Martigan was pretty good at acting as if the blows against him weren't having an effect. But after a time when the chain hit his helmet, it was causing a ringing in his ears. In an attempt to prevent this, he pulled Vivianna's body against his chest, grappling her tightly. This did reduce the leverage the chains had, but it freed her other arm. Both arms now pelted him with blows, relatively light from the lack of leverage, but numerous. Martigan shrugged as if these were nothing, and ground Vivianna against the roughness of his gladiator uniform in an effort to knock the wind out of her! This caused ragged yelps and squeals to issue from her throat, and the angry, outraged look in her eyes seethed as she clanged her shackles against Martigan's helmet! The audience watched, rapt, wondering how the struggle would turn out. They still gave Vivianna low odds but she was giving it all she had!