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But Aleverak surprised hi sharply and much ht hold of Jardir’s ar his joints screao limp and follow the Daasped in a a bony heel down at Jardir’s throat, but Jardir caught the foot in both hands, twisting in opposite directions as he got his feet under hiain using Jardir’s own strength against hiain Jardir found hi the marble floor, with Aleverak still on his feet

Everyone watched the battle with great interest now Aan old man an honorable death--a footnote in the tale of Jardir’s ascension But suddenly everything Jardir had built was in jeopardy His sons were still too young to properly defend themselves if his enemies bared knives at them without Jardir’s protection The Andrah leaned forward on this throne, watching intently

Aleverak charged again, but Jardir et his feet back under him in time and iving the old y to turn back on hily quick, but Jardir still blocked the first two The third he let go through, accepting the punch in exchange for the opportunity to lock on to the Day for a throw of his own, but whereas the ancient Dah skin over sharp bone, Jardir was thick with y to throw a e

Jardir flexed and pivoted sharply, hurling Aleverak away fro his balance even as he was thrown, and Jardir kneould land on his feet and coht back in

Jardir kept hold of Aleverak’s ar a foot into the old man’s back as he hit the floor He pulled hard, and the snap of Aleverak’s shoulder echoed up to the great doh the Damaji’s white robes, which quickly ran red

Jardir moved to finish him quickly before pain could unman him, but Aleverak never screamed, never offered submission Jardir met the ancient Damaji’s eyes and saw a focus that denied all pain as Aleverak struggled back to his feet His honor was boundless as he took a new stance, his left ar twisted, li to the Skull Throne, Damaji," Jardir said as they slowly circled "AndIs a grave for you and your sons so preferable to being advisor to the Shar’Dama Ka?"

"My sons will no ht than I will," Aleverak said Jardir kneas true, but he was loath to kill Aleverak all the same Too , Ala had none to spare His thoughts flashed back to the Par’chin, lying facedown in the sand, and shaht e to mine, on your death," Jardir offered at last "Let the thery chatter alared at them "Silence!" he roared, and they all fell still He turned back to Aleverak

"Will you be at lory?" he asked The Da paler by the second from blood loss If he did not acquiesce, Jardir would kill hiht die on his feet

But Aleverak bowed, glancing to his bleeding shoulder "I accept your offer, though that challenge may come sooner than you think"

It was true Jardir’s Majah son, Maji, was only eleven, and would prove no match to one of Aleverak’s sons should the Damaji die fro for healing," Jardir ordered

Hasik moved to the old man’s side, but Aleverak held up a hand "I will see this through, and Everam decide if I live or die this day" The steel in his voice held Hasik at bay, and Jardir nodded, turning to A Andrah

Aer than Aleverak, but still a man in his seventies Jardir knew better than to underesti of the older cleric