Behind The Lines

    Morning was on the cusp, from information that was freely given by the Peko Army and Merchant Blades, most of the undead becomes inactive during the day hours, but there was a report of undead movement.

What the undead were doing and if they were simply scouts, was unknown. The types of undead was also unknown or even how many. All they knew is they were out here, they been stalking about, but there hasn't been any aggressive advancements.

For a while now Kaydon has been gathering intel on Undead movement. He's mostly been looking for any reports on Isaris, or any of the other members of leadership that might actually show up.

The Landers were surprisngly good at gathering intel. He thinks maybe he could train up an actual special forces...Maybe something to do sometime. He'd have to look into it a bit more.

For now he was headed to the location that the intel had lead him to. Hopefully he could find something worth his time here.

Activity during the day was unusual... but it was also an oppritunity to investigate while they were less at a disadvantage. They couldn't risk capitalizing on it as soon as they could.

It's a good thing Shiruba has been back in Yamato for her animal husbandry training and available when the oppritunity did arrise.

Once they were near the reported location she reined her Peko to a stop, and hopped off his back. "Okay, you wait here. I'll call if we need a quick escape." She dropped a couple of citrus fruits near a tree for him to nibble on while waiting, then hustled off to join Kaydon. Her skills still weren't to the point where she wanted to risk bringing her mount into potential danger. Especially her prize racing mount.

    As the two move in, the forest was-- quiet. Very quiet. Not an animal was steering, not even a bird singing. The only sound was the gentle wind rustling the leaves of the trees and the few leaves on the ground.

Though in the faint distance, a sound /could/ be heard. It was hard to make out what it might be. Voices? Footsteps? Metal? Was it simply one? Or was it more a group?

They may need to move in closer, but was the risk worth it?

Kaydon really needs to actually learn the stealth skill in game at some point, because while he's more than aware of how to sneak in the real world, that doesn't always translate into game mechanics. Despite how much he does to try to keep his mind focused on this being the new world, it is still one where there are game mechanics.

He glances towards Shiruba's peko as she gets caught up with him, "Looks like the training is going well. Come on. Stay low." He moves further in, looking to get close enough to determine what it was. Hopefully not another binder again. That fight was harder than he would have liked, and the reason he's not taking this one solo.

"It is, but I'm not conflict ready with it yet," Shiruba replies in a low whisper and a nod. She's already settled into scouting mindset, which means trying to avoid attention while focusing her own.

Ears flick up and forward. With the rest of nature being unnaturally silent, the sound of anything moving about is hard to miss. That could be a potential undead, and that's why everything else has gone quiet and likely hiding. She glances over to Kaydon a briefly nods for a silent indication that she heard it too, and starts slinking ahead to try and home in on where it actually came from. Or what from.

    As the two move in toward the sound, they start to see hints of movement. Though as Shiruba accidentally steps on a stick, it snaps under her foot.

They notice the movement in the distance stops, the sounds from them also come to an end. They look in their direction but they don't seem to move right away.

Then one of them seems to suddenly vanish, as they hear a 'snap' of a finger that echos around the forest, before another figure appears; Much larger than the other two, along with a few other figures that seem to move toward them.

While details are not easy to make out, it is easy to tell that maybe three were coming toward them directly, one of them disappeared, and while one seemed to be calling the shots, there was also something much larger that just showed up.

The question is-- what do they do now?

"Fight or run?" Kaydon asks Shiruba, quickly and quietly, "Pretty sure we've been made, so we need to decide now." He's down for fight, of course. And while he's pretty sure that she will be too, they don't know what they're up against and things could go poorly if they fight without intel.

Just like the tenth floor, Kaydon thinks to himself. Perhaps it might be better to back off if they don't know what they're getting into.

Goddess dammit, why is there always that one stray stick to be a pain in the fluffy tail even if she's managed to move through the brush without disrupting anything?

