"I wondered about that, too," Robin said, "and it makes sense. It also suggests that we'll be here for the long haul, such as it is. They're providing us with aides who serve a function beyond an introduction to the world and the problem. Otherwise, there would only need to be a few of them." She glanced momentarily over her shoulder, back at Marc, before she looked back at Aerich.

She smiled. It felt good to break down what they saw; apply her tactician's mind to the situation, rather than be tempted towards panic.

She considered for a moment, thinking of the knights she knew and how they adapted strategies for them. It was certainly true, from all that she had seen. "I think we'll all need lessons," she said. "Our abilities are changed. But, I believe you're right. On my world, armor did little to hold off a well-timed and well-placed spell."