It all happened so fast. One moment, The Prince was screaming 'RUN' and Knax's haunches were dropping, propelling the trio forward before anyone could react. Then suddenly, the ground was erupting under her paws, sending all three of them flying and toppling across the cracked ground. The circle of guards advanced on them quickly, and Altan noticed with a start that in addition to various swords and bows, every soldier was alight with magic. Balls of crackling fire and energy dancing through their gauntlets, auras of protection and elements shimmered over their armour, some had their palms pressed firmly into the trembling ground or extended towards various objects that began to float and spin menacingly. He realized then that until now, despite various encounters with smaller numbers of the Black Guard, he hadn't really witnessed them utilizing magic. Not extensively, at least. Before, perhaps they had underestimated their quarry. But now?
         This was life and death. For everyone involved.
        The Prince tore off his blindfold and screamed "ANIMA IGNIS!" and a wall of golden flames was arcing towards the soldiers to their front. Some screamed as the flames slipped through their armour, searing their flesh. More soldiers closed in from behind.
     As they were swarmed, Altan drew his sword, pressing close to The Prince and jabbing forward with all the might he had as a sword came whistling towards his head. The blade whistled so close it nicked his ear, but after endless nights of training with The Prince Altan could adeptly wield a sword now, and he pierced the guard though the stomach. He died with a bloody gurgle. Knax snarled and launched forward as a soldier tried to flank him, bursting through a wall of tan vines and slamming into the offending foe. Her claws raked through her armour like it was made of paper, slicing flesh and bone underneath. A second soldier's longsword cut into her flank, so Altan cut off his arm. An arrow pierced Altan's upper arm and he screamed. The Prince's eyes flashed to Altan, then he quickly located the offender and sent an arrow of energy punching through their skull. Several more projectiles soared their way and with a hiss of frustration The Prince summoned a strong burst of air around them to force the objects off course. One delayed piece of jagged stone slipped through the air field and The Prince cursed loudly as it lodged into his side.
Within seconds the dry ground became saturated with pools of blood. Images of Crag's Fort flashed through Altan's mind with one key difference: they were the quarry. It was all Altan could do to conserve his energy and try to defend against the onslaught of Black Guard as The Prince and Knax slowly began to carve them towards an alley through walls of flesh and bone. He was useless in the way of magic, but at least Altan could cover The Princes back as he slashed and blasted his way forward, inch by inch. Having a towering creature to answer to Xorvad's monstrosities helped as well. But The Prince was getting tired. And Altan's arms were getting sore. The waves of soldiers seemed endless... they needed to escape soon.
       It was then that a shrill scream rose above the clamour of battle.
Altan's eyes darted towards the source of the shriek, and there, some meters to the right, was Sophie. Three whisperhounds surrounded her small shaking form, drool dripping from their unhinged jaws in slimy, thick strings. They were all quite injured. A few feet behind them, caked in blood and missing huge chunks of flesh and fur, was the lifeless form of Agni.
       He tensed, and The Prince seemed to read his mind. "Leave her, Altan, we need to GO!"
        But it was too late. Altan's heart was already set. He took off, swinging wildly as he cut his way quickly towards Sophie. Knax, loyal as ever, followed close on his heel.
      "Altan!" The Prince called. He grunted as a soldier grasped his sword arm and wrenched it free, slashing him across the thigh. "ALTAN!"
     I'll be quick. Altan thought as he came upon the beasts and plunged his sword through one's sickly skull. It collapsed without a sound. Knax rammed into a second whisperhound, knocking it away and lunging for its throat with a snarl. As the two wolf-like creatures jumped and bit at one another, Altan removed his sword from the whisperhound under his feet and turned to face the last one. It was over fast. Although he suffered a nasty bite to the back of his shoulder, Altan was quick with his sword, and cut the injured monstrosity down with a few slashes. It wasn't long before Knax had killed the last one.
       Thankfully, with the clamour The Prince was causing, Altan's presence was more or less ignored. What soldiers did dare turn on him were quickly slain by a raging Knax. He skidded to his knees in front of Sophie, dropping his sword and pulling her into his blood splattered arms. Hot tears ran down her muddy face as he gazed at her with comforting green eyes.
        "I'm sorry!!" She babbled, grabbing weakly at his arms. "I just wanted to help Daddy. He needs money...!"
        "Shh, shh." Altan cooed, cradling her head close to his chest. With one arm he hoisted the child onto his hip and with the other he gripped his sword. "Let's get you out of here."
As Altan turned away from the wall to run back and help defend The Prince, his heart sank. The Prince was completely surrounded, bloodied, and for perhaps the first time since they'd met, looked terrified. His eyes had lost much of their lively glow, and Altan noticed with a start that he wasn't sending out bolts of lethal magic nearly as frequent as he had just minutes prior. Every time The Prince, panting, weakly struck down a soldier with his sword, two more stepped over the body to replace him. A tall, muscular female soldier swung at The Prince with a battleaxe in a heavy overhand blow. The Prince just barely managed to summon a small shield of orange energy that shattered upon impact, and he staggered back, clutching his twisted wrist in pain.
The Prince caught Altan's eyes then, and some look of sadness, frustration, and hurt darted across his battered face. A massive plate of stone slammed into his back and The Prince fell to his knees, crying out in pain.
Cursing and sputtering a spell, a faint orange forcefield that flickered with the end of The Prince's energy expanded around him. Under flying projectiles, blasts of magic, and surging bodies, The Prince heaved under the temporary safety of his protective bubble, blood oozing from the garish wounds littering his body. Gathering the last of his strength, The Prince held his dear sword in torn palms, and whispered a spell that sent the bloodied weapon vanishing in a pin of light. A second later, it was clattering on the ground at Altan's feet. Between the bodies of the frustrated guards who couldn't break through his shield, The Prince looked at Altan with a sad smile. Go is all he could see. Then, The Prince wavered, coughing up a spat of blood.
"No! Nonononono!" Altan cried, taking a few shaky steps towards him.
Altan's protests fell on deaf ears. The shield, his only lifeline against the swarm of enemies, shattered in a spray of glittering shards. Eyes dull, The Prince collapsed and a feral scream tore from Altan'a body.
"GRIFFIN!"