Forged Destiny [Book 8: Ch. 6]

The weapon cut through the air and the decking in front of him as he dodged back, brought his sword in and lunged for my chest.

Turning, I let the tip skate off my breastplate and assisted it with a little push from my hand, drawing my sword up within his guard. The tip ticked his throat as he leaned back and he ducked low, spinning and striking at my legs.

Jumping over the blade, I dashed past him, up onto the steps he'd just come down from. While the footing was uneven, the height advantage was still one to try and hold against a strong opponent. His blade flicked out, testing my guard, but when I drove it down into the step below and nearly took his head off, he decided against it, dashing to the other set of stairs to even the odds.

—Forged Destiny [Book 8: Ch. 6]