Mica by Kate Hill Page B

at Mica, her eyes gleaming with excitement and her face misted with sweat. Muscles rippled in her smooth arms as she placed her hands on her hips and searched the crowd for her next challenge. Without doubt she was the most captivating woman Mica had ever met. He only wished for the chance to know her better.
    Sun fought two more matches, both with men. For each the small foreign woman bet on her. Mica also wagered, knowing they would be easy wins since the men weren’t even as skilled as Una let alone Sun. He considered them fools for not recognizing their limitations. Unfortunately some people still believed the appendage between men’s legs awarded them instant victory over women.
    After the last fight Sun stepped out of the ring toward the lady in black and blue silk. Mica joined them.
    “Thank you for placing the first bet,” Sun told the woman.
    “My pleasure. I know a great warrior when I see one and only a fool would bet against a Dame of the Opal Order. I can tell you are a Dame by your uniform. Thank you for the entertainment—and the extra silver pieces.”
    “I’m Sun.” She extended her hand and the lady took it. Mica noted the differences

between the two women—Sun long-limbed, powerful and nearly two heads taller than her small yet curvaceous patron.
    “Milady of the House of Bluegale. It’s nice to see another stranger in Ademene.”
    “Where are you from?”
    “Norcliff of the Unownland.”
    “I’ve heard of the Unownland. Fascinating stories.” Sun glanced at Mica, brushing a tendril of damp hair behind her ear. “They say a race of wolf people lives there. I’ve always wondered if it’s true.”
    “It is,” Milady said. “Though they’re not exactly wolf people. They’re called Nalmites, an ancient and respected race who has served the Royal Houses of the Unownland for generations.”
    “Then they don’t have the power to shift shape as the stories say?”
    Milady laughed. “Of course not, but they are a bit different from us.”
    “In what way?”
    “Hey,” a bearded man bellowed from a doorway at the end of the room. “There’s a staff fighter back here who’s beaten all of our best. He’ll break the house if the wagering keeps up. Mica, come and have a look. I think he’s even got you beat.”
    “Who is he?” someone shouted.
    “Don’t know,” the man replied. “A stranger.”
    Milady’s smile broadened. “Would you like to meet a Nalmite? My protector is here.”
    “Your protector?” Sun asked.
    “He’s served me since I was born. He’s assigned to me as my personal bodyguard for life. His family has always protected mine. They’re Nalmites and we’re a Royal House.”
    “Come on, Mica.” Sun glanced over her shoulder as she followed Milady to the adjoining room.
    “I’d like to see this stranger who is so good with a staff,” Mica said.
    “It’s my protector,” Milady replied. “That’s why I came to see the sparring in this room. I got bored watching him win for the past two hours.”
    Mica squinted in disbelief. “He has been winning for two hours?”
    “Of course. He could probably win for the next four hours—providing the fighters here can last that long. Though it really isn’t fair. Nalmites are generally stronger than other men and he is elite among Nalmite warriors.”
    “Now I really want to have a look at him,” Sun said.
    They stepped into a smaller room containing a single ring. Along the back wall stood ten men whom Mica recognized as the best staff fighters in Ademene. Some nursed injuries while others, sweat drenched and looking angry, stared at the ring where two men fought. One of the men Mica recognized as another deserter from his

father’s army who had a reputation as a fierce warrior. Rivulets of sweat running down his shaved head, he blocked blows from his opponent. His opponent, apparently the Nalmite, stood several inches taller than Mica with a powerful build. A black leather vest swathed his upper body,