Once they had quieted down themselves, the guards heard the sound of multiple voices beyond the door.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(84, 172, 210)"> "She removed the gag!" </span>The toothless guard said as word of warning.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(84, 172, 210)">"Who knows what witchery they are brewing together, they both shall burn for this." </span>He continued, the fat guard shushing him to be quiet as he picked up a weapon.  All three were surprised by the thunderclap that echoed through the low stone structure, dust falling from the rafters as the building seemed to shake to its very foundation.  Before the guards could decide what to do, the door between them and their prisoner burst open from the force of the magic.  All three stood paralyzed for a moment, afraid to advance upon the powerful magic not fully contained by their simple prison.  Any thought of putting a stop to the goings on within the cell were stopped as the fat guard, caught standing in sight was hit by a dagger and fell to the floor.  The courage drained from the other two as quickly as the blood from their mortally wounded comrade.<br/><br/>*************<br/><br/>Xavier was able to reach his full stride as their were few passersby and they quickly pressed themselves against walls and wagons to make room for the tall knight running towards the sound of the unnatural thunder.  He feared seeing the small stone jail laying in ruins but from the outside all appeared normal.  He took a couple of full deep breaths to catch his wind then opened the door to the guard room.  His eyes scanned the room, seeing two terrified guards, staring at a third whose life blood was flowing onto the rough hewn floor with a dagger sticking out of it.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(247, 218, 100)">"The witch?" </span>He asked, confused as he didn't think the crazy girl had that sort of malevolence within her.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(247, 218, 100)">"Don't just stand there, help him."</span>He was often frustrated with how little courage and initiative constables had, only suitable for bullying the mostly law abiding populace, unable to confront actual violence like this.  The whole idea of someone fighting back was almost foreign to them.  He looked at the table with cards and copper still scattered about, he quickly flipped it over at manhandled it into the doorway to block another dagger as he directed the others to pull the dying fat man out of harms way.  There was only one way in or out of the cell room so he tended to the dying guard first.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(247, 218, 100)">"Watch that door."</span>He instructed the toothless guard as he bent down to try to stop the flow of blood.  He was too late though, the bleeding had nearly stopped mostly because there just wasn't that much blood left in him.<br/><br/>Enraged at the senseless loss of life, Xavier stood, his blood boiling.  He reached for his talisman, the simple cross worn around his neck as a sort of reassurance against the witch's magic, he had never had to test its proof against witchcraft before but kept his faith for the moment.   Releasing the cross, he drew a short sword and grabbed a wooden chair for defense, cursing he didn't have his shield and knowing his great sword would be too confining in the blind hallway.  At least he understood a defense against steel daggers more than witchcraft, puzzled the witch would use such methods.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(247, 218, 100)">"There is only one way out, surrender yourself and you will get a fair trial."  </span><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(204, 204, 204)">  He shouted through the open door s<span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(204, 204, 204)">he was already almost certain to burn as a witch, but the offer was something almost automatic for him, a last appeal before violence was unleashed.  H</span>olding the chair before him and his sword trailing he stepped into the doorway.  He saw not the single prisoner he expected but three individuals, none bound and the door open. </span><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(247, 218, 100)"> "You!" </span><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(204, 204, 204)"> He hissed as he saw Rob, no longer even pretending to be blind, holding another dagger.  </span><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(247, 218, 100)">"You will hang for this."</span><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(204, 204, 204)">  He scowled though his eyes stayed focused on the blade, hoping his improvised shield would be enough to keep him from another kill shot, and his chain mail would protect the rest of him.  He knew he should stay focused on the blade but as he looked at the red headed beauty he had been following before this all began he was distracted a moment.  </span><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(247, 218, 100)">"Why?"</span><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(204, 204, 204)">  Was all he could think, wondering why she would help this demonic creature to escape, his words barely loud enough to reach her the question was as much as himself as to her..   He  had his answer as he watched her conjure a doorway, an escape for the three of them, witches apparently stuck together.  He started after them, bent on bring them to justice.</span>