Reflexively she takes a few steps back again, as it's just in the nature of her class to be behind something bigger and tougher than she is. "We don't want to needlessly risk ourselves," she mutters back, "but we won't learn anything by running every time the conditions aren't in our favor, either. Let them come to us, and getter a better grasp of what we might have to deal with." In other words, no charging ahead blindly.

She tucks up next to a tree with her bow ready, eyes narrowing in the direction of the approaching forms trying to get a better ready on just what might be in store...

    As the two make ready for all hell the break loose, they soon see three skeleton warriors walk out from the forest mist. Their armor black, eye socket's glowing red behind their helmets, swords and shields in their hands.

They don't attack right away, as right behind them a shadow grows over them from the sun directly to their backs. Wings spread out, and when they turn to look they see an imp standing on a raised piece of earth; A vampire no doubt.

Her own armor is slightly heavy style, with a sword resting on her shoulder, and glowing eyes peering at them. "Well, well, what do we have here? Spies? Scouts? Mmm, maybe little lost explorers?"

    The figure that is still off the distance continues to stare at them, Shiruba may hear a rumble, but there is a scent in the air. It smells like rotten flesh or something decaying that is being released from the ground. Its a smell Kaydon would know well. It was the smell from that one general who placed Hector in his place...

Welp, they're definitely made. Kaydon stands his ground, even when Shiruba goes to take cover at a tree, "Really? You all don't even know which Adventurers killed Sylver? I'm hurt." Kaydon says, his left hand holding the scabbard of his sword a bit tighter, knowing full well that if he draws the damascus blade, he'll have to be ready to put it to good use.

"Heard you were operating in the daytime now. Gotta admit I'm surprised, figured you all were prone to bursting into flames in the sun. Or is that just an old myth?" He can smell Isaris. He's around somewhere. The were fang senses are sure of it. He comes over the private chimlink to Shiruba, <"Be careful. This isn't Isaris, but the mage is lurking nearby. I can smell him. Be on your guard.">

Skeletons.. unfamiliar face... and that's as far as Shiruba gets in analysis before something much more horrid reachs her noise. Let me tell you, as good as it is for tracking and searching sometimes it really sucks having sensative olfactory senses like a full canine would. After nearly gagging she grabs the collar of her cloak and pulls it up to cover her nose. It's not nearly enough, but it'll keep her from choking on her own disgust for the time being.

Eyes narrow a little bit at the Imp as Kaydon mentions Sylver. Is this her replacement, maybe...

Don't worry Kaydon, she can smell it too. Unfortunately.

She just nods in response to the private message. Not really in a talking mood at the moment, thanks to the stench. And Kaydon has enough bravado for both of them at the moment.

    "Sylver?" The vampiric imp says back as she glances up, "Oh yes, Author's lil' whore huntress. The useless tramp is better of dead. She only get in the way... or make a great..." Then as Kaydon seems to speak to 'someone' her eyes narrow. "... distraction."

Her eyes narrow sharply, "Who ever are you talking to, little man?" She slowly crouches down and places her hand on the ground she is standing on. Her eyes never off of Kaydon as she uses a brand of magic.

There is a gentle rumble. "... a trees weight is... off..." She says softly.

    For Shiruba, she can make out that figure better a bit better. A hooded figure with what looks skeleton like snout, maybe a deer? Given the antlers perhaps. Though is it a headdress? -- Or was it really an undead mage?

The other thing Shiruba can spot is even more... troubling. She can see the Harbinger. That bulking armored figure with its tower shield and glaive, seeming to be waiting on something. Perhaps orders, perhaps a fight to break out, or maybe something else. Either way, she knows where they are-- for now.

Though as Shiruba does spot the mage, his head slowly moves and that slow head movement cause his head to tilt gently. Slowly, unnaturally slowly, that mage looks directly where she is, before he raises up his gloved finger and in her ears she can hear a gentle 'shhh', before the words echo in her ears like a soft breeze, 'Hello slayer of lessers... is your partner as good as you..?'

Kaydon knows he's probably a bit outmatched, but none the less decides to try to inspect the vampiric imp anyway. Maybe get a name, get some kind of level flag, something like that.

