(Hound/S9/Flame) As Marcus pauses, to turn and speak, Eothred takes the opportunity to stop and breathe for a few seconds.
"Eothred, of Culwych," He says, his words husky with exertion as he rises, breathing heavily, watching the tree as it topples. Marcus can see his eyes in the eyeslits of his helmet as they warily watch the massive trunk fall over.
"...Formerly, anyway, serah. Not much there for me now---"
His last word is a bark as he launches into another assault, his DRS sword lunged in a difficult angle. Marcus knocks it up with his bracer, only to be met with Eothred's shield bashing into him to take advantage of what misbalance there might be.
There is none, and Marcus retaliates with his closest asset, the hilt of his greatsword swung wide, slamming into Eothred's shield. He is sent sprawling, not quite down, but as he recovers, he sees his battered heater's strap broken, the shield dangling and off balance.
Without a thought he casts it off, grabbing the handle of his broadsword with both hands and closing with and upswing. He follows with another, in a figure-8 pattern, and Marcus dodges the first and blocks the second, the blade of his greatsword swinging back and high, causing Eothred to duck to the left just after his own second swing.
Kurga wrestles with the horse, and she is having none of it. The spirited animal jerks her head hard, the reins yanking Kurga along in a circle. The horse turns rapidly and begins kicking, trying to pull Kurga into the path of her rear hooves as she bucks with all her might.