Chapter 61

Bartz and Gold were fighting as they had never fought before.

“Why conquer the other territories?” Bartz said. “You had everything going for you here.”

He ducked under Gold’s swinging sword and punched him in the side. Gold grunted, brushing Bartz away with an elbow to the face that sent blood pouring from Bartz’s nose.

“They are weak,” Gold snapped, advancing on Bartz, “and we are becoming weak ourselves. The only way to avoid weakness is battle, battle for true glory. Even you, love-addled as you are, should be able to grasp that.”

Bartz shook his head, sending beads of blood spattering onto Gold’s gleaming armor.

“I thought you stood for fair play,” Bartz said.

“I still do!” Gold slashed away at Bartz. “We will conquer them fairly. Just like you and Opal will die fairly.”

“Is kicking fair in swordplay?” Bartz asked as he carefully backed off.

“No, of course not!” Gold said, closing in on Bartz. “It is not only unfair, but a good way