Now the Shaman raised his eyebrows in interest. That had surprised him. "And?" He said finally, after thinking in silence for a while. "I understand it just as well as you do. Some things in the book... they are unclear." He leaned in closer now though, and spoke quietly.

"If you ask me though, I think whoever wrote that, whenever it was written, they were worried about something. The first part... I have no idea what it means, but the Three. Oh yes, I believe that could come true, maybe it's not even about people either? Maybe it is, as it says, about Strength, Magic and Wisdom? Oh, I don't know." He stopped talking and frowned, going deep into thought.

"I hope that it is true though." He said finally. "And I hope that whatever is meant by it is bad for the Hurak. I hope they burn in the flames that it causes. I hope they die under a Crimson sky." He stopped speaking, now staring at Jalin. "I swear, Jalin. If I didn't know better, I'd say you were the only Hurak in this room." Once again, he faded into silence, waiting for someone else to speak.

Karst's stomach growled audibly at the scent of what Iris was cooking and she peered over the elf's shoulder at it. The meat she was cooking looked delicious and seeing as Karst couldn't recall the last time she'd actually ate, feeding off a dying Hurak aside, she was quite ravenous. At the moment, had she not had cooking facilities right here, she would have settled for eating some meat raw.

"Well, I'm sure he's at least thought about it. Actually considering it is a different thing, but I've seen how loving he is to you so I'm willing to bet the idea's crossed his mind." she said rather cheerily, though her ears drooped a little as she recalled how long it'd been since she'd seen her mate. Four years without any romantic attention when she was practically married. That alone was killing her, but being a cross between the two horniest races known to Tamriel and being cut off from six was almost as depressing to her. She shook her head and sighed inaudibly, then tried make herself to perk up. Sitting down on a stool she smiled crookedly up at Iris and asked in a playful, mischievous manner, "So, heh, how was he last night?"
_______
Fedura hated many things -mudcrabs, most of the other races, laws and governments- but above all she hated the Hurak. They'd taken away the civilization she'd preyed upon to sustain and amuse herself by picking off it's citizens and stealing from them, among other things. They'd taken her Dark Brothers and Sisters, the only people who seemed to truly understand her lust for bloodshed and torment. Because of them, she had nowhere to go and struggled to even survive though, if her scars and the painful emptiness of her stomach were anything to go by, she wasn't very good at it.

So it came as a complete surprise to her that she found herself sympathizing with this Hurak. Although the bandits she was raised with hadn't shunned her like his clan had, the rest of the known world did. She was universally hated by those that knew what she did and because of that, she felt sorry for the man. Jalin wasn't the only one here who had a respect for this Shaman, though her motives were far different than the Ansei's. She both feared the Hurak in front of her simply for his race, but also for his sheer power. What she'd seen these mages do was mostly beyond her comprehension. And the fact that he acted and spoke like a civilized man instead of a beast further inspired respect from the assassin.

While some of the others stood back in fear and uneasiness, Fedura just stood there, staring at him. Perhaps she'd finally found another person who could understand her. Once she came back to reality and realized the guards had let go of her, she walked forward towards Tooth, her Brotherhood boots making almost no audible sound on the floor. When she got to him, she knelt next to him and smiled, pulling down her scarf so the Hurak could see her filed teeth.

"I saw what you did to those humans. It.. it was beautiful." she said in an almost revering tone, "What's your real name? I'd feel like I was insulting you if I called you Tooth."

OOC: Finally! But you do it when I'm not around!

Lore stood quietly, watching the Shaman, dark eyes hidden by shadow and expression unreadable. She was studying him, studying everything that he did, everything that he said. There was no way she would be heard above these loud voices, so she saved her question for herself, keeping it close to her heart. For when the interrogation finished, then she could begin.

So she continued to watch.

OOC: Crappy post but I'm finding it hard to catch up. I'll do better tomorrow, I hope.

OOC: Heh, sorry, and don't worry about the post. I couldn't care less, I know how hard it is to keep up with RP's sometimes. Oh, and look up the name he gives you here if you want, then have a guess where I got it from

IC: "I learned to lose my name years ago, after I was exiled." The Shaman replied, looking down in thought. "If I must have a name though, let it be Abaddon." He frowned at Fedura, but didn't ask any questions, instead looking back to the rest of his captors. Once again settling his eyes on Jalin inquisitively, the man was more Hurak than he ever was. He resented that.

