Renato did not know what had happened, nor did he understand why soldiers of the Nightwind Family were attacking Tristana.
But he knew one thing: the battle had begun.
Renato charged forward, making straight for the enemy spellcaster.
More crossbow bolts whistled through the air toward him, only to bounce harmlessly off his Shadow Shield.
These hand crossbows had too little draw weight. Their bolts could not even raise a ripple on the shadow barrier, leaving the deflection field of Renato's Ring of Protection with nothing to do.
Seeing that their shots were useless, three Drow warriors raised their scimitars and moved together to meet Renato's charge.
Their steps were coordinated and their positioning practiced. Clearly, they had trained to fight together.
But they had underestimated the explosive strength of this "wandering Drow."
One Drow soldier blocked his path, crossing his blades to parry the descending greatsword. It was a sound idea, and the angle was precise enough to lock up most incoming weapons.
But with Renato's height and strength behind it, the Silent Lady came crashing down with overwhelming force.
Both scimitars were torn from the soldier's hands and spun away to either side. The blade, wreathed in a magical field, ripped through his mithral ring mail, shattered his shoulder blade, and bit into his spine.
The Drow warrior's eyes widened. His lips moved, but no sound came out.
Another Drow warrior ignored his grievously wounded comrade and thrust straight at Renato's chest, both scimitars stabbing from different angles!
But the deflection field spoiled their aim, sending their points sliding aside. With his blades out of alignment, the Drow warrior's strength alone could not even scratch Mountain's Embrace.
Renato pulled his sword free and drove an elbow forward in the same motion. Sturdy enchanted plate armor met the elf's