Suddenly, all eyes fell on the man in the apron as Ashlynn issued her challenge, eager to see how he'd respond. For a moment, his mouth worked soundlessly as he tried to string his words together before he finally took his stand.
"I won't bully a weak woman!" the man shouted. "Send a real man to fight! Lord Loghlan or the knights behind you. Anyone who isn't so scared that they have to hide behind their mother's skirts like spoiled, spineless children!"
"My lady, let me," Sir Elgon said, stepping forward and drawing his sword. "This man is a waste of your time…"
"A waste of yours too," Devlin said, dipping his hands into the pockets of his long coat as he stepped forward. When he pulled his hands out again, each was adorned with a set of heavy brass rings, fused together to protect a fist. "This won't be harder than handlin' an unruly crew after a cask or two too many."
