IVNIVS ACTIONIS in "Putting Thy Lord to the Test"

Ivnivs Actionis, child of Rome, surveys the Judæan landscape from her perch at Eremos. She has walked many weeks through this foreign land, marching across the dirt and sand to overrun the tangled path of her elusive prey. Now the time has come, and now he shall be proven or destroyed.

He arrives quietly, as if having anticipated Ivnivs waited on him. There is no smile or gesture of welcome offered by either, only a moment of solemn quiet, soon broken by the fall of Actionis's sword to the earth.

     IVNIVS ACTIONIS: "No need to speak on it. I know who you are."

The first throw of her fist breezes away from his neck; her second bounces from his shoulder blade. He steps back, dodging each blow with uncanny foresight, while declining for the time to raise his hand against Ivnivs in his own defence.

Ivnivs presses on in a series of quick attacks: a low kick to the abdomen missing its target, an upward swing coming no closer to his chin, a backhanded fist just brushing his earlobe as he again draws away. Sensing this will continue to an impasse, she draws back to reconsider her position, or allow him to stake one of his own.

With his finger, he traces a circle in the air, marking points at each eighth of his invisible ring. Once complete, he takes a full, wide stance, raising one foot and bringing it down with a thunderous stamp, raising his opposing foot and bringing it down with another stamp. His hands slap against his thighs, again raising and dropping his leg, and again, and again.

Ivnivs Actionis bows her head to him, her hands cupped together before her chest. She steps slowly into his ring, repeating his gestures with an unpractised flair, almost sloppily; he bows to her nonetheless, and, without words, the two come at each other, grappling.

It is a short-lived bout as his balanced girth and superior training overcome her toned strength and form. Ivnivs is lifted high by her belt, raised to his shoulder, and, unceremoniously, thrown from the ring. His victory secured, he claps his great hands together, bowing in each direction, making ritual motions to each of the four corners.

Ivnivs pushes herself back onto her feet only slowly.

     IVNIVS ACTIONIS: "What they have said of you is truth, and even the Emperor cannot command I break my vow of honour, Anointed One. May you walk the straight path."

Once more they cup their hands and bow their heads to one another, a final respect before both depart their separate ways.