Both warriors made their decision. Within mere instants of completing his grapple, the barbarian's arm flashed out to deflect Daniel's blade. A Cold War second passed-- enough time for the knight to press the button, cause an explosion, mutually assure destruction.
 
And yet. 

Though the positioning of his strike had been upset, Daniel's resolve remained stalwart, and he brought his own strength to bear. As soon as Gonad released the lip of his shield, Daniel was moving to extriate himself from the steely grasp of the seasoned veteran before him. The knight whipped his shield arm down and out, fully intending to shock his opponent with ferocious strength. While his lack of bulk would mean that he couldn't upset his opponent's grasp completely, it would allow him escape on his own terms. Daniel was jerked forward as the barbarian moved to flank; all Daniel had to do was follow through. At any rate, it would be a poor showing if any opponent could get behind the Shield of Columbia.

The exchange between minds occurred in miliseconds, the movement of bodies was, to untrained eyes, simultaneous. Just as the warrior moved to flank, the knight would make a superhuman leap forward, breaking free of the hold and landing in a roll some four or five meters away, to come to a stop crouched with the shining tower of his riot shield facing his opponent. If there be quiet now, Daniel's voice would pierce the wind grazing the iron trees of Wotan's Forest. 

"Thou art a brave fighter. Prithee warrior, thy name?" Daniel anounced, his voice clear from behind his shield, "Further violence need not solve our quarrel. If thou wouldst desist in fishing, together we might sate our hunger."

"Gonad Yaksplitter be name of such. Many times tricked by smarties has Gonad been, but never twice in row! But trusting be heart of Gonad and first always will brotherhood come before doubt! HRAH!!"

At this Daniel of Columbia put aside his shield, and stood proud to face as mighty a warrior as Gonad Yaksplitter. If it would be a wrong to see an enemy behind his shield, it would be doubly so to find a friend in front of it. With his shield arm Daniel patted his pack, looking for his store of rations.

He found none.

At this dilemma, the knight froze in indecision. It was a breach of character for any man to offer food without presenting the plate, as much a failing on Daniel's part had he forgotten his shield. He wracked his mind twice as fast as he had done in combat, faster, twice as desperate for an out as when he was willing to blow his own arm off, no, [i]more desperate.[/i]

Daniel strode to the edge of the lake, paused before the "no fishing" sign, and cleaved it clean in two. He sheathed his sword at this, and nodded at Gonad, before attempting to immitate the barbarain's movements in snatching a fish with his hands.