Brienne did not answer Oberyn. Her third thrust followed at once, aimed straight at his throat with blinding speed.
Oberyn hastily tilted his head. The blade skimmed his neck, shearing off a few strands of hair. But even as he moved his head, he drove his spear forward, its point aimed at Brienne's belly.
Brienne hurriedly parried, knocking his spearpoint aside with her blade, but Oberyn was far stronger than she had expected. The impact drove her back several steps.
When Brienne gave no answer, Oberyn continued, "Your swordsmanship is good, and you're strong, but your mind is unsettled. You've lost your composure. Every stroke is meant only to kill me, so I can read every one before it comes."
With that, Oberyn stopped merely defending and thrust his spear. He chose a treacherous angle, driving straight at her right ribs, where her guard could not reach. Brienne had no time to dodge and could only meet it head-on.
Sword and spear clashed, sending sparks flying. Instead of withdrawing after the thrust, Oberyn slid his spear down Brienne's blade toward her fingers. She was forced to retreat hastily, nearly losing her grip on her sword.
But once she steadied her feet and tightened her grip on the hilt, she charged again.
This time, she no longer relied solely on brute strength. She tried to imitate Oberyn, searching for an opening in her opponent before she struck. Her swordwork grew fierce, every stroke carrying the resolve to die with him.
Yet Oberyn still turned aside Brienne's attacks with ease, moving as though he were toying with her. His spear alternated between thrusts and sweeps, every move perfectly measured, leaving several deep cuts across her body.
"Do you see?" Oberyn said as they fought. "If I wanted to kill you, I could