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"My dear, with a sword at his throat, all men surrender... or die." simplified Calico spelling it out all the easier

"I would fight for you, but I am chained like a dog by its collar at present" sighed Calico looking down at his foot.

Ryiah figured such would br true, but for the fact that she had to first best Caesar. Still, she dipped her head, glancing at the chain around Calico's ankle. Inhaling a breath she lifted her chin and spun to move toward her mother's cabin. Once there she closed the door and took off her dress, to replace it with leggings, a tunic, with a sash toed round and her captain's hat. Then she retrieved her sword, glad she'd left it with the ship. Buckling the sword round her waist, glad to feel its comforting weight, she pulled on soft boots as well, completeing her outfit.

Turning back towards the door, she tied her hair back in curly braid, so the hair would stay away from her face during the duel. Eyes burning with fervor, excitement too, she left her rooms, ignoring any stares that might be sent her way and went in search of Caesar, lips set in determination. As she moved, she ran through all that she knew of swordplay, realizing she knew nothing of the way Romans fought.

Upon finding Caesar, Ryiah pulled her sword from its sheath, and leveled it at the man, eyes glittering and a half smile on her lips. "Since you feel that you have already won, you won't mind if I challenge you to a sword duel - for the freedom of myself and my men and the return of my ship."

"If you win... you shall have the vessel and all the slaves onboard... if I win... what shall be my prize?" asked Caesar admiring her outfit and rubbing his chin thoughtfully, not about to deny her the duel she was requesting, rather musing the options for it

Ryiah, keeping her sword up a bit, considered Caesar's question, then looked at him warily, wondering what he would ask as wager in return. Then she smirked. "How about if you win, you still give us our freedom, and I choose not to pursue and destroy your fleet with my own and scorch your men with my dragon form."

"One dagger thrown with certainty and your scallywag dies taking you down with it, dear. Measure your threats with caution" warned Caesar in a frown

"If I win, I want to be able to call upon your healing at my will..." mused Caesar seeing this was the one and main reason why she wanted her in the first place

"If it is a draw you will get your demanded reward and so will I .... if you win then the ship and its slaves are yours" mused Caesar keeping the terms fair

Ryiah's lips pursed at Caesar's warning, but she softened her features a bit, considering she was his still, at his whim. Swallowing her pride she nodded, though her hues still glinted. "As you wish. I can accept those terms. My dragon and myself are subject to your desires. I am ready to duel when you are."

"Very well, bring the scallywag... chain him to her... I do not fight half a pirate but a whole one" muttered looking at Prodius who made his way to the helm to detach Calico from the ankle chain and bring him over to Caesar who tied her right wrist to Calico's own who towered over her a little, and her left one too

Calico swallowed hard finding the challenge ahead a proper challenge for once, not only he had no freedom to move of his own accord but he had to protect her from the blade as well as himself against a renouned marksman.

"I need you to let my hands and feet guide you, take two swords as well, one in each hand. One to parry, one to strike." asked Calico running his hand down her arm gently if enjoyably, as his hand closed over her fist that was holding the sword

Ryiah felt her cheeks flush at Calico's nearness, feeling him pressed now against her back as his arms were tied to her own. Swallowing hard she wondered how this was at all a fair fight, yet, at least Caesar had granted her a chance, no matter how slim.

Chest moving with shallow breaths, Ryiah gripped her sword tighter, Calico's own grip settling over hers. She nodded, choosing another shorter blade from a nearby rack, and tried to settle it comfortably in both their grips, her gaze falling on Caesar. At least the man hadn't tied their feet together as well.

"Relax, you seem too tense, take a deep breath and relax, your arms must be light like your wings when they gracefully fly through the air taking advantage of the currents, let your grip relax entirely, I will secure the sword, and your hand within mine, and guide your every motion, your every move... almost like when we dance" encouraged Calico his words calm and soft, his skin warm as he talked softly near her ear to teach her and help her succeed.

