Damian instructed them to place all the designs in a big wooden box that he created in the middle of the hall before declaring the challenge underway. After waiting an hour in the balcony for latecomers, he now barred further entry.
"Where are you going?" the pugilist boy asked. His name was Karl. He had asked him when they waited for the brats to gather.
"To enjoy my day off," Damian replied.
"What about the challenge?" one of the prince's lackeys questioned.
"First lesson of Maximus the Tired: patience," Damian said with a disarming smile. "They can wait until night and learn the virtuous gift of patience."
Everyone stared at him as though he'd just unveiled the ultimate scam. Sam, however, simply laughed and headed toward the dueling community room, bragging about his plan to break the record for most consecutive duel victories. And have his name plastered in the Hall of Glory.
