Cyrdic fought like a man possessed, growling and roaring as if he too was a Beastman. The Halbderdiers had impaled and butchered more Chaos filth than Cyrdic could count, but their line had been broken. Now Halbderdiers, Swordsmen, Axeman, and even unlucky ranged troops fought in a terrifying melee that filled the Great Hall with a baptism of blood. Cyrdic hacked and stabbed with his sword, bludgeoning and blocking with his large round shield. 

When Camilla ran out into the Great Hall, Cyrdic almost looked like a demon himself, so covered in blood. He slashed at a Chosen of Chaos, his runic sword slicing through the warrior's plate armor and severing its leg. He ended the lesser Champion's life by stabbing into its chest, not even hesitating to give the coup de grace. Cyrdic whirled, sword leading. He felt a cold chill spread across his body when he realized he had almost cut Camilla on instinct, stopping his sword mere inches from her. 

His chest heaving, he felt both a sense of relief and dread at seeing her alive. On the one hand, he was glad to find her still breathing so he could die alongside her. But he also hated the idea of seeing her perish. That last thought filled his mind when something tall and swift slammed into the wall just behind her, and all but slithered out into the Great Hall. "The vial...give it to me and I shall make your death more pleasurable than you deserve," Gildenhoof said to Camilla. "Or you can give yourself to me and pledge to the Gods..." 

Cyrdic bared his teeth, starkly pale against the crimson that painted his face. His sword had pushed him into an animalistic anger, and he rushed passed Camilla on instinct, with a slash of his sword almost too fast for the eye to follow. Gildenhoof deflected it with his own razor-edged blade, but just barely. 

"Ah yes, you're the one who will watch when I kill her," Gildenhoof giggled, and counter attacked with the swiftness of a serpent. Cyrdic parried, and they traded blow after blow, the Ostlander snarling and fighting with a savagery that befit his Norscan shield. Little did he see the tentacle of Gildenhoof snake around and grab his ankle, ripping it out from under him and sending Cyrdic to the ground. 

What Gildenhoof hadn't suspected was that Cyrdic's sword sang out even as he fell, severing the Champion's arm. He let out a shriek, and sunk back, weakened. Cyrdic had to collect himself for a moment, but Gildenhoof was wounded, worry finally appearing on his face.  
[@Penny]