No one bothered to retrieve the bodies as they dropped the net and sprinted for the gate.There was maybe an hour of light left, but the Kwin ordered lights set up around the miniature arena, ringing the circle in ghostly blue shadows.
I’d been detached from my stake, half a dozen shock sticks herding me toward the gate.It was a show of force, nothing more.For one, in a blood rage, six armed sytos still didn’t stand a chance against me.But more importantly, even a syto knows no turoch would endanger his mate.
Jessa is a stronger leash than any of their tech.
My mate stood beside the Kwin’s throne, her face pale enough even the low light couldn't hide her worry.I wanted to call out to her, ease her fear.But surviving would do more than any words could.
The percer boar loped around the arena, testing the barrier.The sytos manning the gate waited until he was on the opposite side before shoving me in.
I let the rest of the world fade away as I focused on the boar.Despite my assurances to Jessa, facing a percer alone and unarmed was a feat I’d never attempted.I'd lost my ax in fights before, but there was always the chance I’d be able to pick it up again.
In this fight, I had only my body as a weapon.Luckily turochs were made for battle.My cuffs flashed and separated, my arms finally free.The percer whirled as I waved my arms in wide circles, warming up the stiff muscles.
Moving slowly, I scanned the boar.He was favoring a leg, and I knew the males had poor vision compared to the females, but I doubted it was dark enough to give me much of an advantage.
He let out a deafening bugle and I felt a twinge of sympathy for the animal.Left to his own devices, a percer boar would never seek out this fight.They were defenders by nature, their only interest in guarding their nests and their young.
This male was just another unlucky victim of the Kwin’s cruelty, forced into a situation he couldn’t win.
The percer charged, every footfall shaking the ground under my hooves.I waited until he was almost on me and then lunged sideways, his rough hide scraping my side as he skidded past.He turned faster than I expected, his bulky shoulder ramming into my back and throwing me to the ground.
I pushed to my feet, and realized I didn’t have time to get out of his way again.Lowering my head, I met his attack with my horns, bone catching on bone as we locked together, tusk to horn.I’d sparred with other turochs too many times to count, but the boar was twice my size, and he had four legs to leverage against my two.
I twisted my neck, muscles screaming and burning as he torqued the opposite direction, threatening to snap vital bones.Sucking in air, I strained against him, fighting to stand as he pressed me toward the ground.
The situation couldn’t last, I didn’t have enough power to fight him like this.Desperate, and blinded by the angle, I punched his head, my knuckles cracking against his bony skull plates.
He bugled again, and I raked my fingers over his face, finding the edge of an eye socket and dug in.The boar flinched back, the movement releasing my horns and I rolled away, imagining those huge tusks impaling my back.
I was on my feet in an instant, putting as much space between us as I could.When I turned he was shaking his head, pawing at his face and I took the opportunity to charge his exposed side.
My horns pierced his thick hide, the weight of my body wrenching my sore neck as I used every ounce of strength, I had to gore him.His next bugle was more pain than anger and when I pushed off him, he retreated, bleeding heavily from his wounds.
Adrenaline coursed through me, every instinct screaming for me to push my advantage.But the thought of killing the boar made me faintly sick.In this moment we were the same.Trapped and desperate.
“Enough!”The Kwin called.