There was a gaze that drew his attention, the quiet girl at the back of the small group. With piercing eyes he looked towards her. His gaze hypnotic, and unbearably strong, Burd noticed this, and came beside Lorenna, hand on the hilt of his sword. He wasn't sure what he feared from the Shaman, he was silenced, bound and weak, but there was more than physical and even magical strength to this man. Burd didn't like it. It scared him to confront a being as seemingly powerful as him.

Haki now stood at the back, unsure as to what to say or do. The Hurak was not with anyone else, nor would he be able to give any valuable information, or he would have done already. He sighed before sitting down on a chair far away from the small group, content to let them question the Shaman. He had no purpose with him now.

ooc: It's good to have Fedura back. I kinda missed her while you were gone.

ic: The way the Hurak had gotten straight to the point and then fallen silent again irked Fedura a little, but she could also appreciate the conciseness of it. She smiled at the name he gave her and stood slowly.

"I'll call you Abaddon then, and you can call me Fedura." she told him, her voice still oddly respectful. She could tell the Hurak wasn't much for idle conversation, so the Dunmer stood a bit uneasily and walked over to one of the guards. "Is there any chance I could get some food out of you? I'm literally starving to death."

ooc: Short, yeah, but I couldn't think of much else to do with her and I need a shower. I'll be back laterz.

Lore stared back into the Hurak Shaman's eyes. His gaze was oddly hypnotic, but even had she wanted to she would not have looked away. I do not fear you... she thought, a determined spark lighting her eyes. There are things in this world scarier than you. She didn't feel any pity for this Hurak, despite him being thrown out of his tribe. His people had done terrible things, and this man was no different.

She continued to meet his gaze, and as Burd moved to stand beside her, her resolve only hardened. Powerful as this shaman might be, there were only so many things he could do to her. And as she thought this, one of her eyebrows quirked up ever so slightly, and, almost imperceptibly, she smiled.

Li'Yen stood by the fire for a few moments after Ella left, soaking up the heat that eminated from it. When he felt the chill in his bones finally vanish, he turned and headed for the door. He noticed Ella's coat lying on the bed. He trotted over, picked it up, then headed downstairs after Ella.

As he reached the bottom of the stairs, he scanned the area, finding Ella seated next to a window. Li'Yen walked over and sat down next to her, passing the coat back to her as he did. Now that his mind and body were refreshed by his long slumber, Li'Yen was becoming anxious to know what the next plan of action was.

"A question... are there... plans? For the future. Will there be more battles? Or are we done fighting?"

There was a bit of hesitation and apprehension in his voice. Part of him hoped that he would never have to leave the inn. Of course, the rational side of him knew that more battles were inevitable. The only question was when...

The question caught Ella of guard, she hadn't thought much about it. "Plans? I don't have any... I don't know about anyone else though. I hardly think we're about to be forced to fight though, so I think we are alright for a while yet." She smiled reassuringly, placing her coat on her lap and then waiting patiently for the food to arrive.

It came surprisingly quickly, eggs and salted meat, just like the innkeeper said, the waiter placed the two dishes on the table and Ella paid her with a small word of thanks. "So what about you then?" She asked Li'Yen, stabbing the fork into the meat and cutting with her knife. "What are you planning to do here? Any jobs you'd be interested in?" She had to think about this herself, but maybe asking Li'Yen would giver her some ideas as well.

~ ~ ~ ~

"What would happen if we released you?" Burd asked, drawing Abaddon's gaze away from Lore to him. The question surprised a few people in the room.

"More of your people would die." The Shaman told him nonchalantly. "And more Hurak would die, nothing would change, nothing ever will." Evidently the Shaman wanted to leave it at that, looking away and inspecting the ceiling idly; but Burd persisted.

"Why?"

The Shaman sighed, now looking back to him with a cold dark gaze. "Why not?" A smile spread across his painted, ghastly image that chilled Burd to the bone.

"Are all Hurak this annoying?" Burd said quietly, barely concealing the unease in his voice. He walked away near Haki and began to talk, as did a couple others. The Shaman looked back at Lore.

"What's the matter?" He asked. "Scared to talk?" He knew that wasn't the case, she had not been afraid when she was meeting his gaze earlier, that could not be said for a few others in the room. Maybe it would get the girl to actually speak though, it irritated him that she had remained silent.