"Who am I talking to? Oh, sending commands to the forces that I have surrounding us." Kaydon replies, "You know, just in case you wanted to do something stupid. I'm not dumb enough to come out here alone." A bluff, sure. But one that's only partially a lie, "So you're not going to introduce yourself? Gloat about how great you are at whatever it is you do? Taunt me a little bit? You know, the usual schtick."

His left hand still hasn't left his blade, though he's never unprepared. Throwing knives are within reach, plus he has his hidden blade that he's holding off on using until a chance presents itself. It does, quite unfortunately, require being literally on top of your target to be effective. But boy is it ever effective.

The wilderness can be a hard place to keep one's bearings in, but Shiruba manages even with her eyes about ready to swim from that smell. She's learned to trust her other senses when sight alone isn't enough... those and the Relic strapped to her arm. Even from her side, when she shifts subtly to angle it in the right direction, Golau Chwilio does it's job and despite the clutter of trees and nature picks up on the forms in the distance for her.. Well, shit.

It is the Harbringer, summoned by the other figure most likely. Though it's just... standing there. Like some creepypasta monster just looming in the distance waiting for it's time to strike. Or orders to...

Then the voice in her ears. The cloak pulled over her mouth and nose muffles her grumble of surprised annoyance, and she turns her head a bit to stare back in the mage's direction. If he can see her, he can see her looking back at him and know she heard his little comment. But she's not dumb enough to speak up and give herself away to much closer enemies.

    Kaydon's inspect pulls up she is a boss monster and her name is Keres - Death's Blade. Though as Kaydon tries to nag Keres on, she stands back up fully and hmphs softly. "I'm not the talkative type. That is for fools, but I do want to see what one of your /types/ are like."

She shifts her stance, as her blade shifts slightly in her hand. "After all, you /should/ have the advantage-- Given the sun an all." She smiles, showing her vampiric fangs, as her wings wrap in tight to her body. "Isn't that right, Little man."

    The next thing Kaydon will see is her pushing off the rock, which explodes behind her. Shiruba might notice those pieces of rock are floating in the air, but for Kaydon---

He has to avoid a swing of the blade that suddenly unravels like a bladed whip as it swings around to strike as the blade pieces rotate about dangerously and glow with burning red edges.

The outburst of activity draws Shiruba's attention back to nearby, though not entirely off the mage and the Harbringer, either. She's not that careless. Nor is she surprised this broke out into a fight already, this lady is a lot less.. something. Those bits of rock floating in the air though, what is this, Stealth Rock? Okay maybe not literally, but stones adrift in the air certainly isn't a good thing. And Kaydon kind of has his hands full.

As quietly as she can Shiruba nocks one of her crystal tipped arrows in her bow, edges around the opposite side of her tree, and fires at the ground near where the stones are floating. Causing a spire of obsidian of her own to burst from the ground and hopefully interfer with whatever trickery Keres had in store.

Kaydon does wind up taking the hit, he was too slow drawing his sword to try to block the attack. He should have been expecting that, but he was expecting a sword strike, not a whip-like strike.

The blade cuts a red mark across his face and sends him stumbling backwards, but he does have his ever dangerous damascus blade out and at the ready now, and he quickly closes the gap towards Keres. Another new vampire to worry about. And with a name like that, one they should definitely be concerned with.

All of Kaydon's blows are going to be powerful, measured strikes. It's not really anything involving finesse, he tends to just hit things hard enough to break them with all the force he can muster.

    Shiruba looks toward the floating earth, but sadly she can't see what is up with those shards of floating stone. Though she may notice them starting to slowly change shape. Is that being caused by Keres or Isaris?

Her arrow does cause the Obsidian to rise, but sadly the shards don't seem to care. That is-- also concerning. Though in the corner of her eye, she may suddenly see the 'Mage' blurr before vanishing with floating lift of mist.

