Tabitha's glasses were fogging up from her heavy breathing. From what she could tell, her opponent wasn't a noble. Which was even more baffling as how he was keeping up so well. She had easier duels against some mages. While she may have been in combat since they arrived here, it didn't change the fact that she shouldn't be having this hard of a time trying to kill a commoner.

He had the clear advantage up close, but she wasn't completely hopeless. He gave a surprised look when his sword didn't cut through her battle staff when she parried. It would have been a comforting feeling, if he didn't look so pleased at her because of it. Her battle staff, while enchanted to be more durable, was still just a staff and wouldn't be able to do much in close combat against such a heavily armored opponent. That shield of his had to be enchanted, as it was shrugging off her projectiles with ease. Unfortunately, she didn't have the time to use any of her more powerful spells with how relentlessly he pursued her. The knight took a breath and smiled again before he began to talk.

"First of all milady, I must say your hair of azure is astonishingly beautiful. Though I'm surprised at how well you're holding out. I assumed wizards wouldn't do well up close."

Tabitha stood stoic, as always, silently chanting one of her more powerful spells as he talked. The man's hungry eyes saw the tactic though and went in for the attack. Tabitha quickly disengaged before retaliating with an icicle that he shrugged off with his shield.

"How devious, not even going to try and have a civil discussion while we try to murder each other milady?" The man said pleasantly, no hint of mocking evident in his tone.

"No."

"Well, that's fine milady, I guess I'll lead the discussion."

The man roared as he lunged forward, far further than Tabitha expected.

She quickly put up a barrier of air as the man descended upon her. The barrier was unable to hold that much weight in place for long, but it did slow his descent down. She ran to the side of his body wielding his sword. His body was still hovering in the air, which allowed Tabitha to shoot more icicles at the man's exposed form. The knight folded his arm and brought his elbow up parallel to his head to try and guard his face. He grunted in pain as the shards impacted his upper body, a shard even scarring his forehead. One of the icicles found a spot of armor that wasn't as fortified as the rest, embedding itself into the man's armpit. He screamed as he finally crashed down in pain, unable to land gracefully.

"Ugh, shag off," Tabitha heard the man whisper to himself.

As Tabitha shot more icicles at him, the man sloppily rolled to his left into a crouch, hiding behind his shield. The icicles shattered on impact. He stayed in place, which wouldn't have been bad if she hadn't heard the beginning of what seemed to be a chant.

Tabitha rushed to his side firing off more icicles, trying to find an opening. He shifted his body parallel to where she ran, so the shield always faced her. Fearing for time for how long his chant was going on, she forgo circling him and went straight at him. She began to levitate herself to try and get an open view from above. His chanting stopped but he immediately charged toward her. While she was able to get in the air, it wasn't by much. She tried to brace herself as she felt his shield slam into her, a shrill cry coming out of her lips as she felt the cracking of her hip.

Her eyes widened as the man was able to grab the top of her staff before she hit the ground. The pain was increased tenfold as his metal boot slammed into her chest.

She forced herself to ignore the cracking of her ribs as she began to feel the staff leave her hand. Grabbing around wildly, she was able to grab the butt of it before it was completely pulled away. Chanting quickly, a weak icicle shot forth. She was hoping to hit something and was awarded with a cry of pain coming from the man. She felt him let go of the staff and watched as his sword went flying away with what seemed to be a portion of his hand.

She then rolled as far away as possible from him, trying to at least stand in a crouch. But the pain running through her body refuse to let her up. She began to cast a healing spell on her hip so she could have some mobility. To her horror, the sounds of his cry turned into a laugh. His right eye was closed from the blood that seeped out of his scar on his head. Astonishingly, though, his scar was no longer bleeding. In hindsight, he should not have been able to move his arm so easily with the wound in his armpit. He looked at her before studying his disfigured hand.

"Ha, ha, oh you have a lot of fight in you, milady. I guess that what I get for playing around."

Tabitha's tearful eyes narrowed at the remark. If he was only fooling around with her, then she wasn't sure how long she was going to last without help.

"Now, now, don't give me that look milady. I wasn't completely playing with you. I've just been trying to capture you...for the most part."

She wasn't sure how she felt about his 'assurance'. She knew she wouldn't let him take her alive, but there were still her companions she had to worry about.

