When the Rat charged out of the cave Tanika's eyes went wide with surprise, her cheeks drained of color and she just barely had time to roll out of the way from getting trampled. The thing was just a head taller than she herself was, but it's girth...she was unsure if it was a rat or a short bear. She immediately found her running stance and activated [b]HERMES[/b], so she could dart and dodge more easily. Running wasn't an option here, she couldn't leave her comrades. Her eyes searched for the mage-like girl who had been in the line of attack a moment ago, but where she expected a mangled and bloody corpse she saw Travis heroically shielding the mage-girl from a most probably deadly blow. She gushed with relief at the sight of Travis, glad that he hadn't been killed in their separation, and glad that his presence increased their fire power for the giant Rat. [b]"Travis![/b] She jumped toward them and slid in behind his shield, the Rat's claws making a sound akin to nails on a chalkboard. [b]"Good to see you."[/b] she said quickly and turned her attention to the girl.

She dug her hand into the girl's robes and drug her back towards tree cover, moving too quickly to give the girl a chance to stand. Once safely behind the tree she gruffly yanked the girl upright and shoved her staff into her hand. [b]"Hold onto this. Are you an offensive or defensive player?"[/b] She made a mental note to apologize for being so rough to the girl later, her eyes following the battle unfolding through the leaves. The Rat was rearing up, lengthening its body. For a moment her brows furrowed in confusion before realization hit her. It was going to throw its weight down on Travis. [b]"Look out!"[/b] she shrieked.