Amid the Priestess's venomous threats, Renato inexplicably recalled something Raven, the female mercenary from Iron Price, had once told him.
More than death itself, the drow feared the torment that accompanied it.
Without dignity. Without end.
As a fellow swordsman and someone who had known her for several days, Renato did not want to see Tristana torture Rodi to death.
To his mind, falling to another sword wielder's blade was undoubtedly a more dignified end than being bound to an altar and tortured to death.
Besides, to preserve his current identity, Renato could not afford to let anything happen to the Priestess just yet.
If anything happened to Tristana, the foothold he had painstakingly established in the Nightwind Family would collapse with her. With the holy day approaching, Renato wanted no unexpected complications.
Faced with Renato's request for a duel, Tristana hesitated for a moment before agreeing.
Perhaps the Matron Mother's pressure had gradually made the Priestess realize Renato's importance, and she had begun trying to ease their strained relationship by granting his requests.
Or perhaps she simply thought that defeating Rodi, who was also skilled with a sword, in a swift, decisive duel would be more humiliating...
Whatever her reason, Tristana waved a hand, signaling for Renato to kill her.
"In my name, kill this impious traitor to the Goddess."
The Nightwind Family's Lizard Cavalry formed a circle around the female moon elf slave, their hand crossbows cocked and ready.
In theory, if Rodi turned and ran now, she might survive another half hour under the cavalry's pursuit. Although subterranean lizards could traverse obstacles such as walls and stone cliffs, they were not fast. Running along the open streets might allow her to shake them off.
Unfortunately, this female drow swordsman insisted on rushing to her death, determined to