Swiftbeak watched in astonishment as bloodied teeth pushed through the man's gums, and knew with certainty now that he was not the only monster here today. The unexpected display gave the gryphon enough pause that the brute began its unsteady charge uncontested. Enough momentum to send the sword through even a thick skull, certainly; Swiftbeak spread his paws and hunched, ready to do whatever he could to deflect or absorb the blow.<br/><br/>And then there was a sharp snap behind him, and the rush of something impossibly fast through the air. The bolt impacted the brute's chest with such force as to drive through his armor and send him staggering back, off-balance; Swiftbeak knew this was his best chance. Leaping forward like a pouncing lion, he cleared the scant distance between himself and his opponent; his right forward talon outstretched to impact the haft of the bolt, hopefully driving it in deeper and sending the man-thing sprawling back, while his left came down on his sword-arm, pinning it to the ground.