Brennus’ strike was forceful, perhaps more than necessary for skilled sword-fighting, but such was the ferocity of his people. With both hands on his weapon stopping it with a simple parry above one’s head would be more difficult than Florian might have expected, as the blades remained in contact and neither could afford to pull away and expose themselves. It was rare for such a situation to occur in a real fight, but Brennus was not above performing theatrics for their small audience.

Florian relinquished one of his hands on his blade, and Brennus immediately doubled the pressure, really forcing his body down into the attack, while also twisting his strike at an angle that would put the end of his wooden sword directly into contact with Florian’s head unless he could withstand the stronger Iceni’s assault with one hand against two.

Florian made to grab him, but it would be difficult to know for sure if trying to reach for Brennus’ hand would be possible before he was inevitably forced to accept that he could not match Brennus in a pure contest of strength. The moment Brennus felt his opponent’s sword lower he could quickly swipe his blade left and down to club Florian’s head, scoring what would be a dangerous cut in a real fight.