[center][h1][color=6ecff6]Karina Frost[/color][/h1][/center]

Just after Karina shouted, the innkeeper and his family ran upstairs without thinking twice. The way Karina talked, her voice and tone left them no choice. In a crisis situation like that, giving others too many choices was never a good idea. In situations like that, there was no time to think, only to act.

As Karina waited till the innkeeper's family was safe upstairs, she heard the sightless woman's voice again. The second she started to talk again, Karina couldn't help but to smile. Saying that she needed them alive, trying to give them false hope... that was the oldest trick in the book, but still, some would be tempted to fall for it, for example those who were desperate and lost in the chaos of all what was happening. 

The cultists were approaching her as she guarded the stairs, trying to be sure no one would get up. Her rapier pointing forward in a threatening stance as she ice blades danced in the air threatening to cut any cultist that came close. Truth was that even with her magic, dealing with so many at the same time would be problematic. She wouldn't be able to hold them off for much longer.

[color=007236]”If we don’t get the hell out of this inn now we’re going to get cooked alive!”[/color] a voice called out from upstairs. It was Hark, the guardsman she met before.

[color=6ecff6]"There is no time to waste, don't look behind."[/color] Karina shouted once more to the innkeeper, as she saw with the corner of her eyes the innkeeper hesitating looking to her.

[color=6ecff6]"Make sure they are safe, Hark. I will try stalling them a bit."[/color] Karina said to Hark as she placed herself in front of the stairs holding her rapier in an attack stance and the ice blades floating above her threateningly, ready to attack.

Outside, Syella was still talking, still trying to persuade them. But suddenly she stopped talking. Something went wrong. Karina already had too many problems to take care of so she couldn't pay too much attention, but the second Syella said those words there was no mistaking. She had just ordered for the cultists to burn down the building. In part, that would work to their favor, erasing any possible trace about them and creating a distraction, but in the other hand, they were out of time.

[color=6ecff6][I]"Chres, tell me you're already working on our way out..."[/I][/color] Karina thought to herself, as she dashed through the stairs, leaving the cultists behind, which promptly started running after her.

Taking a quick glance behind, she saw the cultists running, climbing the stairs just behind her and downstairs she saw something a bit more preoccupying... After hearing the noise of glass shattering, she saw a torch, with black, sinister flames entering through the broken window, making the cultists retreat immediately after that sound. They were planning burning them alive. The building was completely surrounded and the cultists outside would make sure no one would escape.

The flames were already high and the smoke covering most part of the hall when Karina got upstairs. Unfortunately, it wasn't better than the other room. The flames had already engulfed part of the second floor and the smoke was thick and dangerous. The nobleman from the other day was there as well, apparently boasting about his familiar and saying he could use illusion magic.

"[color=6ecff6]Chres, where is the heat construct for us to get out of here?"[/color] Karina asked with a penetrating stare.

[color=6ecff6]"Octavio, right? You said you can use illusion magic. Great. Use it to cover our escape, don't let them see what Chres is doing."[/color] Karina ordered with a firm voice.

[color=6ecff6]"Hark, protect the innkeeper and his family."[/color] Karina said as she looked to the fire. With so much fire around, it would require a great deal of effort to use her magic, but she had to do it in order to give them a bit of time.

Breathing in and out with the cold air coming out of her mouth visible, contrasting with all the fire around them, the air around her started becoming colder and colder. Despite all the fire and lack of humidity, that 'field' of cold air would give them a few more moments before the fire reached them.

[color=6ecff6]"CHRES, DO IT! THE HEAT CONSTRUCT!"[/color] Karina shouted. She could feel her blood becoming colder and colder with the effort it took her to use so much magic in a place surrounded by fire.