Blood in the Sand - I

JP with Winteroak and White_Caribou

The dozen of so bandits streamed down the dunes brandishing their swords and spears. They crashed among the pitched tents wrecking anything in their paths.

Their hoots and cheers screams loud echoing across the almost empty oasis. The four camels riders trampled anything in their path making their way to engage those that stood up to defend the camp.

The wall was shattered by the riders with little more than a stumble effecting them. If she had more time, more planning...

Shalia's next ability wasn't often used outside of dire situations. And she wasn't sure of these riders' exact distance now with the night and raised dust obscuring her estimation. She would take her chances, unsure if those around her would be endangered, but they could only do so much in their small numbers. She had to make up for such a disadvantage somehow.

"Watch your heads!" She barked to her companions while raising her fist to the clouds with a deep inhale.
Above the riders the air crackled and grew heavy before showering down with a rain of rock-hard ice, leaving her eyes glowing brightly against the darkness.

She braced for the incoming clash and spotted an opening between two camels just big enough that she might be able to slip through to the other side if they were disoriented enough.

The sudden show of magik almost exhausts you. Trying to turn the blistering air into ice takes a huge toll on you, but serves its purpose and it sends two of the rides tumbling down into the sand.

The camels panic and carry further into tents. Seeing your display most bandits give you a wide berth but the same cannot be said from your guards who suddenly find themselves rushed.

Progress was a good thing. The fact of her being almost drained, not so much. She staggered to the side wearily before catching herself and shaking it off in the heat of battle.
Fighting here would not be like in Fang. She learned that quickly.
This would have to be a primarily hand to hand encounter, it seemed. As much as her body could take.

As the attackers avoided Shalia, they focused in on the Aghul and the single Ozainae man who were akin to being swarmed by angry wasps.
She would always put her people first, and though hardy, they had their limits, too.

Scanning over the fallen riders, these two didn't appear to have spears, instead armed with swords. ~Damn.~
A dagger would suffice until she got hold of one. If she had her way those two would would have been her first choices of prey, but things were urgently escalating.

Shalia put her fingers to her lips and let out a loud whistle to alert the Aghul down at the barque, and though not perfect in her execution, the word 'danger' came across well enough. If they hadn't realized the threat, they knew it now.
She threw herself into a full on sprint toward the group attacking her guards. A desperate dash across the sands. When she approached behind the man bringing up the rear, she threw her body into him, plunging her blade into his back while they fell forward.

The witch gave an angered growl as the desert blood began to flow.