---Kate's Party POV---
Wanting to avoid the fight, Kate and her party tried finding an isolated area in the forest. Any fighting they couldn't avoid, they made sure not to kill. They truly didn't want any part of this. The Elf Solana led the way, using the spirits of the forest to help lead the way. Kate and the others followed closely behind the Elf woman, ready to defend their only long-range fighter when possible. When compared to Lucilla's own party, they were the exact opposite of them.
"Wait...." The Elf alerted her team. "Something is disturbing the spirits... over there." She said pointing southeast.
"Should we check it out?" Kate asked. instead of answering Solana started walking in the direction she pointed, prompting Kate and the others to just follow her.
They traveled for a while, before they noticed a clearing just ahead with multiple people standing on the edge of it. Located in the center of the clearing was the Lord and his son, with the monster woman and a young girl. The monster woman held onto the girl, while the Lord yelled angrily at her.
"What are you doing with my daughter!" He yelled stepping forward.
"Wait, it's not what you think!" The girl - who was apparently the Lords missing daughter - yelled back. "She actually saved me!"
The Lord asked his daughter to explain, but before she could the son began speaking instead. As he spoke, he spun a story about how the monster woman plotted to kill Drakove using his own daughter. While driving a sword through his father's back in the process. The look of absolute disbelief painting the Lord's face as he looked at the weapon protruding from his chest.
"Gasp." Kate covered her mouth in wide eye shock. The others were stunned speechless as they saw the young Lord murder his father. He told a story about how the monster woman and the girl were responsible, with the lifeless corps of the former Lord laying at his own feet. The girl tried running over to her father, attacking her brother in the process.
The monster woman however stopped her attack short and defended both of them from a soldier that took their place in front of Vadim, protecting the young man. He tried killing the two of them on his orders, but Lucilla managed to keep the two of them safe, before putting up an ominous dark ice wall. Apperatly it was partially made from miasma, keeping the soldier from attacking further. The monster woman then launched herself and the girl into the sky, deeper into the forest. The soldier tried one more time to kill her by tossing his sword like a javelin but missed.
"That's a problem. No matter, my plan can still work." Vadim sighed while giving his men an annoyed look. "Would've been better if they were all dead."
"I deeply apologize sir." The soldier said kneeling.
Kate and her party were reeling from what they had just witnessed. They couldn't believe that such a man could murder their own father in cold blood. Not just his father, but to have tried to kill his own sister, who was still nothing more than a child, was just as if not more horrific. Kate looked back at her party, they had a decision to make, but they couldn't do that here. She signaled for them to start heading back when a large crack reverberated from above them.
They looked up but saw nothing else other than a bird flying away. The wolf woman Ayah wrinkled her nose in disgust when she caught the rotten stench coming from the small animal, but when they looked back towards the clearing, she forgot all about it. For the young Lord was staring directly at them. Along with every single soldier in the clearing. The four of them stood frozen, fear creeping over them. They didn't dare breath, or make any sudden movements, as if that would keep them hidden. The two sides continued to stare at each other for several seconds before Vadim spoke up, breaking the tension.
"Kill them." Vadim said. "Leave no witnesses. I have an army to get back too. We need to tell them the bad news."
"Run." Ginn the Dwarf said as she took off running, the other three following close behind her.
Pushing through the brush, the four of them channeled Chi into their legs, hoping to get away. Unfortunately, the sound of the small armed force behind them was slowly getting closer. The clinking of metal ringing out through the trees. Then a stone wall erupted behind them, blocking the path they had just come from.
"Over here if you want to live." A person in a raven's and a hood mask called out to them.
"Why should we trust you?" Kate asked hesitantly.
"Don't come then. Just trying to help." The person said with a shrug as they leisurely strolled away, right between two Tree Ent's.
Looking at each other, the Hunter's party followed the mystery person.
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---Judieth POV---
Judieth smiled to herself when she felt the four Hunter's following her. This party would be a very useful resource for Lucilla to use in the future. If things continue down the way they are going, she may end up actually gaining a small following, and she will make sure that it happens.
She got lucky when she spotted the four hunters next to the clearing. She had sent an undead spy to follow Lucilla like usual, but when she saw them, she realized this would be the perfect opportunity to get people sympathetic towards Lucilla on their side. They already knew her personally to a certain degree, and after witnessing today's events their opinion on the woman must be much higher. From what they understand Lucilla seems to be protecting a little girl from her evil brother. Judieth couldn't ask for a more perfect scenario.
In the distance Judith could hear the sound of horns, signaling the Lords army to retreat. They may not win this war. Not only will their fighting force much larger than theirs, but they will also be highly motivated my riotous anger. It wasn't time to retreat just yet, but tomorrow Lucilla will have to order the Fay to abandon their home. Before that happens, Judieth needed to convince the Eastern Guardian to have Lucilla officially become the Fay's leader while in exile.
"Follow me." Judieth ordered when they made it back to the lake. She led the group over to where Lucilla was resting. She was holding Sara in her arms as the girl slept, fresh tears still running down her face. The red-haired woman couldn't help but smile at the perfect display of tenderness, surly to make the Hunter's party more trusting of them.
"Lucilla, look who I found." Gesturing to the party behind her, Judieth stepped off to the side as the monster woman looked at them with mild surprise.
"Wha- huh?" Looking lost, the silver haired woman turned back to Judieth for answers.
"These four were being chased by the soldiers you and Sara had encountered in the forest. I believe they may have seen your encounter."
"Is that so...." Lucilla then turned back to Kate and the others. Setting Sara gently to the side, she stood up and approach them.
"What do you suggest I do then Sable?" She asked with one hand on her hip glancing in her direction.
"We could tell them who we are." Judieth suggested. This was a gamble, but she hoped by telling them who they were, their loyalty can be guaranteed in the future. They still needed to convince them to join, but that can be easily arranged.
"Really? You're not worried about them telling others about us?"
"Of course not." She said with confidence, hoping her gamble won't blow up in her face.
Lucilla stared at Judieth, her eyes searched Judieth's face, as if the raven mask would tell her the truth. "Alright." She said eventually. Turning back to Kate and the others.
"I would say it's nice to meet you again." Lucilla said sticking out her hand as it slowly turned brown. "Let me formally introduce myself for once. My name was once Ruby, but I now go by Lucilla. Lucilla Crimson."
Standing before Kate, Solana, Ayah, and Ginn was Ruby. The Hunter they've gotten to know a few months ago, with her hand sticking out. The woman with a constant glare, brown skin, and golden-brown eyes had just transformed from the silver haired, red eyed monster woman. Kate after a beat of hesitation muster up the will power to grab her hand, giving it a firm shake, and a small, confused smile.
"Uh, yeah, hey." She spoke. " Mind explaining some things to us?"