Lorenna said nothing for a moment, as the shaman's response to Burd's question had given her much to think about. Eventually, she asked plaintatively in her whisper-thin voice, "What is there to say? You clearly have no wish to speak with us. You are not like us, but neither are you Hurak. That makes you useless." She had chosen her words carefully. Naming him as not Hurak would be biting to one cast from his clan, and she did not like to do it, but there was a deep seated hatred of the Hurak and all they had done in Lorenna. She did not judge him- indeed, she respected him- but neither could she liked him. Her face had regained it's expressionless look once more as she hid what she thought. She felt pity for this shaman, and pity breeds empathy, but she neither liked him nor wanted him around. He would have killed every one of them if he could- and he'd already tried- and as far as she was concerned this could not be forgiven.

Poking at his food sheepishly, Li'Yen shifted uncomfortably in his seat. The question of what he was going to do with his life had recently become a subject he wished to avoid.

"There are not so many jobs for one like us. We have never been employed in line of work that would be considered... legal."

He rubbed his ear and smiled awkwardly, gulping down an egg.

"This one's skills not fit for this place. Thievery, deceit, larceny... no place for those here."

The Khajiit continued to pick away at his food, his previously refreshed mood now dampened a bit. It was rather depressing, coming to terms with the idea that his entire way of life, everything he had known, everything he was any GOOD at, was now lost. At Mountainholm, everyone needed to work together just to make it through the day. There was no room for those of Li'Yen's questionable background.

"I'd say you were more Hurak than anyone else here." Those words came as more of a harsh blow than the Shaman may have intended, and Jalin fell silent for a long time because of it as others talked.

A God amongst Insects. More Hurak than anyone else. Jalin thought, teeth set in thought. It was likely true. He was the most vicious warrior of anyone currently in the room, and likely the least civilized considering his mannerisms. He knew more of that Bible than most men, and he had even felt connection at several points with the Hurak.

But an anger boiled inside him as he thought of this further, and the differences surfaced. He was not Hurak. He was restrained by training, calculating in his actions, governed by honor and duty and the philosophies of the Gods of War. A true warrior fought when threatened, and did not back down until the threat was vanquished. No one had threatened these Hurak, and yet they came, killing and [censored] and pillaging with no sense of honor or control, like wild beasts. It was what made them so strong; they were so wild in their combat.

No. The Hurak and I are far from the same. It was only after Lore had finished speaking, though, that Jalin actually looked the Shaman in the eye and spoke up.

"He'd kill us if he was freed. Just like his people would. He'd kill his people, just like we would. Abaddon, though you were outcast you are still a Hurak at heart. You share with them what I never will; the desire to kill for the sake of killing. A warrior does not fight unless threatened. A savage fights because it is the only thing they know. That need to kill was directed upon the Empire for no reason, as we posed no threat to you and yet you invaded." Jalin moved closer to the Shaman, so he was in the man's face.

"The only difference between you and the Hurak that shunned you, is that your desire to kill has been directed to a new target, and it includes them."

OOC: Stop forgetting Crito

OOC: Give me a chance! Sorry for not being in yesterday, went out for the night, only had a chance to get on the computer now.

IC: Crito's grin returned, albeit the sparkle in his eyes was still lacking somewhat. "And you're dangerous enough." He added to her statement.

He couldn't recall ever feeling like this, his whole life had been one of relative freedom and security in his own little world. Now, that world was destroyed, and the remains had been turned into a bloody, merciless warground, where it was kill or be killed. Still though, he didn't want to dwell on this. He'd seen first hand what it could do it people. He closed his eyes momentarily but just slightly longer than an average blink, and in an instant his mind flashed back to that moment in the village outside of the Imperial City.

The Crimson red glow of the banner.

The first time he had ever seen a Hurak, and the bloodshed that followed.

He opened his eyes and the memories faded, along with the fear.

"When's the food ready?" He asked, changing the subject completely. "I'm starving." Truth was, he didn't have much of an appetite any more, but he had to eat. Both for his physical health and to bring back some normality.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Ella looked at Li'Yen sympathetically, she desperately wanted to help, wanted to lift his obviously dampened spirits but for the life of her she couldn't think how.

"Sure they'll have a use for you." She half-lied, racking her head for ideas. "Subterfuge." She finally stumbled upon a word that Li'Yen would truly understand, and one where he would definitely be useful.

