I noticed the guard had left the ration coin unattended on the ground behind him.

I went for it.

Before my fingers grazed the ground, hands grabbed me. I was wrenched upright and roughly shoved forward. I crashed into the Lorian filling up his skin. We tumbled into the dirt. The skin slipped from the man’s hands, and water spilled out onto the sand.

“No!” he cried, clawing at the damp ground. He turned on me in a rage but stalled when he saw the sword pointed at us.

Using his blade, the soldier motioned for us to rise.

Thankfully, it was a soldier I didn’t know, so he didn’t recognize me. Rodric kept the newest soldiers stationed at the wells. They had to earn the right to work at the palace.

The Lorian man and I untangled ourselves and stood with our backs against the well. The man kept sending me hate-filled glances as though he really thought he would’ve gotten away with two skins of water.

The guard’s gaze moved between the man and me. “Stealing a ration coin’s the same as stealing water. You should both be taken to the arena. But . . .” His eyes settled on me, and his lips turned upward. “I think instead I’ll hand you over to Captain Rodric. He’s always had an eye for a pretty face, and I’ll get a promotion. And you”—he looked at the man—“you, I’ll save the king the trouble of dealing with a fool like you.”

His sword arced toward the man. My blade was out in a flash, honed to expect such attacks without a moment’s notice. Metal met metal in the air. He had muscle behind him, but I had years of training.

I spun around and used my momentum to rip his sword from his hand. When he went to reach for it, I kicked his chest, sending him reeling.

Several more guards appeared in front of me.

I’d half hoped the man I’d saved would jump into the fray, but he stood there, stunned.

I didn’t have time for this. I stripped one of the guards of his sword and spun to meet another. My blade bit into his thigh, and he went down. Two more guards tried to stand in my way. I leapt up and ricocheted off the well, jumping over their swipes. I kicked one in the head, sending him and his helmet back into the cheering crowd.

The other soldier kept his distance. He nervously darted forward to deliver a blow. I parried it and kicked his shoulder. He took one look at me and the swelling crowd before running off.

My victory was short-lived. From my perch on the well, I spotted Rodric and a contingent of guards pour into one corner of the square. His eyes met mine over the crowd.

I wouldn’t even have time to dig the ration coin from wherever it became buried during the fight and try my luck at another well.