Gideon growls at the branch for being made of wood, too weak to hold up against an onslaught of strikes and blocks. Her sword would never do her dirty like this. Parry! she hears Aiglamene command (again and again and again because Gideon blocked blows by instinct, the kind of move she can get away with with a two hander). A deep breath. Exhale. Her posture shifts toward that of a rapier.

Foul as it is, Gideon parries and sidesteps and sticks close to him to deny him the advantage of reach. She presses against him, refusing to stay purely defensive. It's easier than her last opponents. He has two arms, two legs, a normal shaped head, no stinger or giant mandibles or shooting poison. "Your sword's at half mast," Gideon jokes.