Arimm was angry at this point. Not only had the ranger almost died by these fiends, but they had had the advantage on him for a moment, and had managed to strike his back with great force. It was painful, but Arimm forced his thoughts on the battle at hand, trying to block it out, as his training had taught him.
Now, facing the last one, and with the inquisitor at his side, the battle was more to his liking. Looking to Canicus, The assassin smiles.
"Get his attention for me, would ya? I think I'll do a bit better if the beast doesn't get a chance to fend me off." He said, fingers re-gripping his daggers, and shifting to rest his weight onto the balls of his feet, crouching slightly.

The shouting of his companion drew him back to reality, and the pain he was in. He grimaced, realising he allowed himself to be sucked into the combat both mentally and physically, and scolded himself for his foolishness. Allowing oneself to get so involved was dangerous and could corrupt you so quickly. He allowed himself to be pulled backwards, and into the hands of his kin.

The warming feeling of the Drows magic calmed him, and fixed the wound in his neck. The only thing left was a scar and some bruising, with a trail of dried blood staining his neck and armour.
''Many thanks. I will be sure to return the favor when the time comes.'' Malagaar said, looking to the person who helped him.
''but for now i'm needed to back up the other's who are fighting.'' and with that he shrugged the witches arms from him and pushed forwards, aiming to get into the fray at the first opportunity.

((OOC: Move towards the fighting again. At the slightest opening, he will utilise it to get back into close combat with the zombie and drive his blades to send this beast back to the grave.))

The Ifrit could not help but smile at the sound of rotting skull crumbling beneath the red hot strike from his weapon. While this wasn't his main weapon of choice it would have to do in these tight fighting conditions, and it appeared to be doing just what it was meant to do as it was. Barely even acknowledging the request for a distraction from the assassin the inquisitor rushed forward toward the remaining reanimated scout and again swung the red hot weapon with the full force of both his arms to try to bring down this fiend as well.

One zombie was down, finally put to rest by the sword of the Cavalier. The skirmish was still in full swing however, Malagaar was bleeding badly from the wound sustained in his neck and the blood was beginning to seep into the lining of his armour. Nevertheless the brave young ranger still fought on, determined not to resign himself to death at the hands of this undead foe. He lunged in with his leading weapon creating another gaping wound in the zombies decaying flesh, next he stabbed at the belly of the monster, clearly attempting to cripple it.

No sooner had the zombie reacted to the initial blows did Arimm begin his attack at the undeads flanks. This time the scout was ready and the, usually, deadly darting daggers of the human rogue were brushed aside easily. The zombie used this to his advantage, grabbing at Arimm and forcing him away in a mad thrash of limbs.

As Tyrvia moved forward to apply her healing hands to Malagaar she was forced to squeeze past the shuffling feet of Canicus, for now he wanted a rest, after all there was little room for him near the edge where Arimm and Malagaar were battling the hardy undead scout, especially with the large form of the Cavalier encased in his armour blocking the way.

As Tyrvia neared Malagaar her way was still blocked by Arimms shambling body, she needed Malagaar to back up but she could not break her spell. Fortunately Istanius intervened

"Come friend, you'll have plenty a chance to prove how brave you are, AFTER YOU STOP BLEEDING ALL OVER YOURSELF!"

Still these words could not break the Avanmephion's concentration, so hell-bent was he to kill the abomination before him. In the end Istanius had to physically pull the ranger to within Tyrvia's reach. Once within reach Tyrvia placed her hands, now brimming with holy power, onto her kinsman's wound. The blood immediately dried and the wound scabbed over. Malagaar winced expecting pain, but instead he felt a warm sensation and any pain he was in instantly ceased.

The young and now healed Ranger thanked her kindly before reentering the fray. As Malagaar jogged off, weapons drawn, she shouted to him.

"Malagaar, I am a companion and not a mother. Yet you cannot let your emotions rule you like that."

Now that Malagaar, Istanius and herself were out of the way Canicus saw his chance to once again get involved in the melee. He rushed to join Arimm and as Tyrvia turned to see the ranger getting bullied by the two larger zombies Arimm was knocked to the floor but the ever innovative young human managed to roll away plunging his beloved daggers the belly of the nearest undead. With almost perfect timing Canicus chose the moment Canicus withdrew his daggers to bowl into the zombie caving in its skull.

