Kardus smashes the cheek of one of the thugs, being no more than three and a half foot tall, with a well placed stone. Brightheart whinnies his approval and wades into battle.
The heavy thugs move to flank Brightheart, snarling curses upon Kardus' profession. Their heavy axe blades swung at Brightheart's flank, one cutting deeply into the horse's flesh. The other axe blade reaches too far, slicing his comrade's shoulder.
The small thugs step back before they sling rocks at Kardus, one shot going wide while the other stings his right leg.
Two rounds till others enter combat
Brightheart rears back, delivering a solid kick to the injured thug, sending him sprawling to the ground bleeding. He then grazes the standing thug's left arm with his teeth. The remaining heavy thug hacks into Brightheart's shoulder with a scream of fear, echoed by Brightheart.
The small thugs reload and sling their stones, one impacting on Kardus' abdomen with a dull thud.
Kardus rearms himself with his trusted quarterstaff, ready to attack.
One round before others enter combat.