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Kayden took a moment to process everything that subsequently occurred, and it left him a bit perplexed. 

The bandits fell back in good order. Or, they fell back because of the students' and teachers' good order. Everyone he saw had kept their head and made a good account. Even Kellen who seemed particularly nervous had performed admirably. Everyone had, save for Isolde. The poor student seemed stricken with doubt and fear, which was normal for someone who had never seen combat before. He didn't blame her. He just felt a bit bad on her account. So far their group hadn't needed all hands on deck with the bandits being dispatched left and right. Michail even got Isolde and a few of the others and advanced in their 'territory.' Kayden had to admit he a felt a bit put off that he hadn't been indicated to join, but the feeling was lost when he heard [i]and felt[/i] something new happening. An energy permeating them began to grow and grow, mounting into some unknown outcome with a foul purpose. This was the cause of the explosion? 

[color=4851AA]"Why the hell would someone just...blow something up with magic!?"[/color] He asked aloud. There were far more useful ways to dispatch opponents or send fear into someone's heart. It even lacked creativity, though he supposed it was effective to use on large groups of enemies in a closed group, which they unfortunately were right at this moment. Swiftly he cast his gaze across the battlefield and the ruined buildings of the village to catch a glimpse of any mage that hid within, but so far he saw nothing of the sort. 

Instead, he did notice a large group of the bandits wheeling 'round the group to attack from the rear to flank them, using the terrain and ramshakle lodgings to try and remain hidden, particularly while the students and teachers' eyes were cast ahead. The Prince might not have been sent ahead with the vanguard, but he would make sure he would die before any of these cowards stabbed one of his classmates in the back!

Kayden calmed himself, willing his eyes to avert from the sneaking bandits so as to let them come closer with a false sense of security. He even decided to cross his arms and whistle idly, a bit too innocently but the bandits seemed not to pay that any mind. He could now almost hear the soft pad of their boots as they slunk across the group. He waited more; waited until he felt it was almost too late to turn around, and once he did he saw the five of them just four paces away, eyes widened at their position suddenly being discovered. 

The five cutthroats ran at him, trying to overwhelm him with surprise and numbers. But Kayden was quick with his blade and drew it out before they reached him.

[color=4851AA]"For Adrestia!"[/color] He cried, leaping into their midst to their astonishment, the bold and insane act causing them to fumble a bit with their weapons as his sword moved in a blur, desperately cutting any limb and body part it could find. The Prince's cry was to garner the notice of his allies as well, in case he should fall (or more realistically, so they could help!). [color=4851AA]"For Adrestia and House Hresvelg!"[/color] 

His blade caught the short, stabbing sword of a bandit and knocked it wide, and Kayden punched the bandit with a closed fist to send him reeling. His backhand swipe blinded another as it slashed over their eyes, the blood on the tip of his blade both old and new as it smeared across another arm. Briefly he felt something bite his stomach, but he couldn't stop now or be cut down! One bandit screamed in fear and hatred, grasping at their eyes as another tried to keep the pressure on a stomach wound. Kayden couldn't hold out for much longer, attempting to backpedal, fully aware he was losing his edge.