The Dragunov fires a big round, and the distinctive crack of a large caliber rifle can be heard even over the howling of the wind.

The shield protokol surrounding the targeted sorceress acts as designed and a spinning wall of glowing red springs to life around her as the bullet gets within one meter. But the red flickers and then shatters as the bullet flares with energy.

Every guardsman is already in motion, diving to cover their charges, but no one could be fast enough in this situation. Her head snaps back in a spray of red just as the big man nearby grabs her arm to jerk her down. The other five pairs scatter immediately to locations which provide cover from Goldy's position.

The sixth man grabs his motionless charge and slings her over one shoulder while he moves for cover of his own. One of the guardsmen leans over to converse briefly with his sorceress and then turns his hailer in the general direction of the building Goldy's perched in. A hail of bullets stitch their way across the entire building, not enough to hit anything specifically, but enough to keep heads down.

The rest of the Reds are keeping half an eye out for the sniper and half an eye for other threats. They're on guard, but distracted.