They Are Holding Out, For Now

Emmaline saw when Becky was finally taken down. “Becky!”

Before either of the ranged Bravos could try to go after the Gnolls on Becky, half of the standing ones were suddenly charging toward them. Liv was in her element, switching between targets quickly, always going for the front-most Gnoll. Emmaline assisted with puddles of flame that forced the Gnolls to shift around as they moved toward them.

The group split further as they closed, with one group heading for the tree Liv was perched in and the other closing in on Emmaline.

While her mind was racing to keep track of all of her targets, Liv’s hands kept moving. Aim, fire, reload, adjust, aim, fire again. She had been using her weapon so long that it was no longer a thing she had to think about. Even with that, two made it to her blind. They climbed up too fast for her to ready her weapon, so she leapt off.

Liv held her weapon tight to her chest as she rolled to her feet, trying to sight the Gnolls in the tree but they had leapt down right after her and left only a rustling bush in their place. They had dove for cover and were now stalking her. Liv tensed, circling slowly as she looked for any movement in the brush. She didn’t trust her shortsword against the Gnolls, but if they came together, it might come down to her backup blade.

Emmaline was twirling, dodging swipes from two Gnolls while trying to burn them. As the small flames arced around her gyrating body, Emmaline felt sweat pour down her body. These Gnolls were not armored like the last, but that meant they were much faster. She needed to find an opportunity to take them out. Emmaline hadn’t heard anything from Becky and the dread was eating at her. She needed to end this and end it quickly.