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Venison stew and weather cold enough to freeze the ass off of anyone else.  Gerhardt was back in his home territory, and as such, he was in better spirits than probably everyone else there.  

Captain Velocchio had told them all to not become complacent, though the northerner had his doubts about anyone attacking them this far out of the way.  Still, he wasn't about to speak out of line, she was a fearsome leader and he wouldn't consider it wise to cross her.  He did, however, look up at her from his meal just as something went amiss.  [color=olive]"You sure are trying to make me homesick today, Cap-"[/color]

Right as the two gunshots rang out, the pendant around his neck flashed a dull gold and disappeared, returning a moment later as a lengthy sword in the student's hands.  Gerhardt's stew, unfortunately, was sent spiraling into the frozen ground as he jumped to his feet and readied the blade.  From what he could tell, enemies were encroaching on them from all directions, and Neno was already dealing with one of them.  A quick glance around showed a rocky slope that would allow for an escape by only the most dexterous of the group, which he was one of, but that would mean the majority of them would be stranded.  That left only the option to rout them or kill them.

He gave Mystletainn a spin before gripping the blade with both hands and starting a slow advance, intending to goad the guards of the riflemen into coming for him directly.  Before the fruition of his plan, he heard a crack and a bullet whizz.  On pure instinct, he leaned to the side and chopped the air, a satisfying [i]ting[/i] ringing out as the bullet met with his blade and was cut down.  In short, his agility and reaction time would be his shield.  [color=olive]"We won't win an ambush on the defensive!  Let's move and stay close!"[/color]  Still readied, he silently hoped others would follow his strategy and form up behind him.