The rat, that which was just struck, bled badly from its nose. Much its face had deflected the blow rather than allowing the full force of the orcish man's strike to drive its skull in. For now, it lived, although quite possibly forever damaged by the hit should it not find its end here in moments. Regardless of its future, which the rat thought none of in this moment in particular even if it did somehow contemplate its fate, it clattered its sickly yellow teeth back at the monk with a wild bite. Gorosk moved his leg back as the jaws dared closer but the moment he felt pain he knew the sharp edge of its bite grazed him. It wasn't near as bad as the wound their conscripted ally in arms suffered just a few minutes prior but it was a reminder the rats, despite being little more than overgrown vermin, were dangerous. It was becoming ever clearer still in the stirring dust and ash outside the ruined building why the militia would need have been sent here.

Beside the two men dealing with the outlying rat to the right, the charging warrior found himself beset by two. The first, the one just at his foot, leapt up at him with a shrill cry and was checked only by the shunt of the man's shoulder turning it aside. Fighting off that creature, de Brey had the wherewithal from his prior experience in battles not long past to see the other foe coming at him; thankfully it dared not attack behind, it too feeble and simpleminded for that, and he stepped aside to avoid the gnashing jaws, keeping them both back at sword point. From a roundabout point, the last and furthest rat scurried behind the conflict, bounding with hops and leaps around the skirmish then bolting for the paladin, it was too little and too late - having wasted much of its time avoiding the fighter's sword and the orc's staff to get this far.

[hider=Effects]
[b]Initiative Table[/b]
Tracan - 23
Gorosk - 17
Creatures - 11
Renault - 5
Vah'lux - 4
Quentin - 0

Gorosk is bit by the first of four [i]dire rat[/i] who he just struck, suffering 1 point of bludgeoning and piercing damage as its teeth graze him yet still draw blood. The rat nearest to de Brey leaps at him but misses the attack, as does one of the rats off to the side who moves in to attack. It does not flank him but would have failed its attack even had it. The last rat bolts toward Beaumont but has its attack easily defeated too.[/hider]
[@BangoSkank][@Hellion][@Lord Wyron][@TyrannosaursRex]