The roar of the crowd was a physical force, pressing down on Ethan/Lucian as he parried another blow from Sir Kaelen, a knight renowned for his unwavering loyalty to the crown and his brutal efficiency in the arena. Kaelen’s silver armour gleamed under the afternoon sun, reflecting the bloodlust simmering in the stands. Each clash of steel sent vibrations up Ethan/Lucian’s arm, a painful reminder of the precariousness of his situation. He was playing a part, a dangerous game of calculated aggression, trying to appear the formidable Shadow Duke while simultaneously scanning the crowd for any sign of the conspirators.