Chapter 62

CHAPTER SIXTY-TWO

Ryker

Our staffs clashed as we moved back and forth, battering each other as their loud clacking noise reverberated through the woods. My arms ached from each of Ianto's powerful blows, which were far more than a normal man could deliver.

Each time his staff clashed against mine, a jolt went through my arms, rattled my bones, and clattered my teeth together. It took everything I had to stay on the log while he repeatedly battered my staff.

But while Ianto was powerful, I was faster, and when he swung his staff in an arc that would have caved the side of my head, I ducked and slashed at his ankles. His staff whistled over my head as mine cracked against his bone.

I managed to avoid his blow by tucking my staff under my arm and diving at him. I locked my arms around his knees and, planting my knees on the tree, jerked up.

When I lifted him off the log, his feet kicked out, and he fell backward to crash onto the tree. A resounding crack pierced the air, but the log didn't fall apart.

As soon as Ianto hit the tree, his fingers entangled in my tunic, and he ripped me backward. He pulled me over the top of him and smashed my back onto the log.

The impact of the blow caused the air to wheeze out of my lungs. I nearly lost my staff when it slipped out from under my arm, but I somehow managed to retain my hold on it.

I'd like nothing more than to lay there and catch my breath while staring at the stars, but I had to move before the giant regained his feet.

Rising, I ignored the protest of my bruised and battered body as I gripped my staff in both hands again. I'd endured far worse beatings in my lifetime; this was nothing compared to what my father and the ophidians had unleashed on me.

Still, I wanted it over.

When I turned, I spotted Ellery on the opposite side of the river, her hands twisting together as she gazed anxiously at me. My attention shifted to the big man as he climbed back to his feet far faster and with more grace than I'd expected from someone his size.

"For an aristocrat, you sure can take a beating," Ianto remarked.

This time, it was my turn to laugh. "Oh, Giant, I've faced far worse than you, and I'm still here. This is nothing compared to what I've endured."

Something flickered through his eyes as he surveyed me. My clothing hid most of my scars, but his gaze lingered on my forehead and temple.

This time, I didn't wait for him to come to me; I went after him and did so with a ruthless determination to see him fall. Our staffs clashed, banged, and clattered against each other while we battled back and forth across the log.

He pushed me back five feet, and I pushed him back seven before the dance started again. My legs grew tired, and sweat made my palms slippery, but I pushed on.

I wasn't the only one feeling the effects as sweat slid down Ianto's face and dripped off his chin. His movements grew slower.

Initially, he was quick, especially for a man of his size, but not as fast as me. Now, he was lagging as the fight wore on.

When our staffs came together again in the middle of the log, the giant leaned over me. He bared his teeth as an angry sound issued from him.

My back bowed as he bent me further backward. I was strong, but he was stronger.

Before he could push me too far back, and while I could still move well enough to do so, I fell onto my back and kicked upward. I drove my boot straight into his nuts and shoved upward, briefly lifting the giant before dropping him again.

Ianto groaned and bent over me. His staff fell on top of me and bounced into the river when he released it to grab his battered testicles.

I slid my staff between his legs and smashed it against both his knees in rapid succession. One of his feet finally slipped off the log.

He tilted to the side before trying to right himself; in attempting to do so, his other foot slid off too, and he crashed onto the log. Another groan issued from him as pain twisted his features into a mask of agony.

Before I could escape, the giant slumped forward and fell on top of me. As he did so, the cracked tree gave way, and we fell into the river.