[center][img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/cd6fc343-6dbd-4ce9-9493-e893103813a0.png[/img][/center][right][sub][@Hero] [@Scribe of Thoth][/sub][/right]
Jorah grinned readily at Auberon’s reply, satisfied that there might just be hope for him yet if he could manage a bit of levity in the heat of battle. Of course, that didn’t quell a bit of competitive pride when his arrows hit their mark, clumsily-aimed as they were, while Auberon’s lance was swatted away like a fly. His little victory could probably be attributed more to the ballistic superiority of arrows over lances, sure, but that wouldn’t stop him from flaunting his win over Auberon when all this was done. 

But small victories were short-lived, and a swell of anger coming from his fellow leader reminded Jorah of the gravity of the situation. Auberon’s infectious righteousness had soon tipped into righteous indignation, and Jorah was taken up in the tide; competition was all well and good, but with this giant bastard preying on the weak and endangering the lives of both his friend and his fellow students, Jorah couldn’t help but think he’d have preferred that lance to meet its mark—and as many other sharp and painful objects as could be found, for that matter—even at the cost of a petty victory. 

[color=ffd700]"Strafe him and aim for his back while he's swinging at us, but don't be scared to take potshots at those mages if you see an opportunity,"[/color] Auberon suggested, taking off without bothering to hear a reply. Not that Jorah had much of one; that seemed as good a plan as any, and that intoxicating fire in his chest made him more than happy to bury a few arrows into the brute’s back. But as he did just that, nocking and circling around the giant’s side while Auberon charged ahead, the anger that fueled him was suddenly siphoned away, disappearing like smoke on the wind. 

Confused, he glanced at his surroundings, and his question was swiftly answered: he’d strafed over near Tomai and Kaira, catching the second half of the latter forming a plan. 

[color=palegreen]"... follow up immediately after. The barrier is being manually conjured every time—I don't think it can block multiple attacks in succession."[/color]

Jorah lowered his bow a touch to listen, just as Euphemia arrived and handed hers to Kaira. [color=yellow]"Alright. That'll fall on you, Jorah, and Imogen, then."[/color]

Jorah caught the smile Euphemia sent him as she passed, the young man watching her as she darted off, half a pleased grin hanging from his lips for a second before he snapped back into reality. Right, mages—Auberon’s single-minded ferocity was a good motivator, but it seemed to have clouded his mind from seeing the whole picture. Kaira’s calm and rational influence reminded him to survey the field, and in particular, the ring of mages behind the giant, conjuring up something foul-looking. Goddess above, was there not enough going on? 

Jorah rolled his eyes, growling under his breath. That was probably by design, though he wasn’t fond of the idea of bandits with organizational skills. Maybe education was better left to the wealthy and well-connected after all—ha! Wouldn’t Duke Gloucester be proud of that. The thought made Jorah chuckle, at least, imagining the lecture he’d get from Clarissa if he made that suggestion out loud. Maybe an idea for the carriage ride back, to lighten the mood if they happened to survive. 

Bah, mages! Saints be good, this was altogether too much concentrating for one day, but he was knee-deep in it now, and the only way out was through. Raising his bow once more, his eyes darted around the battlefield, taking a quick inventory. Before him were two tasks: shoot the bandit as he swung, and shoot the mages when their barrier fell. The giant was quick, he had to give him that, but it seemed those fast strikes came at the price of a long recovery; Jorah couldn’t tell when he’d strike at Auberon next. On the other hand, Imogen was nearing the barrier, sword at the ready, and it did seem like the giant was meant to be a distraction from whatever sinister doings those mages were up to. 

Alright, alright, fine: mages first, giant after. 

Jorah glanced over to Kaira as he raised his bow, catching her eye for an instant. [color=FFAB66]“Ready?”[/color]

Eyes back on the mages, he picked out the one he was after, tracking Imogen’s movements in his periphery. As soon as she made her second charge, Jorah loosed his arrow at the mage farthest from her, then nocked and fired two more in quick succession. He paid little attention to whether or not they made it through the barrier; if volume was the name of the game, then getting more arrows downrange was better than waiting to see whether they met their mark. 

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