The stench of blood was overwhelming, washing over in a wave that left its spray in splatters over Rhocanth's armor and face. The bandit he'd put down on the ground now had his throat hacked open and the scent, the sight, was even further maddening.
Second sentient life he had ever taken.
A sharp clang rang out at his flank. He had seen the human woman's figure ghost past the corner of his eye. Blazing red, he swung his sword at her gut. With two daggers, her cover was low.
Three.
Vaguely, he felt a tingle run through the chains of his mail, but the sensation did not pierce his skin or his psyche. He looked up a second, sweat dripping from focus, and noticed most of the bandits halting eerily. Magic? He had resisted it, naturally, but how susceptible was their goal, the woman? Her stance was familiar. How very well trained...
No time to think about it. His concentration had waned briefly with the surprise of such a sweeping spell but he brought it back, target on the woman. Rhocanth raised his shield over his face and barreled forward, momentum carrying him over the field and through the line of bandits like a runaway caravan. He stopped, clumps of grass flying at his heels, until he had the position at the woman's back.
"We'll cover you!" he cried over the din, partially to see if she would answer. She'd do no good asleep... or if she was really an enemy. "Let's finish this!"