Promathan shook his head, touched by the kid’s earnest question. “Nah. Just move back. This should be over quick.”
The crowd circled around Promathan and Elain though they gave them ample room given the sheriff’s warnings. Modi joined them off to Promathan’s right so he could watch the action.
Elain, who had already retrieved his staff, a gnarled bit of hickory with an irregularly shaped knob on one end, took the weapon in both hands. “Make ready, pretender. I promise not to do you any lingering harm, I’d like to leave you the option of joining the guild after I’ve taught you some real magic.”
Promathan tossed his head side to side eliciting several pops in both directions. “I make no such promises, s**t for brains. You challenged me.”
Elain scowled. “Enough talk! Let’s see what sort o
