Just a short bit ago, Lina and Giselle had been searching the area for any trace of Ken's scent. Since Lina had the better nose and knew his smell, it was up for her to find it. Yet for whatever reason, she was having a hard time finding it.
Finally deciding to climb onto the rooftops, both girls began to scan for anything amiss. The number of guards patrolling this area was certainly higher than the ones they had passed through, but that didn't come off as a big surprise for them.
As the hours dragged by, Lina was soon about to call off the search until Giselle noticed a glow a few blocks away. Deciding to check it out, both women took off towards the slowly glowing light.
When they finally arrived on the roof next to the building they had seen, they realized the glow was a large fire that had broken out. As soon as they descended to the ground, the shattering of glass filled the air. Then, a scrawny young man with white hair jumped through the window and landed on the ground below, disappearing from the girls' view due to the fence.
Giselle was certainly confused, however it increased when she noticed the slack-jawed expression on her friend's face. "Don't tell me that was him," The lion girl asked. Before Lina could answer, two men in dark clothing broke through a different window, following the young man into the yard.
Without a word, Lina took off towards the fence with Giselle following close behind. They didn't know the situation, but there was a theory they had come up with on their own. As they jumped over the fence, both girls ditched their cloaks in an effort to be prepared to fight.
Landing on the other side, they found out their theory was correct when they noticed the two men advancing towards Ken. Thinking quickly, the two girls immediately put themselves ahead of the young man, blocking off the men's path.
The two girls eyed the men, noticing that one held a longsword in his grasp, while the other wielded two small blades in each hand.
"Fucking dirty animals," One of the men spat after spotting the animalistic features the girls had. "As much as I'd like to kill these abominations, I think we're out of time," the first man's partner said as the yells of guards came closer, "We need to go now."
"Captain Stone will not appreciate our failure," the first one replied. "It is better than us getting found out. We need to go," the second assassin emphasized.
Giselle and Lina continued to watch the two men as they exchanged a few more words. Lina held her staff, while Giselle's greatsword was held still in the air.
Ken was still down on one knee, trying to calm down the frightened mouse on his shoulder. "What if the others didn't make it?" Dex asked as his voice hitched. "I'm sure they're fine," Ken consoled him, "We'll meet back up with them soon enough."
A stream of water began to douse the flames consuming the front of the house, and the orders from guards were just a few feet away on the other side of the fence. As both girls turned their heads in the direction of the noise, both men took that moment to quickly slip away into the night. It was only a moment, so it was obvious the men had used some sort of spell to make their escape. Ken had seen them start to leave, but he certainly wasn't going to go after them.
"Shit," Giselle said, internally cursing herself for taking her eyes off the attackers. As she was about to go after them, Lina stopped her with an arm, "We're here for him." The fox girl jabbed a finger in said person's direction.
The blonde girl nodded, knowing that the person in question was worth a lot more currently. Before Lina could start asking Ken any questions, another voice entered their ears. "What the hell is happening?" The voice demanded to know.
Ken winced slightly, recognizing the voice. The hulking man soon made his way into Ken's vision by easily vaulting over the fence. "General Hunt," Ken said, trying to put on his most charming smile.
'How the hell is he already here?' Ken thought. If the General was still at the building Ken was at earlier, then that would mean the man was really fucking fast. The house had only been in flames for a few minutes. Deciding to put that thought aside for the moment, Ken waited patiently for the man to speak again.
Hunt looked at the young man, then shifted his gaze to the girls, noticing their appearance. "I'm going to assume you're from the delegation?" The general asked with a raised brow.
Giselle stepped forward, planting her sword in the ground, "I am Princess Giselle Ambrose, daughter of King Titus." The woman gave a slight bow, then gestured to the girl next to her, "And this is my good friend Lina Heartstone."
Hunt eyed the two girls for a moment before replying, "Right. While I believe you, I would like to know why you two just so happen to be with someone the King is personally interested in."
Ken began to sweat lightly, feeling that his so-called 'involvement' with the two girls at the current moment might not look the best in the General's eyes. "We would be more than happy to explain to the King himself," Giselle replied coolly, not breaking her gaze away from the large man.
"Alright," Hunt sighed, "But I hope you'll understand when I tell you that I need to bring you with me to the Castle. That includes you too." The General pointed a finger towards Ken.
"But I need to-" Ken tried to protest but was cut-off by a glare from the man. He could tell he had no option but to follow. 'I hope they're okay,' Ken thought. He could only wish that all his friends had escaped successfully and were waiting at the location he told them.
"Explain to me what happened while we walk," Hunt said as he nodded to Ken, "I'm sure this all started with you."