Alphonse had lost a bit of concentration on the others as he listened to the sounds around the Reiss' farmhouse. Something was in the cane, but he couldn't pick it out any clearer before the warrior woman called out her alarm and the elf ordered people into action. "Ya, ya...I hear," the halfling said as he sprinted for the house. The run took more out of him than usual, and left the ranger a touch out of sorts once he entered the building. He dithered with himself over his position--would being on the thatch with his sling be good?--but then ducked inside and drew both of his kukris. The slender curve of handle and blade was almost like an extension of Alphonse's arms, and he felt calmer about the coming emergency just by having them in hand.<br/><br/>He set up near the entrance, but off to the side and against the same wall as the door, hoping his size might give him an edge in acquiring periphery to whatever entered after them.<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">[[OOC: Edited to sneak in a story rationale for a lousy initiative roll.  ;) At 2011-07-15 20:17:50, Remec (uid: 10536) rolls: 1d20a4 Result: 5 (http://elliquiy.com/forums/dicebot.php?r=29620)]]</div></div>