The room was alive with the charged tension of unspoken anticipation. Every gaze was locked on Klaus and Caidon as the air grew heavy with the unyielding promise of combat. The nobles, drunk on the prospect of a duel, stepped back to create a wide circle, giving the two combatants ample room.
Caidon's smirk deepened as he unsheathed his blade—a wickedly curved weapon with an edge that gleamed under the chandelier's light. The rogue swordsman moved with a predator's grace, his stance deceptively casual, but Klaus could see the subtle readiness in his posture.
"This won't take long," Caidon drawled, his voice loud enough to carry to the surrounding crowd. "You've bitten off more than you can chew, boy."
