Izaka's lips curled downward at Marren's oration; sensing trouble he couldn't help but grumble: these people were always causing problems. Although he'd been in the lead of the group, he'd failed to notice the group of foes which loomed on the horizon, only too late realizing their rather troublesome placement. But all of that mattered little now, combat had begun and it was time for actions over words. Pivoting on his foot, the warrior immediately made for the left side of the group, arms moving in something of a flurry, sword and axe loosed from their readied positions at his side. The enemy was bunched up, despite their number. If he could get to the side and push from a flank the perceived illusion of being surrounded might put enough pressure of the crossbowmen for them to begin making mistakes. 

It took a couple of moments to reach this new position, but once situated the melee commenced. Steel and iron flew, as weapon impacted weapon, sending sprays of sparks and metal shards wayward to the wind. His axe was the first to draw blood, splitting a mercenaries' helmet, then the gauntlet of his comrade. Blood and visceral sprayed against the ground, strained cries of seething agony from his second victim alerting his desired target to the presence of another figure. The crossbowmen turned, their attention drawn away from the first group as they focused on this new attacker, Izaka drawing closer by the moment. A second volley was loosed from the wooden contraptions, bolts whizzing this way and that, one meeting just barely meeting its mark.

Another spray of sparks as the iron bolt slammed against Izaka's breastplate, imparting enough force to physically rebuff the combatant. His feet stilled themselves, body drawing to a momentary halt as he wrestled with the bloodied projectile. Low and on the right side, his skin was covered with fluid, but it'd hit nothing vital; a flesh-wound, thank the goddess. Narrowing his eyes and with an uncharacteristically forceful roar, Izaka rejoined the melee, closing with the bowmen before they could load a third volley.