[color=95A5A6][b]> Defend against the cut. <[/b][/color]

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	The grappler rushed past you to your right, between you and the caravan towards your companion. Her back was turned to you as she taunted the man she easily bested in combat. [color=7ea7d8]"Why don't you give us your gold, huh?"[/color] she shouted down at him with a mocking tone. You couldn't find the time to aid her though, as your eye turned forward just in time to react to your primary assailant. A his sword fell toward you from overhead, you saw that here was no guiding this attack away with your dagger like last time. Instead, your blade rose to meet his, not to outright stop the slash, but to catch the near the tip of his sword on the guard of your much shorter weapon, slowing the assault enough to move yourself out of the way. His free hand reached across his body towards you as he pulled the sword back once more, but the lighter weapon in your hand and the faster reflexes in your arm meant you were able to retaliate once more, driving your dagger towards him.

	As the man in front of you cried in pain from your blade catching his wrist, you heard simultaneously the startled yelp of your ally and the lower grunting of the man who ran past you, followed by the soft pluming flump of snow as the two crashed down beside the first downed highwayman. [color=7ea7d8]"Whahh! G-get off me! Get-"[/color] she struggled under his weight as they each scrambled for control of the grapple behind you, and as you lifted your knife to pressure your foe again, you spared one more fleeting glance behind- just enough to see Aika on her back now, the man she first knocked over rising and lifting his sword along with him as the second wrestled to free her of her own weapon. Even with the armed one lifting his sword high overhead, you could certainly get to her in time. The caveat being that you wouldn't be heading that way alone.

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[color=95A5A6]
	• Attack your foe again.

	• Rush to Aika's aid.

	• Try something else.
		[Write in: Briefly describe a quick tactic.]
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