Adele ducked.
The blade cut through the air where her throat had been a second ago. She dropped low, rolling across the dirt in one smooth motion. Her shoulder grazed the ground as she twisted and drove her sword forward.
Steel met the flesh above her, and a sharp, wet sound followed.
Her opponent staggered back with a choked gasps. His eyes widened as Adele's blade sank just beneath his shoulder.
Blood followed immediately.
A cough tore out of him, thick and rough as he bent slightly, spitting blood to the side.
Adele was already on her feet before he could take in a second breath. Her breathing wasn't ragged, not even close.
Being a Blackfen came with his own privileges as she had known the field, and been a war princess since birth.
Her grip on the sword didn't shake as she pulled it back with a clean motion, stepping away just as the man dropped to one knee.
"You're distracted," she said flatly.