"Is there any way you'd be willing to surrender? Someone as lovely as you should at least be allowed to blossom into womanhood."

Tabitha wasn't sure what face she made at his statement, but it caused him to frown slightly. Healed as much as possible in her current situation, she stood up with a limp. Ignoring the pain that shot through her body, she glared at the man before answering with a simple word.

"No."

He sighed before his frown slowly reverted into a smile again.

"Well, may I at least receive the privilege of your name milady? I think I deserve that much. From the start it didn't look like you expected this close of a fight." He said, while massaging his disfigured hand.

"...Tabitha." She replied through a ragged breath.

She used the opportunity to start healing her ribs, as she wasn't sure how much longer the conversation would go on for. In hindsight Tabitha should have been more learned in the art of healing. Though in all the missions she had accomplished in the service of Gallia, only two had required any more than the basics of healing magic.

"A beautiful name Lady Tabitha, a lovely name for a lovely girl. I'll try but I doubt I'll be able to take you alive. I am known as Sir Ebaler of Hochland, Hans to my friends." Sir Ebaler said with an unnatural smile.

The man had creeped out Tabitha like no others. She was very aware of her somewhat childlike appearance. Usually those who had found her appealing, especially those of senior age, were into a very specific age group. She had never had to worry for herself though, as she always had faith in her skills and wasn't someone to be easily trifled with. To be a chevalier was an accomplishment that her peers and even many of her seniors wouldn't be able to compete with. This man though, was clearly a cut above the rest. This brought on a fear that she hadn't thought about in a long time.

"But do not fret milady, whether you're dead or alive I shall grace you with the company of my bod-"

Tabitha disgustedly sent a preemptive attack that was simply intercepted again by his shield. Even though he was now unarmed, that kick to her chest told her he could probably still bash her to death. He let his shield fall to his side as he continued to talk.

"So rude milady." Sir Ebaler laughed.

Her eyes narrowed at him but was hard pressed to retaliate reliably. The pain still racking her body was affecting her aim.

"Someone as extraordinary as you shouldn't be wasted away to rot in the ground, Lady Tabitha."

She cast out another attack, this time he simply waltzed to the side.

"If you simply surrender to me milady, I would happily allow you to find your own path under the Lord of Exce-."

"FIREBALL!"

Sir Ebaler brought his shield up, while shifting his position toward the sound of the voice. His attempt would be in vain as a torrent of fire engulfed his body.

"TABITHA, ARE YOU OKAY!" Kirche screamed from afar, never letting up on her spell.

Tabitha gave a quiet sigh of relief upon seeing her friend. While Kirche looked a little worse for wares, she seemed to be doing fine.

Sir Ebaler's screams filling the air turned into a roar as he leaped out of the inferno toward Kirche. His skin was scorched and only a portion of his hair was still intact. Lunging forth, he held his shield above him, ready to smash it into the redhead's skull. Her eyes widened as soon as she saw him escape her flames. She ran to the side then immediately cast levitate to get away, flying upward toward the walkway.

He impacted Kirche's previous position with a vigor, ripping up the turf as he hit. He then rolled away, quickly avoiding incoming icicles. As he sprung back up, he was put on the defensive as serpents of fire assaulted his position.

While he was distracted, Tabitha cut to his side to try and flank him. Though still occupied with Kirche, Sir Ebaler knew his previous opponent would try to take advantage of the situation. Shield still up, the man retreated backwards toward the temple. Tabitha unable to flank him as he retreated, just attacked hoping she and Kirche could take him down together. Even with their combined assault the man made it to the temple, smashing through the doors to enter.

"Damn it!"

Kirche floated down, eyes never leaving the temple. As she met up with Tabitha to plan their next move. The bluenette was in the process of healing herself, though her eyes were still fixed on the temple as well.

"Tabitha, you look horrible." Kirche said in a worried voice. Tabitha took a harsh breath before speaking.

"...he was tough." Tapitha replied in a hoarse voice.

"I'm sorry Tabs, I should have followed you an-"

With a raise of her hand, Tabitha stopped her friend from worrying further. While her eyes still displayed her current emotions, Kirche decided to move on as Tabitha didn't want to stay on the notion.

