Chapter Nine: The Bout and Chapter Ten: The Street Fight Summary

Before the next session with Hastings, Jack goes home to retrieve the sword and scabbard. They hike into Perry Park where Hastings pounds nine stakes into the ground to mark the boundary of the area they will use, and when he adds a simple incantation, the area outside of the stakes blurs and recedes. He steps out of the boundary, telling Jack he can no longer serve as his opponent when the sword is being used. The first opponent that Hastings conjures up for him manages to behead him and Hastings comments how it isn't the best start. The rules as Hastings has established won't allow Jack to actually die, and before he can catch his breath, another opponent arrives, this time on horseback wearing...