Chapter 37 - Kael’s Challenge
Lorvayne's docks pulsed under a noon sun—gulls wheeled overhead, their cries cutting through the crash of waves against weathered piers.
The air hung thick with salt and fish rot, market shouts bouncing off creaking ship hulls as Liam stood on slick cobbles, cloak snapping in the sea breeze—his sword hung heavy at his hip, hand resting light on the grip. Kael stepped from the alley shadows—tall and broad, bronze armor catching light, red hair cropped tight—his green eyes glinted sharp with a smirk that pricked like a blade; his longsword swayed low, stance loose but ready.
"You're the Hero they're buzzing about?" Kael said, voice smooth and biting, circling slow—his smirk curled tighter, sizing Liam up—dusty cloak, scuffed boots. "Look more like a sellsword—Eryndor's got me, the real deal. What's your claim, luck?" he said, green eyes flashing scorn—dockhands paused, traders craned necks, a crowd forming quick.
Liam's jaw tightened, Kael's arrogance lit a spark; he stepped forward, voice rough. "Claim's my blade—cuts deeper than words. Test it," he said, hand gripping steel—knuckles whitening, sea wind stinging his face.
Kael laughed—short, harsh—drawing his longsword with a clean ring; bronze gleamed as he squared up. "Spar, then—prove you're not just noise," he said, blade dipping—Lorvayne's bustle hushed, eyes locked on them.
Lysandra leaned against a barrel, silver hair whipping free; her silver eyes narrowed, voice cool. "Keep it cool—you don't have to fight him, we don't want to create the wrong impression of the hero in front of the people" she said, arms crossed—dock air thick around her.
Selene grinned wide, tail flicking fast—crimson eyes glinted. "Bleed him, Liam—or I'll step in," she said, claws tapping wood, eager.
Erynn gripped her staff, golden curls bouncing—green eyes flicked tense. "Don't push too far—please," she said, voice tight, watching Kael's steel.
Kael lunged first—longsword slashing fast, a streak of bronze and power; Liam drew quick—steel clashed loud, sparks spitting—his boots slid on wet stone, arms jolting from the blow. Kael pressed—blade arcing low, then snapping high—Liam parried, grunting—swung back, steel scraping Kael's pauldron with a screech; Kael twisted, slamming his shoulder into Liam's chest—breath punched out, Liam stumbled, growling.
"Weak—Eryndor needs muscle, not strays," Kael spat, green eyes smug—thrusting hard, blade grazing Liam's arm—blood welled, sharp and hot.
Liam's temper flared—Kael's taunts stoked it—he ducked a slash, blade up—traded blows fast—steel rang, salt air burning his lungs—Kael's skill bit deeper, every move tight, forcing Liam back across slick cobbles.
Kael feinted—then struck, slicing Liam's thigh, shallow but stinging—he hissed, footing faltering; Kael kicked his knee—Liam dropped hard, stone jarring his spine—his sword skidded, Kael's blade hovering at his neck.
"Over—Eryndor's Hero stands," Kael said, smirking down—crowd buzzed, nodding his win.
Selene snarled, claws flexing; Lysandra straightened—Erynn gasped soft—but Liam's eyes burned with anger , raw and sudden—he clenched his fist, magic flaring violet from his hand—crude, unpolished—crackling out, it smashed Kael's chest—bronze scorched, Kael staggered back, his eyes widened, blade dipping—not hurt, just stunned. Liam rolled up, grabbing his sword breathing raggedly , blood trickling.
"Still weak?" he growled, voice hoarse—magic fizzled, but Kael's smirk cracked.
Kael steadied lowering his sword slowly. He narrowed his eyes, reassessing; tension coiled thick as he brushed ash off his armor.
"Magic's a cheap trick—I'm Eryndor's summoned, years in, Maltheris' forces fear me," he said, voice tight, his pride clearly bruised, but not broken.
Liam spat blood on the cobbles steadying his sword, his leg still stinging from kael's cut.
"His minions bleed either way—judge that," he said, voice rough—sea wind whipped salt into his cut.
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Lysandra stepped in—silver eyes flicking between—her voice cut sharp. "Enough—king wants allies, not dock fights," she said, hand on hilt—Lorvayne's clamor rose again.
Kael's smirk twitched faint—green eyes locked Liam's, rivalry simmering—then he nodded short. "Allies—Maltheris sinks Lorvayne's ships too—trade's choking. I'll ride—watch you close, stray," he said, dry and wary—bronze clinked as he sheathed steel, turning to lead—alliance brittle, forced.
Selene chuckled, her crimson eyes glinting as she bumped Liam's shoulder—teasing his limp. "Shiny's got teeth—fun yet?" she said, tail flicking.
Erynn moved close. "You held—magic's new," she said, hand brushing his arm quick. Liam grinned faint—Kael's win stung, but that spark squared it—anger simmered for more. "Lorvayne's ours—let's roll," he said, voice low—boots crunched wet stone, Kael's shadow ahead, rival joined.