Your bones do what they can, but they’re just that: bones. They can only do so much! Maybe if they were pumped up by some MAGICAL BONE MARROW or something, things'd be different, but this isn’t fantasy…

This is the REAL WORLD.

Feeling your body go concave amidst a series of unsettling pops, the ensuing pain is thankfully cut short by you blacking out! The last things you see and hear before fading into catatonia are Jhairo realizing what he’s doing… and a baleful ‘nyaaaaahhh’ from inside your robe!

Damn… HUNKS…

You’re just about to enjoy that sweet, sweet oblivion when the sound of crunching wood loosens Jhairo’s grip and rouses you from your hug-induced stupor!

As you fall to the floor sore and bewildered, you watch as a group of bar patrons led by a snarling Gnok surround the Skog!

“Thas’ enough’a that, ya’ tusked terror!” Growls the leader as he gives a very confused Jhairo a shove! “Why can’t you scaly bastards ever pick on someone yer’ own size, huh!? I’m SICK of it!”

You open your mouth to interject, but you’re pretty sure your lungs are both collapsed… thankfully your Templar pal is quick to step in!

“I… I didn’t… this is but a misunderstanding-”

Damn it…

“We understand PLENTY!” The Gnok continues as his eyes hop from the Skog to you on the floor! “That damned RED COMET shows up and suddenly you lot think ya’ can treat the whole world like your little barbarian commune to the East!”

Struggling to come up with a response, Jhairo is saved when Volka comes to his aid with a placating smile on her face! “He just got a little carried away-”

“Stay outta’ it, beast!” Hisses a Mzz’goe’virr behind the Gnok!

“Apologize. NOW!”

It takes you a moment to place the voice, and you have to do a double-take when you realize who it belongs to! Stepping between the Skogs and the belligerent barflies is Morook, his eyes flashing like lights on a squad car! The Gnok and his crew aren’t impressed.

“Oh look… they’ve got a pet.”
“Gonna cast a spell for your Skog masters, big-eye?”

“ENOUGH!”

>CONTD.