Next thing is she spots the mage in the tree with her, on another branch. His gloved hands turning to bone claws as he slowly rakes the tree bark. His glowing fiery eyes peering at as she says easily toward her with an echoing off tone to his voice, "Naughty, naughty. Do I need to put you in time out?"

Thankfully Isaris doesn't seem to start a fight, but he is up there with Shiruba, so that could be troubling! Also that close her inspection will clearly mark him as a boss with the full title of: Isaris, Unholy Arbiter.

    Meanwhile Keres is dealing with Kaydon, who starts to overpower her defensive blows as she tries to parry each of his strikes. Eventually they break through and leave a gash across her face, which she howls in pain.

With frustration she snaps the sword around, still connected together as she tries to do a bit of fancy foot work. Only it is not what Kaydon needs to worry about. Instead what comes his way are those floating rocks that fly in like pointed bullets for him.

The three armored undead meanwhile, are circling around, but they seem to be more like watchful eyes then actual interference with the battle afoot; Much like the Harbinger who is hanging back-- waiting-- creepily.

This time Kaydon has his sword at the ready. And he's more than capable of blocking her blows with her own blade, though as the pointed rocks shoot in towards him, he sweeps his blade in a wide arc and knocks them out of the air like someone swatting a particularly dangerous fly, "Neat trick."

He's got a few of those of his own. He may look like a traditional warrior, though his armor does have a certain viking vibe to it. But he loves to put his blacksmith skills to use in combat, as he tosses his blade into his left hand and pulls out a sledgehammer.

Channeling his relic through it, he aims to smash Keres' blade with the red-hot sledgehammer. It should weaken, or even break, the metal there. At least that's the plan. Really he may just wind up smacking her with a red-hot hammer. Either outcome works for him.

Okay so the earth magic being used was stronger than just 'put a bigger obstacle in it's way'. Good to know, problematic for trying to help Kaydon out a bit. At least it looks like Kaydon was ready for the stone shots despite her flawed effort.

To Shiruba's credit she doesn't flinch when Isaris appears in the tree near her vantage point. She has gotten well beyond being jumpy at the undead doing that. She does snort softly, but other than a brief sidelong glance to see that he's not attacking her (yet) she doesn't look off from the fight below.

"If you think I wouldn't try to help a friend, you need to learn more about Adventurers," she retorts softly. "Or did the rest of you dislike Sylver so much you didn't pay attention to her intelligence from scouting us?" She got the jist that the previous huntress wasn't all that popular other than with Author from Keres' remarks.

Or it was all about her. Which probably isn't as useful to them tactically... but wouldn't surprise her with how long she was stalked.

Despite her own dislike of the undead she doesn't lash out when Isaris doesn't strike at her though. That would just cause more problems. Tilts her head a little. "Arbiter, huh? The rank fits, I suppose, if you have to keep people like ... that, in line." Also explains why the other Generals were effectively forced to subvert to him.

    Kaydon's hammer swings down, as Keres deploys a shield of her from her wrist gauntlet that generates a magical field. She strains under the weight, probably thanks to the sun being out.

The imp vampire roars out as she tries to push against Kaydon's strength and then attempts to quick strike with her blade while they are toe to toe in battle.

    As for Shiruba and Isaris, the magic with that deer skull, is hard to even see here if that is his real face or a mask. His whole body covered and protected from the light of the sun.

He moves, almost seems to 'teleport', with a dark mist rising to where he was, before he appears in a branch above Shiruba. His 'clawed' hands still digging into the tree. Shiruba may notice where his marks where and even where he 'holds' at is slowly decaying. Life slowly being drained from the tree where-ever he is.

    "I've /heard/ about you... Adventurers. Hector tried to convince me you are all... dangerous. Sylver's reports made you all out to be-- god-like. Honestly though, you are all flawed. Strong, perhaps, but god-like? indestructible..." He chuckles softly, it is haunting sounding. "... Doubtful."

"Nothing in this world lasts forever. Not us." He then motions to her, "Not you." Then outward toward the town. "Not them. Even if you fools /are/ trying to threaten our defenses by taking a fort." Those eyes then glow brightly. "... I am looking forward to that."