There was only one zombie left now and Arimms knocks were not to bad Tyrvia wasn't going to waste another healing spell on this skirmish and with little melee expertise once again she withdrew to a safer distance. Hoping the others would deal with the last zombie painlessly and swiftly.

Arimm smiled as the inquisitor pushed forward, his deadly weapon promising to smite the undead grunt before it had a chance to block. But Arimm knew his own skills as well, and the previous zombie dodging his attacks was enough to make the assassin err on the side of caution.
Following the Ifrit closely, timing his move carefully, he rolls around his companion and the zombie just before Canicus' swing hit home.
(The rest of this post is assuming i don't mess up and roll off the cliff...)

Jumping up behind the two, Arimm brings both daggers up to enter either side of the creatures throat at a 90 degree angle.

(Actions: Roll around combatants, Flank attack Zombie.)
((Stabbing at 90 degree angles so if Canicus manages to crush this one's skull, hopefully it won't damage my weapons. ))

After Istanius had realized the bad idea of tackleing the zombies, he dragged Malagaar back. Now that he had the tome to turn back to the fight, he was more the satisfied to see that Arimm and Canicus had successfully dealt with ine of the zombies, leaving only one left. As much as Istanius wanted to attack, there was quite a melee fight going on. Istanius moved to be ready to lunge in at any opening, though he highly doubted that any would open up. His comrades could handle this monster without him, as much as he wanted to defeat it. Being a blade wasn't all about glory, so Sitanius grudgingly stepped back and allowed his fellow blades to go.

(OOC Istanius readies himself to charge in if there is an opening which would not leave him vunerable to falling off the cliff)

''There is a stairwell that seems to lead to the temple just ahead'' Malagaar announced to the others. He knelt, and wiped his swords of the coagulated gunk that had come from the puppet creatures and sheathed his short sword. Scizore at the ready he looked over each of his companions in turn. ''I suggest you tie that horse up nearby, lest we have to contend with it for space again.''. Turning he announced to the people behind him, ''I'll go ahead, quietly. Keep your distance, if I see anything that I need your help with, or if you hear fighting then come to me''.

At that, he begun to walk softly towards and up the stairs, eyes vigilant for traps, monsters or ambush spots.

((Move up, sneaking. Looking for any traps or whatnot))

Arimm smiled slightly, wiping his daggers clean on the now-dead.... undead. It did lack the soothing euphoria of ending the life of a natural being. Seeing the soul leave the eyes. But a victory was a victory, he supposed.

Offering a nod to the Inquisitor, the Assassin sheathed his blades and slowly twisted himself, trying to ease the discomfort of his back.

''There is a stairwell that seems to lead to the temple just ahead'' Malagaar voiced, looking ahead.
''I suggest you tie that horse up nearby, lest we have to contend with it for space again.''.
Turning he announced to the people behind him, ''I'll go ahead, quietly. Keep your distance, if I see anything that I need your help with, or if you hear fighting then come to me''.

Arimm simply nodded, smirking. Watching the Drow's back as he snuck ahead, the Assassin nudged Canicus.
"5 Silver says he manages to get himself maimed again." He joked coldly, tossing a wink to Tyrvia.
"Keep yer magic ready. We'll be draggin' a limp elf back to ya here soon."

((Actions: None Note: No offense to anyone, especially King Rat. Just Arimm's nature. Just reminding you guys, I really ain't as much of a douche as Arimm will start to appear through this game. lol))

Canicus merely shrugged at the assassin's wager and took a moment to shake as much of the rotten matter from his weapon as he could. The battle had been too short, been over too easy, it hardly felt like it was worth his time and effort as a herald of the God of War. Battle was battle however and he did relish every chance he had to practice his art. As the dark skinned elf announced that he would be going ahead to scout Canicus leaned himself casually against the cliff wall and awaited a report or the sounds of battle, whichever reached his ears first.

