It wasn't long before more bandits poured through the breach. Hark soon found himself drastically outnumbered, four bandits squaring off against Hark. They moved in together, a flurry of blows forcing Hark onto the back foot. Soon Hark felt the familiar tingle of a ward being thrown on him. Then a cry came from a few steps behind, and the bandits all parted, quickly stepping away, making a path for a streaking fireball to be thrown through the air. A mage raising his tome into the air. The fireball hit Hark directly, and the shimmering barrier around Hark seemed to ripple before the fireball exploded. A large column of flame left the air heavy with smoke and fumes. The mage paused for a moment trying to make out any shape within the thick barrier of smoke.
Then Hark charged through the smoke, parting it like a ship through the waves. The terrified mage brought his unarmored hand up to attempt to block the brutal downward swing from the knight. It wasn't enough, not nearly enough to stop Hark's blow. The mage's hand hit the ground before his body did. The sword cut through bone and flesh alike as it cut straight from his shoulder through all but his last rib.
Hark held there for a moment, steam rising from his flesh and armor as he looked back at the four bandits from before. Hark didn't break eye contact as he slowly and deliberately brought the blade out of the mage's flesh. Hark knew that the bandits would be able to hear the sword grinding against bone and cutting flesh as it was removed. As soon as the blade was out Hark stood up, and seemed to stand a little taller than he had just a day before.