The buckler changes the fight.
Until that moment, Rhayne could accept the ribbon landing light. A shoulder. A wrist. A thigh. The Battle Ribbon didn't need to cut deep to win the exchange. It only had to touch, let the passive build, and steal half a step and a little OXI from Mira each time.
The buckler denies that.
Mira advances with the small shield strapped to her left arm, angled in front of her body. When the metallic silk comes from the side, she doesn't try to catch it. She turns her forearm and takes the ribbon on the metal, letting the contact slide off before Rhayne can coil the edge.
No blood. No flesh. No stolen time.
Rhayne notices on the first exchange. The ribbon strikes the buckler with a thin sound, slides, and returns without finding anything alive. Mira enters in the same instant, spear tip low, aiming at the wounded leg.
Rhayne pulls her knee back and turns on the good leg, but the cut on her thigh charges its tax.
