Nikolai and Pietr charged into the fray as though they were fighting against veteran plainsmen or Miao men. They had spent years in combat and for them, this was no different. They were in the right place at the right time, creating a buzz saw with their blades whipping back and forth, parrying, slicing,  and in some cases decapitating their former guards. These men may have been decent crossbowmen, possessing a familiarization with sword techniques, but they were no match to the two Khoszul men who had been using the weapon for more than a decade in actual combat situations. Nikolai didn't like the killing, he took no pleasure in it, even for men who deprived him of his liberty, but it was something he knew well, a task he could perform quite easily.<br/><br/>At one point during the fight Nikolai offered a hand to the Miao woman, Baichu who accepted. He hefted her weight in a jerking motion, spinning her toward one of the slave guards, her foot striking the poor man in the jaw. She then dispatched him to the underworld.<br/><br/>When all the guards were dead and the ferret-faced Peschek remained, Nikolai and Pietr stopped to watch. They gathered equipment from the dead as the death of Peschek unfolded. They observed the focus of the copper haired woman who Peschek referred to as Milashka but insisted her name was Katerina. Nikolai really did not care what her name was. He was curious to see what would happen next. The man's whip coiled slowly around the slaver's neck and smoothly tightened upon his windpipe crushing it in the process. The whip restricted the flow of oxygen to his lungs and oxygenated blood to the brain. With a crushed trachea, the man would be unconscious in two minutes and dead in eight to ten minutes. Although Nikolai felt no pitty for the dying slave master, he was just as respectful to the magic caster. He'd never actually seen a magic spell cast let alone meet anyone with those gifts. His appreciation was coupled with equal parts fear and curiosity.<br/><br/>The Miao woman spoke in an exhausted manner,<span style="font-style: italic">“I, Baichu Khan, thank you for your help in this fight. You are honorable men. May I trouble you to help the Magic-Flinger as I catch us horses? Your freedom is your own now. You can do what you'd like, but I ask of you this one favor.”</span><br/><br/>"Yes, ma'am. I'll help this<span style="font-style: italic">Magic-Flinger</span>," Nikolai responded to Baichu. "I am Nikolai Vedeneyev and this here is Pietr," Nikolai stopped and looked at him. "What is your last name?"<br/><br/>"Sheremetev, my friend."<br/><br/>"Let us finish gathering supplies." He finished picking up armor and equipment off the dead. These could come in handy as a soldier. He took a mail coat and some leather pieces, including a steel helm, belt with a scabbard for the sword and dagger with a scabbard. Once he was equipped, he approached the one who referred to herself as Katerina and picked her up as gently as possible. Cradling her in his arms, he noted that he had undoubtedly carried heavier loads over great distances upon his back while on campaign with General Zolnerowicz. Fortunately, he would only need to toss her up onto the back of a beast once Baichu had gathered them together. Pietr sehremetev equipped himself comfortably with the deserted gear of the recently deceased. They wouldn't need this stuff any longer.<br/><br/>Once Baichu returned to earshot after pulling the horses together, Nikolai was curious about Aelus, "Khanate Baichu, what is your intention with this useless wretch?" He pointed to Aelus the skinwalker. "He did absolutely nothing to help us get free from our bondage. It would give me great pleasure to plant his corpse in this god forsaken land, if you wish?" Nikolai and Pietr both squared off at Aelus believing that the man was about as useful to them as a warm coat at the height of summertime.