#fhnf

The explosion cast him down, not for the blast but for the tremor that rippled through the keep and offset his balance enough to send him stumbling ungraciously, slipping over the carved edges of the nearest fountain and into the shallow waters. He braced himself instinctively on his hands, a sudden pain jolting up through his wrist when they met the stone - though it’s forgotten or perhaps just ignored as quickly as it came, his thoughts rushing in an instant towards the palace.

Sorin--?

They’d separated shortly after their arrival, spent the evening apart each with their own interests and little concern for the risk this might pose in the absolutely unlikely scenario of an emergency, an error in hindsight now slingshotting back to bite his already bitten ass. There's a quickening beat in his chest that’s not solely his own as he scrambled to get up, only promptly halted by the sight of shrouded figures rushing into the gardens ahead.

There’s little rhyme or reason to the direction of the fleeing crowds, most simply scattering in whichever direction was opposite the encroaching attackers, panic having taken hold only moments after the explosion rattled the keep and transformed the esteemed guests into something not unlike a herd of deer, leaping desperately towards presumed safety at the sight of a dragon circling overhead.

It descends upon a different target.

Grabbing a decorated table over from a near wall Arvas sent it tumbling down the staircase with remarkable ease, crashing into the few soldiers who had been rapidly ascending the steps and together hurdling down back to the hall below - a hurried glance spied other engagements over the banister, the sounds of battle having carried the old beast towards it, by sheer instinct seeking to aid those who had chosen to take up arms against the intruders.