Noel PoV
The man rushed at me. I blocked with my sword, but the sheer force of his attack sent vibrations up my arm that made my teeth chatter. My feet skidded back in the sand, digging two deep furrows. The crowd roared, sensing my weakness.
Zayn pulled his arm back, expecting me to fall. I didn't. I held my ground, my legs trembling with the effort. My entire body was screaming in protest. But it wasn't much different from my training with Sufiya. She didn't hold back much either.
He pushed me back with a kick to the gut, sending me flying into the sandstone I had made earlier. I let out a groan as my back hit it. But I wasn't defeated yet. I would not give him the satisfaction.
I saw a flicker of disappointment in his eyes. He wanted to crush me, to make an example of me. But I was a bit more resilient than he expected.
"Give up, merchant," he said, his tone bored. "Don't disgrace yourself further."