"Well…how's Louise, she's not with you."

Tabitha looked away for a moment toward the stables. Looking back towards Kirche, she noticed that the sun was beginning to rise as orange began to tint the black sky in the east.

"Resting, willpower exhaustion." Tabitha replied with a struggle.

Kirche frowned but decided to shift the topic at the matter at hand.

"We can't follow him in."

Tabitha raised an eyebrow, as she looked at Kirche for her to elaborate.

"I uh...might have gone into the temple beforehand."

Tabitha replied with a semi-annoyed look.

"The immediate interior is a pretty standard commoner church minus the iconography. Problem is the statue in the center, it's probably where the knight made his way too. There's a stairway going downward at its back."

Kirche's eyes narrowed remembering her previous experience.

"I entered the temple after clearing the barracks, I saved most of the villagers there but...but not all of them." Kirche said, finishing with a saddened tone.

Tabitha put her hand on the taller girl's shoulder as a show of support, causing the redhead to smile slightly.

"There were two more villagers in the temple. After letting them free, they told me about the staircase. But as soon as I got by the doorway, I was attacked by an earth mage. He's definitely battle tested, couldn't even make it down the first flight of stairs. I tried to burn him out, but he was too bunkered in. After that I came out to help you."

The healing glow on Tabitha's staff died down, as she began to speak normally this time.

"We're you able to see anything down there?"

"Not really, I couldn't see anything past the first floor. It led to a stone wall with arrowslits. The mage attacked me from behind there. Pretty sure you can see the metal spikes he shot at me sticking out of the temple." Kirche replied, while pointing at the building.

Tabitha hummed for a few seconds before replying.

"Burn it down."

Kirche gave a look of surprise, before casting torrent of flame at the building.

"My flames won't doing anything to the foundation under the statue."

"I know but we can't deal with a counterattack with him and the other mages any time soon...Javelin." Tabitha replied before casting her spell.

Kirche eyeballed the pillar of ice forming over her friend's head. She then proceeded to torch every available surface of the building.

"Any weak spots?" Tabitha asked.

"The giant statue in the center is pretty detailed, you could just hit its feet through the entrance. That would topple it." Kirche pointed out.

The statue's feet were visible through the smashed doors, but Tabitha shook her head against the notion.

"I don't want to accidentally hit anything behind it."

"Oh! Of course." Kirche backtracked.

"Uhm...the third window up. You should be hitting the statue's belly. I think your spell is large enough to topple it fro-"

Before Kirche could finish, Tabitha released her spell. The giant spike of ice tore into the building and struck the foreign statue, causing the top half to collapse. Kirche's flames had weakened the strength of the building considerably. The gaping hole accelerated its destruction and the building to toppled into a burning wreck.

The duo looked away as the sound of cheering began to fill the air. A small group approached rapidly towards them from the pens. As they got closer, Kirche seemed to recognize some of the faces. She waved at them as they approached.

"I'm going to check on the others, I wasn't able to help Fedde before the fight." Tabitha said, as she was about to take her leave. One of the girls in the group, overheard her and spoke out.

"Fed!? Fedde's my brother milady, please let me help!" A raven haired maiden asked pleadingly.

Tabitha looked at the girl then simply motioned her head for her to follow. Leaving Kirche with the rest of the group. The oldest among them, a beautiful brunette woman on the verge of being middle aged, came forward and hugged Kirche.

"Oh! Well, you're safe now." Kirche said sympathetically, as she hugged the commoner back.

The woman let go and began to compose herself. Her cheerful smile contrasting her tear-stained tired face.

"The village of Vitrolle is eternally thankful my lady." The woman replied with a bow. The others following her example and bowed as well.

"There's no thanks needed, it's the duty of a noble to protect the common folk." Kirche replied, as she tried to discreetly position herself into a heroic stance.

The woman slightly raised an eyebrow at Kirche's antics but decided not to comment.

"Once again, you have the gratitude of the village my lady but unfortunately there's still pressing matters at hand."

"Yeah, we won't be able to the leave the cultist under the rubble for long."

The village lady cleared her throat in a noticeable manner, causing Kirche to tilt her head in a confused notion.

"I don't mean to dampen your mood my lady, but the cultists sent out a party a few days ago…they could be back soon."