Cole the Mentalist rode to the spot in the forest where he could have swore Kryschenn's yell originated. But she was no where to be found. He then wondered if his feeling of guilt over they way their argument played out had somehow made him merely believe he heard her cry. A darker notion he considered was that the call he heard was a simply trick to lure him into a trap set by the one whose mark he wore on his hand. Paranoia clouded his judgment. His heart was racing. Anger, frustration, fear and uncertainty were all having a field day playing upon the Mentalist. Where is she? Cole wondered, tightening the grip on the sword he was carrying.A war cry from above provided the answer that question. Cole fought off his reaction to thrust the sword towards the descending agressor, dropping the weapon to the ground instead. It was Kryschenn, that much he knew. But he was unsure if she was under the influence of her 'Berserker' tendancy or not. Either way she was armed with the Sgian Dubh and coming in fast. There would be no time for him to grab the Stone to create a force field between them in order to deflect her attack. She was going to knock him off of the horse.
Cole reached for and grabbed Kryschenn across her mid-section as they collided. This was going to hurt but Cole saw no reason why they both of them should be injured from the fall. As they toppled off of the horse, the Mentalist moved his body into the direction they would land so he would bear the brunt of it. He knew the dagger was in her hands but, preoccupied with their landing, was unsure if the Sgian Dubh already cut its way into his flesh. If it had, hopefully no vital organs would be perforated by the blade.
Cole hit the ground hard. He absorbed most of their impact. Kryschenn landed on top of him as he planned and wouldn't be nearly as hurt. He flattened out after the fall, releasing his hold on Kryschenn as his arms unfolded onto the forest floor. His head hurt, as did his neck, shoulders, and back. All he could do was look at Kryschenn's eyes, and wonder if she was in her 'Berserker' mode. If she was, it wouldn't take much effort on her part to finish him off right then and there.
