The lightning fizzles and Lexa darts forward to press the momentary advantage--or tries to. Far from at her best, the sole of her boot slips in the blood puddling from the dead mage's head and she can barely manage to keep her feet. It makes a true strike at Maris like she'd envisioned impossible, no chance to step up to the side where Jamie's not punching and drive her blade through Maris's ribs like she'd meant to all along.

But she does still manage to lash out with the sword as she gets her balance again. It's from greater distance than she'd planned, a slice and not a stab, but it's aimed at the mage's wrists in hope of lopping off at least one of his hands before more lightning can shoot from his fingertips.