[i]Children! Hotheads![/i] Whatever personal vendetta was being played out here, justified or otherwise, could not be allowed to hijack this expedition so early on. Why the kingdoms sent so many inexperienced, emotional youths on what should be a journey of discovery is beyond Rintor. For a moment, he even considers letting these two kill each other, but he who allows a preventable death to happen is nearly as bad as he who does the deed. [i]Besides, that's the taint of demonic possession.[/i] 

Feeling that the threads will slip away from him soon, he leaps into action. First, Rintor decides to use the mithra's momentum against her, setting himself for a bare moment and thrusting a palm upwards into her chin. [i]Plate armour is great for protection, but not so great for balance.[/i] A hard enough blow above the centre of gravity should knock her over. Immediately, he spins away, drawing his daggers and releasing the threads in the process. A familiar burning sensation spreads through his gut. [i]The warning,[/i] he thinks. [i]Further violence will release the curse.[/i] Aware of his own impotence, he nonetheless reappears with a blade at Victor's neck. "Both of you," he bellows in his best parade ground drill-sergeant, "compose yourselves! Esailia, you are a representative of your law-abiding people and so help me, I will have you behave as one! You, newcomer," he demands, "you had best explain this demonic taint you have brought into our presence or I will step aside and let her run you through without hesitation."