"Are you seeing what I'm seeing?", asked Star Dancer, her mouth agape at the sight of the rising dead. 

Snow Tail nodded, got near the other pegasus, and gently lowered her to a crouching position. She removed the sheathes of the wing-blades. "Stay low, keep silent," she whispered. Tail reached into the bag and put on her gauntlets. They were behind a fallen rotten log that gave them some cover. The soldier lifted her head slightly above to see what was going on. Undead continued to rise from the waters, armed with arrows, two of which were in their proximity. Torrential himself was simply too far away to get to him, and already the number of giggling ghosts would prove a problem. 

Tail frowned at the situation and went down. "Listen Star, try flying low away from this Lake going northeast. When you're to a safe distance, head north towards Stormwing. If I remember right, there's a cloud outpost where you can get help about an hour away. Tell them there's an army of cultists in the area."

"What about you?" she asked, fear deep in her voice but keeping composure. 

"I'm staying and giving Lord Rain backup," she said. "I gave my word to the Lady Sweeper."

"But what can you do in two hours? There's no guarantee that Stormwing will send help."

"It's a better chance with them on their way than no pony to save us. Now get going." 

Dancer shook her head. "I won't go."

Tail looked at her in anger. "This isn't-."

"I can't leave… I love him, as I love Sweeper. I can… I can never look in either eyes again if I go and run now."

Tail looked into the quivering eyes of the other. In them she saw a reflection, the same emotion of loyalty and care that would lead Tail to die for her Colonel. It was the same passion that would cause her Colonel to risk herself to get any of her own mares back. There was nothing she could say to convince Dancer otherwise. [i] She's right [/i] Tail thought to herself. [i] This battle would be long decided in a hour - and the chances of surviving was low. I just wanted her to get to safety. [/i] 

"Fine." Tail eyes then lit up, as she realized something. "It may be best if you did stay after all - Torrential's protection." She indicated the clothing they were clad in. Dancer nodded in understanding - the alicorn had imparted himself to protect them. For all they know leaving would only weaken him!

"So what's the plan?"

Tail thought for the moment, and wished she had a drink. Then she smiled and took out a wooden box. "I hope the crash didn't break them," she muttered. She opened the case, revealing two small glass bottles of brown liquid laying on some soft packaging. "Yes, they're intact."

The Scholar raised an eyebrow. "This is no time to drink hard cider." 

"This isn't cider - it's something we mercs call Whiskey." She opened it and took a quick swing. Tail made a funny face. "Alright - it's the really good stuff, and it'll burn." 

Dancer rolled her eyes. "And this will help us…?"

Tail looked over the log and looked at the two ghouls. They were not looking in their direction. She reached in and took out some rags, a flint and steel, and twine. "Gather some dry twigs if you can. If you can't, take some that whiskey and pour it on a rag." She lifted her hood over her mane. "I'll be right back." Sneaking close to the ground, she went over to a grove of dead trees some meters away. Hopefully unseen, Tail found a small rock and threw it hear into the lake near the ghoul pair. She then waited to see what would happen next.