Why not take one hundred gold coins directly?
Why insist on weapon selection?
Was she trying to dump an unpopular stock?
The thought irritated him, yet two hundred gold coins meant little to his standing.
More importantly, he needed closure.
"I agree," he said firmly.
He turned to leave.
"Wait," Kiara called.
Lucian stopped and looked back with mild impatience.
"I am not finished," Kiara continued. "There will be a time limit. I cannot allow my only employee to spar indefinitely while I operate a store."
Lucian considered briefly.
"Ten minutes," he replied. "If he remains standing after ten minutes, I will concede. Neither of us may move more than ten meters from the store entrance. No retreating to stall for time."
"Agreed."
Kiara handed Zion the gold-grade heavy sword. "No killing. No skills. No permanent injury."
Zion saluted.
"Roger, Big Sister."
They stepped outside, once again to spar.