"Be on guard, when I say, you may need to drop to the ground, or jump up the sails, remember? Use all that is around you" reminded Calico softly watching Caesar throw the first strike, smiling that Caesar's cloak had wrapped onto his arm and foiled the first move altogether causing him an irritated look

Ryiah took Calico's words to heart, trying to relax her grip in his, leaning against his chest ever so softly while keeping her own balance. It was comforting to have him there, despite the extra challenges it added.

Not needing to block Caesar's first strike, Ryiah tried to keep her own smirk off her face so as not to anger their current master. Instead, she kept her face carefully neutral as she began their own attack, spinning to the side Caesar fumbled on to take advantage of his own failure.

Calico guided Ryiah's wrist and blade, sliding it down Caesar's own blade until her blade touched Caesar's sword's handguard, then, holding Ryiah's hand, Calico turned the wrist to make it spin quicker with force so as to cause Caesar's sword to get disloged and tossed aside, teaching Ryiah this which was his signature and most effective move.

Calico smiled and kissed her cheek when she got it perfectly, releasing her wrist so she could be quicker about it and disarm her opponent all on her own.

"Well done... your majesty... seems you need no master-at-arms any more" complimented Calico seeing Caesar look in disbelief that anyone could disarm him so quickly, clearly, Calico's reputation finally proven to be true and muttering a low curse at having to release the man

Ryiah wasted no time in grabbing up Caesar's own sword and turning it to face the man himself, eyes bright with pride and adrenaline, short as the contest had been. She held the swords true, watching Caesar to be sure he would keep his end of the bargain.

Feeling Calico's kiss on her cheek Ryiah grinned, leaning into it a bit, before tilting her head toward Caesar. "Well, Julius? Are we free?"

Caesar stood upright holding his palm out to have the sword returned to him.

"Rome pays.... empress, the vessel is yours as are the slaves onboard" nodded Caesar

Ryiah smiled pleased, nodding to Caesar and returning his sword, then, she used her own blade to cut the bonds which connected Calico to herself and turned to face him.

"Then as rightful owner of the Nonesuch I return her to your command, Captain Calico, you are free, as are your men. We will see the Romans safely on board their own ships before we return to my empire."

"I trust we can remain allies?" quizzed Caesar looking at Ryiah, remaining calm and composed

"Allies?" Ryiah mused, wondering if being forced truly meant they had been allies. But in any case, it wouldn't do to make an enemy of Caesar and his war band, their might and power outnumbered her own. Finally she nodded, holding out her hand toward Caesar. "Yes, I think we can be allies, now that we are on equal footing. I will wish you and your empire well, but my hand is promised to another." With those words she smiled at Calico.

"May I count on your healing in the greatest hour of need?" quizzed Caesar looking at Ryiah thoughtfully

"Will you visit Rome at least once a year that I may bask in your company and beauty and might?" asked Caesar

Ryiah tilted her head in thought, "I will aid you with healing if you strive to lead your people with honor and justice rather than greed and a desire for power." She said softly, eyes flickering slightly as she remembered what Calico had said earlier about the Roman tax.

"And... I should like to visit Rome, I think. It sounds a grand city indeed." She inclined her head in agreement, a smile on her lips.

Caesar nodded waiting for her to escort him back to his ship and making sure to bring the horses with him too, quite eager to try out Harrishim's horses in the Roman arena

These magnificent beasts were sure to win and sure to impress the demands of the Roman nobility too.

No sooner their ships were close enough and the planks secured, Caesar returned to his ships and sailed away to return to his very much distant lands, looking on as Ryiah and Calico steered the Nonesuch in opposite direction to return to their empire.

"Row scallywags, pick up the pace before Morgan grows restless and sends out the army" urged Calico barking orders to get the crew on the move, some scrambling to get the oars, others opening the sails, some securing ropes and everyone making themselves very busy, well aware of the price to pay if Calico was disappointed.

Sunset was as stunning at it could have been and the full moon and starry sky was promising the perfect flight too.

"Come on Sendara, let's take to the skies" urged Calico eager and itchy to have his precious dragon back, having missed the sense of freedom from being able to fly.