Arthur had been focused on this match long and hard since he first received his note. Most opponents, when he received a challenge, he would merely train and prepare and know that he would be victorious because there was no other choice but victory. The note he had received laid down a similar claim, but there were too many things left unsaid in that note that said otherwise.

This wasn't a challenge agreed to by both opponents. This was something far more primitive and barbaric and arcane and belonging to a world he had heard of only in stories to remind him of how the world was before the wars and the outlawing of magic and everything else his father fought so hard and long for. This wasn't a challenge between two men, unless in some strange world Brigitta was a name worn by men, although Arthur highly doubted that to be true, and standing in the arena now he knew it to be very untrue.

There was no honour in any of this, and it felt almost cowardly to fight this battle against a girl. There was a small part of him which he could not acknowledge that feared fighting and losing this match as well, for multiple reasons. He had allowed Merlin to arm him and had allowed the illusion of entering this match to fight and win, but now that he was here and there would be no interference, there was no need to continue the charade.

He took his helmet off tossing it to the ground. He pulled his chainmail hood down as well. He dropped to his knees in front of Brigitta, head bowed.

"I see no reason to fight this battle, my lady. I concede to your will."