The shield out of the gauntlet gives Kaydon an idea. Too bad he can't exactly implement it at this exact moment in time. He winds up getting stabbed several rapid times while they're in close quarters, but he's not out of this yet. He drops the hammer back into his inventory and switches his blade back to his right hand, moving in close and clashing with Keres.

She is good, but he would expect nothing less from one of the undead lieutenants. None the less, he's going to show her she's not the only one with tricks up the proverbial sleeve.

He comes in with a heavy swing, telegraphed so heavily that it'd be impossible to ignore. If she takes the bait, he'll swing his left fist in an uppercut aiming to stick her right between the ribs with the hidden blade in the gauntlet.

And if she doesn't take the bait, well, she'll get smashed by Kaydon's sword swing. It's win-win in his mind.

All Shiruba can really do is shrug. "If you don't want to head Hector's advice, that's your choice.... And even I won't deny that Sylver was exaggerating." Right, decaying life. This guy is the unliving personification of Bad Touch. "We're... different. We're strong and adaptable. Capable of change when necessary. But we're not gods." There's a pause as Shiruba tucks her feet partway beneath her, bracing against the branch to stand properly. "Anyone that tries to claim to be a god is deluding themselves. Adventurer or otherwise."

Though it does get another tilt of her head when he brings up the Peko Fort. And a tiny bit of a sly grin tugging up one corner of her mouth. "It was considerate of your cultists to sacrifice themselves for the summoning. Saved us the trouble of re-killing so many."

But then the matters down below start to be getting troublesome. Not that she doubts Kaydon's capabilities. It's that they don't know much about this Keres yet, and that whip-sword was one bad enough surprise as it is. Yet Kaydon isn't out of the fight just yet, putting that hidden weapon of his to good use.

"I suppose," she comments somewhat offhandedly to the mage nearby. "If I try to intervene again you'll try to stop me, huh?"

    "They are not my concern." Isaris admits. "Old world does not belong in the new. Just like honor and all that," He waves his free hand gently. "Nonsense. You evolve...." His hand gently falls to his side. "... or you die... but even in their death... They serve their-- uses."

Isaris tilts his head ever so slightly, as his foot steps to the side a little. Minor adjustment on the branch. "Though you surely have no desire to /save/ him, do you? I would hate for our /lovely/ conversation to end... and force my hand."

"... You don't want to force my hand." He say with a twisted dark tone shift as dark mist dances around from his free hand.

    Thankfully for Kaydon meanwhile, Keres does read his trick attack and moves her shield to actually block it. Though when it swings wide, she hisses out, "Shit."

It was too late for her to react, as Kaydon goes to stab her with his hidden blade. She grits her teeth and coughs blood. However, she then starts to laugh gently. There is a smile on her face, before he may have to move fast, because there comes those teeth for a bite down!

Of course she would go for that attack. It's close range and she's a vampire. She would go to try to bite down into Kaydon's neck. But he pulls his blade back out of her and then moves his hand upwards, forcing her to bite down on his gauntlet instead. It's one of the finest pieces of masterwork that he has managed to make in the time they've been here, so it should be able to stand up to the bite.

Of course now his right hand is going to be free to attack her again. He's not going to hit her with his sword, however. At least not yet. He's going to take advantage of her being in close proximity to grab hold, and twist, using his momentum to try to throw her over his shoulder and into the ground, where he can then deliver another blow with the hidden blade.

If the impact from it gets her to release his hand.

"And then what? You bring the big bulk back there into play?" Shiruba replies almost too casually, but it's a subtle nod that the Harvester isn't exactly a secret lurking over there. "Or maybe that's why you've been lurking about in the daylight for a change? Let the locals get a wind of you, knowing they'd report for help... and maybe get a chance to have it work it's little trick on some more Adventurers, hmm?" The wolfgirl taps a finger against her chain. "Won't deny it's a sharp tactic. Try to use our curiousity and courage against us.... That or it's all sheer coincidence and I'm reading too much into it." Another shrug. "It must be convenient for you, not having to worry about those under your command more than be sure they do their job. Not having to actually -care- about them."

