Clark knew he had the guy right where he wanted him, having landed an injury on him, and Clark was about to swing his sword to finish the job when the dude's staff spun around towards his skull, which he barely managed to escape-by sliding his body weight to rest heavily on his right side.   Unfortunately for Clark his enemy's fist came out of nowhere, solidly punching his stomach, which in turn also knocked the air out of his lungs.  

He stood there breathing heavily, a few steps away from Thasseldar with his sword held low with point up, a killing strike planned, waiting for his opponents next move.