Sabine's response to Ahnasha moving was to edge closer to the front of the group, just to stay nearby. Rhazii had begun to cry again after Ahnasha walked away, but mostly Sabine didn't want to be alone.

The battle raged on around Kaleeth, filling the air with blood, anger, and fear. A couple of defenders had transformed in order to clear up those that had made it past their lines and weren't having too much trouble while they weren't overwhelmed, but establishing the formation again was proving difficult.

When Kaleeth neared to Vera, it appeared at first as though she was trying to fight, defensively, hiding behind her shield. The orders she was still giving out included prompting the two defenders to transform, but she had others to direct. It was distracting her. Suddenly, though, her assailant was taken by overconfidence in her meek offence and opened himself up to attack. Vera stepped back suddenly during his next swing and cut him under the wrist where his armour was missing. The sword fell to the ground amongst the swordsman's pained yell, and Vera was quick to place another cut under his arm, then drew her sword back and ran him through the neck with a final, deft thrust. 

Vera's multitasking took the attention of Kaleeth's attacker, who decided to try and take Vera unawares while her sword was impaled through his colleague's neck.

Meesei's arrival at the chamber with the gate was a frantic one that stank of terror. The shattered gate was surrounded by a number of armoured mercenaries, arrows sticking out from gaps in their armour or steam still rising from their burned bodies. Those surviving were lying to one side, though the guards and healers that were caring for them were being attacked by Lorag, Harriet, and Fendros. A few wounded hunters tried to edge up from their beds or crawl away, but Harriet was tearing them to pieces. One runner that was trying to get to the battle lines to warn of intruders was quickly run down by Fendros and ravaged.

The biggest threats now were a meagre few bowmen drawing arrows from the walkway above the gate. At first, they seemed to have a cool confidence, but at seeing Meesei and the flood of wild ferocity behind her, their eyes collectively widened and they hastily loosed shots in her direction.