Delphine's concentration was faltering - And no wonder! After all, it was hard enough for her to remain in existence, her powers at low ebb...Even the light that beamed forth from her staff was more of a dull glow, and that was<em>before</em>she accounted for the jewelled plug that ground against her insides-!<br/><br/>The luscious Guardian Spirit drew on her deep reserves, to anchor her to the moment...Her smoke-veil swirling, her feet never quite touching the ground! Something had changed - The ascent was about to get more difficult, now. She could feel it...And, for the first time, she was glad for her innate flight! She didn't relish the thought of having to scale the stairway the way Harlan was...!<br/><br/>"Be careful," she murmured, in that husky lilt of hers - Watching his back, as he began to climb. It occurred to her that this would be an ideal location for an attack...<br/><br/>-And caught on the cusp of a premonition, Delphine turned, her staff's light sweeping through the gloom.<em>There-</em>she could see strange, warped things approaching, as if the shadows themselves had come to life! The dry, brittle rattle, the sound she'd mistaken for rattling bones, were...<br/><br/><em>Dice</em>.<br/><br/>"Harlan!" she said - Urgency to her voice, now! Whatever these spirits were...Something told her they weren't about to be friendly! Normally, she'd have blasted them away...But here and now, she'd have to be more cautious with her reserves! Delphine raised her staff, in a warding gesture - a protective aura flaring into existence, a translucent wall flickering before her! The effort made dark spots dance across her field of vision - As she half-turned her head!<br/><br/>"Continue to climb - I shall hold them off, as long as I can!"<br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Die Roll!</div><div class="spoiler_body">Target Number: 6<br/><br/>Power:<br/>Roll(3d6)+0:<br/>5,4,5,+0<br/>Total:14</div></div>