When he saw the woman stab Tara, Joshua was shocked. Not that she was so bloodthirsty, he had long since come to the conclusion that those who sided with Karian had no sense of decency. What surprised her was that she seemed to have no sense of reason. Stabbing Tara would prove to be a costly mistake.
As the bard collapsed, the gunman took his shot, floating spark touching to the loaded pan. At this distance, she stood no chance. The explosion hurled the the ball, close to an inch in diameter, over Tara's shoulder, toward the bard's former lover. By then, first gun was falling as the fire mage kicked the second into his hand.
At the moment, though, the smith's main concern was helping Tara. Rushing to her side, he looked at the wound. As paniced as he was, knowing she was in danger, the young man kept his head. "Tara," he called, to ensure she was listening. "I can stop the bleeding by I'll need to use my fire. Do you understand?" Melting flesh closed was a tricky process and excruciatingly painful. She would need to brace herself.