[b]"Oh Gods, oh... Safety with the Erlings, yesyesyes, finally sweet safety,"[/b] muttered Rat as he attempted to scrabble farther away from the battle raging just behind him.  Between gouts of flame and jets of water he crawled, making himself as small of a target as possible.

[b]"Safe space... saaaaaaaaaaaaaaafe space yes.  Stoneworks is a saaafe space if... Rat... Can... Just...,"[/b] he stretched, reaching his spindly claws towards the last bit of Earth that would carry him over the ledge and out of danger.  His fingers just barely made purchase on it when something scooped him up roughly.

[b]"WHAT?!!  NOOOOO WHYYYYY?!"[/b] his voice trailed off in the distance as he clutched desperately at the few blades of Stoneworks grass he was able to salvage.

ID's slitted amber eyes watched Raudd carefully without blinking, though she was very clearly aware of where each member of the pack of wolves was, as evidenced by the fact that her stance shifted slightly whenever one strayed too close.  Her eyes narrowed very slightly at him as he spoke and she listened but she wasn't really hearing his words.  Her breath came heavy, escaping from the mask and igniting in an occasional flicker of flame, though she did not appear to be winded.  It felt like she was looking through him, and she was... her [Dreamsight] had mostly recovered, though she felt it burn in the back of her eyes subtly... what had her attention were the hungry wisps of [OBLIVION] escaping from his wounds.

[b][color=#d9145f]"[i]Shōkyo mahou??[/i]"[/color][/b] Whispered ID, to herself mainly.  [i]Mother[/i] would be interested in that for sure.  Her eyes flicked away from him between words to assess the flock overhead, and watch one of the corvids break off and follow the [i]escapee[/i].  Good to know.

[i][color=#d9145f]Three scenarios...[/color][/i] she thought, as her attention turned back to Raudd, watching every muscle twitch as he spoke.

[i][color=#d9145f]Best case: Exit combat without souring reputation with Stoneworks.
Second best: Combatant attacks after lowering guard.  Exit combat intact (some collateral damage)
Worst case: Peace untenable.  Survival at all costs.  If I must, turn it [b]all[/b] to glass. [/color][/i]

There was the other signature that had passed briefly through her sphere of influence to be aware of as well.  A long range combatant?  If it was the magician who crafted the local Grand Enchantment the situation could turn sour for her really quickly.  ID resisted the urge to turn her head to look farther into the Stoneworks.  He was done talking... expecting a response, she guessed.  Presumably "put your weapons down, or else."  ID contemplated "Or Else" for a tangible second, rolling her shoulder slightly.  She felt the melted fabric give way, exposing gleaming red scales running down her skin.

[b][color=#d9145f]"Heel the dogs,"[/color][/b] she replied cautiously.  [b][color=#d9145f]"Please,"[/color][/b] she added after a moment: the combatant seemed to believe she was not in the position to be issuing demands.  There was a possibility he was correct.  She released the heat hesitantly, allowing the area to cool rapidly and crackle as glass hardened and splintered under her feet.  Her stance did not change: she could still react if "peacefully" actually meant "you die," and her [Hardening] would hold the wolves at bay for a time.  She could fortify it... but for the time being decided not to cast any spells, should that be seen as a hostile act.