The sting of shame heightened Aithein’s senses. He heard the manifestation of the next attack before Neilath even moved. The blow came down hard, but Aithein deflected it. Neilath disappeared, but Aithein could hear Dani’s shimmering behind him as well as the aether splitting from Neilath’s reappearance.
Without turning around, Aithein swiftly swung the wooden sword to his rear with the forearm edge of its blade leading the way. It collided with something softer than wood but harder than flesh. When he heard the thud of Neilath’s body, he knew he hit skull.
Aithein faced Neilath resting on his elbows. He was dazed but aware that Aithein just delivered a kill strike without even needing his sight. Were they using real swords, Neilath would be as dead as the dirt on which he sat.
Aithein
