Russel saw the flicker of movement from the corner of his eye just as Hadhen cried out beside him. Already alarmed by the sound of the wards breaking, he hesitated, unable to decide if he should reign the horses to stop or not. But when Taris surfaced on the top of the carriage, the look on the elf's face made Russel urge the horses on, clicking his tongue.

Envy, inside, helped Hadhen to sit down, letting him lean against the cushion on which Aera lay, trying to keep the lad upright. “Easy,” he murmured, checking Hadhen over, touching his clammy cheek and feeling his pulse.
Assassin's Guild. Envy's lip curled. He had never been fond of the group, despite offering to help them in the past with small projects. And now they were here, and it didn't take long for the Kartaian to figure out why. His ruby eyes landed on Aera's pale cheek as she slept, completely oblivious to the danger around them. Why, exactly, they were after, he couldn't figure out quickly, but he knew he wouldn't let them reach her.
Nor would the angry Shadow Elf standing above him.

When he noticed the slight dip of the carriage roof, announcing the second elf above them. Envy glanced around, looking for a knife, a staff, a glass bottle he could break... anything to use as a weapon. He felt Hadhen tapping gently on his hip, and patted the young man's knee softly. “If you're going to be sick, just aim for the floor.” Hadhen gave a soft grunt, still tapping on Envy, so the elf turned around to see his young adept holding out a rather pricey looking dagger.
“Hadhen! You amazing little devil!” Taking the knife, he kissed Hadhen's cheek, receiving a nauseated grunt in return. Unsheathing it, he looked up and waited.

From inside the carraige, Envy could hear the venom in Taris' voice as the one who called herself Miral made the threat on Aera. And, when the assassin took a step, Envy saw the shift in the roof and thrust his arm up, jamming the knife through the structure and into Miral's foot.

A spurt of red, and a cry of pain from Miral as a blade went through her foot. Despite his injuries slowing his reactions, Taris still was faster than most, and took the opportunity to throw an orb of flame and ice into her chest. The other assassin was knocked of the carriage by the impact, rolling in a heap along the ground before being blasted into the air as the ball exploded. “Good man, Envy,” he muttered with a feral smile.

The night became a flurry of motion as Taris began spraying spears of ice and tongues of fire all around, the assassins weaving between spells. A quick pause in attacking to throw a shield above and to the sides of Russel to help protect the boyo, gave another assassin the opportunity to get to the door. Taris turned back in time to see the ward he put up activate, ice blades piercing through the assailant’s hand as it closed around the handle, cutting it to pieces.

Taris reached into the bag of gems and pulled out a handful, letting them hover around him. Best to try and end this quickly. Blasts of energy went off in all directions, homing in on the assassins, but only hitting a couple. They were good, the elf had to admit. He would have to focus his attacks.
But the most important person in the world was below him, unconscious, helpless…

The black mist flared from his eyes with fury. “I will kill you all.”

Envy pulled the blade down as he heard Miral scream in pain, and he froze, listening to Taris' throw her off the carriage. His eyes were wide, his ears attentive, his muscles twitching as he sat like a cornered creature ready to pounce on the first threat he could see. Listening, he heard Taris take down a few more, and heard the ward around the door crack. Or was that the sound of bones breaking? Turning his head to the carriage door, he raised the knife, growling, but he could only hear the screams of whoever had broken the ward as he fell away.
“Hadhen, how are you doing?” Envy asked, his eyes moving, looking for any movement.
“Mmrhmn.” Hadhen grumbled back. “Don't make... talk..”

Pursing his lips, Envy kept listening, waiting to spring at a seconds notice. He didn't have much room to move easily in here, but he found that might be an advantage. Less room for him meant it may be harder for anyone else to get in and try to reach Aera or Hadhen. “Taris,” The Kartaian called up as Hadhen fell onto his side and retched. “How many left?”