<tt class="bbc_tt"><strong>CLANK!</strong></tt>The sound of metal hitting metal reverberates, as his charge would find her sword had met with the tail end of his halberd, effectively blocking the blow; however, the shock of the two pieces of metal hitting each other would likely be felt by the Shakou princess.<br/><br/>"I can't let you do that, princess. Her life is too valuable to let it end here and now." He hoped she would see what he was talking about, if given a moment to think about it. He intervened, not out of any love or care for the woman who was nearly slain, but because he felt her continued existence would ensure their own.  After all, his job, first and foremost, is keeping Victoria alive.<br/><br/>"Daphne, keep your distance." He'd caution her, before he turned his attention to the brother of their captive.  "I will fight you, man to man. However, if you lose, you will forfeit your life, and your sister shall become mine, to do with as I will. These are my terms. Do you accept?" Again, their is no emotion to his voice, nothing but a coldness and a calmness that was nearly inhuman. His<em>voice</em>was like a cold, winter-chilled knife, pressed to soft flesh.