Ruo was taken by surprise, and crashed into the thin wall of ice. Before he'd had time to gather himself, he felt dozens of shards rip through his skin. He screamed out in pain, and instinctively jumped away from the Water Bender. Melen retreated a bit, as his opponent had proved better than anticipated. That's when Bei and the three swordsmen arrived, charging in like wild boars. The nameless thugs went for the unarmed one and the already wounded one. No real protection against the cold steel, the two fell quickly, and the thugs roared, mad with blood-lust, before turning their attention towards the girl with the blade. Bei moved quickly but cautiously towards the Water Bender, and was careful not to step on the ice, before he started deftly swinging his curved sword at him. He didn't aim to kill; only wound. 

In the bushes, Chou nearly jumped out of hiding when he discovered there was a Water Bender among the fighters. This was only the second time he had run into a Bender by chance like this. His heart was racing fast as he held his breath. If he went out there, and the Bender lost, he would surely be killed. On the off-side the Bender would win against such odds, there was still the possibility he'd still be killed by the Bender. Chou had a scar across his chest as a testament to the cruelty of some Benders. Yet Chou could barely keep hmself still. He wanted to run in and help fend off the swordsmen any way he could. But his feet stood planted. His survival instinct was too strong. He watched on with horror as the Bender's companions were being slaughtered.