"And neither have you, Stefanos," Ocnus said. "Be careful you don't trip again, dancer!"
The crowd seemed to enclose them even more and the Hellanodikai had to push people back to keep them from disturbing the fighters in both the boxing skammae. The sound of heavy hits and grunts came from the other boxing match and Ocnus looked back over his shoulder in that direction, smiling as he turned back to Stefanos.
"You won't be grunting when I hit you. You'll be crying out for mercy."
"You're the one who'll be crying, little one," Stefanos said as he flexed his wrapped hands, the himantes stained with blood.
"Are you ready, men of Argos?" The judge for the bout stepped forward with his rod raised between them.
"Ready," they both said.
The rod stood raised between them, like a gate separat
