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 Finish him! Finish him!
Varena raised her hand and the Gray fighter simply disappeared in a scarlet
cloud.
She walked over to where the body had been and picked up her opponent s
satchel. With head lowered, she strode off the field, ignoring the ovation
that greeted her victory.
 Thus ends the sixth round, Zarel announced.  Igun of Ingkara winning the
fourth match by default.
Now begins the seventh round.
Hammen pushed his way up to the stadium wall, stood upon it, and leaped down
onto the sand. Several fighters moved toward him and he raised his hand,
knocking them over.
 I stand as witness to One-eye, who has earned the right to combat! Hammen
shouted, drawing upon the mana which was now in a satchel resting on his right
hip. His voice echoed across the arena and the mob, stunned by the intrusion,
fell silent.
 He is hanin
, without color, Zarel screamed.  He cannot fight.
The Walker stood up and looked down at Hammen.
 I am Hadin gar Kan, first fighting master of the House of Oor-tael, body
servant of Garth One-eye, and
I stand as witness to him.
 Hadin. The Walker s voice was a dark whisper as if a memory was but
half-formed.
Hammen walked out into the center of the arena.
 He won the right of combat.
 So where is he? the Walker whispered, his voice echoing across the arena.
 Gone.
The Walker chuckled.
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 And what do you want, beggar?
 As his servant I can claim the right to fight in his stead. Those are the
ancient rules which existed even before you first darkened this world.
The Walker leaned back and laughed coldly.
 Fine. It will be fun to watch you die.
But even as he spoke there was an eruption of cheering from the south side of
the arena, starting at the top of the stands. For a moment the Walker thought
it was for him and, smiling, he looked over his shoulder.
The cheering spread, even as a path opened up down the side of the stadium,
the crowd surging, pushing back.
Garth One-eye reached the arena wall and leaped down onto the arena floor,
followed by the woman of
Benalia.
 One-eye!
The cry was picked up and turned in an instant into a tidal wave of noise.
Garth strode across the arena floor, coming up to stand in front of Hammen.
 Just what the hell are you doing? Garth whispered.
 I was trying to save your damn stupid life, Hammen replied wearily.
 This way?
 If I was killed, your satchel was gone, and you would be powerless. You
would have left.
He hesitated.
 I failed to save you once; I thought I could now, the old man said as he
lowered his head.
 You never failed me, Garth whispered,  and you never failed my father before
me. You fled when there was nothing left to fight for. When my father was
already dead.
Hammen looked up and smiled sadly.
 At last you say it, and again there is nothing I can do.
 You can start by giving me back my satchel.
Hammen took the satchel off and held it out to Garth.
Garth stepped back from Hammen and tore off the cloak in which he was wrapped
to reveal the fighting uniform of the House of Oor-tael. A stunned gasp of
amazement rose from the stands at the sight of the forbidden colors. Garth
slung the satchel over his shoulder.
 I claim the right of combat! I am know as Garth One-eye. I am the son of
Cullinarn, Master of the
House of Oor-tael.
Zarel stepped forward, motioning for his fighters to gather around him, but he
was stopped as if by an invisible hand.
The Walker s sardonic laugh echoed over the arena.
 Most amusing. I love an amusing joke. You may fight.
Garth, without an acknowledgment to the Walker, turned and started to walk
toward the far end of the arena.
 Damn it, Garth, either you ll leave here feetfirst or go with that bastard.
 I know.
 What the hell for?
Garth looked over at Hammen and smiled.
 Didn t I tell you from the beginning to stick around and you d find out why?
Hammen looked over angrily at Norreen.
 Thanks a lot.
 You should have told me to stay out of it.
 Would that have changed what you did?
 No.
 You re both mad, Hammen snapped, even as he struggled to keep up with Garth. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]