Stavanger Bay This night ain't for the faint of heart

(Slight pp with permission)

Rosalyn had expected the fight to be easy, and the younger woman to go down with little fight and much posturing.  She had held her rank by her brother's blessing alone, inadequate for any pirate crew worth its salt, but as Rosalyn fought her, she found herself impressed despite herself by the resilience and determination she showed in keeping it.  Oddly enough, as she wrestled Sandpiper to the ground, her measure of her grew.

Not enough to stop.  She had her opponent pinned, Sandpiper struggling to tear at anything in reach.  She got a few good digs at Rosalyn's paw, but she quickly lifted the one nearest and placed it firmly between Piper's shoulder blades, bearing down with weight and feeling her flatten to the ground beneath her.  Her jaws tightened as well, and her throat lit with a deep warning rumble from within.

Submit.

Perhaps another day, she would take her position back.  But today she was too green, youth and vulnerabilities leaving her open.  Rosalyn was far too willing, and far too practiced, at using such openings to her advantage.

When Sandpiper finally conceded, a slow fire of victory was already ignited in her gut, and she backed off from the woman, holding herself high and wary.  By rights she should now submit, and Rosalyn did not wish her more harm if she did so.  Wrestling her down the first time had taken effort, despite her alacrity at it, and she did not wish to go through the ordeal again.