<div class="floatleft">(https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/50/d7/1a/50d71a11f48e22255fd9d592f763aa35.jpg)<br/><div align="center"><strong>Niamh Deasún</strong></div></div>There were very few things that Niamh loathed, but being hauled about like a sack of potatoes on the shoulder of a ignorant man threatening to burn her at the stake was abruptly right on the top of that short list. Her kicks were resulting in nothing to free her and she felt a prickle of fear, though not one slight bit of regret for speaking out against such close minded thinking. Another voice cut through the rumbling of the villagers, though with her current position she had no hope of telling who exactly it was. A part of her that wasn't currently fearful wanted to point out that if they treated any woman like this they would likely do the same to their poor mothers and wives and daughters. However she guessed that wouldn't be the best way to interject at the moment, particularly not if she was getting a chance to escape the flames.<br/><br/>And indeed, the tanner who held her went to his knees, his arms dropping and she slid off his shoulder having the presence of mind to tuck herself into a roll that let her come up to her feet rather easily. Next time she had a moment Niamh would make certain to write her mother and express her gratitude for the prior circus performers who had taught some rather interesting athletic classes at the academy. For the moment she was pushing her thick hair back out of her face, watching with wide eyes above her freckled nose as the red haired man used what she believed to be his mage staff to lay about him with rather impressive skill.<br/><br/>She winced in sympathy at the undercut that connected to the stranger, and then found her attention pulled to the other male who had stood to join the fray. With the lights of the tavern shining fully on him it was clear he wasn't exactly human, his comment about grandmothers resulting in the bard biting her lower lip against a laugh. One of the men had realized she was free and was moving toward her so she shifted, hands forming loose fists even as she tried to think of the best angle to trip him and let him harm himself instead of her. After all it wasn't like she was incredibly strong, though she did tone her muscles, her fighting style had far more to do with figuring out how to use her opponents mass and fury against them.<br/><br/>Both she and her would be opponent were distracted by the way a man flew threw the air to collide with another, turning back toward the man who was now displaying some rather lovely horns. A demon! The abject look of revulsion and horror on the peasants features was nearly a perfect juxtaposition for the inquisitive light that blazed to life in Niamh's eyes, her smile full of eagerness. Oh just think of the things she could learn in talking to him! Granted, that meant getting through the fight but it would be very worth it.<br/><br/>Most of the men in the room started moving toward Corbin, clearly intent on the 'evil' but the one near her took advantage of her distraction and managed a swift right hook that connected with her face. Niamh yelped in pain, cursing herself for inattention as she dropped to the floor to protect her face and rolled away under a table. She just needed a moment, to think around the pain, to breathe, and then she could handle herself. Inhaling shakily she moved to the other side of the heavy wood table, coming up with a chair in hand to use defensively as the man moved toward her again, clearly intent on not letting her get away.