So far Kaydon sees to have this in hand. But despite her almost casual demeanor Isaris is close enough to see the constant tension in her body. She's ready to move, when she needs to... and likely little he says or threatens will stay her for long from doing so...

    "More.. adventurers....?" Isaris says and then chuckles, before he just laughs! He laughs /hard/, before his eyes flare up brightly. "How /interesting/!"

    Keres hears the laughter from Isaris but she doesn't have time to give her commander any questionable looks. No, she has her hands full with an adventurer who wants to skewer her again as he tries to throw her over his head.

Which the vampiress lets him partly do this, as soon as he goes to throw her to the ground, she uses the momentum to push herself free. As she soars back, her wings flare open to slow her decent and then out swings that sword whip as it attempts to slash deep into Kaydon's armor!

That laugh, is not a good laugh. Inwardly Shiruba flinchs a moment, realizing that laugh means her attempts to probe might of slipped a little too far. Though outwardly all the training she did to remain focused in tense situations holds fast. "What?" she replies with a tilt of her head. "It's one of your strongest weapons, isn't it? Lure out some possibly threats away from their strength in numbers, use that untrackable teleport trick to move it in while their distracted and..."

However distracted is not what she is despite the possible faux paus, and she sees things are starting to not go Kaydon's way. "Well, we knew it would come to this, so if you'll excuse me." She is at least that polite, even if she uses her feet against the branch to abruptly kick herself off and drop to the ground. She had been waiting and ready, so as soon as she's got feet on the ground she's got her bow up and taking advantage of it's not needing physical arrows for certain Artes to fire a powerful blast of wind at Keres in hopes of keeping her from following through. And maybe keeping herself from saying more than she already has. "I think it's time we took our leave Kaydon!"

    While the fighting has been taking place, the Harbinger has been in the background. Like a hunting dog waiting to be let off the chain.

As if on some queue, as if waiting for some 'mechanical' mark. That chain was released and the Harbinger starts to move, those eye orbs flicker behind the orb, before it sinks into the earth...

    Meanwhile, Isaris watches as Shiruba leaps down to join the fray and still softly chuckles, before he says to her. "Oh silly children. Your gods are not here this hour... But mine are."

With that said, he starts to move his hand as to make a magical drawing with the dark mist, rumbling something softly to himself. The ground once more starts to rumble, as the skeleton warriors step back as if by some unspoken order.

Shiruba's magic makes it mark, by blast Keres back and causing her to skid across the ground, almost falling over actually. She greets her teeth, reaching for that nasty injuring made by Kaydon early on with his hidden blade.

Her eyes move to Isaris, as if looking for something from him, then she looks back to the adventurers. "This was already over... Before it ever begun." She says firmly to them back.

    Isaris around here doesn't respond to Keres, but he moves his hand to the side breaking the seal he crafted, before roaring out, "Harbinger! Gift from beyond!" He then motions to Kaydon. "Give him the gift of the Forgotten!"

That smell rises once more and before Shiruba could say anything further, two massive hands rise from the underground, made from bone and flesh fused together, before attempting to grab ahold of her, as if trying to make sure she can't interfere with what is to come.

Was this Isaris' power? Making ghouls and undead fused new creations? Or was it some other type of necro magic?

    And what is to come, arrives just as Keres dips out into the ground. Like a well timed chess move, the Harbinger rises from the ground, before Kaydon and before the Werefang can react it reaches out.

Those runes on its armor glow green, those eye holes fill with green light, before that metallic hand of that near massive monster attempts to clasp around a Kaydon's neck or arm, but once it takes hold--- Oh boy...

That green energy surges down and hits Kaydon, attempt to sap away all of his remaining health. Everyone knows what comes when this happens. Time and time again, this process has turned Landers into undead. It turned that one adventurer-- into an undead.

