Snippet #1683348

"Well... " He said with a thoughtful smile, as he walked over to him. "This was supposed to be a training exercise for the night guard. I'm not sure it would be prudent of me to allow a civilian to participate. I'm Eri- Um, Captain Erion Taranis, by the way. And who might you be, my friend from the East?"

Ryuu was taken aback. Was Erion trying to refuse his challenge? His opponent was a perplexing man, for sure. Publicly refraining from a chance to prove himself to his men was an unusual choice, that was for sure. No, that can’t be it, he reasoned, his eyes scanning the man from head to toe in the blink of an eye. If he was schooled in the art of kenjutsu, then he would never do something so cowardly. Is he testing my audacity, then? In that case, Ryuu had no choice but to continue with his previous plan. There was no way he would let this guy outdo him without even crossing fists!

“I am Ryuu Arishima, a warrior monk from the Far Eastern islands, and I assure you, Captain Erion Taranis, my profession is not an issue. I could take on your entire force at once, let alone one officer. Would you prefer I fight you with or without my weapon?” Ryuu smiled as he said this, taking out the four pieces of his staff and snapping them together. “I’m fine either way.”