(OOC: In response to Dezil: Yes and no... they're not going to be push overs, but they're going to be pretty easy to shoot, and they aren't as good as say... Kairi, probably. But they aren't going to fight anyone like her one on one [except Killith]... anyway, if Deamon kills Killith, the bandits will probably flee and report to Ciaran... and thanks to Kairi he'll now KNOW that Ripel is alive... now if someone would just shout Dezil's name...)

OOC: Deamon isn't going to be killing Killith...

(OOC: Well, if someone else kills him then, while he's fighting Deamon, because that's where he's headed.)

OOC: DON"T SHOUT DEZIL'S NAME!

Dezil was still battling with the one bandit. He brought the gun down again and again, relying on brute force over finesse since he wasn't a melee fighter, but he had an idea. He brought the far end of his gun around to block as the bandit tried an overhead blow, and with a *CHUNK*, the balde got stuck in the wooden stock of the rifle. Dezil took the cahnce and kicked the bandit, knocking him down, then he took the sword and stabbed the bandit, killing him instantly. He stuck the sword in his belt, careful not to cut off his belt in the process, and ran back to the stone wall, where he reloaded another bullet. now that it was loaded at least, he replaced his gun in it's holster, drew his new sword, and ran back into battle.

(OOC: well, she didn't shout Ripels name, she just said it to Marche alone... ^^;; )

Deamon saw the large bandit coming after him. Reaching into a pouch on his belt, Deamon took out three rings and a small scepter. Putting the three rings on the end of the scepter, he turned it into a key like object. Forcing it into Ripels hand, he pushed him towards the cliff. "Open the gate with that, then reinforcements will come." Deamon said before turning towards Killith, waiting for him to reach him.

Immediately as Killith came within range of Deamon, after kicking another refugee out of his way, he chopped his axe down in an overhead motion, aiming directly for the middle of the man's skull. His grip on the axe was strong, but far enough down it, that he himself was not in range of a bare-fisted melee attack. Killith's entire strength was in this swing, and he grinned derisively. He didn't anticipate a problem.

OOC: ... Why do I have a bad feeling about accepting help from Deamon...

Dezil started fighting with another bandit. They were about even, until one of the mages that could fight came and hasted Dezil. Suddenly his actions were only a blur, and he quickly overwhelmed and killed the bandit. He turned and said, "Thanksmanfortheboostreallyhelpsoutgottogohelpwith thebattle!" Dezil ran back to the stone wall and drew his gun, and started sniping at soldiers instead of engaging them in hand to hand. He dropped one soldier with his loaded gun, then started to reload at super speed, looking around as he loaded to keep an eye on potential targets and watch the flow of battle.

As Marche saw Kairi leap fearlessly into the fray, whirling her partisan like a woman possessed, he looekd down at his own ahnds, and suddenly felt his face turning hot and red in embarassment.

"There she is, protecting the weak... while here I am, waiting for someone to save me..." he murmured.

God, I'm pathetic beyond words!

"I'm sorry, Ripel, but I have to go. I need to be there."

Without waiting for a reply, he set his shield firmly in front of him and charged into the battle, quickly finding a place near Kairi. Almost immediately, a bandit set upon him with a short sword, the swift blade barely deflected by the large shield. Cursing, the bandit pulled the shield aside with his left hand, and received a swift kick to the gut from Marche. He staggered back, as did the bandit, and stumbled into Kairi.

I have no choice, there's no way I can get back there in time anyway. "Open the gate right?" He nodded, showing understanding. No choice, it's just that I wish I didn't have to leave them behind.

He continued running towards the cliffs, looking for the gate. You know, if I didn't think they needed to hide I would've told them to put that thing in a more noticeable place. Where is it?

Oh...there.

Approaching the gate, he saw what looked to be a keyhole. Inserting the sceptor into it, he took a deep breath. May this work, he thought, turning the key.