And yet, when the process should be done and the Harbinger lets Kaydon goes-- He is-- alive. Not undead, but alive. Even be it one health left.

This alone causes Isaris to narrow his eyes slightly as he gently says, "How...Interesting." All information. All data he can take in for whatever plans this new overseer of the Forgotten forces can make use of.

Another strike and Kaydon drops down to a knee. His health is rapidly dropping, and he's not sure how much longer he can keep this up. It seems Shiruba has the same idea, as she swoops in to save him, knocking Keres off of him and giving him a moment to rise up.

Only to be grabbed around the neck by the Harbinger, "Aw fu-" He gets cut off as the hand clenches around his throat. He brings his own hands up instinctively to grab and pull at the fingers around his neck, but the energy surge through him feels unlike anything he's encountered thus far.

He's expecting to get killed, he's ready for it, but then the harbinger lets him go at one HP. He's not sure why, but he's not one to look a gift horse in the mouth. He'd give anything for a smokebomb right now, but perhaps Shiruba will be able to swoop in and save him anyway.

The deer-faced mage isn't the only one that's been taking in information. But that's for another night.

Shiruba did not jump in to help her friend without knowing Isaris was going to make his own move. But her first focus is on Keres, and driving her away. She's wounded, but it's like that time when she gouged Author in the neck, but he left before the job could be finished. Though this time it's because there's other problems to deal with.

"KAYDON HE'S GOT THE HARVESTER!" she shouts at the wounded were fang. While at the same time putting more of that wind magic to use and engulfing herself in it.

Just moments before the massive rotten golem hands erupt from the ground on either side of her and clamp shut.

And then strain, as the wind barrier around her pushes back against their grasp, gaps between the grotesque fingers as they strain. The barrier keeps them from outright grabbing and crushing the Cait Sith, but it is doing the job of keeping her from immeadiately interveining again.

Though finally the barrier does finally manage to push apart the hands, or maybe they're just reaching the end of whatever spell caused them, but it's enough for Shiruba to finally push herself free.

And relieved to see Kaydon is only almost dead, and not undead. And weak. And she can't really carry him.

But she knows who can.

She runs over, and gives him a shove to get moving. "JUST GO." No time to worry about the Harvester, or the mage. Just that she is goddamn not about to loose another friend. She whistles sharply, using some wind magic to make sure it would be heard.

This is why she didn't bring her Peko into the fight. Because now she's calling him to help get OUT of the fight, if she can get Kaydon and him close enough to get the warrior on the bird.

Because she knows damn well there's no way she's going to fend off both that monster and it's master.

    The Harbinger or aka, properly named The Harvester watches as Kaydon and Shiruba get away. It goes to give chase, but Isaris places up his hand.

Isaris watches them leave and then seems to 'suddenly' be on the ground with a black trail of mist in his wake. "Let them be. We have more important-- details." he waves his hand and the hands of skeleton remains crumbles to the ground before becoming pixels of wisp light. "Her Majesty will be most interested by this information... Including the one who brought you to us."

As he walks he extends out his hand, as the ground splits open making almost like stairs out of rotting roots. "/This/ has been an excellent day." Before it closes behind them.

Kaydon is very clearly out of it, that much is true. But Shriuba manages to get him back onto his feet. It takes a bit but he puts one foot in front of the other, and the two of them get to the bird.

Once they are safely far enough away from the location of the fight, Kaydon manages to get himself actually talking again. Even if he only manages to utter a couple of words.

"Thank you."

They keep going for some bit of time. It's really hard to tell how long, because Shiruba is paying more attention to making sure Isaris wasn't pursuing. Or sending the Harvester to pursue them.

Only then does she stop, leaning against Tradewind's side to catch her breath, and give the Peko a chance to do the same since he was doing most of the work of carrying Kaydon's armored body around. It eventually comes out in a long sigh, and a "This is one of the many reasons I'm working on handling animals in stressful situations. There is no way I could of carried you on my own." She manages a small smile. "But you're welcome."