The broadsword came down again. Lumberling raised his spear to meet it, too late. The impact knocked the shaft aside, the blade grazing past his shoulder. Hot pain split across his skin. He hissed, snapping the spear in a desperate jab at Anderson's ribs.
But Anderson was already gone, slipping past with frightening speed. He laughed, boots pounding the torn earth as he turned the broadsword in a blur and hammered it down again.
The clash rattled through Lumberling's bones. His knuckles split on the spear haft, palms stung with every deflection. Sweat and blood stung his eyes. He gritted his teeth, lungs burning, and shoved back with raw force.
'Stronger than a Knight Two… how?' Confusion burned in the back of Lumberling's mind, but he had no time to think. The broadsword blurred toward his ribs, and he twisted, spear lashing up to deflect the edge by inches.
"You're still able to keep up?" Anderson taunted, a grin spreading as he sidestepped a thrust.
