[i]"Narrowly?"[/i] He chortled, "I wouldn't say that. I was investigating something peculiar, when [i]this[/i] started up." He gestured over his shoulder again, pointing back at the encroaching undead hoard. A quick glance showed Corc and Fauve lagging behind quite a ways, but that giant orc was a lot faster than he looked. It seemed that they were making headway in catching up, even after being held up. Dannisus shook his head quickly. [i]No, let's all find ourselves absolutely engulfed by the living dead, that will mull over quite well,[/i] Dannisus thought to himself with sarcasm to spare. 

	He turned back to Lui and forced a smile despite the [i]nasty [/i]situation they found themselves in. "I think there are people still trapped near the center of town, in the church. Going in there- Well, that was out of the question!" He fixed his eyes forward once again. "I'm glad to see that you two weren't swallowed up by those [i]beasties.[/i] Quite glad." Part of him expected Aelih to turn around and brave the horde. It was a part of himself that he wanted to assure otherwise. Most of the anxiety that he'd been dealing with since the beginning of this whole ordeal, [i]hell,[/i] [i]since he'd stepped foot in this dingy old town,[/i] had finally gone away. But some of it still [i]festered, [/i] and it wasn't because of the skeletons. Still, it probably wouldn't be long before they met something [i]else [/i]at the western gate. Those skeletons seemed more coordinated than a few rogue undead. Their numbers hinted at a [i]necromancer's[/i] work, or perhaps, something even more insidious than some angst ridden psychopath with far too much time on their hands. Either way, this whole ordeal was starting to feel [i]very[/i] similar to the stories he'd heard about monster attacks all across the island. If there was any relation...

	"I'm intent on escaping," Dannisus blurted out with a slight cock of the head, "Just to be clear." He interrupted his own line of thought rather [i]abruptly[/i]. Curiosity would [b]not[/b] best his better judgement today. There was a fine line between investigating a [i]cursed gem[/i], and besting the countless hordes of undead behind them, or anyone who may have been responsible for that matter. That was somebody else's problem, preferably somebody more qualified for [i]ridiculous acts of heroism.[/i] "We're not too far from Sylsashia. I know these forests quite well. Once we're free of Nadska's walls, I could guide us to freedom through the forest- [i]Avoid the roads...[/i] Stay clear of anything intent on gutting the living. It's the least I could do." There wasn't much sign of remorse in his offer. The dozens, perhaps [i]hundreds[/i] that fell behind them were of little concern. If Aelih or Lui showed any desire to [i]turn around[/i], he wouldn't be spending any more time with them. People with an inclination towards Heroism were dangerously [i]stupid,[/i] and dangerously stupid people had a tendency of putting anyone near them in just as much danger. He glanced over his shoulder again.

	[i]That orc was frighteningly quick.[/i]