The arm that bore the borrowed, weathered shield of Longwater of Greenest adjusted slightly as the huntsman, now clad in added splint mail to his adornment of hide, leather, and chain, came to and faced down the challenger no more than paces away. The dragon's command to set to battle was not ignored in this hesitation, on the contrary rather, for the knight-aspirant drew in a breath and brought himself to a place internal understanding. This was the very steel and mettle of spirit that this Cyanwrath seemed to demand in the form of a worthy opponent, but the enemy of the quiet town was not quite aware of that just yet, neither were the numerous onlookers, be them the defenders or the would-be attackers. What came next was known only to Brannor in spirit, for the grip of the wild power he called upon consumed him physically.

Brannor's previously gritted jaw tightened as his already fierce outline in person grew far more savage. He became far larger, audibly cracking and creaking as this strange transformation viciously crept over him, bending and changing in proportions. What armor he wore, that which surely would have bent and broken, adjusted just as the rest of him did when he sprouted deathly fangs and claws, all of which accompanied a tremendous coat of pallid fur marked by an irregular golden pattern. So startling and harrowing was the unnatural power unleashed, that when it ended, the huntsman turned hunter needed to consciously exhale the breath he had taken earlier, forcing it to manifest now as a bestial snarl.

"I was born with the gift of the [i]Silver Lady[/i]." The coarse voice came from the mingling of man and tiger, "Let your contest be proof of my willingness to use it on her behalf."

The half-dragon met the transformation of the paladin with a smile, something thoroughly upsetting in the environment in which most backed away instinctively. As Cyanwrath opened his mouth to speak next, few crackles of lightning could be seen between his teeth, tongue and the roof of his mouth.

[color=0076a3]"Haah, this might actually prove to be more interesting than I dared hope... I may not need to hold back after all!"[/color]

"You and I both."

A tremendous charge followed, led first by the bulwark of the battered shield, which crashed down upon the half-dragon with inhuman force. The two giants, by any human standard of measure based upon their stature, collided to an audible boom of metal. The siege was forced away to arm's length, only to feel the bite of slashing claws as the scaled soldier shunted his attacker back with both hands upon his sword. Cyanwrath was not one to stay on the receiving end without fighting back, and was quick to return fire to the revealed weretiger's aggressive assault with two swings of his large blade. The weapon whose type was familiar to Brannor as something he preferred to use missed on the first strike, but landed a solid hit to the side of the warrior's chest armor on the second. The half-dragon smirked and shuffled his feet, preparing for the next attack from his adversary.

The draconic being's true physical talent revealed, its attack had sent bits of adhoc chain and splint clattering to the earthen path. The strike, something that would instantaneously kill in all regular circumstances, only left the pale wilder staggered in the wake of its blow. Regaining lost footing as the enemy moved in, Brannor raised the shield he had so borrowed and struck with vengeful return, slamming the back of his armored fist with full force into the enemy's grip. The sword it landed upon sang, as did the damaged barrier. Startling as it was, the following attack by Longwater's sword in the hands of a snarling beast was even more vicious, one the half-dragon narrowly defended against by sheer chance rather than skill.

Cyanwrath was surprised to notice that the other warriors attacks were no longer aimed to maim him, but to instead strip him of his weapon! His grip held easily against the first strike, but the second one nearly wrested the blade from his grip. He held on the handle with all of his might, fuming inside at the blatant attempt of removing what he had sought of this combat in the first place. He had wanted a duel with weapons, not some brawl on the ground! As Cyanwrath prepared to strike back, he huffed deep, angry breaths which sent small sparks forth from his nostrils.

His next two attacks were clearly telegraphed as he brought his weapon high above his head and brought it down repeatedly, hammering twice at the shield of his opponent. [color=0076a3]"Respect!"[/color] [i]BANG[/i] [color=0076a3]"The intent!"[/color] [i]BANG[/i] [color=0076a3]"Of the duel![/color] he bellowed, sparks of lightning forming in his mouth and as he roared the last few words, he let loose his breath weapon. The paladin was caught unawares by the commander's sheer surge of speed and the attack landed solidly, sending them down to the ground.

Cyanwrath huffed a few more times before raising his blade onto his shoulder and kicking at Brannor for good measure. 

[color=0076a3]"Next time, know the etiquette of a duelist..."[/color] he spat out and walked back to his troops. 

The kobolds raised the threatening of their spears and allowed the prisoners to go, the family then rushing for their freedom and loved one in the keep as fast as their injured bodies could carry them. By them, with just as much urgency, passed the healers of the fortress who had broke rank the moment their attackers had; the trio of Sefblom, Creek, and Creek the Younger. Despite the presence of their numerous enemy, many of whom eyed them warily, they went about their work skillfully - or at least with as steady of hands they could muster given what they, as with the surviving town, had bore witness to in unnatural powers. 

The cult of the dragon did not waste this opportunity either, commencing their withdrawal as soon as Langderosa Cyanwrath had handed off his great weapon and started his way from town. It seemed that the half-dragon had kept their word.

[hider=Effects]
Brannor and Cyanwrath hold a duel, of which the former is defeated by the dragon's breath weapon. As promised, the battle is ended and the family of Sergeant Longwater, who were held prisoner, are set free and escape to the safety of the keep. A group of Greenest's healers break rank and stabilize Brannor while the dragon's forces withdraw without further conflict.
[/hider]
[@Hekazu][@Ryonara][@Lucius Cypher][@Gordian Nought][@Norschtalen]