<div class="floatright">(http://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/4/4c/Gladiatrix24resized1.jpg)</div><br/><div align="center"><strong><em>~Ryann-Won't give up!~</em></strong></div><br/>For the smallest split second she thought she had the advantage, as she was bladed and Aulus was without a weapon. Yet still she remained in her crouch, shifting back and forth slightly upon her feet, working her lithe form into readiness for whatever attack may come. Yet the dynamic changed when an aged shout came from above, and the old merchant that Aulus had trailed behind tossed something over the railing and into the soldiers grip. Bright eyes narrowed as she witnessed the whip slither free, and she had to admit it was a rather interesting weapon. Her sharp gaze watched as he gripped tight to the center of the weapon, the ends trailing from either end of the leather handle glinting dangerously. Metal? Outwardly she seemed calm, simply waiting for the attack she knew was to come, but within she was plotting moves. It was rather difficult though. She was used to regular singular whips of plain leather, and with blade in hand, if he attempted to snag any part she could easily slice through. Yet it was obvious this was a special weapon, custom made.<br/><br/>The proof of such would come soon enough as Aulus made his attack, and she had the flick of an eye to admire the form, and the ease in which he used his double pronged flail. The dust whipped up from the first attack was nothing really, until she found out it was a distraction. Bouncing to the side a couple of steps to allow her vision to not be impeded by the offending cloud, she managed to witness just that much to late as the second end snapped forth and wrapped tight and harsh around her left thigh. Her instant reaction of course was to hack upon the bond, yet the metal infused within the leather stopped this from happening. An enraged snarl flew from her mouth, whipping her head up to stare heatedly at Aulus before she returned to the task at hand. Though she was aware that he could still most likely attack her with the free end of the whip, she swiftly and keenly managed to unwrap the end encircling her thigh, hissing as the metal rings tore open her flesh, causing yet another offering of sanguine to begin to drip to the sands. Yet she wasn't done. At this juncture she couldn't care less what happened. She was simply in the moment of battle, and Aulus still needed to pay.<br/><br/>The hand holding the now blood wet end of his whip began to twist, wrapping the coil again and again around her hand, encasing her palm in metal covered leather. As she did this, she would leer at Aulus, a toothy grin of deadly delight as she set herself into yet another sideways stance. She would hold her sword in one hand, and the end of his whip in the other, readying for his next move, and still not making to attack him.<br/><br/>