"I suggest you tie that horse up nearby, lest we have to contend with it for space again." Malagaar said.
"I don't think so," Istanius growled," my horse comes anywhere I do. I will stay at the back however."
"I'll go ahead, quietly. Keep your distance, if I see anything that I need your help with, or if you hear fighting then come to me." Malagaar anounnced.
"As you wish," Istannius replied. He waited for what Malaggaar would find.
"5 Silver says he manages to get himself maimed again." Arimm joked coldly.
"I have my doubts he would," Istanius interjected, "I think he's smart enough to call for help if needed. In fact, he did give the general the correct strategy back at the hill. Besides, lets save it for the enemy." Istanius brought his horse to the back of the group, making room for their travels up the stairs.
(OOC Istanius wants to move to the back of the group to prevent a similar issue with his horse. It was definatly a hindrance last fight.")

Tyrvia watched on as Canicus and Arimm dealt with the last Zombie. It charged forward and Tyrvia felt herself take a sharp intake of breath. The pair were to quick for the lumbering undead and with a mace to the head and two daggers in the neck the zombie fell to the floor, motionless. She watched Arimm closely and saw his eyes light up showing up even more brightly relative to his dark skin.

Tyrvia recognised in him what she had felt the few times she had taken life. It was scary to see just how powerful a feeling killing really was. She had noticed, over the last few months, the great joy that the rogue took in the killing of others and although she was not worried herself she feared for the young Avanmephion. One day the killing may overwhelm him, taking hold of him completely.

Nevertheless the zombie was downed and the most present threat had been quelled with no loss of life and little injury. She heard Istanius just in front of her.

“Glad that's over with.”

Unfortunately Tyrvia could not agree. In her mind it had just begun and she felt the need to tell the cavalier.

“This battle.” She paused, hoping to add effect. “Has just begun!”
She saw Malagaar kick the dead body, making sure that Canicus and Arimm had done a good job. Tyrvia had no qualms about this, once a body was dead it was only decaying matter, there was no soul left.

Malagaar's head turned towards their destination and he soon came back to the others telling of a staircase leading up into the temple ruins themselves. He brashly declared that he would go check it out. Alone.

“I'll go ahead, quietly. Keep your distance, if I see anything that I need your help with, or if you hear fighting then come to me.”

This was the trouble with the 'blades.' Each of them in at least one respect was the best in their field, yet they would not work together. Istanius and Canicus, though good men both, lacked the leadership to lead the blades and Malagaar and Arimm were to busy trying to get one over each other. Tyrvia though was by far the worst.

Each time they set off on a new quest, or mission, she would tell herself that this time she would step up and take lead of the egotistical drow and human and help give the brave cavalier and practical inquisitor direction. Yet she never did... Until now.

“You will not go off alone Malagaar.” Commanded Tyrvia, barely believing the words were leaving her mouth. “I am fed up of this being a competition, if we don't begin to work as a team one of us will lose our lives, we move as a unit!” Feeling empowered by her new sense of fulfillment she continued giving orders. “We'll go to the bottom of the staircase, quiet like. Then Arimm and yourself will scout forward. Putting your petty squabbles aside. And finally, Istanius your mount will have to stay, there will be no room for him in the narrow confines of the ruins and it's hooves will sound from miles away.”

Tyrvia hoped her outburst would stick and the others would not completely disregard her attempt to become the leader of this sorry excuse for a 'crack unit.'

