The air before Grand Summoner Marquin shimmered. The dusty lumps convulsed, growing and a line of armored raptors took shape. As one, they roared defiance at the east.
Three miles distant, Ragatel appeared unimpressed by his rival’s difficult maneuver. He gestured negligently. “I summon SWAT.”
The display reached Marquin as if he had been standing feet away. “You swat at me?” he scoffed. “Decorum requires at minimum a proper, flashy bluff. You’re unarmed! Not the least prepared to defend your most valuable territory.”
“Preparation—” there was a hiss of static and someone unseen claimed to be in position. “Was vital.”
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