With a slight look of surprise at Ahnasha taking the risk of cutting the fuse, Ariel didn't need to be told twice to run. Damn getting spotted at this point, she had neither the time nor the magicka to make herself invisible again. A sickly snapping sound from behind her caused Ariel to look over her shoulder just in time for a sharp gasp. Ahnasha, in her werewolf form, scooped up Ariel by the waist and carried her along at a dizzying running pace, causing Ariel to let out a surprised shriek as her feet desperately tried to keep up. It became steadier when she was propped up against Ahnasha's shoulder with a better grip, but she certainly did [i]not[/i] expect to be [i]carried[/i] away from this plan. Another shout of thrill and fear escaped Ariel as Ahnasha stepped over and jumped from the fortress walls and onto the ground below. The landing knocked the wind out of Ariel's lungs, but she was more than happy just to be alive.

After regaining her breath, Ariel shouted over the air rushing by them as they moved. Her voice was a mix between terrified and annoyed. It was so quick with her terror and bumpy with Ahnasha's gait that it was hard to make out the words, "Ah-na-sha! I-woul-dhave-lik-ed-to-kno-wyou-hads-ome-thi-nglike-this-plan-ned-be-fore-ha-!"

The end of Ariel's sentence was completely drowned out by the series of thunderous booms, bangs, and crackles as the tower was demolished. Following the flasks going, there was also a bright light that allowed Ariel to see the entire landscape for but a moment as if it was day, almost blinding her with her night-eye potion still in effect. Though she was facing away from what she assumed was a plume of chemical fire, she could still feel its intense heat from this distance. The light faded just as quickly and Ariel could only feel the air whizzing by and Ahnasha's pawsteps running across the ground while her eyes readjusted.

---

Sabine's breathing was shallow and her heart was racing. She stared at Lorag as he kept the witches in place. She wished it was a bad dream, it felt like a bad dream. She wanted to scream, but she was frozen in place. Now she was going to get mauled again. There was no rhyme or reason, she was just going to be singled out from all the other children. She had completely forgotten that she was in her wolf form now. Indeed, her beast spirit seemed so empathetic to her panic attack that it was cowering with her. She was a little girl again. Defenseless and vulnerable.

A streak of hope came down the stairs in the form of a familiar face. Sabine's eyes shot to Meesei and between her presence and her authoritative hold command, almost immediately Sabine began to be informed of reality again. Meesei talked with the witches, who seemed skeptical. They kept their spells up, but they seemed to slowly relax a little as Lorag and Meesei stayed back.

Then Meesei came up to Sabine where she was up against the wall. With her touch on her cheek, Sabine felt as if she could start to move again. With a shaky hand, Sabine slowly and gently put her fingers around Meesei's arm. Sabine could see that her own arm was its fur-covered beast-form, and as she slowly stood up on quivering knees, she stood slightly taller than Meesei. Though she still had her ears flat, Sabine was lead upstairs. As she glanced to the witches one last time, they stared back at her. The Nord witch had an expression of recognition on her face, though she didn't act upon it. Just before the Nord was out of sight, she mouthed to herself 'Sabine?' as if trying to confirm that it was who she thought it was.

Once they were upstairs, Sabine couldn't quite know what to think. She was still shaken and her heart was still pounding. Her beast spirit seemed to calm itself faster, which helped her energy. She would just follow directions for now, that would be easiest.

Just as well. While they were trying to shake Sabine out of her flashback, Fendros and Janius had held the door to the last, but now an entire chunk had been snapped inward, letting in a gout of magical fire. The explosion had bought a little time, but one more telekinetic smash and the door was going to snap in half.