I stare wide-eyed at his proposal.

"We...h-have a fight?" And I was trying to avoid that too. My insides are practically crying and shivering in fear.

Frederick smiles at me. "Don't worry prince, it will only be one clash. It's so I can measure your skill."

A small wave of relief washes over me thinking this may be a little test and that he won't actually take this seriously. "You will hold back right?"

He just grins in response. "Depends..."

The cryptic answer does little to help me. I'm probably gonna end up like that guy who flew through the window. My stomach flips up and down as if someone is shaking them. 

The men just watch in stunned silence but none try to oppose. Not even Captain Robert. Well I don't blame them seeing as Frederick's size would make any man shiver in fear.

"Come to village center Prince, the clash will happen there," Frederick calls excitedly.

I take a big gulp and head there with the men.

As we arrive at the village center, people are starting to gather. It seems word of the Dragon General facing the Second Prince has spread like wildfire. This adds more shivering on my insides. Looks like they're gonna see their Second Prince get pummeled by the Dragon General and imagining it happening is...I better not think about it anymore. Lest I want to embarrass myself with the fear now creeping near my business and I try to hold it in. If it leaks then any amount of dignity I'll have left if I lose will be gone.

"General, which of these people are your wife and daughter?" Captain Robert asks as we walk.

"They're not here yet. Thank goodness," General Frederick actually sighs in relief. Now I'm thinking his wife and daughter are probably stronger or scarier than him. I'm doomed.

I just walk with them without a word still thinking on how to survive this. But a question from the general suddenly piques my interest.

"So Captain, may I ask what Prince Leo's superior skill in battle is?" Frederick asks.

Robert stands up a little straighter. "He has an excellent eye in strategy General. Despite his age, only a few can probably best him. Even his older brother lost to him in tactics and strategy." 

Frederick nods." That's good. But there's something else isn't there. How he's been given his own unit even though he's young. Even if he's the Second Prince. There's something in his combat skills isn't there?"

Robert looks at Frederick and smirks. "Yes, but I believe you'll find that out once you clash."

As they talk away, I couldn't to hear what they've been talking in the last part. Being preoccupied by this test is really getting me nervous.

As Frederick and I take positions, I ready my sword and take a few swings to make sure my arms actually have a small chance to take on any strikes he makes.

"Just defend from my strike Prince Leo, that's all you need to do," Frederick calls out as he readies his own sword. I already had a distinct impression that he mainly uses a warhammer but the fact that the aura he still gives off while using a sword is still so frightening that it does little to ease my worries. Granted, a sword would be an excellent secondary weapon for him however having excellent skills in both weapons is just... 

People are watching in anticipation and that adds to my nervousness. The little girl who was asking me questions earlier is also among them and waving at me. Well that's just great...

I swallow hard and ready myself gripping my sword a little tighter. "I hope this will work," 

Frederick soon charges and strikes as I receive it, looking at where the edge of his blade will hit and placing my own edge for a parry.

Frederick's strike hits my sword with my arms bearing the brunt of his strength just hoping to keep them up until I've done what I wanted to do. Those seconds felt like the longest in my entire life as once I felt my arms lighten, I drop my arms in exhaustion as that one strike just took the strength out of my arms.

I turn to look at Frederick who has a look of surprise. And it seems it's not just him, the people watching are also surprised. 

My men including Captain Robert just look on with smiles on their faces. I look at our positions and what I see surprises me as well. I see that Frederick's sword is sticking to the ground after my parry. He was disarmed. I actually disarmed the Dragon General...

That realization was enough for my legs to collapse as I kneel to the ground in surprise. Sweat trickles from my forehead as I stare at my sword in wonder. I won...I actually won...