looking forward to round three.

“You’re bleeding,” Lira said, her beautiful eyes full of concern.

“Not as much as he will be when I’m done with him.”

Senna peeked out from behind Lira, staring at me with wide eyes.

“Your cheek looks broken,” Lira said, raising a hand toward my face.

I took a step back. “Don’t touch me, baby. No healing, okay?”

I didn’t want to lose on a technicality, not after all this.

She let her hand fall. “Sorry, Kaelan.”

I gave them both a smile, my cheek protesting painfully. “One more minute, this’ll all be over. Five more minutes, we’ll be sitting down together and finishing the delicious dinner Senna made.”

“Last round’s two minutes,” Lira said.

“Want a bet?”

“He’s up,” Lira said, glancing over my shoulder. Her eyebrows rose. “And he seems to be coming this way.”

I winked at her. “Rolf?” I called without turning.

“Yep?”

“I’m ready.”

Thirteen points in Unarmed Combat, and I was going to enjoy every one of them.

I spun on my heel, dodging sideways as Jarek’s fist swung through the gap where my head had been. Then I rabbit-punched him in the ear.

He bellowed, arm swinging around, but I ducked beneath it and snap-kicked him in the knee. It went sideways, popping out, dropping him to the ground—right before Lira and Senna. There was poetic justice in that.

“There’s only one man who touches my girls,” I said, snap-kicking him in the face, my boot landing with a crunch. I distinctly heard two teeth break away. Jarek screamed, his lower face covered in blood. Yep, two teeth. Maybe three.

He flailed an arm at me, and I caught his wrist, my other hand gripping his elbow. I spun, twisting hard, pulling his arm away from him and leaning all my weight on his joint. Then I lifted his wrist, applying an arm lock, not bothering to be gentle about it. He screamed again.

“You were rude to Senna, and I didn’t like that.” My voice was a low growl, laced with anger. I pulled harder, his scream turning to a whimper. “I think you should say sorry, don’t you?”

“Sorry …” he slurred through a mouthful of blood. “I’m sorry …”

There was a reason locks and holds were usually banned in civilized unarmed combat matches, but I wasn’t feeling particularly civilized in that moment. I pulled with all my strength and his elbow dislocated with a satisfying crunch. Again Jarek screamed.

Damn, but I loved the sound of that.

“I think you should leave Fernwick, don’t you?” I said, dropping his arm. He was kneeling forward, sobbing, only his good arm taking his weight. I walked behind him and, with no finesse but a shit load of satisfaction, kicked him hard between the legs. The target was just there, and I didn’t like what he’d said earlier—or how he’d said it. Not to mention he’d put his hands on Senna. He didn’t even scream this time, just fell face down in the dirt, his breath wheezing out as he reached beneath himself with his one good arm and cradled his balls.

I leaned over him. “Jarek? Let me be clear. If I ever see you again, I’ll kill you. That was clear enough even for your ox-like brain, right?”

His whimper was all the confirmation I needed, and then I stamped on the side of his head.

He twitched and lay still.

The gathered spectators had gone quiet, and even Rolf was staring.

Did I overdo it? I might’ve overdone it. Even if fights like this were part of their culture, I didn’t want a reputation for brutality. Except, perhaps, where it was warranted.

I spread both hands wide. “Folks, I’m really sorry. I’m not normally like this. I just don’t think people should be rude to my ladies.”

Rolf looked away, turning his laugh into a cough. “Fight’s done,” he said, “Kaelan is the winner.”

Unarmed Combat has gained 1 rank.

There was a scattered round of applause, growing stronger as the villagers came out of their stunned stupor. Then it grew louder still, some cheers mixed in, and I got the impression quite a few of those present hadn’t much approved of Jarek, or his ‘courting’ of Senna.

I glanced around, taking in the crowd’s expressions—no resentment or shock lingered in their eyes. Instead, I saw gratitude and approval, a shared sense of justice for one of their own being protected from an unfair challenge.

Satisfied, I turned to my girls. “Dinner?”

Lira tucked herself under my arm, pressing against my side, gazing up at me. “I never had any doubts.”

Senna was staring, as wide eyed as ever. But she had some color in her cheeks, and I’d take that as a win. I turned, holding my other hand out toward her. “Would you do me the honor of accompanying me back to our house?” I put a subtle emphasis on ‘our’.

She reached out, taking my hand with her small one, and the very beginnings of a smile flirted with the corner of her lips.

I’d get her smiling yet. That went right to the top of my to-do list.

Turning, I led my girls away from the square. The crowd parted for us, a hand or two slapping me on the back as I went past.

Then I stopped. I looked across the square, seeking one particular face: the man who had wished Jarek luck. I found his eyes, and let mine harden. He took a pace back, then turned and slipped away through the crowd. But I’d had a good look at him. I’d know him when I saw him again, and if it was anyway near my house, next time it would be me making the challenge.

I carried on walking, putting him from my mind. “You know, I think I’m hungry.”

Lira giggled. “You called me ‘baby’,” she said, one hand pressed against my bare chest. My jacket and shirt were under her other arm, but she’d never particularly liked giving me back my clothes.

“Sorry.” I suppose I had, at that. I’d sort of been in the moment. “It’s a term of endearment where I’m from. It’s not meant derogatorily.”

She snuggled closer, her steps keeping time with mine. “You don’t need to apologize. I liked it.”

“Good. Then maybe I’ll call you it again.”

“Doesn’t that hurt?” Senna asked quietly, gesturing to my cheek and eye with the hand that wasn’t squeezing mine like she’d never let go.

I’d almost forgotten about my injuries in the adrenaline of the fight, but it was as if her drawing attention to them brought it all back. I wiggled my jaw, and that just made it worse. “Yes,” I said, honestly. “But don’t worry, Lira can fix it up.”

Lira glanced up at me, her expression forlorn, even as her eyes danced with mischief. “I would, Kaelan, really I would … but I’m all tapped out today.”

I stared down at her in surprise. That wasn’t just bullshit, it was a blatant-faced lie. So much for her being a programmed NPC, unable to make her own decisions. That was a fucking Turing test, right there.

She gave me a subtle wink. “I’m sure Senna would help.”

“Oh! Oh, yes, I can help.”

“Uh huh,” I said to Lira. Then I looked at Senna and gave her my best smile, which hurt my cheek quite a lot. “That would be great, thank you very much.”