By the time Dain arrives, Tuo has pulled himself at least partway to his feet; he is bent over at the waist with his head bowed, blood from his lip and nose still dripping into the white snow. Lorne's suggestion that he run is a good one, but he's to dizzy just yet to do more than try to catch his breath. Yet he looks up abruptly at the sound of his friend's voice, eyes widening.

"Oi, oi," says one of the soldiers, already stepping forward to seize the back of his compatriot's jerkin and pull him back from Lorne. The remaining one watches the shepherd with uneasy eyes, but there is still a sneer plastered onto his mouth.

"This, here, is a crime against our lord, Duke Galein," he snaps at Dain, pointing an accusing finger at Lorne. "Striking a soldier in the duke's army, our commander won't let that go lightly."