The man led Megan to an arena at the edge of the town. This should be interesting. He walked inside where a crowd of people sat in the stands 'booing' her. Seemed about right.
Then, the whole place erupted with applause as Adam Jones entered from the other side of the arena. He wore a breastplate and held a broad sword that was half his height, and he wasn't a short man.

He stabbed his sword into the ground and raised his hands to quiet the crowd. "I know you're all excited. It's been a long time since I've had a recruit prove themselves." He stared at Megan and cracked his knuckles. "For the benefit of our guest, I shall go over the rules."

The crowd 'booed.'

Jones quieted them again. "The goal is simple. Prove your metal against mine, a fight to the death. You win, you take charge. You lose, we ditch you on a Skycastle." He smirked. "Trust me, it's never a pleasant death."

Megan took her stance, placing a hand on the hilt of her sword. She took a deep breath.

Jones yanked his sword out of the ground and hefted it over his shoulder. He charged forward and Megan easily ducked the attack and spun around behind him. Recovering quickly, he spun, slashing his sword in a wide circle. Megan stepped back and the blade barely missed her. She smirked at him as his frustration grew.

He growled. "At some point you'll have to fight."

She dodged another attack. "Not if you keep this up." She cartwheeled aside as he brought his sword down, sinking the tip into the ground. Releasing the hilt, he drew a smaller sword and slashed it at Megan.

Just as it drew near, she pulled her sword free of its sheath to block the attack. The clang of metal rang though the arena.

Everyone went silent before bursting into deafening cheers.

Megan pushed against Jones' sword with all her strength, hurling him backwards. He stumbled a few paces before steadying himself. He glared at Megan as she stood unscathed before him and lunged forward.

Megan sidestepped the attack and brought her knee down hard on his back, pinning him to the ground. She tossed his sword out of reach and held her own blade to the base of his neck. "This fight is over."

Jones breathed heavily. "Then finish it."

Megan raised her sword above her head and brought it down hard, driving it into the dirt. She stood and offered a hand to Jones. "I just did."

Jones stared at her in awe. Then, he took her hand and rose to his feet. Without missing a beat, he raised her hand up over her head and the crowd cheered.

He let go of her hand and met her gaze. "You sparing my life proves more than any duel could."

She nodded. "Thank you."

He returned the gesture. "Get some rest. You start in the morning."