Lucline reacted before her brain could fully respond to what she was doing. She cast frost magic at the ground before them and made a makeshift cover. She ushered Tira into the center and she stood to one side, magic at the ready. She smiled as Lobamog jumped over and took over the other side as Rasina let lose a battle cry and charged, conjuring her Shehai.

Lucline was smug as some of the cloaked figures took a step back.

"A Shehai. You didn't mention there was an Ansei in their midst, Commander."

The greatsword wielding Brotherhood agent stepped forward and conjured sword struck conjured sword.

"That was because it wasn't going to matter. You take out the two guarding the target. Try not to kill them. The boss wants them all alive if possible."

The hooded figures nodded and rushed in. Lucline fired off a lightning bolt at one of the men, bringing them down. Lobamog cast a spell with each hand and one man stopped charging as they were calmed. The other spell struck a man and he started attacking his own comrades. Lucline wished she had her potion pouch so she could give Rasina a power boost but that was up in her room, now basically inaccessible until the ice melted more. More cloaked men entered the plaza and started advancing as a crossbow bolt slamed into one of them.

Lucline sighed in relief as Vasfer came riding in with his sister on his back. The smaller Khajiiti dropped off his back and loaded another bolt as she slid behind the barrier as well. Talsma sprung up and released another bolt at the charging Brotherhood. Vasfer, however, cleared the barrier and roared as he started batting warriors aside left and right.

She took a moment to check on her girlfriend, keeping close to her charge. Rasina clashed blades again and again with the Brotherhood Commander. It was odd to see a swordsman that could match Rasina in full Sword Singing glory.

Then things took a turn for the worse. Five more Brotherhood agents entered the area. Four of them had spears and shields that look very similar to Sentinel City Watch issue. Too similar… Lucline felt her stomach turn to ice at the realization that these men had either killed the watchmen, or had infiltrated them. Either way, they were fighting a battle of Attrition without reinforcements on the way. All this, just to get Tira. The fifth member held forth theirs hands and a fireball sprung forth and straight at the barrier.

Lucline grabbed Tira and jumped away, sheltering the body of her ward with her own as the ice exploded behind her. She hoped that Lobamog and Talsma got clear, but she was too busy getting to her feet and trying to run with the Imperial girl in her arms. She got a few feet when her legs gave out as there was a pulling on her from behind.

She sprawled in the sand and Tira tumbled out, to be grabbed by the Brotherhood Commander. The person had a nasty wound on their shoulder but they had Tira in their grasp. They tossed a blue crystal at their feet and there was a flash and the two were gone.

"NO!" Lucline screamed in rage and got to her feet. She turned, her vision red. There was a door in her mind, a door she never opened. There was a snapping noise as the door flew open.

*Elder-Scrolls*

Rasina would never have believed what happened next if she had not been there. Her target had disengaged from her, being tagged by her Shehai as they ran. However the blow was a glancing one and the snake had managed to escape with the Jewel of her Heart's beloved charge. Rasina had not built a relationship of the degree Lucline had with the girl, but her girlfriend had taken to the girl in a way she had never suspected. When Tira was taken away, her partner had screamed and grabbed her head. A Brotherhood agent had pointed his spear at her threatening. Rasina had started to move forward to save her, when Lucline's hand grabbed the shaft of the spear.

The mage's foot became a blur as she kicked the man away, turning the spear on the enemies. She and the rest of their group watched in shock as Lucline stabbed, punched, and kicked her away through the oncoming foes. They got their wits about them and joined in but the enemies spirits were broken as they could not touch Lucline.

When the last of the Brotherhood had fallen, Lucline fell to her knees, sobbing. Then she fainted, landing face down in the sand.

"Lobamog, melt the ice so we can get inside. I'll get her inside."

The orc nodded and moved to obey. Rasina scooped up her girlfriend and stared at her like she had never seen her before. There was a name for someone that could do what she just did. It was Kensei, a warrior monk. It wasn't that different from being a Ansei, to some degree. She carried her girlfriend inside the house.

"When she wakes, she will want to go after Tira. So let's get that info for her."

"Count on Talsma!" The archer rasied a paw. "This one is good at collecting information. Will return soon."

Rasina took Lucline up to their room and set her down on the bed, not caring about the sand. She held her partner's hand, willing her to wake again.

A/N: A new week comes and a new chapter of the Dufrey Diaries. I hope the people that are reading are enjoying. See you tomorrow!