It's coming to an end, in your favour

"You're much better than I thought..." Sheila admits after several more lunges and surprise attacks, all of which you manage to dodge and then swiftly return. She's really no slouch herself though, and you find that you're quite enjoying your exchange of blows. What she's lacking in finesse she makes up for in speed, and you have no doubts she'd become a masterful fighter with the appropriate training.

"And you're surprisingly skilled for a mere scout..." You return with a friendly smile on your lips, even while you parry yet another of her blows. "You say that a hundred goblins would be killed by any single one of you, but I doubt that every woman in your village would have your expertise at close quarters...?"

"I... might have been exaggerating..." She admits, though clearly ****, and seems to struggle with her own pride to keep from boasting when she continues. "You're correct that I'm not just a scout however..."

"So your tribe would care about your loss then?" You wonder, which is a reason why you wanted to test her like this. Perhaps all amazons like to brag about their skills, but you've already figured there was something special about this one. "Then why would you want me to kill you, rather than negotiate for your freedom?"

"You can't bargain with goblins!" She's quick to spit right back at you, but then hesitates when she finally seem to give it a second thought. "Just... what would I barter for anyways? I would never betray my sisters for some... one... like you...!"

"You could negotiate for peace." You tell her with a shrug of your shoulders, daring to talk to her openly as you know that none of your tribe understands her language. Meanwhile you're both keeping the show up, continuing to circle eachother and occasionaly striking at an opening in the other's defense. "Our tribes could exist in mutual neutrality..."

"I'm still at a loss here..." The amazon just shakes her head at you, clearly puzzled at your proposal. "I'm here as your hostage, and my tribe is smaller and new to these parts, so any negotiation would be on your terms...?"

"It would." You agree, leaving yourself open for a moment as you sway out with your arms, and just barely manage to avoid getting hit by her blade. All of a sudden you're fighting up close and personal with her, staring right into her face while you both try and gain the upper hand through raw strength as you're locking blades with eachother. "But... you could try, nevertheless!"

"I'd still have nothing to trade you!" She hisses back at you, her bronze skin dripping with sweat now while you're both getting weary from the fight. Though she's looking as fierce as ever, you can see in her eyes that's growing increasingly uncertain of herself. "And... I'd rather fall on my own blade, than put my trust in a goblin...!"

"And die like a warrior...?" You question her, while finally managing to push her away, giving you both some time to breathe and regain your composure. "An honourable mention, but not aiding your tribe in the slightest."

"Then what are you proposing...?" She asks, finally giving some ground to your reasoning, and obviously starts to grow tired as she's letting herself get cornered against one of the walls. "What will happen to me, whether I lose or win this so-called trial of your's...?"

"Personally I'd love to set you free." You admit, with at least a portion of truth to it, but then glance up to all your warriors who's cheering you on. "But my tribe wouldn't be quite so understanding, I'm afraid. If I lose I cannot guarantee your safety, even if you'd spare my life. And if I win, they would only see weakness if I'd let you go."

"So I cannot win, whatever I do..." The amazon nods at you wearily. "And all I got left is trying to negotiate? So what are your demands for letting me free...?"

"I want you to return to your sisters." You explain to her, almost impatiently now as you figure this should already be apparent to her by now, and smile at the sight of her eyes growing wide in surprise. "To tell them that I can be reasoned with. And that I offer them peace, if they're willing to agree."

"And what do you gain from it...?" Sheilah's voice is just a whisper now, that can barely be heard over the hollering from your subjects, and you can tell that she's already about to give up this futile battle. "We're poor... and lacking in numbers... So what could you possibly hope to achieve with such a treaty...?"