Cuthbert let out a choked little cry at the sudden, unexpected agony, almost dropping his weapons. Up on the ramparts, Alain took a half-step back, paling as he hadn't throughout the rest of the battle, and had to force himself to focus again.

Staggering back, Bert blinked, put his hand to the wound no longer on his stomach. For a moment, pure relief thundered through him - he was only human, after all, and he didn't want to die that way, gutshot like a poorly-butchered animal. But then he saw the wound on her, and he cried out again, this time in anger.

"Don't you dare, Kaine! Don't you dare!"