The pain shot through Clifford's foot like [i]fire[/i]. He dropped the melting dagger and keeled over, Diana releasing herself from his grip. She turned and delivered a swift kick to his abdomen, sending him back down onto the ground. She walked forward and planted her foot on his chest, a smirk etched across both her face, and Madame's.

[color=Hotpink]"Not half bad at all..."[/color] She said, looking down at the subdued Clifford, fist still clenched. She was just about ready to twist the knife some more, until-

"THIEVES."

A booming, gruff voice sounded from the darkness surrounding the camp. All the smiles immediately disappeared.

"ROBBING [i]HIS[/i] LIFEBLOOD, FROM [i]HIS[/i] FIELDS."

All of the bandits turned towards the campfire. A tall, lumbering, gaunt figure dressed in torn formal wear stood over the glow of the flames, wielding a long, serrated knife. His bloodshot eyes and ragged hair were illuminated by the flames, as were those of his several companions, all of a similar physical nature as him.

"SLAUGHTER THEM."

The figures charged, towering over the bandits, all raising their weapons. Diana forgot entirely about Clifford and rushed to Madame's side, both holding their own against the fiendish abominations.

Clifford wasted no time crawling towards the horses, all very much spooked by the encounter. He brushed by one of the bandits he'd killed, grabbing the sword at his side as he got up on one foot, and one knee. He neared the closest horse, which was thankfully already saddled with plenty of equipment that he'd go through later. As one of the attacking figures rushed past him with a bandit in his hands, he hauled himself up the worried horse's side, clinging as best as he could to the saddle. It took some doing, but he managed to lift his foot over in relatively safe time.

The horse was still kicking, but as it turned, Clifford managed to take the sword and swipe at the rope connecting it to the wooden fence. The horse was free, and off it rushed into the surrounding darkness with Clifford riding atop it, away from the conflict that had ensued.

Clifford leaned his head forward, doing his best to keep stable and ride through the pain. He was indeed a tougher man than most, but these weren't the mundane conditions he was used to. Every time he thought he was within a safe interval, this place just pulled the rug out from under his feet.

But now wasn't the time to make sense of it. Now was the time to escape.

[@c3p-0h]