[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][/b] [/center][hr]

	Before William could strike at the shifting form of the creature, his window of opportunity seemed to slam shut. It seemed as if the group seemed to smell blood, and nearly every member of the unusual party had descended upon the alter, and the creature that was upon it. William gritted his teeth slightly as a figure moved in front of him, forcing him to pull his sword-stroke short. He didn't have time to see who it was that had moved into his path, the haze was still thick, and the smoke that seemed to make up the form of the creature was stinging William's eyes. He refused to simply stand back and let other's risk their lives against this hell-spawn. Not while he still drew breath. 

	Eyes narrowed as he strained to see, trying to ignore the overwhelming scent of burning that was assailing his senses, William saw half of an opening. Quickly moving around the alter, grateful that he was able to keep his footing, William arrived at the back of the alter, the creature spread out before him. He could feel the heat in his blades like a burning now, radiating through the hilts and heating his very blood. They yearned to be used, and William was hardly about to deny them. He pulled his kopis back, and swung it down towards the alter. Somehow, for the third time, William's mark was untrue. The blade bit deep into the surface of the alter, but of the creature itself, it didn't even graze. The shadows seemed to writhe and morph wherever William tried to strike. Before William could attempt another blow, someone stole his chance. 

	The chant of the Duchess seemed to rise to a crescendo, and the cream that the creature let out, that echoed around the church and seemed to split the very air, was one of pure agony. Even through the haze and the smoke, the light, which seemed to be emanating from the Duchess herself, was practically blinding. It took all of William's willpower to not reel back, trying to seek shelter from this assault on his senses, but all at once, it was over. The cry cut out, and the light faded as quickly as it had arrived. William could only look in bewilderment at the ashen remains, and the pale woman standing over them, sword in hand like an angel of death. The smell of sulfur filled the room, but as far as William could tell, the creature was dead. Or gone at least. He wasn't sure it could even be truly killed, but he would settle for gone. 

	Shaking himself out of his shock, trying to slow down his pounding heart, William glanced around at the rest of the group. He may have been all but useless during the fight itself, but now that it was finished, he might be able to be of more use now that it was over. He'd spent long enough travelling through the wilderness to have picked up a solid enough grasp of first aid, and although for all e knew one of their number was far better trained, he would still look to help where he could. Millicent had been his first concern, considering her close brush with the creature, but she seemed to have brushed it off, even finding the time to congratulate the pale woman. The Russians were his next concern, and although the more flamboyant of the two men had barely seem phased by being thrown across the church, William's unexpected savior had also been struck. But when he looked across, it was the Duchess that caught his attention, slumped as she was. 

	When he heard her croak for water, his decision was made for him. Not entirely dropping his guard, William pulled his kopis free from the alter, and kept it drawn, but with his other hand he sheathed his dirk and pulled the flask from within his jacket. As he moved around the alter, he saw the blonde woman approach it, seemingly recognizing the corpse beneath the ash. She called out for some explanation, but William had none to give. He had never faced a creature like that before, and he hoped he never would again. Approaching the Duchess, and all too aware of the armed man standing guard over her, William unscrewed the lid of his flask  and held it towards the Russian woman, keeping his voice soft so as ot not startle her.

	[color=39b54a][b]"Here, m'lady. Water."[/b][/color]