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It all goes sideways with remarkable swiftness - the bolt, the dwarves advancing without plan nor heed and the rest scattering afte, slingthrowers taking flank and rear and the scout looking to if not making for the wall - coordination coming only pell-mel upon the heels of that first momentary confusion.

Lurching forward with a surprised grunt, Tala fought to catch up and keep her place in the vanguard line, great shield held before her like a wall though she knew it not to be so.

"OI!"  Tala finds her voice after the first few steps.  It's not going to work.  It CAN'T work but the talking keeps the simmer of her own fear at bay and if it distracts her it might well distract them, buying them the time and pace to get nearer 'fore the next bolt flies.

"If your name be not Bargle we've no quarrel lest you make one; there's no coin in your skins and there's both gold and justice in his.  Stand down and step off or end up like the beastie buried before the gate.  And if you doubt our chances, considers yours.  It'll take blood and bone to drive us off - how much are you willing to offer up to the Gods or spill on the earth for his'sake?"

"Whereas if you stand down we might well come to talk rather than blows, and if the talk of Bargle and this keep be good enough there may well be coin in it for you.  So ask yourselves, do you seek to pay the iron price or rather do ye wish to live to seek silver?"