To spar or not to spar...

~His nostrils flared as he stared at the man. This was why you never gave Artimus the chance to speak. He could twist words around too easily. He continued to remove his helmet, and then his chest plate.~

"No, I will simply fight as equals."

Dammit, this wasn't part of his plan. He wanted Tiberious in his best armour! He showed no emotion of this thought, although he was sure Jade - being so close to him - would pick up the anger at this. He had told her he had a plan, and it would still work, it would just take a little longer.

No need. I knew what you would have, and I accept the challenge as it stands.

~He stopped undoing the chest plate, staring at Artimus. That cocky little... He saw a flicker of something on Jade's face. What was going on? He turned to his squad.~

"Usually, being a guard means you fight with honour. Sometimes, however, you have to forgoe that and do whatever it takes to take your oppenent down."

~He stared at them to make them understand what he was saying, and retightened his chest plest. He could fight without the helmet, but the rest of the armour would stay.~

Artimus smiled inwardly, glancing to Jade. This was good.

So, weapons? I'll take quarterstaff, an oil lamp and steel blades.

His voice sounded confident. He knew what he was doing.

~He almost flinched as Artimus listed his weapons. A standard sword, a quarterstaff and...?~

"An oil lamp is not a weapon."

~He could almost laugh at the idea of Art using a quarterstaff against him. A quarterstaff was no match for plate armour! But then Artimus knew that, what was he planning. Tiberious realised as soon as he thought it. His legs.~

Anything is a weapon in my hands, Tiberious. You know that. As the challenged, I get to pick weapons. And I pick the oil lamp.

He folded his arms across his chest, squaring up to Tiberious.

~she nodded to the mindlink~

~she sat down and started to breath deeply.~

~she watched between her father and Tib~

~That infernal man... what was he doing.~

"I will accept."

~He walked over to where some oil lamps were. They were small, enclosed lanterns filled with an oil reservoir at the bottom with a small wick in them. Mounted on a stick about 4 feet long, the lanterns would burn for hours usually. He picked two up and blew them out. There. Whatever plan he had for them was gone. He stuck one of them in the ground near his squad, and took the other to the other side, near where Artimus was still standing, planting it firmly in the ground.~

~Then he walked to the weapons racks, picking two similar swords for them. They were broad bladed, and sharp. They could be wielded one handed, but you got more power and precision using two hands. He once again placed on near his lantern, and the other one near Artimus'. he then did the same with the quarterstaffs. They were about 6 feet long, about an inch and a half thick, and very sturdy. He placed on by each pile of weapons, then returned to where he had been. He removed his sword belt, and removed all his other weapons, then turned to stare at Artimus~

Artimus had spent the time watching Tiberious gather the equipment, and had removed his own sword belt and weapons. He put them next to Jade and touched her shoulder.

Trust me. I promised.

~she took a deep breath this was going to be hard on her. she looked when her father said oil lamp and knew what he was up to or any idea to what he was doing.~

Artimus returned to his original position, picking up his sword and swinging it experimentally with one hand. Spining the blade on his fingers much like a majorette twirls a batten. He smiled and looked at Tiberious.

It's been a long time, my old friend. I hate to beat you in front of your children.

~His temper wasn't improving. First the jokes of the choice of weapons, now this. He too picked up his sword and took a step forward. He held the sword in his right hand, the blade facing downwards and held out his left hand.

"It's been too long. I wish it was under better circumstances that we met."

Artimus took a few steps forward to the man, taking his hand and shaking it in a gentlemanly manner. This was all very civilized from Tiberious.

It could have been, if you had just told Louis where I was. He grinned that cocky grin.

~The moment Artimus touched his hand, Tiberious gripped it tight and didn't let go. Then with his right hand, he punched him in the chin - blade kept away, but using the hilt of the sword for added power.~

Artimus saw the hand too late to react. He hadn't expected the fight to start so soon. He took the hit straight on the chin, which was already bruised after the lunch Leon got on on him the day before. Artimus felt a tooth come loose, and spat it out. He tried to pull away from the man.

~Tiberious had too good a grip on him and wasn't about to let go.~

"I'll be wiping your blood up by the end of the day, Morningstar"

~He spun the sword around in his right hand so it was upright, and swung it in an arc towards Art's left legs.~

They got you working as a janitor too? You're going up in the world!

He knew he couldn't break out of the grip, and jumped as he saw the blade coming, kicking out with his left leg towards Tib's right side.

~He brought the blade back around as the foot impacted on his armour. he let go of the mans hand, pushing up backwards, knowing he was already off balance.~

"There are no words to describe how I feel about you right now."

Artimus fell back, avoiding the slicing blade.

There are, you just haven't learnt them yet.

He rolled backwards, then jumped to his feet in one movement.

~He took a moment to compose himself. He needed to shut that man up! He moved forward, gripping the sword with both hands and making a small slice with it, from his left to right, aimed at Art's chest height.~

Artimus was able to easily fend off the advance, it was signposted way too early. He moved his own blade in a defensive motion to parry Tib's blade. He took a step backwards as he did so, moving them both closer towards his quarterstaff.

~He started another thrust, but switched it midflow so instead of going right to left at the same height, it lowered and went for his left leg.~

Once again the move was clearly visible. Artimus moved his blade to counter, and then realised he was lulling him! He flicked the sword down to block the move, taking another step backwards.

~He felt the shock go through the sword as the two blades touched, then flicked his sword with one hand, hoping to twist the blade from the other man's hand.~

Tib's power was too strong for Artimus, and his sword flicked up into the air and sailed down out of reach. He took another step back and grabbed for the quarterstaff. Now he was in business.

Holding one end, he swung it around towards Tiberious's kneecaps, from Art's right, to left.