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Anwar was not the best fighter.

It might have stunned some people to hear the lioness admit it, but there was no shame in doing so. It was a stated fact - she was much better on the hunt, stalking and strategizing. She wasn't ignorant of martial skills, of course, and continually worked to better herself, but she was no expert.

This was why she rarely dueled those newcomers who wished to join the pride. Simply put, she wasn't of the opinion that she'd be able to test them as thoroughly as needed.

Still, it was a standard task expected of all Reavers. Since she wasn't on a Viking, it was Anwar's duty to answer any challenges asked of her. So now she was padding out to where a stranger waited.

The lioness was big. Significantly so, and Anwar felt almost like an adolescent in comparison as she came near.

"Well then. Let's go," the Reaver said at last. Without any further hesitation, she launched herself forward, claws extended.

A good solid hit. Some might say it was unfair of her to attack when the lioness clearly wasn't ready, but Anwar considered that argument to be bullshit. They both knew what they were here for, and it wasn't as if they were in a moderated competition with someone to yell "Go!" This was a challenge, of one lioness trying to get into the other's pride. The only judge here was Anwar, who would either win, denying entry to the stranger; lose, or end the fight and say the other was worthy.

Despite her early advantage, Anwar was surprised by the tactic her opponent chose - to kick instead of claw. As a result, she landed on her side in the dirt, granting the other lioness a breather as she had to return to her feet. The Reaver didn't bother to try attacking at that point. True, she might be able to upset the other's balance and bring her down again, but it was better to be sure of herself first.

Then the lioness started a feinting game, leaning this way and that, teeth snapping close, but not close enough. Anwar's eyes narrowed in consideration. She gave a mental nod and chose to feint back, paws and claws flashing, teeth glinting, neither quite connecting.

It was, she decided, refreshing to fight another female.

Anwar never spoke during a fight. Too many males used those heated words to taunt their opponents. The lioness would rather focus on the actual combat. So it was odd for her to not only be addressed, but to be praised. How bizarre her opponent was.

Later, she'd blame those unexpectedly positive words for distracting her at a crucial moment.

Regardless, one clawed paw whipped out towards the other female, only to miss entirely.

Being pinned may have been a surprise for Anwar, but she was stronger than she looked. Instead of the blow knocking the wind from her, it helped the lioness focus. So she borrowed a trick from her opponent's book and shoved upwards with her legs. It was more important to not be pinned than it was to worry about scoring on the challenger at this moment.

Still, she was rather impressed. Either this lioness was skilled, or she'd been dealing with idiots for too long.

Wow, she felt old thinking that. She'd only been a Reaver for six moons, after all.

Anwar landed in the dirt a second time with the bigger lioness on top of her. She could have fought the other off, of course, but this duel had gone on long enough. She'd seen what she needed to see from the stranger.

"Enough!" The command was stern, though not nearly as sharp as what the Reaver used on idiots. "You've proven that, whatever else, you have iron in your blood," she told the other lioness.

Once the stranger had moved off, Anwar regained her feet, looking up at the other female.

"My name is Anwar," she introduced herself. "Come, let's introduce you to the Warlord." The smaller lion headed back towards the pride, trusting her new comrade to follow.