Eshalu detected the sudden movement of the lizard alpha's cohorts in her peripheral vision. Scales, blades, hunched forms moving with cold reptilian precision. She was dimly aware in the part of her mind that remained deliberative and which had been spared from the thundering adrenaline of the encounter that they may soon be encircled. That was unacceptable. Elven hunting parties prided themselves on their mobility, speed and emphasis on hit and run. Being ambushed and surrounded was not something to which she was accustomed.<br/><br/>"Aeryn!" Eshalu called, her breath ragged from exertion. "Beware!"<br/><br/>At least her blade had landed in the vast reptile before her, tearing open a bloody wound in its belly which Reliyian's sorcery had helpfully deepened with the timely conjuration of a thick patina of ice. It was time to press the advantage, but, to do so, she would need to make sure her guard remained firm. When one of the smaller, spear-wielding lizard-creatures swept its lance against her, Eshalu knew she had regained her senses enough to have a better feel for its trajectory. She wouldn't be surprised again. It would be impossible to parry the blow, given the raw might behind it, but she could certainly duck and weave out of the way.<br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Spoiler: Click to Show/Hide</div><div class="spoiler_body">Roll Result: Eshalu rolled: 4d6<br/>Comment: Eshalu - defensive Fighting roll against Lizard Lancer attack<br/>Result: 3, 2, 6, 2,<br/>Net result of <strong>+3</strong> (-1 dice rolls and +4 Fighting) <br/></div></div><br/>Dodging the powerful saurian's impaling strike, the scent of metal and blood thick in the air, tempered only by the unnatural coldness of Reliyian's conjuration, Eshalu pressed forward against her quarry - the alpha of the lizard pack. If she could decapitate the leadership of the reptilian hunting band, she hoped that the morale of its followers would suffer accordingly.<br/><br/>She crouched low, thighs tense with effort and then leaped forward, focusing the momentum of her movement into the force of her blow. Her bloodstained curved shortsword hissed through the air and slashed with all her strength, seeking to<em>Turn the Knife</em>in the lizard alpha's<em>Deep Cut</em>. Somehow, somewhere, she hoped she would cut under the tough, scaly skin and tear an artery.<br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Spoiler: Click to Show/Hide</div><div class="spoiler_body">Roll Result: Eshalu rolled: 4d6<br/>Comment: Eshalu - Fighting roll to attack Lizard Alpha<br/>Result: 6, 1, 4, 6, <br/>Net result of <strong>+5</strong> (+1 dice and +4 Fighting) <br/>In the event the blow lands, Eshalu invokes her <em>Killing Blow</em> skill</div></div>