"They'll sure as hell need people like you here, scouts, spy's, people who can be quiet enough to know where the Hurak are and make sure the soldiers know where they are." She finally smiled once more, evidently thinking herself to have found a job for the Khajit. "I could even teach you some basic Illusionary magic."

After swallowing a small bite of meat, she added, "Trust me, people like you, they're incredibly useful in the right situations. You can have hundreds of fighters, hundreds of mages, but you'll only get a dozen people who can get in and out of the right place at the wrong time."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Shaman raised his painted white eyebrows at Lorenna's comment.

"Useless doesn't kill hundreds of your soldiers."

The comment was cold, cruel and low, but Abaddon seemed delighted by it. The skeletal paintings on his face creased as his malicious smile widened, and he laughed manically, thrashing about in his chains before Jalin began to speak. Then he went silent, listening intently.

'The only difference between you and the Hurak that shunned you, is that your desire to kill has been directed to a new target, and it includes them.'

There was no rebuttal here, no outburst of crazed laughter. Only silence. He looked up once more though to Jalin's eyes, and began to speak again.

"The two others who were exiled with me went crazy without food in the wasteland we were exiled to. I was forced to kill them to survive, as well as any other animal, creature or living thing I could find. It's kill or be killed out there, so sometimes, you've just got to learn to enjoy it."

Iris felt somewhat uncomfortable at the question. For some reason, talking about her time in bed with Zant, after just remarking that she was denied such relationship pleasures from Veyar's absence, felt wrong. Dangling a tasty treat in the face of a starved dog. Snatching bread from a thin child.

But as she stood at the stove, trying to think of a way to avoid the subject entirely without ignoring the question, she found it increasingly difficult. Finally she gave up as the eggs began to sizzle. "His usual, which felt better than I remembered." She remarked somewhat softly, as if hoping Karst wouldn't hear a lot of it. As much as she still found herself enamored with Veyar, she couldn't help but despise him. His treatment of Karst had been highly lackluster. Every time she saw Karst she was reminded of Veyar, and every time she began to think about his treatment of her, and see it was similar to how he had treated Iris in the past.

And why she stayed with Zant no matter what; she had realized long ago her feelings for Veyar were lust, not love. Zant was both. Removing the pan from the fire she set it on the counter and grabbed a fork. "Want to go tell Zant the food's ready?"
---------------------------
Marallyn frowned. The smile was not in his face, only on his lips. It failed to touch the rest of his features, made the smile look out of place, and marred his comeliness. When he asked the question Marallyn nearly jumped out of her skin, getting up quickly and moving to the fire. "I'd almost forgot!" Grabbing tongs from the fireside she lifted the pan off the fire grille and brought it to her table, setting it down where it sizzled.

"Dammit." The meat had been blackened and crisped, though not truly burnt. Holding up one still sizzling piece she frowned, then sarcastically smiled. "Well, hope you like your meat crunchy." She proclaimed, tilting back her head and holding the strip over her mouth, before dropping it in and chewing, lowering her head as she did so.
--------------------------
Jalin said nothing, staring at the Hurak as he was mere inches from the man's face. Understanding dawned in his eyes for a time. But then it fell to disgust.

"A warrior kills out of necessity, and seeks to rationalize the deaths, taking pleasure in the rush of adrenaline as he fights. A savage kills out of necessity, or because he can, and takes pleasure in every moment." Jalin spoke the words as if rephrasing a lesson he had learned long ago, and he was indeed. It was taught early on to each Swordsinger, so they always keep in mind that line between honor and savagery, and never cross it. Turning away from the Shaman he walked towards the exit, stopping beside Lore and looking at her.

"Thank you for the aid you gave out there. And you are right. He is useless." Giving the Shaman a mere glance over his shoulder, Jalin's gaze turned to Haki.

"I accept your offer. When do I begin?"

ooc: Which inn are Ella and Li'Yen in, by the way?

ic: Karst smiled a little at Iris's reply. "You lucky bitch." she said, though if Iris knew Karst at all she'd know that the word was used often as as term of endearment by the small Khajiit, "But I'm glad at least one of us has our guy. Here, I'll get 'im for ya."

Turning, she walked away, still holding the black robe around her half naked form with one hand. I need a shirt. That Hurak destroyed my only one. she thought as she came upstairs and looked into Odeen's room. He looked up from sorting his potions and smiled at her.

