tales of androgyny

That night, after performing at the Knight’s Sheath and having dinner back home, Noah again met with Berholm in the royal vault to continue his study of the relics.“You’re in luck. King Galvin has granted me permission to sell you that chandelier. However, he doesn’t know that you’re the buyer. I felt it better to keep your involvement a secret.”

Harnessing all of his strength and gambling his life, Roc slammed Ingram square in the face with the stump of his missing arm. It was far from a graceful punch, more like a clumsy jab, but Ingram, so focused on everything else and having never expected such an attack in a thousand years, was utterly discombobulated by the hit, and inadvertently released Roc. Roc pulled away and escaped to the sky, with Ingram having just enough time to slow his descent and avoid a fatal impact. He still hit the ground with bone-breaking force, but he was alive. Roc landed beside him, staring at his vanquished opponent, with the crowd still trying to process what had happened. Until now, Roc had never acknowledged them, but now, he raised his missing arm, as though holding up an invisible fist in triumph, and the spectators erupted into cheers.

Sophia mulled over Shannon’s words, then turned as Noah came down the stairs. “Hello, Noah,” she said with a bashful smile.“Sophia, so nice of you to visit. What’s going on?”“Can we talk? It’s important.”“Of course. Please, take a seat.”Shannon bowed. “Please excuse me, I’ll start the tea.”