Sadistic pleasure ruled in Loretta's mind, the idea of defeating the Sultana at the side of her bonded rolling over and over again between her ears as he magic wormed its way into the woman's brain. Toes spread and the malamute braced her weight, sides stinging with the pinpricks she received from the brambles. We've got her, Archibald. The dog laughed over their bond, tail sticking straight up in the air. Do not be so arrogant, Archibald scolded, watching the woman as he faced her. He waited, body poised and coiled ready for response. The familiar scene unfolded before him. Terror filled Megaera's eyes as a sense of childhood drowned her. Grunting, a hint of his satisfaction, Archibald's neck arched and he propelled his body forward. In these close quarters, his lack of speed was not as much of a handicap as it had been in his fight against Ophelia. Their battlefield had been a wide open range, though with a cliff on one side. The Forsaken's speed and agility had reigned there, as Archibald knew the bay's would have, too. In this place of damnation and darkness, however, they were surrounded in a cage. Not even Megaera's wings could help her flee from the Dauntless' strength and mastery of battle.

As the Sultana rose on hind hooves to throw her front dagger-like extremities toward Archibald, he was somewhat impressed by her resilience. OFtentimes Loretta's magic was paralyzing. Perhaps, like Archibald, Megaera had been taught to fight before she even was weaned from her mother's tit. Tucking his chin more, Archibald aimed the flat spikes along his armor for Megaera's undercarriage. His attack was met with the ferocity of her wild flailing, and Archibald felt the ringing collision of her hooves against the metal of his armor. A kick delivered so powerfully shifted one of the plates along his neck, making the edge cut into the muscle below his crest. A small roar of surprise and pain ripped from his maw, ajar to help bring in more air. Golden eyes narrowed beneath his wolfhelm and Archibald continued to push forward--and quickly. He wanted to push Megaera back into the underbrush, perhaps even throw her off balance. Remembering his fight with Romani, so many years ago, the Dauntless suddenly shifted his weight. His forward momentum ceased, and instead, the giant reared. Flinging his massive head up and back, Archibald hoped his sword-like spikes would leave deep lashes within the mare's breast or the underside of her neck. Perhaps, if his timing were perfect, he would crack the top of his wolfhelm into her pretty little jaw. The sight of Romani flinging away from him and into the grasses of their home played in his mind's eye, brought to fruition by his battle-scarred memory. Oh, how in this moment he wished to see the leather armored Sultana land smack on her back on her as in the brambles. The idea would have brought a sickening smirk to his lips--so reminiscent of Mandrake--were he not so focused on this scuffle.

The scream of the eagle had been lost to Loretta in her bloodlusted splendor. The sound of the approaching creature, however, was not lost on her deft ears. Turning amber eyes to the incoming raptor, Loretta snarled. Her snarl was quickly accompanied by a yelp as talons sharp as razors dug into her scruff. The malamute was accustomed to the agony, but that did not mean it was welcomed. Trap-like jaws snapped wildly for the bird, hoping to grab onto a wing. Pupils dilated in her amber pools as a raw, primal, predatory fury overtook her heart. She was the fucking dragonslayer and this chicken would find its demise in the steel-like hold of her jaws. Her red and white body shook as she lowered her head again, hoping to dislodge the bird either by pulling him off with her teeth or by her furious shaking. The Dauntless felt the raging, stinging pain suddenly erupt over the length of his neck, near where his own armor had cut into his skin and muscle. Animosity bubbled within his chest, the unbridled vehemence suddenly overcoming everything that he was. In the wreckage of this forest, with the sounds of this riot clanging about, Archibald released magic toward Megaera. His body throbbed, both with pain and adrenaline. He was growing warm beneath his steel armor, sweat creating foam as his sleek hair rubbed against the softened leather that muffled attacks against his body. Small streams of blood trickled down his pristine white legs, staining his feathers crimson as blood thickened and tangled the hairs together.




[PC: 2/3 | WC: 769 | Magic used: [Magic: Earth (U) | The ability to turn another's bones to stone, causing immobilization or slower movement ::  Restrictions: Bones are turned to actual stone; the effects will wear off gradually; in battle, attack lasts for 50 seconds. Can only be used once in a post | Armor ref: http://sta.sh/02dcdhbaern8]