The Vulpine Supremacist leader smiled as the older fox dodged, something he had been prepared for. Using his momentum, he half-turned, slashing towards the tray with full power that came up to him as he planted his feet and executed a horizontal slash at it. That should either force it out of his paws or cleave through it entirely, leaving the older todd without his shield. After that, it would be simple. All he had to do was-
“GET BACK FROM ‘IM!”
He was only able to, at the last moment as his sword made to collide and slash the plate in half or at least fling it from the older todd’s paws, notice some sort of lizard kit, the one who had been there, charge at him with a spear. He had little time to react, and no time to dodge-all he could do was adjust his stance slightly.
The spear, likely much to Cricket’s delight, did indeed find its target, although perhaps not quite in the manner that she had hoped. The last-second twist helped it from scoring a mortal blow, the spear instead stabbing along the edges of his left flank-blood, fur, and flesh were her reward. A painful, slightly more than glancing wound, that might not have penetrated even leather armor, but it had already been hard to smuggle the weapons in, let alone that. He snarled, but already, his mind was formulating another plan. The lizard-thing had scored its hit, but was left woefully overextended with its charge and close to him. He would grab her next and hold her as a hostage, to see what the old todd would do. Much as he would like to kill the old beast, he was nothing compared to the prize of the young foxkit.
-------------
Theo watched, part in awe, part in horror, as Oscar died a death fitting of the best of the Guard, taking down more than a few supremacists with him. He froze, for the slightest of moments, as he watched the final blow be struck against the beloved Sergeant, before his training kicked in.
He died to give us precious time. Think, Theo, think!
He spared a glance to the side-the Lieutenant and the reinforcements were closer now, Oscar’s sacrifice had not been in vain. If he could just grab Finnian, and keep him behind him as he fought with the Army vixen next to him, and the lizard-thing and old todd could hold off the leader, they might, just might, hold off long enough for them to arrive.
Turning to Minerva, he gave her a nod.
“Listen, we have to protect Finnian. I don’t know what, but there is something special about him. We’re outnumbered, but that old todd, and the young lizard are buying us time, along with...Oscar...I can hold off two, maybe three for a little bit with my knife, how many do you think-”
"Hungry for a slice of JUSTICE?"
His question was interrupted by a shout from Finnian, and, to his horror, the young foxkit had somehow again gotten away from him, exposed himself to the oncoming group, and flung a blackberry cake at the face of the first of the foxes swarming to them. He watched as, in slow motion, it arced beautifully up in the air, and, surprisingly, did strike the first of the charging Vulpinists squarely in the face, now coming at them in scattered waves instead of all at once thanks to Oscar’s sacrifice. The fox staggered, and, unable to slow himself in time, skidded towards, and over, the table, threatening to crush Finnian beneath his weight. Unfortunately for him, all he met was a snarling Theo, who shoved his dagger straight into his heart-the medical knowledge, after all, paid off. Retrieving his blade, he once more shoved Finnian behind him protectively.
“Finnian, I know you want to help, bu-”
His words were interrupted as four of the Vulpinists charged forth-he just hoped Minerva matched him in skill when it came to melee, or, at least could hold out for a bit. There were another four behind them, but they were still a fair bit away, having taken the time to finish off his sergeant before advancing. Grimacing, he adjusted his footwork, and prepared to meet the assault.
--------------------
Alwyn watched in horror as his Sergeant went down, and a cold fury began to build up within him as he watched how he was dispatched. Butchered, knife through the back of the head. A pained expression momentarily flashed across his face before it turned back to grim determination as he picked up even more speed. He would rescue Finnian, but all members of that squad were going to die. Every. Last. One.
The Lieutenant and his escort had almost arrived. The group of civilians and Theo just had to hold on for a little bit longer.
I’m coming, Finn! Your father is coming!
-----------------------
Talinn, for his part, could only give Silvertongue a momentary disapproving look, and had half the mind to cuff him. What in the hell had he been thinking? One false move, one misstep, against that many, and he would have been cut down, especially as he only wore his clothes. Even he, when he was at his height could have only taken on maybe four, five at once, and even then, that was carefully managing the positioning and the footwork, and the Songfox was a far cry from him. If he acted like that on the open ocean, he feared that Swifttail would find himself without a mate far sooner than he would have hoped for.
Thankfully, however, Fairpaws and Nashirou were much more centered and sane, and he nodded at Kaii’s suggestion, and, thankfully, they were able to bring Silvertongue into a much more sane position, along with-Harper? What even was the poet doing here?
Kitsune screw it, this night is already filled with more than enough oddities, and it’s another paw we can rely on.
Thankfully, however, the shock of the initial ambush seemed to be wearing off, and now their ragtag group of beasts were getting closer to the Guard formation, though, notably, it looked like they were in a holding pattern, instead of fighting their way closer to their group. Odd-Alwyn was many things, but from the reports, he seemed to be a decent enough commander for his age-had he not left a second while he charged off to rescue Finnian? Where was the one in charge?
He had little time to think about it, as both Dusk, and presumably one of her beasts, one he did not recognize, not-so-subtlety reminded him of his present...hopefully temporarily...crippled condition. His ears flicked in irritation at that, and what he knew he had to do. It was going to be so undignified, but...he could not risk the life of other beasts for his dignity, not after what he had been through in the afterlife. Gritting his teeth, he nodded at both of them
“Right…” he grunted, unknowingly grabbing onto the back of the one of Bully Harbor’s deadliest killers.
As he clambered onto the beast’s back, he could smell smoke, and froze for a moment as he watched flames begin to climb up the walls of the Opera house. He had hoped that they could reach the Guard, then they could have time to reorganize and find another, more covered way out, in the event the Vulpinists had yet another ambush outside with crossbows, but they did not have that luxury. Into the breach it is then.
“Everyone, together, when we reach the line of the Guard, the wounded and those unable to fight stay in their center, the rest of us, bolster their line, then we are getting out of here!” He shouted, voice cracking as he pitched it high enough to be heard above the din of swords and bolts.
@Matisse Dubois @Jeshal the Ironclaw @Minerva @SwifttailTheFox @Darragh Harper @Silvertongue Songfox @Dusk Rainblade
