Torben’s heart pounded, blood thudding through his head as he shifted his weight from foot to foot. He lowered his shield slightly to get a clearer line of vision and then thrust the spear forward. A miss.
He wheeled right, shield up again to protect his head from his opponent’s retaliatory blow. Sweat streamed down his forehead and stung as it seeped into his eyes, blurring his sight. He couldn’t stop, couldn’t afford to wipe his eyes and clear his vision. A second of lapsed concentration and he’d go down.
The light flashed off Torben’s spear as it sliced through the air at his opponent, but the lunge was swatted away, the spear clattering to the ground when batted from his grasp.
Don’t drop your guard, Torben thought as he drew his short-sword and prepared for the next attack. Wait fo
