"Mr. Fox is quite determined in his challenges," Urania said in a cool voice. "And he lacks the tendency to showboat that so many people develop over the years." Even Laureline's students got sloppy. Some of them had always been sloppy.

Ethan, for one, was more about the show than the fight much of the time. Echo had become the same way. Too much pride, no caution. And that had been what had prompted her to challenge a man who had cut down two opponents within a few minutes of each challenge already. And that was why she was dead.

She was rather sure that Echo hadn't actually picked up any lessons that day.