Oath was used to reading the messages any fighter's body gave. She'd seen him tense, had watched the way his shoulders and upper body shifted, the way his head moved. She'd known he was going to come at her a split second before he moved, enough time to pull her own knife and get it pointed at him. Enough time for a draw.
He was fast, she'd grant him that. Fast enough to get half a jump on her. But she didn't move. She remained as she'd been, arms folded, looking for all the world as if he'd just laid a bad hand of cards down on the table and claimed victory.
Killing in the Highness was forbidden.
It would have been a quick, easy way to rid herself of him if he'd taken the bait. You kill someone, you die. Didn't matter who you were or who you killed: those were the house rules. Everyone enforced them. Still, he could have just started a fight. Those happened in every tavern, neutral ground or not. So long as no one died, it was tolerated. Otherwise. . .things got messy. Very messy.
His single action spoke volumes about his state of mind. But. . .his speed was good. Good enough for at least a temp post to feel him out.
"Are you finished? Sit down." Oath put every ounce of boredom she could muster into her voice. She wanted to put him in his place.
Hands were on weapons. Most of those present in the bar were staring. Even Zhi had swung around; her eyes had gone a little wide. If he looked over Oath's head, he'd be able to see her.
He'd surprised her.
He was fast, she'd grant him that. Fast enough to get half a jump on her. But she didn't move. She remained as she'd been, arms folded, looking for all the world as if he'd just laid a bad hand of cards down on the table and claimed victory.
Killing in the Highness was forbidden.
It would have been a quick, easy way to rid herself of him if he'd taken the bait. You kill someone, you die. Didn't matter who you were or who you killed: those were the house rules. Everyone enforced them. Still, he could have just started a fight. Those happened in every tavern, neutral ground or not. So long as no one died, it was tolerated. Otherwise. . .things got messy. Very messy.
His single action spoke volumes about his state of mind. But. . .his speed was good. Good enough for at least a temp post to feel him out.
"Are you finished? Sit down." Oath put every ounce of boredom she could muster into her voice. She wanted to put him in his place.
Hands were on weapons. Most of those present in the bar were staring. Even Zhi had swung around; her eyes had gone a little wide. If he looked over Oath's head, he'd be able to see her.
He'd surprised her.
