[center][url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFE7vPxuOLw][b]Château de D'Aubigne Interior Hallway - Noble's Quarter[/b][/url][/center]

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Onatha leaned against the two who were supporting her. She was straining to keep the other seer from seeing her and her companions. The more she worked at it though the weaker she grew. Blistering claps echoed into the distance and through the commotion, the numerous guests, jesters, performers, and dancers staggering or rushing through the hallways proved too numerous to count. Some carried large, hollowed wounds whilst others dripped in blood. Yet again, several heavily armed retainers, some of whom bore the flowery emblems hailing towards various houses shouted as they unveiled an assortment of ranged and close quarters weaponry. 

Lucius' arm wrapped around Ona's waist, however, upon lowering to supporting her weight, a large group of uniformed soldiers burst through multiple rooms, firing outwards as bullets and arrows began to shatter against the walls, pottery, and statues scattering the interior. In alarm, Lucius' pistol leveled towards the various soldiers wearing distinguished shoulder patches only to witness as they waved a frightened crowd of Valanian and Sarifen guests. In a strange realization, he found himself staring towards the soldiers' dark turqoise overcoats, notable stripes, and red salvar. These were Nezamnite Warriors of the Sarifen Nezam Corps and in the company of Valanians and Sarifens ... [i]they were fighting together ...[/i]

In a split-second flash, Lucius hurled his weary blonde companion to the ground and ducked as over a dozen musket rounds poured through the open hallways. A short glance over revealed a squadron of fire arm infantry rushing into the opening chamber and in the ensuing fire, numerous Nezam Warriors peeled away to formed ranks before opening a barrage over the trio's head. The shots met with dead accuracy, felling many within the approaching squadron ranks, provoking the surviving fighters to return fire. Numerous robed guests screamed and fell as shots and arrows met their mark.

"[b][i]Ona! Dae![/i][/b]" Lucius screamed as projectiles whistled, "Keep your heads down, damnit!"

Onatha hit the floor relatively hard. She closed her eyes and covered her ears. She felt sick to her stomach and tired. Battling with the other seer was leaving her weak. She couldn't let her win though. Further away, there was chaos and Ona tried to make herself as flat as possible. 

As pots, vases, and delicate housewhere shattered all around, Lucius rolled into a flat bellied, forked position along the floor before carefully levelling and aiming his pistol. Moments after squeezing the trigger, a fighter along the opposite hallway screamed as a musketball pierced his heart before slumping over into a pillar. In short order, the Prince reached for his powder reserves as more shots rang out, this time from along the stairs. Glancing upwards, he watched as various tunic wearing Ivalians offered blistering cover fire whilst several surviving Valanians and Sarifen guests upturned pots, chairs, tables, and whatever furniture they could find. 

"See that you regroup what remains of first, second, and fourth squadrons and spread the word to seal the entrances, board the windows, and take cover," a uniformed Nezam shouted. The young officer's notable spoons denoted considerable rank along his shoulder epaulettes and remained composed amidst the rounds whistling past his location. "They are wish to hasten their deaths to join the heretical demons right outside the doorstep!"

The officer calmly took aim and kneeled as a dozen Nezam warrior stifly hurled his rifle over his head. The detachment took aim and following the officer's barks, fired in unison. The devastating barrage tore into the assembling ranks, inciting numerous casualties. "Boluk-bashi! The others have enough to last awhile, but we cannot shoot forever!"

"Sir!" Another rifle wielding Nezam shouted, "The men are holding, but the Paighans are closing on all sides! We are counting at least five companies with more arriving by the minutes!"

"Then let it be known how we die, Corbaci. Let Yadin-Hamon know that we died as brothers even as our brethren betrayed our Corps to further their own masters' p..."

Startled, the Nezam officer dropped the pistol and drew his sword only to find himself staring towards an glaring, crossbow carrying man. Several comrades shouted and levelled their firearms, only to click to find their weapons empty. In their vain attempts, the Prince's eyes widened as a horrifying discovery and realization played before his eyes. Nearby, several escaping guests including a well-dressed, Valanian man managed several steps only to fall to a well aimed crossbow bolts in the back. Two Ivalian ladies screamed as they were cut down by disciplined soldiers whilst numerous victims fell to spear and sword thrusts. His arms and shoulders flared in a burning sense and through several curses, drew himself to action.

"[i]Mon frère![/i]" Lucius screamed! "[i][b]Get down![/b][/i]"