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Illarion's head snapped up suddenly as the cry floated to him. He'd know that voice anywhere. His heart was pulsing loud and his feet were flying underneath him without thinking. He was rushing headlong into whatever the situation was. That cry had been from Coda, and she hurt or in danger.

All of the things that could be happening to her hit him like a brick wall threatening to crumble him, but he pushed back and took off for her. "Coda! I'm coming! Coda!" He screamed at the top of his lungs as his hooves sent sand flying.

The adrenaline of the fight was coursing through Morsmordre's body like fuel to a fire. She pulled back her lips from her teeth and snarled as the girl made her retort. Tugging hard at the strands she still had hold of, she tried to yank the girl off of her feet or at least alarm her. Vindictively, she threw out a hoof hoping to land a blow on the girl.

The sounds of thundering hooves grew closer, and her smile creeped wider as the mysterious "Illarion" kept closer to his inevitable demise. Oh today would be a good day indeed....

She would not cry out again. That was Coda's newest thought to herself. She could hear the sound of rapidly approaching hoof beats and although Morsmordre was doing possibly everything she could to "harm" her Coda was refusing to give. To sink to her knees would put her in a more vulnerable position than she was in already. Having your mane caught in someone's teeth made it tricky to even think of escape and yet it was the only thing going through the mare's mind. She took the glancing blow from Mor's hoof without so much as a noise passing through her lips.

Then came the moment that Coda had both been dreading and looking forward to; Illarion was here. He'd made it. His voice sounded steady and it was all that Coda could do to tear her gaze away from him. She knew that she was in a very risky position; caught in the middle as it was. If she made an attempt to get to the protection that Illarion's presence gave to her she'd risk injury from the mare holding onto her. Her expressive silver eyes locked onto her mate's. How was she going to get out of this mess? Her voice was a mere whisper on the wind, "Illarion."

Illarion's heart thumped loudly as he watched Coda breathe out his name. He could see the way she was hurting, the way that this...half-kalona had her hair. The words that were spit at him made him angrier and fiercer. It was hard to not just react to the words--hard to keep his cool and stop from tearing her to shreds. He had to think this out.

He listened to her, trying to make his heart beat steadier as he looked for weakness. She had Coda by the hair, her weakness was that--to hold the one he loved, she had to limit her movement. It might hurt her--briefly, but it was the best way to get at her. He could move swifter than she could, he could take her down if need be.

The last words hung between the hair, the threat of killing Coda and he reacted before the last word left her mouth.

Lunging forward, he swept his tail at her back legs--even though it might knock Coda down and bit at the captor's front flank.

She could not dart fully away from Illarion while still holding her captive. Morsmordre felt the swish of his tail barely missing her backlegs, maybe it would hit the girl instead---she could hear Coda crying out in pain already.

But the gnashing of teeth got her shoulder squarely, his teeth sinking deep into the flesh. Instead of crying out, or screaming her natural response was to hiss as she lashed out with her horns at Illarion while never letting go of her charge.

What would it take for her to worm herself out of Morsmordre's iron grip? Sunset's Coda gave her mind a feeble shake as she tried to figure out a way to free herself. She winced as she saw the wounds that Illarion sustained from the half-kalona mare and inwardly cheered as she saw the marks that her mate inflicted in retaliation. However; only one could be named the victor of this fight. Coda had no doubt in her mind that if Illarion lost than he'd be killed simply for interfering. Having no desire to see that scenario happen Coda began formulating her own attack.

Down on the ground as she was with her hair still caught in a vice grip didn't leave her with too many options. She took one glance towards her mate before lashing out with her hooves in an attempt to land a few blows on Morsmordre's legs. Two against one in this scenario was a fair fight. Adrenaline lent her blows strength as she struggled to aid Illarion and free herself at the same time.

For a moment Illarion was gaining moment, moving for an attack when it hit. The sudden wave of dizziness, the thick and heavy muscles resisiting. He wasn't fighting anymore, it was more like staggering at her. He bit at her and slung his tail again, feeling so sluggish.

What was wrong with him?

Morsmordre hissed sharply, the pain edging in her voice trying to find root and take hold. She was a smart girl, and the favour had turned from her. She hated to back away, to leave them behind--but she would not last against them for long.

The blood dripped in gobs at her feet, she could feel herself panting and dizzy. Her heart pulsed loudly in her chest, making her pound in pain. The captive was struggling to her feet and facing her off--weak-kneed as a foal. Her mate was dizzy, almost green with the poison....but she knew that even then he would fight till he fell over.

Two against one. She would have to leave them, but not yet...oh not yet. If she stayed for only a moment or two longer, then she could let the sickness take hold of him at least make him suffer for awhile. Maybe he woudlnt' even recover if she stood there long enough to let it course through his veins.