"Hello. Is breakfast ready? I smell something good coming from downstairs."

Karst shook her head. "No, that's Iris's work. I'm lookin' for my brother. I'll get started on our food in a second."

"Oh. I think he went to his room.. maybe. I'm not sure." the Alchemist replied uncertainly. Karst just nodded, thanked him and went to Iris and Zant's room and knocked on the door. "Zant, you in there?"

There was a sound of footsteps and the door opened. "Yes, sis?"

"Your breakfast's ready. You'll have to come get it though, I got stuff ta do myself." she informed him rather curtly, then turned and left. The older Khajiit sighed and headed downstairs as well. When he got there, Karst was putting some gold on the counter for the innkeeper and stepping around to join Iris in the kitchen.

"Your furball's here." she said absently to Iris when she saw Zant come down the staircase in her peripheral vision. She was busy digging through a cupboard looking for ingredients for food, so she was a bit preoccupied. Once she'd found some eggs, cheese, peppers and a bit of pork, she began cracking a few eggs into a pan on the stove. Turning to Iris she flicked her ears back a tad in thought. "You see any flour when you were digging through here? I wanted to make omelettes and pancakes."

As Zant came up to them, he looked over at Karst, who narrowed her eyes for a second at him before turning away and pulling out her dagger to start chopping peppers while the eggs cooked. Turning to Iris, he smiled a bit. "Thanks, babe. It smells good." he told her, kissing her on the cheek before helping himself to some of the food.

OOC: There are about a dozen inns like it in Mountainholm, so it doesn't really matter. If you want them to be in the same inn as where you are, go ahead

IC: When Fedura had spoken to the guard he looked at her puzzled for a few moments, as if she had spoken a different language. He was so focused on the events with the Shaman that it took his mind a few seconds to realise what she had said.

"Oh, food. Yes."

Thinking her part of the military (hence being down here) he headed to a cupboard in the corner of the room, opening it and revealing bread, fruit and rice. He came back with a small bowl of fruit, taking one of the apples for himself.

"That alright?" He said absent mindedly, returning his gaze back to the Shaman, who began to stare right back.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Haki's eyes widened when Jalin spoke to him, and a small grin spread across his face. "Good man!" He said jovially, getting up and patting him on the back. He looked back towards the Shaman, still disappointed that he would have no useful information for him.

"Keep him here." He said with an audible sigh. "We'll see if he can't be useful for us in the future." The two guards who he had spoken to nodded, and sat down on the stools outside one of the cells.

"As for you Jalin." Haki turned again to look back at the Redguard. "You can come with me. I'll introduce you to Savard."

This statement caused an outburst of crazed laughter from the Shaman, who had had his eyes closed for a few seconds before the laughter.

"Oh, believe me." He shouted out to them, still laughing. "Your precious leader won't last long enough to see his new general."

Burd now walked forward, speaking softly.

"What the hell does that mean?"

"Can't you hear them?" The Shaman asked in return, a mere whisper coming from his lips. "Can't you... feel them? Blood will be spilled before the day is out."

Lorenna heard what the Shaman said, and felt chills going down her spine. It sounded like he knew about the secret illness, but how? WHat did he mean, he wouldn't live long enough to see his new general? THat had to be a reference to the illness Savard suffered from, but surely he would not succumb to it so soon? Or was there something else in the equation that she had not taken into account? "Can't you hear them?" Someone else?

It all clicked in Lorenna's quick mind before she even had time to think about it: the new general was Jalin, it had to be. Even if it wasn't, Lore was not going to play risk with someone's life. She dashed off past Burd, Jalin and Haki, not bothering to explain herself with quiet words that wouldn't be heard and would waste time. She wanted to check on Savard, make sure he was alright.

The path out of the dungeons was winding, but she soon found her way back to the corridor to Savard's room. She hurried over to it and looked at the guard's posted to either side of the door. "I want to check on Savard, I'm his healer..." Lore said, quiet voice edged with authority and urgency. A distant part of her mind couldn't believe she was allowing the Shaman's words to effect her in this manner, but she wouldn't pretend like it didn't.

"I remember..." one of the guards said. Lore knocked on the door and turned the nob before she even heard a response. Please be okay, oh gods, please be okay... she thought. Whether or not she liked this man, he was the only thing that had kept Mountainholm safe. She would not allow anything to happen to him without a fight.

