Dropping the Gauntlet — Vladimir Duran

Why do people climb mountains, jump out of planes or wrestle alligators? Because they're there. Because only by pushing yourself, mind and body, can you hope to make yourself stronger. Vlad, Jack and Olga need to be stronger. Strong enough to fight a war, strong enough to save their people, strong enough to save themselves.

Excerpt

“I've told you before, we're not partners. We have a mutually beneficial relationship, that's all. Not that I'm complaining, but why are you taking off your clothes.” Vlad kept one eye on the others and one on Olga's ever more exposed flesh as she stepped out of her shoes and undid her belt buckle. There were times when the self-discipline a Knight needed just to keep his sanity, really came in handy. It was the only thing keeping his personal lance down at the moment. “If this is your idea of an apology for following me, I'll tell you right now…it'll work.”

“You don't wear clothes while practicing in order to spare them from the effects of your warp field. Why would you assume that I take less care with my own belongings?” She hooked thumbs in the waistband of her pants and began to slide them down her legs.

“Because that's what I generally imagine of you noble types. Yet, still I question, why are you taking off your clothes?” Vlad let a hint of steel filter into his voice. “Do you expect you have to use your warp.”

“If I'm going to spar with you, then yes. I expect I'll need it.” She stepped out of her pants and began walking around to the other end of the disk suspended in black. Vlad was hoping she would keep disrobing, but she stopped at a pair of black satin boyshorts and a bra. The bra was a surprise. Wizard women only wore them when they expected exercise. Perhaps it was just a matter of taste on her part, but he didn't think so. She had intended this from the start.