[color=ed1c24][h2]Fleuri Jodeau[/h2][/color]

Fleuri had anticipated an attack from Tyaethe but had not foreseen the lightning speed of it.  He attempted to backstep away from the blow, but his dodge was only partially successful- the paladin's blow landed on one of his legs with surprising force, knocking him off-balance.  The knight managed- just barely- to avoid falling on his back, but was left vulnerable as he scrambled to regain his footing.  At this point he knew that Tyaethe had a clear shot at him, and he would be unable to properly defend.

Fortunately, Klaus had no intention of giving Tyaethe an opportunity to fell the unbalanced Fleuri, and rushed in to attack the paladin.  He wasn't sure if Klaus was trying to help him or if she simply saw an opportunity, but he was grateful regardless.  It was something of a weakness in Fleuri's technique that he struggled to rely upon and support others in combat- in the tournaments, there could be only one winner, and the enemy of your enemy was merely a problem to be dealt with further down the road.  In the Iron Rose Knights, he would have to shed this attitude, and unlearn some of what he had become accustomed to when fighting.

[i]I suppose there's no time to start doing so like the present.[/i]

As soon as he regained his bearings, he tightened his grip on his sword and took a step forward, swinging the large wooden weapon in a horizontal arc towards Tyaethe.  If nothing else it'd hopefully prevent her from countering Klaus' blow.