Episode 01 · Complete episode
The Challenge at Dusk
Page 05 — Leave the sword
By Lim Boon Chuan · English reading order: left to right, top to bottom.
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A yield ends it
Read the next page →Page 05 — dialogue & accessible transcript
Leave the sword
Panel 1
Vara briefly catches Mali’s forearm before she enters the square. Mali pauses to listen; her sabre remains sheathed.
Vara: He doesn't chase.
Mali: I heard.
Panel 2
Vara looks towards Teren, who waits calmly rather than watching the gathering audience.
Vara: No. Neri told you what his hands do.
Panel 3
Mali removes her sword belt and puts the complete sheathed sabre on the low wall beside Neri. The blade stays inside the scabbard.
Mali: Don't sell it while I'm busy.
Panel 4
Neri gives Mali an amused look, her injured right arm still supported in its sling. The ivory outer jacket now lies beside the sheathed sword. Mali remains fully dressed in a dark inner tunic and crimson sash.
Neri: Depends how long you take.
Panel 5
Mali and Teren show empty hands across the sparring space. Vara supervises; the sheathed sabre and jacket stay on the wall beside Neri.
Vara: Empty hands. As agreed.
Teren: Agreed.
First illustrated web edition, based on Episode 01 script V1. Earlier page art retains its original preview footer. Future print typesetting is a separate production stage.