Kael
The boundary was freshly painted.
I noticed because one of the attendants had managed to put a little of it on his shoe. He had then tried to clean the shoe against a second clean patch of floor.
The ring had acquired a small white footprint.
An official made him remove it before we began.
I liked that. If I was going to lose by stepping in the wrong place, I wanted the wrong place clearly marked.
My opponent waited on his starting mark while the final check was completed. The practice staff rested against his shoulder. He rolled it down into his hands when the official turned toward us.
We heard the boundary rule again. A clear exit from the fighting area could decide the bout. We were to release pressure and stop striking at the call, whether the other man was still moving or not.
The specialist glanced at my right arm, then at the space behind me.
He had done his reading.
The signal sounded.
I took the center before he could make me work for it.
