"Which way? Myself I think staying near water is a good idea, DarkHounds and Myddraal are not too fond of it. Trollocs will not be in a hurry to cross it either." The sound of Janira's voice echoed off the cavernous walls but Chiya was too intent on the hideous form hunched in the opening of the far right hand passageway to pay them much heed. Dear Creator save us!! Darkhounds!It's muzzle was pulled back, revealing a mouthful of long sharp fangs. Flecks of spittle fell to the blackened floor beneath it's crouched form. Horror filled emerald green eyes locked for a moment with it's silver shinning eyes, and it's low growl rumbled louder. Tearing her eyes away, and glancing to either side of her, the Aes Sedai realized each member of the party was gazing at a different passageway. From the corner of her eye she saw the Far Daries Mai swiftly veil and felt rather than saw Gangorn unsheath his blade at her back.

With a thunderous howl, the Darkhounds leaped as one towards the now moving party. Keeping the stone wall at their backs, the Warders and the Maiden stood to the fore of the channelers, flashing blades and steel tipped spear twirling through the many fluid steps of a death dance. The stench of sulphur burned at Chiya's eyes and nose, the searing smell of burnt fur mixing with it as Rocar aimed another fireball at the steadily advancing forms. Readying to launch another attack, she wove flows of Air and Fire, a lightning bolt flying from her hands, splitting into two even halves and crashing into the flanks of the two closest beasts. Surging through the passageways behind the Hounds came Trollocs, beast faced snouts curling in glee at what they percived as easy prey.

Janira's blade sliced through a Dark Hounds neck, severing it's slathering head from it's body. Turning her attention to the next beast, Janira let out a violent oath as from the corner of her eye, she caught the motion of the severed head oozing towards it's body. "Blood and Ashes!! These thrice cursed Shadowspawn won't die!!" Spinning to the right, her blade a blur of motion, the Warder once more loped off the beasts head with such force it flew over the heads of the front attacking line. Before it hit ground, a stream of Fire incinerated it, Rocar exchanging a quick glance with his Warder before turning his focus back to the fray.

Gangorn watched as a group of Trollocs broke away from the main attack party. They headed back the way they had come and before Gangorn could even begin to worry at the oddity of this move, he saw a Trolloc attacking at he and Chiya's left. He spun, flowing into River Undercuts the Bank which sliced into the Trolloc's lower torso. It fell to the ground, screaming in agony. He felt a wave of heat at his back and rolled to the ground as Chiya channeled a stream of Fire at another Trolloc whose upraised sword was about to come down on his blind side. Gangorn nodded his thanks when he jumped to his feet. He looked around for the rest of his companions. Chiya was at his back, giving him a sense of security. Janira and Rocar were fighting side by side nearby. Gangorn saw flashes of light and heard more screams of pain. Aneid and Dar'tagni must be fighting there.

A Fade appeared before Gangorn and Chiya and he felt a wave of fear crawl up his skin. The look of the Eyeless is the look of fear ..... that is what they train us for .... to be able to continue past the fear, even when we are bonded and protected from this particular fear .... it will be useful.. Gangorn raised his blade to meet the Fade's attack. As his sword met the Thrakandar wrought blade, sparks jumped off them. Leaf Falls From Mountain met Cat Crosses the Courtyard. Their blades were a blur of motion, sparks leaping from them with each clash of steel on steel. For the briefest of moment, the Fade was off balance and took a step back It slipped on a stone, creating the opening Gangorn needed as he slashed downwards .... relieving the Fade of it's head.