Veric and Freya step into the circle without hurrying.
That alone tells me a lot about this fight. For comparison, Kellan had entered the draw braced to get hit. Oliver had entered the way a loyal follower accepts his leader's whims. But Veric and Freya step in like duelists who know everyone is watching, and neither intends to grant the other the courtesy of looking nervous.
I prepare the Nomine Gladiatus leather with both names and set the wager at two percent. Even with Freya at Rank C, Veric carries full Rank B equipment. They're strong enough to lose that much without breaking stride, but too proud to accept one percent without treating the rule as an insult.
The Diver Marks touch the leather. The rune burns and the bond closes.
Freya draws a thin rapier, almost too elegant for her personality. The blade has a cold sheen, but there's no visible ice yet. That's the warning: she thinks Veric doesn't deserve the scythe.
