Chartose turned away to dismount and help Kladissa with the bolo, only to feel the dull *[b][i]thuck[/i][/b]* as an arrow embedded itself into several pounds of copper-pieces he just happened to carry in his rucksack. Still, the screamers must've seen the arrow stuck into him, and saw him get off Tricia. Most likely they thought themselves successful in wounding him, and would stop shooting as they went in to gather-up prisoners.

So the Charr laid his own ambush by smoothly pulling his crossbow from his scream-raptor's scabbard, and drew a quick aim [u][i]and fired[/i][/u] upon the rushing archer to the swordsman's rear. Unless the later turned, it would be hard to know the fate of his comrades. The state of the fight went both ways, however, as he quickly lost track of the Aaeneshi and the Human. Kladissa was obviously trying to free herself, and the best he could do was buy her some time.

And to be fair of the swordsman's obvious skill, buying Kladissa time was nearly the best he could hope for in a spear vs scimitar fight, he still had a hand-axe on his belt, but a good fist to the nose or a bear-hug would seem more appropriate if his opponent wished to get close and personal with him.

Tricia however, would not be content to remain a hapless bystander for long when her master was in danger.