Challenge

Do you understand?"

She nodded, just looking at him. "How would we proceed then?"

He looked around the tent, and grabbed a length of rope. Swiftly tying her hands loosely behind her back he spoke again. "Just follow my lead, I promise to get you out of these ropes as soon as I can." He took the rope and threaded it into her belt so that it held in front quite like a leash. He lefts the tent, Cassandra in tow, to greet the crowds gathered by the door. Knowing her part, she stayed three paces behind him, eyes cast down at all times. He succinctly told the story of how they had met the enemy, and were joined with another tribe. As he gets to the end, and was searching his mind desperately to try to think of a story to explain Cassandra, he heard the hoof beats of a large horse prodding down the road. As the crowd parts, he saw the visage of his uncle.

"Greetings uncle Reid" his voice rang out.

"Jonah - tell me of the battle? I see many lost..." And not being one to truly listen, his uncle just went on without an answer. "I see that you have taken booty from the pillaging, good work my boy". Cassandra flinched; she felt the gentle tug on the rope.

"Yes uncle - but this I claim as my own, it was a well fought battle - and this is my prize" he said with a little bit of a glare towards his uncle. "The rest of my men will be returning soon Uncle - they will have other treasure with them other than this minor jewel". Perhaps this is a way to bait the pompous windbag thought Jonah. "Besides uncle I have sullied this one already - we've saved the best of the catch for you".

Cassandra closed her eyes. She didn't like the look of this at all, or the turn that it had taken... Sullied indeed, he should be so lucky.

"Jonah - sullied or not - this is my call, all booty from the crusades are mine to take or not!"

"I'll tell you what uncle; I'll make you a proposition." This was Jonah's chance.

"Continue boy."

"I shall unleash my wench here, and will challenge you to a fight. But I will use her as my weapon." Jonah laughed. His uncle Reid laughed. The village laughed. But it was not the laughter of the large cities full of mirth and good will; this was the laughter of the dessert, harsh and expecting death; the laughter of the hyena as it tasted blood

Cassandra calmed her mind - this she knew was a challenge Reid would not put down. Jonah shot the crowd a look and they all silenced. "So what say you uncle - if she beats you in a fair fight - I shall retain her." He turned to Cassandra and grinned. "Oh yes, and uncle? If she does beat you? You will stop trying to intimidate me by calling me boy. I'm the captain of our army - and frankly a much better man than you are. So take my challenge or shut up"

Taken aback - Reid's eyes became steeled and grayer. "Yes nephew, I shall take that challenge!" His eyes spoke of death now for only that could calm his anger. Getting down off his mount - Reid took off his armor chest plate. The crowd sensed this gathering storm.