Cal froze, helpless as the green cloaked leader flung a knife at the merchant and disappeared in a flash of blue. It was a gaudy, careless way to teleport, lacking in all finesse, and he used a staff to augment his powers, unlike the confirmed Psionics of the Order who used only the power within themselves. He was obviously a powerful mage, but not one of the Order.<br/><br/>Then, the merchant fell, a knife handle spouting from his gut as if it had suddenly grown there. Cal felt a stab of guilt. Would this be the second man to die due to her today? She had realized too late that it was her shout that had gotten the shopkeeper wounded. The red headed Alftar started running towards the fallen merchant even before she heard the healer call out.<br/><br/>"I need someone to help me take save the shopkeeper!”<br/><br/>The yell galvanized Cal into action and she reached down and tore a thick strip of cloth from her new cloak. The rough spun material would be readily absorbent, and Calaerwen used it to mop up blood as she kneeled on the opposite side of the wounded man. He looked terrible; pale with his forehead beading with sweat. The mage kept a tight hold on her mind. If she opened up, she would be susceptible to his pain, and that would hinder her ability to work.<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">“What can I do, healer?”</span>she asked the other Alftar girl.<br/><br/>Zephyr landed behind them then, with a loud thud that scared away many in the crowd of villagers that was forming around the scene in the street, and leaned over his Alftar’s shoulder to watch her work. Hot breath stirred Cal’s red locks, and she instantly felt calmer.<br/><br/><span style="color: #00BF00">“We must go soon, little one,”</span>Zephyr rumbled, his deep voice carrying.<span style="color: #00BF00">“ We saw six green cloaks enter the city this morning, and yet I see only two now. It is not safe here.”</span><br/><br/>Cal glanced up at the big green head above her. He was subdued, compared to his usual proud attitude, and she realized that he was genuinely worried about the situation. There were more of them than the four green cloaked men left out of those they had seen this morning, but who knew were the leader had teleported? He could bring reinforcements, and Cal couldn’t leave these people.<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">“Do you think he could fly, if we supported him between us?”</span>Cal asked the healer worriedly. If the other drake helped, they might just be able to fly out of here with everyone, but with the dragons so laden down it would be low, slow going; it would be better if they had some horses too. Cal desperately hoped there was some place near they could shelter, and she had no idea what they would do if the merchant wasn't well enough to leave.