[hr][hr][center][h1][b][i][color=39b54a]William Fraser[/color][/i][/b][/h1][img]https://bookesther.files.wordpress.com/2017/02/john-thornton-smile-gif.gif?w=500[/img][/center][hr][hr][center][color=39b54a][b]Location:[/b][/color] [b]Gretna Green - Church[/b]
[color=39b54a][b]Skills:[/b][/color] [b]Perception[/b] [/center][hr]

	When the shadow dropped from above, William stopped listening to the conversations of those around him. He didn't question how he had missed it the first time, he didn't think about the other's reactions, it was pure instinct that drove his motions. He took a few steps, his eyes never leaving the creature as he placed himself between the shadow and Millicent, and then he reached slowly over his shoulder, and pulled his Kopis from it's sheath across his back. In his right hand, he held a Dirk birthed from the finest forges in Europe, the same Dirk that he had taken from his father's dying hand, the same Dirk that had been driven through countless blackened hearts. And in his left hand, William held something that was all at once both newer and older. The design of the kopis had been drawn from the pages of antiquity, but the blade had been forged in the East less than a decade past, and William was yet to encounter a creature, man or beast that it could not split open. 

	The creature was still at the far end of the church, seeming to enjoy it's dramatic entrance as it lurked over the alter. The Russian's stood together, closest to it, while the other's within the church were still gathered by the door. William's every muscle was ready for action, but what happened next threw him off entirely. Through the subdued silence that had descended after the creature leapt from above, there came a voice. There came a song. It was hauntingly beautiful, unlike anything William had ever heard, and he could only watch, awestruck, as the Duchess seemed to sing towards the creature itself. William could hear his violin hum along to the tune, crying out to be freed from the case that William had slung over his shoulder. He had spent his life with music flowing through his veins just as surely as blood, and the song that came from the lips of the Duchess seemed to hold more power than any mere tune, almost as if witchcraft was weaved between the notes, and it made William's every hair stand on end. 

	'Virginia' passed him, moving towards the creature and calling out in a foreign language, but William barely noticed. The music... The music was bewitching. Somehow, William managed to tear his gaze away, just for a moment, as he glanced at the group that was still left at the back of the church. The stranger stood nearby, and William still didn't know what to make of the man who seemed to be enjoying their situation quite so much, but his face was intact, and if the Duchess seemed to trust him, then that was good enough for William. For now at least. Millicent seemed to have shaken off her fear, and William was sure that she knew how to use the weapons she was now armed with. That left the two newest arrivals. The Irishwoman presumably could handle herself, William had first met her in the middle of a bloodbath after all, and even as he thought about it, she suggested finding protection, seemingly to the room in general. So she was trained at least, William was sure to make a mental note of that. He had already irked her once, he didn't intend on making a habit of it. The blonde, William next to nothing about, he didn't even have a name. She didn't appear to be armed, but William was careful not to inspect her too closely. He didn't know if she could handle herself in a fight, but considering the world they lived in, William doubted she would be completely defenseless. 

	William turned back to the developing scene at the front of the church, and his brow furrowed. His heart seemed to yearn to stride forward and put his body on the line so that the music would not be stopped, his violin humming, urging him forwards, but William had not survived as a wanderer for as long as he had by following every whim of his heart. He knew he wasn't a fighter, he was under no illusion of that. His training had been to survive, and he had done well in that regard so far. Charging headlong towards whatever that creature was, not even knowing if his blades could make a dent, may well have made a good story, but William didn't want to make a story he wouldn't be around to tell. He looked back at the strange group, and made his decision, managing half a smile as he spoke.

	[color=39b54a][b]"It's no good running, there could be more of these things waiting for us. Besides, there's strength in numbers."[/b][/color]

	He turned to the Irishwoman now, nodding his head slightly as he spoke again.

	[color=39b54a][b]"Please do, ma'am. It would be greatly appreciated."[/b][/color]

	With that, he turned back towards the creature itself, taking a deep breath as he readied himself for whatever would be unleashed next. He hoped that those who pushed forwards would be able to handle the creature, but if they broke, or the creature decided to try and prey on softer targets, William would be waiting for it. 

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[hider=Roll Request]
[b]Character current location:[/b] Gretna Green - Church
[b]Characters attempted actions:[/b] Ready himself for conflict, and defending those who need defending at the back of the church
[b]Any and all skills being used:[/b] Cnut, Kadlin 
[b]Why each skill is being called:[/b] Cnut, for preparing himself for fighting with his shortswords. Kadlin, for preparing himself for fighting without them.
[b]Desired location of the character:[/b] Same as current location
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