A dull thumping, that was the first thing Alere was aware of when he returned to the world of the living. A dull thumping that become more intense as he gathered his senses, his head felt like it was going to burst; his stomach lurched. Opening his eyes was difficult as the little light seemed to blind him. As he tried to straighten up he listened to Mira and the slave girl talk. 

Quince, his wyvern and Rai's sacrifice hit him like a ton of bricks."Blood and ashes" Alere slumped back in the saddle, feeling deflated."Blood and bloody ashes" He cursed. These people were his responsiblity and he had failed them; and for what? he should have acted faster or stayed behind to get them out. Hi head lolled down froom exhaustion and he noticed through his shredder trouser leg that the wound had been healed, he felt a twist in his stomach. Magic alwasy healed so cleanly, the only thing reminding him of his injury was a deep soreness, like he had hopped 20 miles on one leg. Now he wouldn't even have the decency to show up wounded for having lost three.

Raum suddenly froze in her tracks, growling in one direction, her nostrils flaring. Alere nodded grimly as Mira confirmed the situation. "We're not running, we end them." He said as he let himself slide from the saddle onto the ground, he dropped to one knee, breathing heavily. he was still too weak to stand straight. The girl joined him, worry painted on her face as she tried to hold him upright. With a nod he sent Raum towards the small patrol. She dropped to a crouch and snaked into the forest foilage. It was amazing how a creature of her size could almost be invisible with just a bare minimum of cover, all thanks to her black fur and scales. "Mira, get that lance of yours and stand at the ready, they might come our way once Raum scatters them" Alere said as he settled on the ground, pulling his canteen and drinking greedily, his throat was parched. After he had his fill he offered it to the girl, who took hold of it gingerly. Part of him wanted to go with Raum, hack them to pieces for what their kind will surely put his teammates through but he knew he would only be a burden in this sorry state, reporting to the captain was the urgent business at hand.

- A short distance away -

"Quiet and look!" The goblin in charge hissed to his subordinates, waving his scimitar around. Rakanishu had the biggest weapon, so he was the boss and he would be damned if he let the others forget. He and three others had been sent from the main group to find a group of humans that had gotten away from them. If he was succesful they might make him into warboss. the prospect of all the grub and drink he could ever want just given to him made him lick his chops. Suddenly a shrill shriek echoed through the forest. "That sounded like Lobber, where is he?" The three remaining goblins looked around them in a panic, noone had seen what happened to their fourth member. They stood back to back as they noticed soft rustling leaves, every now and then a bush shook slightly and then ... silence.

Nothing was heard except their frightened breathing, even the forest itself seemed quiet as they scanned the treelines. A loud roar erupted behind them as Raum came barreling towards them, rending the closest goblin asunder under sharp clawed paws. Rakanishu dropped his weapon and turned tail, just in time to see his last squadmate snapped clean in half by her powerful beak. The goblin dashed through the forest, too scared to look behind him as he feared he might see the wyvern in hot pursuit. The last thing he saw before things went black was the flat side of a Wallguard lance. 

Mira shook herself as she looked down at the filthy creature, it had been so noisy coming their way she would have noticed it coming from 5 miles away. It seemed the wretch was out cold but still alive. She hesitated giving the killing blow before Alere waved her away, instead telling her to tie it up to take with them to the capital. It might prove to be an useful source of information. Before long they were on their way again. Elise riding with him and the goblin hogtied behind Mira. 

Before long they saw the familiar sights of the Wall, Alere never thought he would be so happy to see this constant reminder of the worst war humanity had lived through again. A young guard came towards them, halting them and asking for identification. Alere shot him a glare that nearly made the poor sod whimper aloud. "Get me to Captain Gungneer, I need to report to him" The poor man faltered and seemed doubtful before Alere snapped a resound "NOW!" at him, making him turn around and quickly lead the way. Alere followed in tow, ordering Mira to take care of their wyverns and making sure she, Elise and the goblin would follow along shortly to report to the captain. If the goblin horde was as close as he thought it was, every minute would be of importance.