[Joshua Allen]:
Every instinct in Joshua's being was telling him to make a break for it, that this man was dangerous and would expeditiously and most definitely kill him. However, before he could, Athan was already before him.
"You've injured someone in my care," the man named Athan noted dully, as he casually punched Joshua so hard in his stomach, blood and spit came out his mouth. "You will not be getting a second opportunity to kill someone in my care again. Your madness ends right here, right now, before it can fester any further."
Suddenly, Athan kicked Joshua into a thick oak tree, leaving a deep dent in the trunk. Yet somehow, Joshua knew — with a grim certainty — that if his opponent had used even a fraction more strength, the tree, and perhaps the many behind it, would've splintered to nothing on impact.
