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"Then I’ll have no guilt in ordering your deaths," Conner said "Mott, finish them"

Before Mott was able to withdraw his sword, Cregan advanced with his knife and said, "Mott can’t kill both Roden andRoden is better with a sword than you ine I trained him myself"

Roden arched his head "And for that brief ti I’d need to know to convince the regents"

"Not everything," Conner said "You won’t succeed"

"Yes, I will," Roden said "Only Cregan and I go on froe If you cooperate, everyone leaves in peace"

Maybe Roden believed that, but I could tell froan’s face that he had no plans for any of us to leave here alive

"Sir?" Mott asked Other than Cregan and Roden, he was the only one carrying a weapon

"I don’t know" For the first time since we met, Conner sounded weak "I didn’t expect --"

"We’re at a standoff," I said calet one of us But even with your set one of you, too Whether it’s you or Roden who falls, neither of you can win this way"

Cregan’s face fell He had not expected us to call his bluff

"The stronger of us should be crowned," I continued "Can we all agree on that?" Roden nodded Hesitantly, Cregan and Conner did as well "Then Roden and I fight The winner goes on to the castle Do you accept the challenge, Roden?"

"Your back is still injured," Mott warned

"Good point If Roden wants to ht, then how about if I’rinned, but nobody else liked the joke

Cregan licked his lips, savoring the idea of seeing ht, boy Roden’s too strong"

Roden looked back at Cregan, then to ive e I don’t want to kill you"

"Lucky coincidence I don’t want to be killed"

That infuriated hi a joke of this, as if I’ht expect, and I’ve seen you fight"

I removed the crown froet dirty Let me have your sword"

"It’s heavier than the prince’s was," Mott said

I locked eyes with him "Mott Your sword" With an obedient nod, he handed it to me

Roden attacked ies of being a left-handed person who had been forced to train with his right, I blocked his advance with my left hand, then rotated toward him and struck him hard at his weaker side

Roden stumbled back with an expression of surprise atharder at ht him, and those were only in practices This time, his bloere intended to kill, and he watched for me to make even the tiniest mistake