Rose begins manipulating Voorla

Voorla was an expert fighter. Even with these strange weapons, this weak armor, she was a combat machine. She'd been trained since she was a child. So, though she waited to draw her opponent out, she was in no way scared.

Rose had been trained since childhood in a different way. She'd been trained to swindle, steal, perform, act and escape. She had just as much of a history, but rather then direct combat it focused on slight of hand, backstabbing and sneaky maneuvers. She had also fought for entertainment before, earning spare coin in such battles when she needed to. She'd found the key to not be relying on skill or strength. Sooner or later, you'd run into someone better then you. The key was to change the game. Play to your own strong suit. Disorient. Confuse. It also paid to win over the crowd. The audience was another tool to be used to defeat your enemy.

So, looking at the strong, obviously proud Barbarian woman, a new plan formed in Rose's mind. Instead of attacking she pretended to be distracted, looking around the crowd in mock amazement. Voorla, who had her gaze locked on Rose, noticed this moment and slashed at her enemy with the trident. Rose, who'd been expecting this lunged to the side, slipping past as Voorla lurched forward. Voorla turned back to face Rose. To her surprise, Rose was clutching her right forearm guard. She'd somehow stolen it off Voorla as they passed each other.

"How... how did you get that?" Voorla asked, confused. Then she looked Angry. Rose smiled. An angry opponent was more likely to make mistakes. She'd also learned that Voorla wasn't an uncaring barbarian. She was obviously proud, and did not want to be made to look silly or foolish. That was the weak point. That was what Rose decided she'd exploit. She tossed away the armguard and readied her next move.