The demon had slowed it's contemplative circling as the Paladin was joined by another survivor. Another female and she stank of holy magic just the same as the Paladin but lacked the heavy plating and sharp steel. A blast of low steam was snorted by the Dreadsteed in an almost contemptuous fashion for the pairs small healing prayers and declarations of friendship and hope.<br/><br/><i>How futile.</i><br/><br/>The creature continued to circle the survivors. The sand  hissed and cracked with each searing white hoof step leaving behind a puddle of melted sand and crunched glass. Closer the creature loomed. It's armored and horned head swaying from side to side to regard each of the women. It's size was considerable in comparison to the pair. Standing at their tallest they would barely reach the top of the Steed's muscled chest and from there two massive horns sprung and curled back to points half the women's height.<br/><br/>Intimidation was sewn into the Dreadsteeds very construction. It's form a design warped with fear from its home plane in the nether realm. Even so the paladin held her sword strong in the face of such a creature. Her words steady in their vows to her allies. The other survivor, however, was a much different story. The dreadsteed lowered it's head to regard Nelwyn's crouching form as she attempted to recover. She had been weakened by battle more so then the Paladin. It was clear in her stuttering attempts to speak.<br/><br/>In the distance a horn blew loud and low causing the sand to tremble and shift. Newlyn and Jessica both turned, somewhat out of fear, somewhat out of simple reaction to the startling blast but both had turned, and both had given the Dreadsteed a lapse of concentration.<br/><br/>Surrounding the pair the Dreadsteeds careful hoof prints ignited with a heavy stomp. From their eye line the demon simply looked to be circling them but from above by view of the swarming vultures the scene was very different. The hoof prints were laid out in a very specific way drawing symbols and engravings in the very sand.<br/><br/>The priestess was the first to stand and examine one of the glowing glyphs. A binding spell, she concluded, testing the circle with a finger tip that came away stinging.<br/><br/>"I-it just trapped us here." Newlyn said, her voice cracked with honest surprise. "I didn't know it could do that."<br/><br/><i>There are many things you do not know human whelps.</i><br/><br/>Both women squinted uncomfortably as a voice deep and dark boomed in their minds.<br/><br/>"By the Ashbringer," Jessica swore, "did that thing just speak?"<br/><br/>The dreadsteed's smouldering eyes centered on Jessica as if it had taken offense to her comment.<br/><br/><i>The horde approaches.</i><br/><br/>Again the voice rasped through their minds like steel on granite<div class="messageTextEndMarker"> </div>