OOC: You've potentially endangered Burd! You scandalous person you!

IC: Burd saw Lorenna rush out, and he ran after her immediately. Several people noticed and stared as he ran through the streets, reaching the keep just as shadows seemed to dart around from outside the giant structure towards the windows. That sight scared the life out of him. He entered, running up the stairs and reaching Lore just as she turned the doorknob.

The door didn't budge.

"Why is it locked?!" He practically shouted at the guard, who stumbled for answers.

"I- I don't- It shouldn't be!"

"Lore, move. I'm knocking it down." Pushing her out of the way as gently as he could in the circumstances he began hammering his shoulder against the frame of the door, feeling it budge somewhat; the door wasn't locked, there was something behind it.

"There's something behind it." He told the guards who were at the door, "Help me get it open god damnit!" He had the horrible sinking feeling that every second counted now, something that he guessed Lorenna was feeling too.

Iris laughed at Karst's announcement, and grinned as Zant pecked her cheek and grabbed some food. "Smells good because I cooked it." She told him haughtily, flicking her hair over her shoulder with pride before looking over the Karst.

"Third barrel to your right." She said simply, answering the inquiry as to the flower's hiding place. Putting what remained of her meal onto a plate for her, she sat down across from Zant.
-----------------
Jalin turned back and stared at the Shaman, narrowing his eyes. Could he feel it?

The answer was no. At this point in time the Sword Tremor was silent, not a blade having made a sound in the air. However, it occurred to Jalin that the dungeon could be restricting his Sword Tremor, and with that thought he clamored after Lore, decidedly slower but well paced as he moved, lip bit in focus.

If Savard was in trouble, he was going to be in need of help. Jalin wasn't quite sure how much assistance the Altmer would be able to provide if the situation was bad, so he tried his best to keep up, just to be safe. When he got there, Burd was trying to break down the door.

"OUT OF MY WAY!" Jalin roared in warning, an ebony body charging towards the door.

One of the guards was about to step beside Burd when he saw the charging Redguard, he quickly moved to the side, pulling Burd with him as Jalin charged tank-like towards the door.

At the precise moment that Jalin smashed through the door, destroying wood and hammering the cupboard that was blocking it away, he was set upon by a strong and agile man, Burd could barely see through the splinters flying through the air, but the Crimson armour confirmed the unthinkable. The Hurak had gotten inside without anyone noticing.

With Jalin's charge being met in Savard's room by a Hurak another one came rushing out, immediately bringing his jagged sword into one of the guards' heads, killing him instantly. He barely had enough time to draw his own sword and block another lightning quick swing from the Hurak. The force of the impact upon his sword forced him to stumble backwards, hitting the floor and knocking the breath out of him.

Behind that Hurak another came rushing out, swinging and roaring with delight. It was at that moment that Burd realised how close the man was to Lore, and he screamed for her to run.

OOC: Oopsie?

It was awful at that moment when Jalin charged through like a whole stampede of rhinos. That moment when the flash of crimson armour declared that her instincts had been right: the Hurak had gotten inside Mountainholm. That awful feeling of foreboding that Lore had been feeling ever since she had gotten here had come true: everything was about to change. Moutainholm was compromised and Savard most likely dead. All was lost.

But Lore was never one to give up. As Burd screamed at her to run, she disappeared from sight. Coming up and under the Huraks weapon, she grabbed his arm, paralysing his body in a powerful body-binding spell, while dragging up one of her enchanted daggers to his throat, prepared to dig it in deep in a killing blow. Unfortunately, the casting of the paralysis spell had rendered her visible, and another Hurak grabbed her by the hair and threw her away, slashing her side expertly as she went tumbling to the floor.

In awful pain, Lore rolled to one side and then leapt back to her feet. The wound was deep but not immobilising. She managed to cast a minor spell to staunch the flow of blood, all she had time for, and drew her other dagger, unwilling to leave the fight when she might be needed.

A body hit Jalin as he barged through the barricade, knocking him sideways and into the wall. His shoulder hit and he collapsed to the floor, his attacker upon him. There was a slight haze to the world, his sight blurry.

But at that range, one didn't need precise vision to kill. His left hand went to his hip without hesitation, thrusting the handle of the broadsword out and up, into the gut of his attacker with brute force. The sudden attack had set his adrenaline on high, every motion faster and every muscle taunter, every nerve pulsing with life at a rate previously unreachable. Even with the barbaric crimson armor, the Hurak would be feeling the pain of the pommel smash.

