crying out loud (open)

loren

Loren smiled, a strangely fierce expression. ”Then you don’t do it alone. You have your fellow guardians, and more allies besides. And I imagine not all the Ascended would be happy with further hostilities either.” His expression softened as he gazed at Jigano. ”Wessex is one person. If she stands alone against many, she will not succeed.” The summoner nodded almost decisively at the bard.

As the stings of the javelins and thorns rained down, the Launceleyn growled. Keeping one hand trained on the opening, still blasting ice at it, he raised the other hand in the direction of the assault. An enormous wave of water emerged from it: parting around the white-haired man it swept into the mass of squirrels, aiming to carry them as far away.

Finally Loren relented with the ice. ”Tactical retreat it is. I’ll hold them off while you lead us out.” That said, he switched to guarding their backs and their sides with water, leaving only the path ahead free.

-FINISHED for Loren

Never judge a book by its cover.

Warmed by Loren's support, Jigano sent his fellow Attuned a pulse of gratitude before all hell broke loose in the hedges. Dislodging his own squirrelly attackers he nodded at the agreement to book it and began to lead the way, using his own magic to control the hedge thorns and turn them against the squirrels that tried to hide in ambush inside the magical maze's walls. The narrow path with its overgrown 'ceiling' of branches prevented them from simply flying away at first, but soon enough the bard was able to lead them back to broader avenues. He cleared the path ahead while Loren guarded their backs, and eventually the blue sky of late afternoon showed clear enough beyond.

A little further to prevent the hedge from throwing any last minute tendrils to block their way and the men were able to change into winged forms to make good their retreat, chased by the ire of squirrels and a basso rumble that may have been the audible discontent of the maze below.

It would be some time before the memory of those below faded...

Or at least a few days. Even Speaking Squirrels weren't that bright.

{Finished}