Liora
The Regent tried to step past her.
Liora drove her blade across the damaged knee and made it turn back.
She didn't try to cut through the whole leg. The outer plate had already cracked where Aiden struck it. Her edge found that break, forcing the joint to shorten its next movement.
Behind her, the service walkway shook under its first careful test. Cedric sat at the far wheel. The manual break was open. A live line still ran from the Regent into the floor, keeping the last part of the hold engaged.
If the body reached the walkway, their new route would become another narrow place where stronger arms decided who moved.
She stayed in front of it.
The next blow came high. Liora caught it close to her guard and turned her body with the force. Her boots slid half a step. Pain ran through her wrist.
She had been tired before they started. She was beyond pretending the next good stance would make the fatigue disappear.
