Harriet's approach became subdued after Meesei's next bolt escape. She had to pivot harshly in place to face her opponent again, and jump even more quickly to avoid the oncoming bound sword. Harriet's dodge would have meant an injury for a spectator, but fortunately the bound sword faded out of existence right before it hit the raised hands of the man behind Harriet. Harriet attempted to dodge again the spell thrown by Meesei, but was caught in its radius as Meesei planned.

Harriet regained her balance and faced Meesei down again. Meesei's evasive strategy may have seemed cowardly, but Harriet knew that she was not fighting a martial warrior. She would have to counter her strategy in kind.

There were no uncaring charged from Harriet this time. Though she was cautious enough to at least attempt dodging Meesei's spells. Her effort to fight Meesei now was to keep her under pressure. Wherever Meesei bolted to, she would turn and attack. Harriet was going to test her own endurance against Meesei's magicka reserves.

The dance went on for another two bolt escapes. Harriet was being hit by spells such that it was taking a toll on her ring, but she seemed more concerned by adapting to the spells that Meesei was reflecting onto herself. While Meesei was still as focussed and calculated, the crowd continued to jeer and encourage them both. "You can't run forever!" One man said. "Keep going! You can defeat her!" Another said, not being clear on who he was supporting.

---

On the edge, Janius and Fendros continued, concerned. Meesei seemed to be handling herself well, but Harriet's blows were getting too close for comfort. They didn't want another incident similar to the Orc Slayer's spear. It was luck that Meesei had gotten through that at all. The same luck may not extend this far.

"Wait," Janius looked to something across the crowd. He touched Fendros on the shoulder without taking his eyes off it. "I'll be back in a moment..." Janius started to move into the crowd to get past it.

"What? Where are you going?" Fendros asked incredulously. He tried looking at what Janius was seeing, but he couldn't find anything of note. "Janius?"

"I'll just be a moment," Janius held onto the top of his axe and strode as fast as he could through the crowd.

Fendros was left wondering what was going on. [i]How could he go at a time like this!?[/i]

Janius followed his quarry until the entrance to the dining chamber. He would need some help. As fast as he could, he skirted the crowd until he found Lorag. He didn't even greet him before he pulled his shoulder down so that he could speak into his ear over the sounds of the crowd. "The one who threw her the ring is trying to sneak away. I have a feeling he's someone we should grab. Let's go." Janius glanced to Meesei, then to Lorag again, "This is Meesei's fight. She can take care of herself."