WEBVTT

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The courtyard of Oak Haven bled amber and

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shadow.

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Torches flickered wildly along the heavy stone walls.

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whipped by the freezing midnight wind that tasted

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of ash and ozone.

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Sir Rowland felt the chill no longer.

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His blood roared hot in his ears.

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drowning out the frantic shouts of the skirmish

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behind him.

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His opponent loomed out of the swirling dust.

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a towering specter of blackened iron.

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With a guttural cry. the brute lunged.

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bringing a massive broadsword down in a devastating

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arc.

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Rowland pivoted on his heel. his dynamic armor

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groaning and

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clanking with the sudden. violent shift in momentum.

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He raised his own blade just in time

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to meet the blow.

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Metal shrieked against metal.

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A blinding shower of white hot sparks erupted

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from the clashing blades.

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illuminating the sweat on Rowland's brow and casting

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long.

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dancing shadows against the courtyard stones.

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The impact jarred all the way up to

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his shoulders. but he held his ground.

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gritting his teeth as the brute pressed down

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with crushing force.

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Sensing a microscopic opening in the enemy's stance.

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Rowland twisted his wrists.

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He parried hard to the side. throwing the

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giant off balance. and

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surged forward with a fierce. decisive swing.

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His sword found its mark with a heavy

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asterisk clang.

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shattering the rival's guard and sending him sprawling

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into the dirt.

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Rowland stood chest heaving amid the falling embers.

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the silence rushing back

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in as the last of the sparks faded

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into the cold night air.