Sleepless I dream of the day [m]

Fortunately for him Charon did indeed fall off, freeing him from beneath.  As quickly as he could he sprang to his feet (though at this point it was a bit more a struggle) and was already forced to counter as Charon came at him.  When Charon switched he was watching carefully, but knew he had no time to avoid the attack fully.  So in an instant he prioritized, withdrawing and turning so that the target area was forced away from his neck and towards his side.  He could not allow Charon a crippling blow.

Teeth met near his neck and he too took a page from his opponent's book, bending and lunging at Charon's injured shoulder, trying to put him on the defensive.  He was protecting nothing here, but he could not run.  Not again.  Since coming here he had lost every battle that counted.  If he ran, Charon would be proven right.  He would show himself undeserving of his station and the respect he attempted to command.