Marren cursed as he jumped into the battle. Foolish, but at least it wasn't cowardly. Akira kept the high ground, providing cover fire for the corsair as the mercenary flanked the group. His strategy seemed to work. With the four on the ground and the unseen archer, the bandits imagined themselves surrounded. It seemed at least for a moment that their battle had been won.
Akira used the opportunity to scout the area from the ledge above. Through the camp there laid a path of blood and bodies. Maria Checking back to see that her companions were not dying, she opted to go after Maria. The trail of bodies ended at a path that led out of the camp and into the nearby woods. A clang of swords could be heard farther down the path. Quickly the elf took to the trees. Her footfalls were quiet as she danced across the limbs. The clanging of the swords grew louder but less and less frequent. Finally the clanging stopped. Akira's heart caught in her throat. No. Not another one. Not again. Her pace quickened, her feet fell silent, thoroughly using her elvish heritage to her advantage.
Suddenly the forest stopped. Her eyes widened, and tears brimmed as she saw Maria.The bandit chief's bowstring was held taunt aimed at the former knight. Within seconds Akira's was drawn the same. Images flashed into her mind. First of Mylene falling to her death, an arrow in her neck. She blinked the image away. Next was Wethera dying in her defense. She drew another arrow and cocked it in her bow. "I wont let her kill you" she aimed one arrow at the bandits hand, "and I wont let her live for trying." and the other at her chest. "Another of my friends will not die because of me." She let the arrows fly.