It was noon, and Zack was constructing a watchtower along a fork in the swamp. By combining two orbs he was able to construct it within a tree of his creation, and this obscured it from the public. With sentries present, it would allow them to monitor the area undetected, and draw attention away from the Blackclaw tribe if needed.
"Are you sure that's gonna help?" Koda asked.
"The sentries are capable of apprehending demons, and he even uses them to train on occasion," Savannah replied.
They were being escorted to a nearby road, and from there Koda would separate with the messengers. After passing some thankful locals they explained their desire to rid the problem at the source and Koda's group received a few places to start the search. As they reached the road Zack gauged the time they had left in the day.
"If we find something I'll bring word through the array," Koda told Zack while motioning the men forward.
"Don't wait till then to visit," Zack replied.
"Tell them to bring the kids I'm sure the others would enjoy more playmates," Cassandra told Koda.
"Nayla's a little protective, but I'm sure the others will agree," Koda replied.
"Wonder what everyone's up to now." Savannah smiled.
They were traveling along the road to get familiar with the area. The wood planks embedded into the swamp were a nice change from the constant dodging of tree roots and puddles of mud. Traveling upon the road brought the luxury of comfort, but attracted unwanted attention.
"We're surrounded," Savannah relayed to Zack.
"The heartbeats match a human," Cassandra stated.
"Ten on each side, and a wagon approaching. When it starts don't hold back. They're out for blood." Zack relayed while glancing at Lexi.
'It's a coordinated effort, and their killing intent is directed towards her. It's likely a witch hunt.' Zack clenched his fist.
"Maybe we should turn around," Lexi told Zack.
"It will be okay," Zack reassured her with a smile.
When the wagon was close enough the horses cut towards the forest blocking the road, and the bounty hunters hiding made their move. Zack kept his eye on the wagon sensing the strongest auras from its direction. Cassandra faced the group on the left, and Savannah faced the rest down with Lexi at her side.
Appearing from the wagon was a band of brothers wearing knight armor dyed red, and had artifacts activated in their hands. The oldest brother Earl approached with a greatsword in his hand, and gold bracers on his forearms.
"Walk away, and you won't get hurt." Earl declared gesturing for them to move off the road.
"Bounties are for the ones attacking along the river, but she hasn't hurt anyone" Zack retorted.
'How did he know? There's no way he could read us without magic...Trying to hide your mana from us huh?' Earl looked back at his brother.
Earl's brother excelled in sensory abilities and mental magic. He attempted to probe Zack's thoughts and his companions but he was being blocked out.
"Your friend there might pass for 'human', but that one there is a cold-blooded killer. I mean look at her." Earl said in grotesque.
"Enough talking."
One of the brothers stepped forwards brandishing two swords and unleashed his sword aura. Zack rapidly drew his blade dissipating the blast as his group summoned their armor. While they were caught off guard by their artifacts Zack closed in striking the brother down. They just noticed Zack's change in position, and the body was already hitting the floor.
"Kill them all!" Earl ordered.
Earl went on the attack with his two brothers behind him eager for revenge. The archers were preparing to fire as Cassandra faded into mist, and appeared by the closest hunters cutting across the nape of their necks. Blood spurted from the wounds and rapidly condensed into daggers. Before their archers could draw their bow sufficiently the daggers struck them in the heads.
Cassandra didn't have time to hesitate for they were outnumbered, and the mana radiating from the hunters wasn't something she could disregard. If she didn't take it seriously one of the others could get hurt. The archers struck with her daggers became a faucet for her magic. The crimson mana swirled around Cassandra's hands, and a steady stream of blood began to rotate around her.
While they clashed Lexi and Savannah pushed forward. Meeting their charge was a volley, but with her sword aura, it was canceled out. Three hunters already closed the distance to strike Savannah with spears in unison. Lexi already lunged forward tail whipping the spears from their hands while seizing a man by the throat.
"Die bitch!"
Drawing a dagger from his back the hunter next to her thrust for Lexi's stomach, but Savannah roared as her claw impaled the man through the throat. Lexi broke the man's neck tossing him aside and they tailed whipped the remaining hunter together shattering his arms.
A hawk cried out as the sound of electricity crackling was closing in rapidly. Savannah couldn't turn in time but grabbed Lexi throwing her to safety. The hawk struck Savannah as electricity surged through her body as it flew away to circle back. Thanks to the armor, and her transformation there was only light scuffs on her face.
"Watch out!" Lexi shouted.
Lexi tackled Savannah as lightning struck the ground, and the hunters charged to take advantage of the situation. A hunter from Cassandra's side was already over their bodies but he rapidly stabbed the hunter across from him.
"What the fuck are you doing!"
The hunter said nothing and continued attacking with another man supporting him. Their attacking seemed erratic, and they left themselves upon for retaliation. When struck by their allies scarlet blades appeared from the wounds impaling them in response.
'What's going on?' Savannah swiftly got up releasing her sword aura.
The charging humans with superior armor went flying away, but several hunters were disintegrated. Appearing next to them was Cassandra with her back to them, and several blood slaves forming a perimeter around them. Two stayed to fight strategically while the rest charged recklessly into their formations.
"Most of them are wielding artifacts, and it's not just their weapons either. We need to do this together if we wanna survive." Cassandra declared.