The dim light made the stark white scar that tore across her face
stand out against her already deep brown skin.
He had never asked about the scar to avoid the steep charges,
but that didn't stop him from hearing rumors
or imagining what could have led to the jagged M
that had been carved from the corner of her mouth to her right ear.
The chasmic mark could not have been something done in the heat of battle.
No, it was the cold branding of victory and a cruel claim of ownership.

A slight smile extended the jagged white scar
that stretched from the right corner of her mouth to her ear.
The sawtooth terror was a stark contrast to her skin,
which was made even darker in the dim light.
When Kilyan had first tagged along to a deal between her and Cajmel,
he'd initially thought she failed to block a knife attack.
It was only after their deal was done
that he realized no true fighter would take the time
to carve something like that into their opponent’s face.
Not when she could still drive her own knife into their neck.
No, disfiguring of that magnitude was a trophy reserved only for the victor.