Michael's pov

Once more, there was the sound of steel clanging. Too much noise. Too keen. Even though my own sword was trembling in my hands, I persisted in pushing until the boy across from me fell back into his shield at his elbow.

"Up!" My eyes were dripping with sweat as I yelled. "Again."

He grasped the shield so tightly that his arm trembled to the knuckle as he raised it. Not prepared. They were all unprepared.

Perhaps that's why I kept swinging—it was better for me to ...