As the chaos erupted and the battle began, Krios uncharacteristically found himself pulling back from the front lines. Normally, he would have been the first to dive in (well, if Garlenn didn’t beat him to it) but in this instance he decided that covering Shok was the better decision. Even with Aseema’s wall, Krios could not help but think that the healer and the group’s bounty were perhaps a little exposed to the enemy mage and crossbow wielders. He quickly strafed sideways with his shield poised, taking a couple of glancing bolts as he repositioned. When a stray bolt narrowly missed the grey giant, it only confirmed his concerns. When he was about a metre from the Tal-Vashoth he took a knee to better protect himself, with the large wooden mass obscuring most of his body.

“I’ve got your back, just focus on our new friend here!” Krios yelled, looking back towards his comrade. However Shok’s incoherent rambling made it clear that he was already doing that.

The warrior watched the battle from behind his shield, his left eye slightly poking round the wooden rim. The enemy mage seemed to have been felled, as had a couple of the other riders. And now their elf had restricted the movements of the others. Although it seemed like their little band had quickly gained the upper-hand, Krios kept his position. If something was to go completely wrong, then at least he could plant his axe in the fallen rider’s skull and rob the hunters of their bounty. For all they knew, another band of riders could be just over the horizon, or the felled mage could turn into some abomination. Better to play it safe and not give into over-confidence.