Welcome to Gaia! ::

"Nvira informs me they have a trap laid ahead... and they are interested in talking with Ikzer for obvious reasons." Valen stopped walking, "does anyone have a plan?"

Nvira, do you know what the trap is? And do you know what kinds of soldiers they have with them? Particularly whether or not they have spellcasters. Valen knew that he could survive this fight, and likely any trap they had set for them. But if they had a mage that could be a problem.

"Alright, we'll do it Ikzer's way first." It was odd for them to bring a priestess this far inland, usually they were always well protected and safe near the coast. If Ikzer's plan failed they would have to spring the trap themselves and hope they could survive it.

Valen's sharp battle hardened mind reacted instantly, and although he spoke quickly his voice was calm, "Father, do you know any other spells?"

"Um, healing and a shield spell."

"Good, cast it, protect yourself, and anyone else who wishes to stay here with you." Valen unsheathed Nvira and his other blade off his back with one fluid motion and he faced the sorceress. She was target one. Without waiting for their response Valen charged ahead, running as fast as he could right at the sorceress. But as he began his sprint his hood fell back from his face and the sun seared his skin. He winced, and then he began to feel weaker. He was still stronger and faster than a normal man, but this would be a more difficult fight than he had thought. As the Drow warriors came at them he knew he could not avoid confronting them so he readied himself and as they met he slashed it them with his swords, killing one on the spot and severely wounding another with Nvira.

Valen was a bit surprised to see magic fire on him, but it did not harm him so he figured he need not worry. He smelled, heard, and felt the fireball, but never saw it as he was busy fighting off several Drow at once. He dived into a roll and shoved Drow behind him who fell to the ground just as the fireball knocked into him. The Drow writhed around on the ground before dying by a thrust with Nvira to the chest. And Valen continued to fight off the Drow. They were good fighters, but Valen was better. The only advantage they had right now was numbers, but that would change soon enough.

Valen was now down to two fighters left. They started to look a little nervous at seeing all of their comrades lying about, dead, and several in multiple pieces. They attacked again and he held them at bay. As they tried to spread out to opposite sides of Valen, Valen jumped towards one, using his considerable wait to knock the Drow to the ground and then finishing him with a thrust by Nvira. But the other Drow attacked him in an instant and thrust a spear right into his back. It didn't go too far in cause of Valen's armor, but it would have brought down any normal man. Valen turned around, jerking the spear out of the Drow's hands, who was no unarmed except for a dagger. Valen looked into the astonished Drow's eyes and smirked. He reached behind him and pulled out the annoying spear and dropped it to the ground. He could feel his wounds healing already, but not as fast as he would like. He charged forward and thrust his other blade into the Drow's shoulder and he pinned him to the ground. Then Valen activated his blade's magic and drained the life out of the Drow's body. The pinned elf gasped and tried to break free, but could not and after a moment he lay dead as well. Now that his wounds were fully healed Valen turned to the Drow Witch.

Valen knew that chasing her could be dangerous, but he knew that letting her live could be more dangerous. He sheathed his blades and then pulled his hood down over his face and he could almost immediately feel his strength coming back. And he chased after the sorceress, first matching, and then surpassing even her haste spell. Once he was out of the darkness spell he spotted her running away. But he was having difficulty catching up to her still. So he unsheathed his other blade and stopped. And then with his strength he threw it at her with great accuracy.

Father McCreary finally got back to his feet slowly, and upon seeing the state Rae was in he said, "my word girl, you need to be more careful." He looked around at the carnage to see where the others were, and if any enemies were still alive. He saw neither, so he rushed over to Rae and placed his hands gently on her wounds, "hold still." A soft warm glow emitted from his hands and her wounds began healing.

***

Valen strode up to the fallen Drow and grabbed his blade to wrench it free when there was suddenly a flash and loud bang and Valen was blown back several feet. His clothes were ruined except his chainmail, and his body was raked with pain. He steadied his breathing and resisted the urge to scream. But because he was in the sun his regeneration powers were much weaker so the process was slow. He laid their as his muscle tissue, skin, one of his eyes, and his hair all began to regrow.