But Prince Brand was no fool. He knew Telis for a swordsman, and he strongly suspected some sort of trickery from the too-silent camp. Still, he knew that Telis must be punished and before the troops or his hold over them would fail. It could be done without placing himself in jeopardy for the sake of a gallant gesture.
He turned to an equerry. "Bring him to me. Dead or alive."
Telis heard, and gave an insulting laugh. "Preferably dead, eh, Brand?"
The equerry looked pained. He turned to Brand. "Sir, he has offered a challenge. It would be in very bad form to...."
"Bring him!" Brand snapped testily. "If you are afraid, take a company...."
The officer stiffened. "I am not afraid, sir—though others are!" He wheeled his sith and trotted toward Telis.
"Get back, Captain," ordered Telis. "My quarrel is not with you!"
"Ride him down!" called Brand.
The officer unsheathed his lance and laid it in rest. Levelling it at Telis, he dug his booted heels into the sith's flanks and thundered across the sand, leaning low in the saddle.
Telis stood braced and, just as the animal came abreast of him, he stepped aside, catching the tip of the lance under his arm and whirling. The movement of the weapon overbalanced the officer and he tumbled from the saddle to sprawl in the sand. With a mortified howl of rage, the man was on his feet and upon Telis, but his fury made him careless. Telis' sword flashed out and the point found the officer's sword arm, piercing it neatly and ending the encounter with a flourish.