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[Lyon]

Telchi took a deep breath as the wind elemental came toward them. How did I know something was going to go wrong? He felt rather than heard Kaethe's muffled shriek of terror into his cloak. Telchi spoke to her in a calm, measured voice. "Don't panic, whatever you do. I have a plan that could get us out of this alive. Do you have a cloak?"

He felt her nodded assent against his back, where she clung, petrified. "Listen carefully. I want you to open your pack and give it to me." He heard her fumbling around for the garment, and shortly afterwards she pressed it into his hand. He took a deep breath and secured it on top of his own, layering the fabric.

I hope this works. "Hold on tight to me, but don't foul up the cloak," he said. He slit the ends of the cloaks, tying one to each of his boots, and made sure they were secured. Then he grasped Kaethe tightly around the waist. She shivered in fear, and he felt a brief pang of sympathy for her. She was no warrior, but she was facing up to this horror as well as anyone could.

The wind elemental drew closer. Telchi took another few calming breaths. "Right. Ready... drop!"

Thief and warrior flung themselves into the air. Telchi spread his arms wide, and the cloaks billowed after them, slowing their fall. With luck, this slowing should be enough to stop us from splattering all over the ground. He twisted in the air, so that he was facing up. The cold air stung his eyes. At least if we die, I'll die first. It would be the height of dishonor to allow a lady to die in my place.

[Redcoat]

The party was falling. The air, cold, rushed by at incredible speed as Anikus' eyes found the ground below. He would have to act fast. They would all have to. There was no hope; there was no despair; there was only need. His mind went to work.

The trees would soften their fall ever-so-slightly. Oversize leaves covered most of the ground below, precluding any sort of reconnaissance. As he twisted around, he caught a glimpse of Telchi, as the rocs retreated behind him. At least they are safe, he thought, as time seemed to slow. Now, for the rest of us.

He prepared a wind spell; an enormous updraft wouldn't be enough to, for instance, stop them in midair; but as it was conjured, it cushioned their fall ever-so-slightly. For a moment, all seemed peaceful, until they hit the leaves at an enormous speed. Anikus barely missed a set of branches; he realized in horror that he could have broken his back on them rather easily.

Power poured into his spell...