They were separated cleanly: Eryndor and the Netherbreed veering towards Kieran and Vasa; the vice commander facing off against Bennet.
"Unfortunate pairing," the vice commander observed, his blade purring, "I had wanted the bigger bounty—but you will have to do."
"That's too bad…" Bennet said, weight settling over his tired legs like an apology he didn't intend to make.
The vice commander charged. He touched Bennet's guard and stepped off‑line, stitching a fast line across the outer bicep. Heat and air hit the cut at once; it opened wider.
Bennet didn't flinch. He answered with a square cut meant to trade, but the vice refused the trade, ghosting back a half‑step so the edge only kissed his cloak.
"Hurry up and die!" the vice commander shouted, impatience flooding his face as he wrote Bennet off as fodder, "I can still get the main bounty before it's claimed!"
Bennet hadn't yet shifted when the vice commander drew a breath and shouldered a crown of heat onto his crimson edge.
