Written April 8th, 2020 10:12 PM

Ailith could just make out the outline of Xiv illuminated by the torch light at the end of the tunnel. She let the current of the river take her closer, clutching the rope that tethered her to the rest of her party like the life line it was.

If she stretched out her hand, fingers grasping desperately, she could almost grab Xiv by the back of their cloak. She surged forward, her fingers finding purchase, only for Xiv to jerk with the force of two crossbow bolts hitting them where their breast plate didn’t quite cover.  They went limp, their grip on the mouth of the tunnel going slack. Ailith heaved them towards her, looping her free arm around their narrow chest.

Frantically, Ailith gave three sharp tugs on the rope, praying to the gods Talus got the hint and started reeling them in.  They man with the crossbow was lining up to take another shot when a bolt of necrotic energy hit him square in the chest and two arrows flew past him into one of his companions. Ailith could only assume Ace and  Feyra were behind her, providing some much needed back up. The spell didn’t deter the man for long though, as he squared up and fired a bolt directly at Ailith.

Acting on instinct, she let go of the rope, her hand darting out to catch the bolt, quickly whipping it back towards its owner hitting him in the shoulder. Her hand found the rope again as she and Xiv started being carried away by the current, and she started kicking, trying to get them to Talus and safety before Xiv expired in her arms.

Ailith felt when Ace sent some of her healing energy towards Xiv – they started thrashing against her, clawing and hissing, trying to get back to the men who had ambushed them.

“Oh no you don’t” Ailith gritted out, tightening her hold on them. “Don’t be stupid.”

They finally reached the end of the tunnel where Talus was waiting, holding the other end of the rope. Ailith clambered out, soaking wet and dragging a drenched and still hissing Xiv with her.

As she emerged into the room, she saw that four men had beaten them there and were standing on the  opposite side of the room. She dumped Xiv on the ground unceremoniously.

“Stay. Here.” She said forcefully before running towards the men. she dropped into a defensive stance, swaying slightly on her feet, waiting for one of the men to make the first move.

The men advanced, swinging at her with their swords. She dodged the first swing but took the others full on. Ailith pulled out her cane and delivered a few blows herself, feeling the diamond at the tip pulse with energy before it released and shattered the chest of the man in front of her.

She whirled away, running to where Talus now stood, battling a couple more men. She took a deep breath as she stepped next to two of them, flanking one with Talus. The man in front of her hit her in the torso with his sword while the one to her right shredded her arm. Ailith saw Talus get hit by another assailant and knew even as he uttered a desperate “no, no, no!” that Talus’ attention was now elsewhere and she was alone.

The man in front her grinned before slicing into her rib cage. She stumbled, hands trying to stop the bleeding before blackness took her and she fell. After what felt like mere seconds, Ailith opened her eyes to find the man who felled her dead beside her. She winced as she pushed herself up, glancing over to where Xiv had their arm outstretched, the needle they had thrown her way still lodged in her arm. Feyra and Ace were keeping their distance as well, barraging the remaining men with spells and arrows.

Ailith turned her attention to the man next to her, obviously the leader of the group. Growling, she swung the cane, hitting him in his knee and causing him to stumble. She brought the cane up in the same motion, hitting him square in the jaw. She saw panic light his eyes as she dropped the cane and curled her hands into fists.

Ailith delivered a brutal blow to his right cheek followed by a vicious uppercut. “Don’t fucking touch me friends,” she snarled, her words punctuating each blow. The man fell to the ground as Ailith stood above him, bloodied and panting with effort. She looked around at her friends – all safe for now.