The sudden counterattack had brought the pillaging bandits to a halt, some breaking and dashing back toward their own, while others instead darted away, choosing easier pickings than the suddenly violent mercenaries and local heroes. 

The berserker, however, had other ideas. He was a brutal man, one renowned for his savage actions and bloodthirsty nature, often termed as a mad beast instead of human. He was most definitely [i]not[/i] a smart man. 

But even then, he'd attracted the king's favor, and the king's favor meant at least something. 

With a roar, he charged into the fray, bellowing his orders to the hulking men that circled around him. His voice boomed over the din of battle, cutting through the hot air like a mighty horn. [b]"All right, you scum! Go get some hostages, we can't have killed 'em all yet! That'll make sure these fiesty assholes don't come and fight back, yeah? Kill 'em, break 'em, mash 'em, boys! Everything is gonna BURN!"[/b]

About half of the attacking bandits diverted off, dashing away from the dangerous people with blade and tome as if their lives depended on it. Each of them hunted for a hapless villager, the bandit captain himself taking a young woman and her daughter, laughing maniacally at their tear-stained faces.