[color=95A5A6][b]> Rush to Aika's aid. <[/b][/color]
https://www.roleplayerguild.com/rolls/26140

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	Aika was outnumbered in a terrible position, the first man she downed now fully postured to cleave into her with his blade. Your current opponent would have to either wait his turn or tag along as you broke from him to dash in her direction. You knew you were immediately being followed, but saving your companion was the only call you could make as you lunged towards your new target. With his eyes down at Aika, he only looked up to you once you were far too close for him to react. If these assailants were willing to use lethal force, then perhaps you didn't feel so bad as your dagger sunk hilt-deep into his right shoulder. A gritty howl of pain filled the mountainside as you drew your now reddened blade from him, and he dropped his sword and stumbled back to coddle his arm.

	Your maneuver bought Aika the time she needed, not physically mighty enough to simply push the grappler off of her, she instead found the moment to introduce her magic into the fight. A short quip in her strange tongue was followed by an even quicker flash of white and a snapping sound. A jolt of lightning coursed through the man trying to pin her, and his entire body locked into a painful tensing as he fell to his side into the snow beside her. She picked herself up, her fingertips still sparking as she rearmed herself and aimed her attention at the assailant who chased you to this side of the fight.

	He stood between you now, his back towards Aika and his sword pointed at you. With everything happening so fast, he was already mid-swing before he could realize that both of his allies were out of the fight. Unfortunately, your turning away from him granted him a perfect opportunity to graze your back as you withdrew your dagger from the man you stabbed. A sharp and hot sting tingled along the splitting flesh of your own shoulder, luckily your armor preventing the blade from catching your core, but still slicing through your cloak enough to draw blood. Before you could turn to face him though, another crackle of lightning flashed behind you, followed by the sound of a body falling into the snow.

	The man you stabbed was the only conscious combatant on their side, his muffled grunts of pain as he tried to staunch the bleeding with only one working arm. Otherwise, the air around you was quiet, the thumping of your heartbeat only made the flash-bang ringing in your ears more intense, and the pooling warmth on your shoulder trickled down your back only made the crude incision worse. You turned around to meet your ally's eyes, confirming to each other that you were somewhat ok, before looking past her and to the caravan driver, who had since recoiled to the far side of their seat and had their hands taught on the reigns to keep their horse steady from the commotion.

	[color=D8CDC2]"W-Well hold on there, now,"[/color] they stammered as you aimed your gaze at them. [color=D8CDC2]"Ah hah... Surely we can uhh- we can discuss this misunderstanding like civilized folk, surely, yes?"[/color] It seemed clear this person had no intention or skill of fighting, using their three armed companions to operate whatever it was they were doing. This clearly did not register as a possible outcome to them, and they shrunk in their seat even more as Aika squinted with many negative emotions at him.

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	[color=95A5A6]
	• Attack the driver too.

	• Respond to their plea.
		[Write in: Briefly describe a verbal response.]

	• Drink a health potion to mend your shoulder.
		[Aika will take the opportunity to say or do something.]

	• Leave them and resume your travel.

	
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