Mica by Kate Hill Page A

long, which was a good thing since there was no way Mica could engage in a lasting relationship. Too much stood in the way of his happiness with a woman and not all of it was religious.
    Tonight he would not think about it. He was with a woman he liked and who for the most part seemed attracted to him. Pleasure was meant to be enjoyed because it could be taken away like a grain of rice on the wind.
    Sun paused outside the ring. Nearby one of the skinny old men who handled bets stood beside the black-haired warrior woman known as Una Rock Fist. A fierce fighter who usually beat her matches both male and female, Una was a regular at the Circle.
    Mica had the feeling tonight Una’s luck was about to run out. Once Sun realized she could challenge one of the fighters she’d leap into the ring. Though muscles bulged from Una’s tall frame and her punches lived up to her nickname, Mica had gotten a taste of Sun’s skill and he sensed she was as stubborn as she was talented. She also possessed experience in battle.
    Still, Una was rough from fighting in the Circle and had seen her share of wars. The match would be an interesting one.
    “Who will challenge the winner?” the skinny man bellowed.
    “I will.” Sun stepped into the ring.
    Mica smiled to himself.
    Una cast her a scathing look. “Pasty-faced bitch with little muscle. A waste of my time.”
    “Then it should be an easy win for you,” Sun stated calmly though flames leapt in her eyes.
    Una laughed. “Who’ll bother to bet on you?”
    Mica was about to wager on Sun when a feminine voice shouted, “I will. One hundred silver pieces on the white one.”
    A young woman with fawn-colored hair approached the ring. She wore black silk pantaloons beneath a knee-length tunic the same pale blue as her eyes. In spite of her demure appearance she wore a mischievous expression. She glanced at Sun and the women nodded to one another.
    “Done,” the old man said. “Anyone else?”
    Mica lifted his hand. “Fifteen silver pieces. I have merely a Priest’s funds or else I’d

bet a thousand.”
    Una threw back her head and laughed. “Mica. You should know better. Look at her.” She pointed a crooked finger in Sun’s direction. “I’ll pound her into Marta’s nut paste.”
    Mica winked at Sun and a smile flickered about the corners of her mouth.
    Several more bets were placed before the skinny man stepped out of the ring. Sun and Una circled one another. The women attacked simultaneously, Una’s thick fists flying at Sun’s face. Sun dodged and blocked each blow before the women broke apart, their fists raised as they assessed one another. Una snarled but Sun’s lips were fixed in a half smile. Her apparent amusement seemed to infuriate her opponent who shrieked a battle cry and flew at the Dame. Sun’s left hand blocked Una’s fist and she spun, her punch crashing into the side of her opponent’s head. Una staggered and Sun swept her feet out from under her. The crowd shrieked with excitement.
    That was the quickest Mica ever remembered Una hitting the mat. Enraged, the dark warrior flipped to her feet, showering blows upon Sun who blocked like a person with second sight. Mica’s brow furrowed and he stepped closer to the ring. She’d been good with a staff but her talent for empty-handed fighting amazed him. He knew she’d learned from Sir Blaze but had thought she’d exaggerated his skill. If his student was so gifted one could only imagine the Knight’s ability.
    One of Una’s punches struck Sun’s mouth. Though she’d managed to avoid the full impact of the blow, blood dripped down her chin. She seemed unhindered by the blood flow. She kicked in Una’s stomach, knocking her onto the mat. Una landed flat. Seconds later she pushed herself to her knees, her eyes unfocused and blood dripping from her nose. Casting Sun a grudging look, she stood and left the ring.
    The skinny man stepped in to announce Sun’s win and asked for a challenger.
    Sun glanced