Torchlight glinted off of steel. The torches were for Jack's benefit. Zaknafein could see in the dark. The half-drow turned from the weapons cupboard with a sword in each hand. He held one out by the hilt. "Take it." His voice echoed in the cavernous training hall.

Jack shrank back a step. "You said you wanted to talk to me." He glanced over his shoulder at the heavy wooden door.

Zak quick-stepped around the older boy, a raised sword blocking the exit. "Then listen. You had Ernie and Ollie backing you at school, but now it's just us. I tried things your way, and now we're gonna do them mine. Take the sword."

Jack frowned. "I told your pa I'd leave you be. I even told Ernie and Ollie that we were done with our game at school. You ain't gotta worry about it no more."

A growl rumbled in Zaknafein's throat. "A game, was it?" He narrowed his eyes. "Now you'll play my game."

Jack's eyes widened. "We don't gotta fight." He backed up.

Zaknafein advanced. After so much training, he was in his element with a sword in his hand. "Someone's got to make you pay."

Jack's back thumped against the wall, and he held both hands palm-out in front of him. "I worked for five days straight in these mines. You think that was a picnic?"

The blisters on the older boy's palms gave Zak pause. Something twinged inside of him, but he shouldered it away. "You liked it. Otherwise you wouldn't have asked to stay."

Jack stared at him. "Sure I liked it. I liked it better than being beat up by my old man."

Zak's stomach clenched. There was that twinge again, but stronger. His left hand wavered as he held out the offered sword. Then he gritted his teeth. "I'm not hiding behind my father anymore, so why are you?"

Something in Jack's face twisted, and it was as though a storm cloud darkened his expression. He grabbed the sword, glaring daggers at Zaknafein.

Zak's mouth twitched in a half smirk, and he fell into a ready stance. "That's better." He took two steps back and beckoned with his hand. "Any time you get up the courage."

Jack fumbled with his sword, still pointing downward, and the tip scraped on the stone floor as he took a firmer grip on the hilt.

"You surrendering?" Zak mocked.

Jack grimaced and levered the blade up with two hands on the hilt.

Zaknafein stared. Jack's grip was all wrong. The bully's arms trembled. This time the twinge in Zak's stomach was more like a snarl. Stupid interfering conscience.

Jack's blade tip plummeted.

Zaknafein's sword flashed out. The solid hit vibrated up his arm. Then all was silent.