Janius sprung to his feet as soon as he heard Fendros' order. He did not have the time to regain his bearings in the smoke, so he had his guard up and his axe raised. He did not take more than a few steps upwind before Yerig was there.

"You." Janius confirmed their attackers for the worst case that they could be. He returned Yerig's caution and paced opposite him. Janius knew how to fight against greatswords. But, that Yerig both had only old robes on his back and an old sword in his hands was odd. No armour. He was more akin to an undead from the tombs of Skyrim than a living warrior in his attire. Sometimes those tombs had powerful relics.

Janius spoke up over his shield. "That woman is lying to you. We can prove it!" He turned his axe in his hand to strike with the reverse end. He did not intend to kill Yerig if he could help it.

Fendros' first reflex upon seeing the mage before him was to draw back his arrow. He could not fire before he had to avoid the incoming spells. He dodged to his left and twisted his body to let the spikes fly by at the last moment. He could have shot the mage in the next second. But he didn't. He knew there was a better way to deal with him. Holding his arrow and bow in his left hand, Fendros charged a white light in his empty hand and paced towards the mage. He could ward a spell or two. He had not absorbed them actively in open combat before; he knew that surprise could give him an edge.

The tall silhouette was Do'Rhajul. The small confidence Sabine received with the storm atronach melted like a snowflake in a furnace. She immediately halted the spell making the breeze and double-checked where Leaps and Ahnasha were. She had to stay close by. Her breathing quickened. No amount of growth and training could get rid of the terror of facing down the one that defeated her mentor. That shield could ward any spell thrown at him. He was bigger and stronger. His armour looked impervious. Sabine had to improvise.

"Ahnasha, cover your eyes," Sabine said. She brought her arms up and touched her wrists together. In a blink, Sabine charged a light so bright it dazzled anyone looking directly at it. It only lasted an instant. It only had to give her a moment. With both arms sweeping forward, Sabine blasted the ground in front of them with a crackling white frost that misted the air above it. If Sabine could not get past the shield, she would have to go under it. Anyone walking the frosty ground would feel the cold cloying at their legs and draining them. She hoped it slowed Do'rhajul and the Nord man with the tower shield down, let alone have any effect.