A Crown of Swords: The Wheel of Time 7

They had stripped down to cotton pants, their chest and feet bare. Siddhartha kept his eyes fixed on DevadattaБЂ™s, because as tempting as it was to watch his opponentБЂ™s hands, he knew that DevadattaБЂ™s glance would give away his intentions. Siddhartha felt he was moving in a dream. A part of his mind floated high above, looking down in wonder that a fight to the death ensued. But SiddharthaБЂ™s instincts for survival were strong. He shook himself and made the opening lunge, his sword hand ahead of his dagger so that by warding off the first blade, Devadatta might open himself to the second one. Devadatta was agile and ready-he jumped to the side with a shouted БЂњHa!БЂ«and slashed with his own sword. Siddhartha went by too fast and wasnБЂ™t hit. Devadatta began a relentless round of parry and thrust, making Siddhartha counter blow after blow with his sword. Each time metal clanged on metal, a shock wave went up his arm. SiddharthaБЂ™s muscles ached, and he knew that Devadatta had an advantage over him. This was his cousinБЂ™s first combat of the day, while Siddhartha had been fighting for hours ...»