Headed by a Snake

Justus stared at the combatants, focusing, taking in all their movements.

He couldn't place his finger on it.

Decanus Zehr made the fight look so easy. Every time Ferrutius moved, it was like Zehr already had a response. He'd dodge, he'd block and counter, or he'd just interrupt with a quick jab or a broad, painful whack.

There was no wasted movement. There were no fancy flourishes or misdirection. It was just... like Zehr could see and react faster than his opponent.

The old, grey-bearded veteran, Modestus, clicked his tongue, "Caelistis was right... for once. That guy's no fish."

A few other mumbles were heard throughout the crowd, kept to a low volume. Justus was thankful that at least a few intelligent souls understood that the company was still being tracked by enemies.

Justus shook his head. He couldn't understand the fight. More and more, Zehr was becoming an anomaly to him-- something Justus just couldn't compare himself to.

He glanced to his opposite side, where Gianna sat. It seemed she was just as engrossed in the fight as he was. Frustration welled in his heart.

Turning to Rena, he complained in a low hush, "This is so criminal, when is the Decanus going to stop wasting his time?"

"Huhhkkk!!"

Hearing a distinct sound of Decanus Ferrutius, Justus quickly turned his attention back to the fight.

CLACK. Zehr had struck Ferrutius' quarterstaff out of his hands.

Ferrutius was stumbling back, holding onto his sternum, weaponless.

Justus blinked his eyes. He couldn't believe it.

Zehr's golden eyes were staring at him. He had turned around completely, with his back to his opponent.

Had the Decanus heard him? That was impossible... Justus was 30 feet away and whispering. It must have been a coincidence.

Gianna looked up, flinching and letting out a yelp of surprise.

Justus glanced above... and what he saw made his heart drop into the pit of his gut.

He stood up, not needing to take a step. Reaching his right arm up to the sky, Justus caught Decanus Ferrutius' quarterstaff.

"Flame, take me..." Rena gawked in awe, "I love that movement he just did... how he just... moooved."

Justus was too preoccupied to try and understand Rena's nonsense.

Zehr was staring at him emotionlessly from where he stood in the ring.

By the Flame... it was all true. The Decanus had heard everything. The Decanus could have ended the fight at any time. The Decanus could... accurately launch quarterstaves using other quarterstaves?

"What the hells was that?" Modestus complained, "Is this a Flame-scarred circus?"

"Watch out!"

Justus looked to Rena but... it wasn't her who had yelled. Confused, he looked to his opposite side and understood. It was Gianna's.

...

Tycondrius stared at Justus from the impromptu ring. The young man was right. Tycon was getting carried away. It would be best for him to finish off his opponent quickly.

Decanus Ferrutius was approaching him from behind and to the right with slow, clumsy steps. Per Tyrion military close-quarter-combat drills, Tycon expected a punch.

He half-turned his body to see... it was a punch, a wild and desperate, full-arm swing.

Tycon stepped backward, colliding his shoulder into Ferrutius' chest and halting the man's movement. Tossing away his own staff, Tycon grabbed hold of his opponent's outstretched arm. Then, tucking his body in close, he shifted his body weight to throw the red-haired Decanus over his shoulder.

He kept a tight grip on the man's wrist, and dropped a knee on the fallen man's shoulder to keep the arm locked back.

Tycon leaned in, speaking just loudly enough for the other Decanus to hear, "Follow my plans and I'll let you keep some of that pride."

"Grrrrh... Errghh..." The red-headed Decanus strained at his muscles, trying to escape, "Or what?"

Tycon steadily applied pressure to Ferrutius' trapped arm, causing the man to groan with a new sense of urgency, "You're going to help me, Decanus, either by supporting me... or by becoming an example. Make your choice."

...

Justus narrowed his eyes in confusion.

Somehow Decanus Ferrutius had managed to get out of the arm lock, turning and grappling with Zehr properly. The two rolled on the ground across the arena, ending with Ferrutius on top.

Ferrutius, with his beard and hair covered in dirt and sweat like a savage, rained down punches, forcing Zehr to block.

It made no sense. Was Zehr... weak at grappling?

A few members of the crowd clicked their tongues, and one man loosed a whistle that was quickly hushed by his peers.

Zehr abruptly popped up his lower body, unbalancing Ferrutius and forcing a swing to go wide.

Then the strangest thing happened...

Zehr kicked his legs up, hooking right under Ferrutius' arms. Then with Ferrutius' body going forward and Zehr somersaulting on the ground backward and over his head... Zehr wrapped his arms in a lock around Ferrutius' calf and ankle.

"I yield! I yield, Decanus," Ferrutius spoke, loud enough for everyone could hear.

A wave of murmuring rippled through the crowd.

"Heavens and hells..." Modestus cursed, "I can't believe it. I've joined a louse-ridden circus instead of an adventuring guild."

Rena hopped up in joy, squealing quietly, "Justus... Justus... I knew he would win. I called it."

Justus looked to Gianna, "Hey... Gia, is everything alright?"

Gianna was still staring at Zehr and Ferrutius with her jaw unhinged. Justus felt a smoldering frustration in his gut from Gia's attention being occupied by someone that wasn't himself.

"O-oh, I'm sorry, Justus," the blonde woman tilted her head. "I just thought Decanus Zehr's finishing ankle lock was interesting... He resembled a snake for a moment, don't you think?"

Justus returned an uncertain smile, "I'm not sure the Decanus would appreciate being called a snake."

"If he is, he's an incredibly handsome snake," Rena added. "Oh, here he comes now."

Zehr approached, drinking from a waterskin. Still shirtless, the Decanus glistened with sweat, only made more impressive when he dumped the waterskin's remaining contents onto his green hair.

"D-d-d-decanussss..." Rena stammered, "It's so nice to... see you..."

"Y-you know," she wet her dried lips and gestured from Zehr's sculpted chest to his loins, "--all of you."

For a moment, Justus thought he could see steam coming out of the archer's ears.

"I quite enjoyed your theatrics, Decanus," Gianna smirked.