The whole atmosphere in the room became strange when Kaleeth announced that she thought she was pregnant. It was not enough to warrant reaction, but it made everyone pay attention.

When the knife flashed out from Ra'maranja's belt, the entire world seemed to wrench into panic. Fendros jumped up from his seat and drew his sword, Gallus belied his apparent fatigue and tossed a knife into the leg of one of Ra'maranja's pack members while hefting his hammer in the other, while Uthri dove after one of the others and grappled him against the floor. The fire that hit the explosive bag dazed them all in surprise, allowing Uthri's target to wriggle free and get away, but Gallus' quarry was crippled and was swiftly broken with deft movements of his hammer. Everyone poured after the enemies as fast as they could, heeding Meesei's orders. Gallus in particular pulled another knife from his person, intent on catching the treacherous Ra'maranja in particular.

[hr]
Outside, Janius saw the bright streak of Sabine's fireball before any other commotion. He didn't need eagle eyes to see the ambush party moved to action. In response, he lifted Newt up with one arm and hurried Rhazii, holding him by the hand, as they made haste to the storage building. Janius was cursing under his breath all the way, while Rhazii was swiftly terrified. By the time they reached the storage building, the main building glowed with a sudden flare of fire before people started pouring out. Rhazii shrieked in fright. Janius ushered the children into the storage hut and frantically looked around for a hiding place through Rhazii's sobbing.

Janius eventually found a crate that was full of clean linen and mosquito nets that would do the trick. He set Newt down, removed the lid of the crate, and removed the folded sheets and nets in great handfuls, throwing them unceremoniously behind the crate. Once there was enough space for both children, he lifted them both inside, one at a time.

[hr]
Sabine looked over her shoulder a number of times and allowed Peiter to keep up. She didn't even notice the arrow sticking out of him until he slowed to a stop. They didn't have much time. Sabine looked up and around and saw that they had gained a lot of distance on their pursuers. Sabine was still very panicked, but they had a sliver of time and she didn't waste it.

Sabine pinned Peiter to the ground and wrapped her hand around the arrow shaft. When Sabine pulled at it, it didn't budge easily due to its shape. Trying again, Sabine used the claws on her thumbs to try and open the wound, before taking the wood of the arrow in her mouth and pulling harder. The arrow came out, but not without a large pool of blood. Sabine flicked her neck to throw the arrow to one side and scooped up Peiter by the arm to help him.

Judging by the sounds approaching, they didn't have any more time to wait. If Peiter didn't move now, Sabine would have to go out on the offensive to protect him.