"No-!" Ludivico reached out to try and pull him back but it was too late. The farm boy went head on against the approaching beast thrice his size. Though Stefano had wounded it with a rifle shot, the orc showed no signs of slowing down. The beast plowed right through him like a tuft of snow, launching the boy across the ground like a harmless rag doll. Not even Drusilla's leg pecks did much to stop the orc from its violent advance. The beast stampeded forward and raised its halberd high into the air. It was a telegraphed attack, easy for Ludivico and the twins to dodge. As the blade crashed down, Ojan and Ulri retreated backwards while Ludivico side-stepped to his right. He responded with a quick slash from his axe that clanged against the orc's shoulder guard. It growled in response, then with both hands, swung its halberd in a circular whirlwind. Ludivico rolled with the swing, inches from decapitation. Again he responded, but this time found an opening. He brought one axe down at the orc's exposed elbow, then rolled until he faced the beast's backside. 

"Occupy this one!" Ludivico called out to the twins. "Give Stefano an opening!"

He figured with two grave wounds, Ulri and Ojan could keep the halberd-wielding orc busy until Stefano delivered the finishing blow. At the very least the hounds will come to their aid. That unfortunately left Ludivico to face the oncoming threat alone. This was going to be tricky. Two orcs came running at full sprint, one armed with a spear, the other, an axe and shield. The spear had the longest reach and initiated the first attack with a jabbing thrust. Ludivico side-stepped, parrying the bladed tip away with his axe as he rolled toward the other orc, who had its ragged shield raised in front of it, striking with its own axe down at Ludivico. He back stepped away from danger, then pivoted his body outside of their lines of attack, keeping the spear out of range by putting the axe and shield in its way. Ludi feinted an attack, causing the orc to raise its shield firm. 

The orc with the spear was growing impatient and tried to push its companion out of the way so it had a clear path to Ludivico. The orc with the axe and shield was caught off guard by its companion's move, taking its attention away from Ludivico, who seized the moment by striking at an opening. The blade of Ludi's axe sliced open the shield orc's bicep, forcing it to drop its weapon in pain as it clutched at the wound with its shield hand. Ludivico kept himself light on his toes, continuing to keep the orc with the shield between him and the spear by using lateral movement. The spearman finally had enough sense to trip up its companion (who howled in frustrated anger) and stepped over the downed orc so nothing stood between its spear and Ludivico. With the orc's line of attack now clear, it unleashed a reckless barrage of spear thrusts. Slow moving, but powerful, Ludi had to stay focused and wait for the opportunity to counter, while keeping close watch on the wounded orc still on the ground. He only hoped that his squad will make short work of the halberd orc so they can come to Ludivico's aid. 

[@Cuddle Pot]