Zakroti pulled his sword clean from the warrior's leg and the Drakken fell to the ground with a cry of pain, dropping his own blade and rolling onto his side. Zakroti glanced over towards Lugft who was lying in a heap on the floor. Kzaar had struck him over the back of the head with his wargamers and it had apparently knocked the warlord unconscious. 

With the final of Lugft's bodyguards dealt with, Zakroti sheathed his blade and looked over the carnage. His eyes came to rest on the two bloody Gemminite carcasses and he stared silently for a few moments before he motioned to them and glanced to Vain.

"Hilyatew gehdzi kala geheiz mathi. (Send them to their homes.)" Zakroti ordered. Vain nodded silently and motioned for two of the men at arms around the room to see him. Zakroti stepped over his fallen foe towards Kzaar and nodded as he looked up towards the massive warrior.

There was a weak moan from the chair where Aurien sat, his wound being tended Toby Gaikas

"Vivpre, lal. You will endure." The old blackguard said. The Serjeant at arms nodded in response and shifted in position, glancing towards the dead men around him. Many of his own soldiers had fallen in this battle hand-

There was a sudden call from down the hall for a healer and Gaikus glanced around before standing up and leaving. Zakroti's eyes glanced back to the two dead Brides- Kasari. She had been brave and would have made a fine addition to the household. He wished he had gotten to know her better than he did.

Indeed, he wished he had gotten to see her perform or to at least show her prowess with her element. Zakroti watched as one of the men at arms lifted the girl up over his shoulder...

Suddenly, a deep and powerful voice rung out; "I trust you have a suitable explanation for this, Zakroti."

Zakroti swallowed and turned slowly towards the doorway where his grandfather now stood, clearly unimpressed by the scene that was before him. Zakroti paused for a few moments before raising his hand and speaking "Vivpre, grand father. Lugft attacked us after his bride fled, we did only what was necessary to defend ourselves."

"Xarxze wel! Wre jusla bathoz acta krepre. (Foolish child! You have started a war.)" Nastaki grunted as he glanced down to Lugft "You should hope he lives- or war is inevitable."

Zakroti paused for a moment before approaching Nastaki and speaking to him again, looking up to him from the floor "Epe kala o lalyent-seran, zu gehdzi epenasze odzieiz Limeiz grunda, zara wre zela gehdzi? (Tell me Grandfather, if they disrespect our family's honour, would you let them?"

Nastaki glared at him for a few moments before seizing Zakroti by the throat and pulling him forwards; He drew his blade and brought it up through the air in an ark, swinging it down towards Zakroti's head. The blade drew nearer and nearer and Zakroti could see his men reaching for their weapons - Finally the blade struck, digging deep into his left horn. 

Nastaki let out a grunt of effort before using all his might to break the damaged horn in two and send it clattering to the floor. He released his grasp and Zakroti fell to his knees.

"Wre jusla grundaze! (You have no honour!)" Nastaki declared as he sheathed his blade. Zakroti looked up to his grandfather and then glanced to the floor again

"Kas, muthseran. (Sorry, grand duke.)"

***

Ayltam chased Aymiria through the hallways and down into one of the rooms; The steam had exploded on the Gem as she had darted off and Ayltam herself had been sent off her feet by the blast. The young drakken burst into the room after Miry and dashed over towards the Gem as she wrapped herself as in blankets.

She reached out and gently peeled them back, horrified at the extent of the burns. She dashed back out and back towards Zakroti's room, finding a pitcher of water and dashing back into the hall. As she passed she raised her voice to cry out "We need a healer!"

She dashed over to Mirys side and gently poured the water over some of her burns, using her elemental powers to slowly creating a thin layer over them and removing burnt clothing from them. 

Gaikus stepped into the room behind her and looked down at the injured bride "Alas, a victim of her own trap." Gaikus mused as he knelt down next to her and reached to his belt, taking out a small bowl of a murky black substance and gently rubbing it into the burns. Once he had done that, he took a roll of bandages from the pouch and held it up. "The water, put some on the bandage."

"Right?" Ayltam replied as she trailed the water to the bandage to make it somewhat damp. Gaikus unravelled the bandages and used them to gently cover the burns. "Skill she be alright?"

"Her wounds are grave. With what I have with me, the lasting physical damage may be great but with Vivari's grace she will survive." Gaikus said as he glanced towards Ayltam "Perhaps more could be done once we get back to Jupostat. Help me cover her wounds and then bring her. If she awakes, I can give her something for the pain."

Ayltam nodded and set about gently covering the burns with the bandages, looking down to the young girl with concern. "Her sister - she..."

"A scared beast does peculiar things. Tragic things. It is best not to dwell on it while there is work at hand."