"I regret to say that might be the only wise course of action... to withdraw..." The man's voice trailed off, overtly inferring that while the notion of saving some to fight again another day was desirable, even admirable, it might be near impossible to even accomplish such a feat.

What would turn aside the dragon above, to stop it from just pursuing those who were leaving the keep? Mayhap the keep found itself blessed with a secret tunnel or even some form of wizardly portal, but those were fantasies that could not be entertained. The reality was, that beyond most a doubt, attempting to move so many people would likely need be done only under the cover of the smoky night sky and its darkness. Odds that did not favor anyone, even the most quiet of mouths or silent of feet. A dragon was not likely to be so fooled, but Brannor thought and thought again on what other options they could act on.

Unlike others he was not called to fight to the death against the beast on grounds of honor or nobility; there was nothing wrong with keeping the embers going to start a roaring flame another day. Throwing their lives away did little for the good of others in the greater scheme of things if the "survivors" would only just later be captured and perhaps suffer a worse fate for their efforts. What was it the governor had in mind? Whatever it was, as Brannor along with his dwarven company exited to the ramparts, he finished speaking for the moment on the matter.

"But first some thought must be put into our actions to come."

Coming to a halt, he adjusted the leather strapping that held his great weapon to his armor. Noting the halfling, he conjured a slight nod in her direction, but the air smelled... strange. Like fresh blood, the blood of an animal rather than men - birds even. It was such a curious thing that as the ferine paladin looked about, the source in the night's air wandered around a corner and into the open with its powerful silhouette and questioning tone. There was no doubt that the scent wafted from him; from some of the blood that still lingered on his skin but was wiped messily free of his mouth.

Brannor crossed his arms, breathing a sigh of relief that it was the man-orc and not some other thing. It did, in all truth, bring to mind the latent hunger he could feel within his own stomach, but the hunt was far from over; he could not simply have eaten... he could, but not that he would. There were some things one could and could not ably do in these situations.

"I am summoned." He said plainly with the slight dip of his head, moving voice making him recognizable if his large figure, armored and armed was not enough.

[@Ryonara][@Phoenix][@Raijinslayer][@Lucius Cypher][@Hekazu]