Scrub

"No thanks," Fulcher said, tapping Vardia on the shoulder. "Come on, man, let's get out of here. Guy's cringe."

"He does make me recoil sir! You are so correct!" Varia said, spurring the horse onward.

"Wait!" Akaj said as he jogged alongside the wagon. "Now let's not be hasty here. I'm simply implying that you could win my favor."

"No, we're all right," Fulcher said.

"Yes," Schon said with a smirk, "We wouldn't want to waste the great Marquess' time."

"But, but but surely you need a guide!" Akaj said, running backwards to keep pace with the wagon. Fulcher could swear he saw sweat beading on the red man's brow as his campsite slowly got further and further await. "Don't you want to not die in this desert?"

"I'm sure we'll be just fine," Vardia said. "After all, we've enough water for a couple more days and my Lord has two ringcasters if we get into trouble. What could possibly go-"

"Ringcasters!" Akaj exclaimed. "I have a ringcaster. Would you like to have it?"

"Are you giving it to me?" Fulcher asked. Akaj gripped the side of the wagon as he struggled to keep up.

"No, as in you could win it from me in a competition!" Akaj explained. Fulcher eyed the man's hand, spotting a gemmed ring on it.

"I mean, I do really like these magic rings, they're pretty cool," Fulcher admitted. Schon groaned.

"Don't tell me you're considering it," Schon said.

"What could go wrong?" Fulcher said. "Besides, the journey's been incredibly dull. We could use some entertainment. Vardia stop the wagon." The wagon came to a crawl as Akaj huffed, bending over his knees to catch his breath.

"So what do you have in mind, Akaj?" Fulcher asked, leaning forward on the side of the wagon. Akaj pounded his chest proudly.

"Where I am from you see, I am quite the sportsman. Why don't you and I compete in a game of physical acuity? Win, and I will give you this ringcaster. And if I win, you give me both of yours." Akaj said with a smile.

"That's hardly fair," Fulcher said. "Two versus one?"

"Then if you win," Akaj continued, "I will accompany you as your guide to the desert as well as give you the ringcaster. I will be at your command here your Majesty." 

"Yeah, yeah whatever. I am interested in the ring though. What kind of competition were you thinking of?" Fulcher asked. Akaj smiled.

"As I was the challenger, the challenged should pick the competition. Though I warn you, I am famous for being in incredibly peak physical condition," Akaj said, flexing.

"Aha," Fulcher began, "any physical activity?" Akaj nodded.

"Any at all," he said. Fulcher smiled, this was almost too perfect.

"How about unarmed combat?" he asked. The Marquess smiled as well.

"I would be more than happy to take you up on the chance," he said, clapped his heads together. "What are your rules?"

"Let's make it a game of control," Fulcher, said. "First to incapacitate the other wins. No magic, no weapons and no armor." Akaj laughed and nodded his head.

"I like this game. I accept!" Akaj declared. Fulcher jumped down from the wagon, taking off pieces of his armor.

"You seriously gonna lose your rings to this guy?" Schon said.

"I'm not gonna lose," Fulcher said. Schon rolled her eyes, putting a coin on the side of the wagon in front of Vardia.

"I think the red guy is gonna win," she muttered. Vardia reached into his pouch and put a similar coin next to hers.

"A Custodi should always have faith in the Lord, my Lady," Vardia said. Fulcer did his best to stretch as he and Akaj moved away from the wagon. The man got into a wide stance.

"I will warn you now mortal. I am proficient in all ninety-two forms of Blakja!" Akaj said.

"That's fine," Fulcher said. "I think I only need one thing to take you down."

Whatever his method is, he'll have some weakness to exploit, Fulcher thought. A small slip up. If I stick to the fundamentals, I should still be able to surprise him. and make this a quick. 

"You alright with one round?" Fulcher asked. Akaj laughed loudly, rolling his neck.

"Just don't blame me when you lose mortal," he said. He unhooked his sickle and stuck the tip into the dirt. Fulcher bounced on his toes and got into a fighting stance.

"Your call Vardia," Fulcher said.

"Begin!" Vardia shouted. Akaj shifted closer, kicking up dirt as he tried to get into striking range. Fulcher widened his stance and shifted around the movement, keeping his hands up around his face. 

"I will go easy on you my liege," Akaj teased, "I will rely on strikes to the head!" He lunged forward suddenly, striking with his right arm towards Fulcher. The prince raised his left arm, resting his knuckles on his head as he used his elbow to block the strike. A secondary punch from Akaj's left arm was similarly blocked by Fulcher's right as his eyes ticked down to the Marquess' exposed leg.

That's your weakness, he thought. After blocking a couple more strikes and listening to Akaj's laughter, Fulcher ducked a right hook and lunged forward. Wrapping his arms around Akaj's right thigh. The man's skin burned like scalding metal, but Fulcher followed through with his fundamentals. Drawing his hand down to Akaj's ankle and pulling up suddenly as he stood, hooking Akaj's foot under his elbow. Akaj hopped awkwardly on his single foot to try and gain balance, struggling to pull his leg free as he flailed his arms forward uselessly.

"Now- now I see what you're trying to- no no NO WAIT-" Akaj shouted as Fulcher struck out with his left leg, sweeping Akaj's remaining leg out from under him. Akaj hit the ground hard on his back with Fulcher pinning him down quickly by pressing his leg up into his own torso and securing one of Akaj's wrists under his knee. Despite the burning, Fulcher looked down and grinned at Akaj as he huffed, his hair churning and flickered like a roaring fire before he wheezed out, "I yield."

Fulcher stood quickly, extending a hand to the downed man.

"Your punches hurt, but they left you open," he explained.

"Those blocks with that grapple," Akaj said as he stood with Fulcher's aid. "What fighting style do you call that?"

"Where I'm from, it's just called MMA," Fulcher explained.

"Ememaye?" Akaj repeated, speaking as if it were one single word.

"No, MMA. Mixed martial arts," Fulcher corrected.

"Ah! The mixed martial art of Emehm-ay!" Akaj said, eyeing Fulcher over. "You have taught me something new human, feel proud. I will keep my word to you. You wish to travel to the Librarum? Akaj will bring you there safely and with plenty of entertainment along the way." He grinned a wicked grin as he moved to pick up his sickle.

"And the ringccaster?" Fulcher said.

"Tch, yes I will grab it now," Akaj said as he started walking back to his camp. "You won fair and square."