Raquel looked over at Derick, who was still as eager as ever. She smiled briefly at his confidence, then looked at Joz seriously. Though it was somewhat uncharacteristic of her, she knew she had to speak up as well.
"I am aware you didn't enquire of me as well, and I'm still new, and I apologize for speaking up. They've already cut their way through a third of our total strength here, and they don't seem daunted at all. With respect, we have what we were hired to seek, and we've bought the time we need for Lady Matilda to withdraw in good order. As tempting as it is to stay to stay and crack the secrets of this tomb, it will cost us quite a few lives to hold the line here even if we prevail." I can always come back to this tomb after these Berebians move on, she thought inwardly, frowning as she watched the Berebians' continuing approach. Their fliers continued to rise and fall as they continue to carry their troops ever closer, along with that third flying shadow steadily keeping an eye on all their movements from their right. Aloud, she continued,
"If we do stand fast, we may wish to have our forward line at least fall back far enough to set up a killing ground right where the path opens up onto the summit of this hill, so we can concentrate our full force of mercenaries, fighters, and knights on them all at once rather than a couple soldiers at a time."A faint smile flickered across her face as the distinctive shadow of a wyvern rose from the main body of the troops once more, the only hint of its extra passenger a slight hesitancy in its ascent.
"If we can eliminate their pegasi and wyverns, it should make it difficult for them to pursue Lady Matilda in this weather even if we fail to hold them; they'll lose their scouts and their ferries in a single blow. Not that we will inevitably lose, but we must plan for all possibilities."