[u][center][h3]Marianne Delacroix[/h3][/center][/u]
[center][img]http://i.imgur.com/Jr0Uu63.png?1[/img][/center]

It came rather surprisingly, a massive tree having been lit aflame and somehow sent crashing upon the camp to divide all within and serve as a major distraction. Forcing about an immediate change in plans. When it came down, Marianne had halted in her tracks and raised her arms in front of herself to shield herself from the flaming, charred splintered bits of bark and wood. After the debris had settled, she lowered them and looked about.

[i]"What in the Goddess Reon's name had the strength to topple such a thing?"[/i]
She wondered as she stood there, looking on with sorrow from the unfortunate souls that were caught underneath the massive tree.
At least their deaths were quick.
To her, it seemed that both sides were equally stunned and thrown into sudden disarray by the tree's tumultuous appearance.
[i]"We must keep our heads with us. Continue with the mission, adapt accordingly."[/i] Marianne told herself, the battle having died down temporarily.
But then the thought struck her, where were the other Iron Roses?
Were they okay?
Frantically, she looked all around her when she caught sight of Sir Garrett, Dame Sult, and the terrifying doctor Teller advancing up a hill in the distance. Navigating the gargantuan tree in their own fashion. But, why? Where were they heading to? Were they abandoning the mission? No, there had to be some other-

And then she saw them.

Captain Fanilly, somehow separated from the rest of their allied forces and faced against a man who stood as massive as even Sir Garrett, if not larger. Upon instinct, Marianne took a step toward their direction. Desiring nothing more but to rush to the Captain's aide. But, as she heard a familiar voice call out her name ever so faintly, she stopped and turned about to see Sir Tiral moving toward her. As he came closer and his voice more easily heard, she absorbed his words and thought to herself. Sir Tiral was right. No matter how much she desperately wanted to, she still had her orders. After all, what would Sir Eadwig do? Against her own fleeting wishes, she made her decision and set it in stone. The Iron Roses were more than capable, she would come to their aide later. She just prayed they would all come out of this alive.

Nodding, she shouted her response back to Sir Tiral.
[b]"Aye, it's agreed! We'll regroup whatever forces remain on our side to route the remaining bandits!"[/b]
Looking around, she could see many of them had already been slaughtered. Others starting to flee, being corralled by allied cavalry towards Sir Eadwig's forces which lay in wait for them. Few remained, still foolhardy enough to believe that they stood a chance at victory against the Iron Roses. Turning to her men, she issued her orders to them. [b]"Cavalry! Nothing has changed! Route as many of the fleeing bandits towards Sir Eadwig as originally planned. Once out of the camp and into Sir Bernhard's clutches, circle back around to regroup with our forces here at the fallen tree! We will not allow a single bandit to rally and interfere with our allies on the other side!"[/b] To which her men replied with spirited enthusiasm. Her cavalry riding off to do as told and her pikemen coming to her side.

Walking closer to Sir Tiral, she continued.
[b]"We must make haste, the sooner we clear the bandit camp, the sooner we can aid Captain Fanilly and the others!"[/b]
Given to the rigors of combat, her attire was dirtied. No longer donning pure and clean white armor, a bruise on the side of her cheek and a thin trail of blood had trickled out from the side of her lips from when she was struck.
Turning back to her men, whose numbers increased as knights, squires, and others were separated from their original platoons joined them.
[b]"Do not let a soul pass over the fallen tree to assault our allies from behind!"[/b]
Slashing at the empty air, Marianne broke out in her sprint. Resuming her work, slicing a clear swath of bodies as she continued to gracefully 'dance' between foes.