''I'm sorry?'' The drow replied, stopping in his tracks at his kin's outburst.
''In what world has any of this been a competition? '' He spun, and walked back to the group. His eyes narrowed at her, his stance dominant.
''There are no 'petty squabbles' involved in anything i've said. I have skill with staying hidden and scouting. I've taken the necessary precautions. Moving as a unit is closer to suicide than being prepared. In combat certainly teamwork is important however if we all move to that staircase now we're more likely to be spotted by any ambush attempt or set off any trap as we struggle too look for each other as well as ourselves. Arimm will stay like the rest of you.'' This he said with his voice low, barely above a whisper, almost a hiss coming from his mouth.
''I will not allow you to risk what is a routine scout with your sudden addition of a spine and misguided principles of how a unit should operate. I'm unsure what you just saw but, for all the complications, we worked well in our last combat. If you didn't notice, even if the horse got in the way...'' He shot look at Istanius ''... we worked 'as a team'. Those of us skilled with fighting dispatched the threat and your healing arts fixed what was a mistake on my part. I'll be the first to admit I underestimated the enemy. Now, unless your idea of teamwork is different to mine, in which each member of the team uses his or her strengths to aid the others, then I suggest you stop advertising our location to would be threats by shouting about your ideology.'' He unlocked his gaze from his female kin and used his free hand to rub the back of his head. His voice, while still quiet, lost the hiss of his previous speech.
''I'm sorry Tyrvia, I don't like unit infighting. However I cannot agree with your tactical analysis of the situation. I respect you has both a friend and a team member. I respect your attempt to 'bring the team together'. However now isn't the time. We're not killing each other, and we work with one another when the time comes to it. Yes, me and Arimm have ideology issues, and sometimes debates can get heated. I will be the first to admit to my faults, however I am now playing to strengths, and whilst Arimm may have been a worthy substitute in my place, I was the one who stepped up and will do the job that will need to be done, and that is scout. I have no wish to fill a leadership role, but I will not stand idly by whilst those who do make rash decisions that would harm more than help.'' He placed his free hand on her shoulder, and looked at her, a smile on his lips and his voice far softer.
''You're a brave fighter, a champion of us Avanmephion Elves, and you're a trusted friend. If anyone where to decide to take an inter-unit leadership role you would be as good as any. Please don't take what i've said as offence. I only wish to get the job done, and with a little pain as possible. Keep these guys here in line, I will be back shortly with my report.''
And at that, he once again turned around, and slowly approached the direction he was heading to scout.

((OOC, cancels last actions temporarily to have one hell of a speech. Sorry, it ended up longer than I expected. Then resumes them at the end of his rant.))

Malagaar turned away from his path to the stairway and Tyrvia breathed a sigh of relief. It had worked! Once she had seen the look in his eyes however, it was clear she had not.

She listened to her kinsman rant on, highlighting the inadequacies of her plan and ideology within the group. She let out another sigh, though this one was of depression not relief. Clearly the headstrong ranger did not think the same as her. This was not a problem the group would carry on, in her opinion, not working together. She was tempted to voice this once more explaining to Malagaar that he had to be pulled back from the enemy in order to be saved, that did not seem like great communication within the group. But the time was not ripe for such comment and her wisdom told her to stay silent and admit rejection as the party's leader.

She watched Malagaar turn and leave and only shaked her head gently, her eyes glazed.

Istanius listened to Malagaar's rant. It was totally unnessesary. With no one exactly leaping at the chance to be leader, it made perfect sense for Tyrvia to try and step in. Though Istanius did have to agree with Tyrvia on this issue. Malagaar giong alone was too dangerous: it was a risk that the blades group shouldn't run. Even if Arimm followed Malagaar, at least they'd have a fighting chance.

As Malagaar turned to walk up the stairs, Istanius left his horse back, and moved over to Tyrvia. Istanius was greatly depressed that he had to leave his horse back here. However, Istanius knew that if trouble arose, it could run.

"Tyrvia,"Istanius began quietly," I think your plan was a good idea. We can't be splitting up all the time." Istanius knew that they would all need to discuss this leader problem.

(OOC Istanius will wait until he is ordered to, or combat starts to move up the stairs)

Arimm watched silently as Malagaar fell apon his female kin with hissed words, leaking venom. The woman had grown a spine. Stepped up in an attempt to make a field call. And had been shut down.
The Assassin hoped she hadn't lost her will that quickly. He agreed with her plan. It WOULD be best if he went with the Scout. Silently, he agreed. His only facial expression, however, was a light smile.
He didn't care who wanted to be the Leader. They all just took charge of things in which they had the skill in. In all truth, Arimm figured he could sneak up a dark stair case far better than the Elf, even with his lighter skin. But, Malagaar wanted this one, and Arimm doubted anything would kill the Elf. Arimm wasn't that lucky.....