OOC: The five Hurak are killable, do with them what you will

IC: Burd saw Lore get hit by the blade.

And by the gods, he felt as if he'd been hit too.

Despair and agony flooded over him; and rage. So much rage. He didn't even need to think as the Hurak's sword came flashing down to him, he rolled to the side, the sword slamming into the floor and staying stuck. He kicked at the hilt, knocking the sword flying from it's owner and jarring the wrist bone, with his opponent already unarmed, he swung his sword in an arc towards his arm. It cut through it surprisingly well, and left half an arm on the floor usefully, while the Hurak screamed in pain as he stared in desperation at his disabled right side.

Burd was in no mood for mercy.

He got up, and brang head smashing into the Hurak's, breaking his nose and leaving his vision blurred. The Hurak responded by bringing his other arm smashing into Burd's side, he had forgotten he wasn't armoured; and the pain was excruciating. Pure adrenaline spurred him on though, and with the precision of a true soldier he brought his sword up through the soldier's collarbone. The Hurak fell to the floor lifeless.

As he looked around, he only saw one of the Hurak nearby, the other must have gone back in Savards room to deal with Jalin. But that still left the other one to deal with, and he had his back turned.

Without even flinching he swung his sword down, hitting the spine directly and leaving another dead body on the floor.

He looked around, and his heart lifted as he saw Lore on her feet. Tears stung his eyes but he stumbled towards her and embraced her in a tight, tight hug anyway.

"You should learn to follow orders." He whispered, his heart beating out of his ribcage.

He didn't even the see the other Hurak behind him, running towards him and swinging his small axe towards his shoulder.

~

OOC: Wait... how many am I about to pulverize? Two, three? One's gonna die in this post so...

IC: Jalin pulled one foot under him and place his other flat on the floor as the Hurak stumbled back, the wind knocked out of him. Jalin's shoulder flared in pain but he ignored it and twisted his broadsword, the blade running parallel along side his arm, which was raised above his head. He used his leg under him to push his body up and followed with his other leg to make him airborne, though not very much.

But it was enough for him to bend his wrist up, and bring the blade down, piercing into the recovering Hurak's shoulder and coming out through two of the lower ribs. Blood spat out onto the floor and pooled around the blade, but Jalin carelessly released his grip, moved his hand to the pommel, and tightened it, yanking the blade brutally up.

As it came free his grip on the pommel allowed him to swing the blade around and grasp the handle in a forward grip, which he used to swing down and to his right, clanging against the crude scimitar of a Hurak who tried to flank him. Apparently, Jalin was ambidextrous in the matter of swordsmanship.

Lore was horrified as she watched Burd go berserk, seemingly with no regard for his own safety. She would NOT allow anything to happen to him. When he saw her, the look he gave her would stay with her forever: it was a look that said he cared about her. Almost without thinking she returned his hug, despite the situation, relishing the feeling of someone caring about her well-being, and caring for someone else. But over his shoulder she could see a Hurak coming to hurt him: she spun, twisting Burd away, moving to one side as she went. The Hurak followed her movement, and as a result still got her shoulder. She swore, staggerning into Burd with the force of the attack, which lessened the deepness of the already deep wound.

The Hurak brute grabbed her around the neck with one tree-trunk arm while he forced the axe in deeper with the other. Try as she might, Lore could not move out of the way. SHe bit his arm, to little avail, and then did something clever: she cast a shock spell along her entire body, electrecuting the Hurak every place he touched her. He released her and fell to the ground, a charred mass. She spun around, but the effort was too much and she too slipped to the ground.

Burd once again felt complete and utter hopelessness as he saw the Hurak attack her, and fortunately, he had pulled away just as the shock spell coursed through her body and into the Huraks. He still felt mild effects, but unlike the Hurak, he had moved at just the right time. She fell to the ground, and he knelt beside her, lifting her head in his hands, tears now flowing freely down his cheeks.

"Oh gods, please, no."

He held her and cried, now looking down the stairs where two guards had come just too late.

"Healer! I NEED A HEALER!"

One of the men quickly ran back down, while the other headed towards Savard's room.

"You better not die on me now." He said quietly to her. "Don't you dare."