The crowd shuffled backward, clearing a wide circle in the center of the courtyard. Students pressed against the walls and stood on benches, trying to get a better view. The air buzzed with nervous excitement.
From the Royal Enforcer squad, a figure stepped forward.
Sir Dorian was tall, broad-shouldered, and painfully well-groomed. His blonde hair was slicked back with what was probably an expensive product. His armor was custom-fitted, etched with golden vines along the edges.
He looked like a painting come to life.
He also looked like someone who had never been punched in the face.
"So this is the slum rat," Dorian said, looking Holden up and down with open disgust. He drew his weapon. A massive greatsword, nearly as tall as Holden, with a blade that glowed faint blue with embedded Aether channels. "I expected someone taller."
"Sorry to disappoint," Holden said.
