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they would both be dead if
the smaller demons rushed them while their attention was focused on
the leader.
    The smaller forms ducked and shifted where
they crouched. Their desire for blood was obvious, but they showed
no sign of making any moves toward the fight.
    Jala started to turn back to the fight but
paused as she caught a glimpse of white in the corner of her eye.
Turning in the saddle quickly she spotted a form well off from the
demon horde, standing pale against the shadowy landscape. It wore
armor and a mottled white cloak, but was too far away to determine
much else. Jala kept her gaze on it a long moment as the sound of
Valor’s fighting shattered the silence of the night behind her. She
let out a low growl in frustration. She was torn between the need
to help Valor and keeping an eye on their audience.
    A low grunt of pain from Valor made her
decision instantly and she turned back to the fight. Several slash
marks showed on the creature’s body though there was no sign that
the wounds were impeding its fighting. Valor had fallen back a bit
and was moving forward once again, his sword upraised in defense. A
jagged line tore through his armor on his left arm and she could
see the dark wetness of blood across the metal.
    The shifter lunged once more at Valor with
claws extended and mouth spread wide to bite. Valor nimbly dodged
to the side of one arm while driving in closer for a strike at the
creature’s neck. Summoning her power quickly, Jala sent a bolt of
force straight into the creatures gaping jaws. A howl of anger
burst from its throat as its head was snapped back and broken teeth
went flying. Valor seized the opportunity immediately and delivered
a savage swing toward the creature’s neck. The blade glanced from
the creature’s skin and drew a ragged tear down its shoulder.
Letting out a muffled curse, Valor danced back from the Shifter’s
returned blow.
    The creature let out a savage snarl but
didn’t advance again. Yellow eyes filled with hatred flicked from
Valor to Jala and it motioned quickly with one taloned hand and
uttered another guttural word. This one Jala couldn’t understand at
all but she could feel the tingle of magic that followed clearly
enough. The ground rumbled beneath them as the rocks began to
shift. Valor moved quickly to keep his balance as the creature
lunged again.
    Valorous danced beneath her and Jala shifted
in the saddle, alternating her gaze from the ground to the
creature. She couldn’t tell what spell it had cast. It was possible
the only result of the spell would be the shaking ground, but she
doubted it. No countering what you don’t understand. Suck it up
and keep fighting. Learn from the fight and counter the next time,
if you live for a next time . Neph’s words sounded in her mind
and she summoned another spell to hurl at the Shifter. There was no
countering whatever it had done. Best to follow Neph’s advice and
suck it up and pray they lived. The wind began to pick up around
Valor as she sent bolts of ice toward its legs. With luck she would
damage the joints there and at least slow the creature down. Valor
was calling on his own magics with the wind and she had no idea
what he planned. She kept part of her attention focused on him. If
she could determine what he cast she might be able to amplify
it.
    The shaking of the ground increased again and
Valor had to fight to keep his footing. Valorous let out a loud
snort of unease and she felt the horse tense beneath her as the
ground below them exploded in a shower of rocks and dust. The horse
lunged to the side and Jala had to grab the saddle to keep her
seat. She could hear the snarls and ringing metal that told her the
shifter had attacked once more but she could see nothing through
the cloud of choking dust around her. The Arovanni continued to
dance away tossing his head in frustration at the shaking
ground.
    Jala tried to grab the reins to force him
back toward the fight but something latched onto her wrist