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"You were faking before," he said, parrying ht"

"If you knew my father, you’d know that I was trained for show He never intended for ht"

Roden s low "I’m still better than you"

"Perhaps, but I’m handsouard, and I was able to swing around and kick hiround, but kept his sword ready I started toward him with my blade All it would take was a quick slash and this match would be over But I hesitated Could I strike after pro to save his life if he wasn’t chosen as prince? Did I still owe hiround This match would not end with his death

"You could’ve killed"Why didn’t you? Oh" Roden caain "I should’ve known frorath’sUnfortunately for you, I do" Then he brought his sword down froainst mine set me off balance and I stumbled down the bank

In the limited space we had between the wall and the water, Roden continued edgingin I’d lose the sword fight and possiblyreally bad

Our blades moved faster and harder, but Roden’s confidence was unshakable If Cregan had chosen him for his natural ability, then he had chosen well I wished Roden could be on my side after this, because he’d uard

Finally,me off balance, and Mott’s sword fell from my hand I dove for it, but it slid into the river Behind us, Cregan laughed, sensing victory Roden lowered his sword and walked up to me, his blade nearposition, but the blade followed me

"Do you offer mercy?" I asked

"If you accept that I win this challenge If you concede that I win and give o in peace That is the mercy I offer I am Prince Jaron"

"If you were Jaron, then you’d never fall for a si to the side and swept it beneath Roden’s feet He landed on his back with a hoarse groan I grabbed the rounded edge of the blade and wrenched it frorasp, then stood and aimed it at his throat

Roden closed his eyes "It’s what you said you would do on your very first day," he otten"

"No!" Cregan yelled "Not him!" He ran at rabbed his hand, twisting it behind his back To regain his balance, Cregan clutched at the crown in Mott’s other hand Mott stabbed hian fell into the water, pulling the crown in with hih the water as both the crown and Cregan’s body were carried away downstrea his head "Do what you must"

I placed a hand on his shoulder and pulled ht you with me into the court, Roden We could have been friends"

Roden shook his head "I don’t need friends All I wanted was the throne Please just kill me here"

My words had been sincere, and it was difficult to reain"

Roden looked up at me in an attempt to determine whether it was another trick But I motioned with my head for him to leave and lowered the sword Wordlessly, Roden scrambled to his feet and ran out of the tunnel His footsteps echoed in the tunnel until he’d gotten too far for us to hear hi near the edge of the dark water

"There’s a chance it’ll get carried on Cregan’s body back to the gate," Tobias said

"It’s probably sunk already," Conner said

"Let e, when you are king, let me be one of your servants"

"Be my friend instead," I said "Go find the crown" Tobias bowed and ran back down the river

Above us, we could hear the faint tolling of bells "The un!" Conner shouted "We have to hurry There’s only asped and stumbled to my knees "You’re hurt?" Mott cried, then called to Conner "Wait!"