Hezekh's blow connects, slamming into the shifter!
Unfortunately, Jade Bull's ox form has a powerful nose, and she takes a moment to sniff the air before stepping towards the magus. She bashes him with her horns. While the blow nearly impales the magus, his sheild of magical force protects him from the worst of it's force.
Hezekh avoids the worst of the blow, but that means he is only felled, and not killed outright. He crumples to the ground, grimacing.
Jade Bull snorts once before returning back to her half-orc form. She calls out to one of the watching shifters to get some help for Hezekh. A druidic acolyte comes rushing over, murmuring a few words in Druidic as they heal the worst of Hezekh's wounds.
She helps the magus to his feet before taking a good look at him, "You fought well. That said, you did not best me. If you want my word for your good intentions, you can try again, perhaps with more of your companions at your side. But there is no shame in accepting defeat either."
After getting to his feet, Hezekh nods to Jade Bull. "You are surely the toughest opponent I ever fought. I thought it only fair to test you one on one first, but that seems to have been mighty overconfident of me. If my friends are amenable" he says, looking back to them, "I'd be happy to see how you fare against all of us as a group. Say, tomorrow, when we've had time to recover spells and the like?" he asks.
Jade Bull nods, but says nothing. Words, it seems, are not always necessary with the stoic shifter.
"You have my thanks, Elder. The Wild rarely gives second chances," Saraon says with a bow.
He bobbed his head simular to Saraon and frowned. She had a hell of a first punch so to speak. but the way she charged in... if she kept up that methodology in her combats they could take advantage.... if. of course. He patted Hezekh on the back as a show of support to his idea of a group go on the morrow
The party takes it easy for the rest of the day as Hezekh recuperates from his brush with death.
The rest of the day is long and restful, the pleasant weather and lush surroundings of the Glade still feeling surreal in comparison to the harshness of the wastelands. The party is shown to a modest but well-built cliffside home. Later comes dinner of a stew of venison and root vegetable and a message from Jade Bull simply relayed by the acolyte who delivered it, ”Tomorrow. High sun.”
Saraon continues tending to Hezekh's wounds throughout the remainder of the day until he's fully recovered.
"So...do we want to discuss strategy for tomorrow? Even the wolf pack does not simply attack all at once with no regards for how to approach the prey."
"Ya know wha I'm good at." Katheryn said with a shrug. "I'll do as ya ask."
"I go in and do my best to keep her attention while hte rest of you flank her and hit her hard?"
He rumbled scratching the side of his face that was growing soem stubble... it itched feircely today.
"Im not exactly the best at fancy plans"
"I don't think Jade Bull is either, frankly, or if she is, she doesn't care," Saraon replies with a shrug. "The tactics of the natural world aren't effective because they're subtle!"
"That Glitterdust worked pretty well, but she might be prepared for it this time. Still, probably worth trying it again at battle's start. Try to stay back until I've hit her with it, so none of you get caught in the blast." He glances between the others. "Saraon, Sprig, y'all got anything similar that could trip her up first thing?"
"I can entangle her in the greenery, but she may be expect that too. One of the oldest tricks a druid learns. But, worth trying at least!"
The party meets Jade Bull at high noon in the same ring as before. She stands with her arms croseed at the far side and nods to the party.
"Good. Wasn't sure if you'd come. Your friend got enough of a beating last time, scares most off. Will it be just him and his death-wish again, or will more of you fight?"
He chuckled and cracked his neck looking at the impresive druid.
"i'll join in this dance this time."
"As will I," Saraon says, stepping forward.
"You are a formidable foe, Jade Bull, and it was presumptive of me to engage you alone. But a herd may prevail where a lone beast falls."
"We're in this together, so yew best be ready, Jade Bull!" Sprig said with his toothy smile.
Jade Bull nods, before stepping into the circle.
"Then fight well. I will not hold back."
Hezekh, ready from last time, manages to act just before Jade Bull!
Expecting Jade Bull to be ready for his tactic from last time, Hezekh instead casts a defensive spell. Several duplicates appear beside him.