“Apologies I did not mean to startle you both!”

“Never come upon my back, “Gaia yells before sheathing her sword.

“State purpose of interruption.”

“Eight of Jennicus soldiers have been spotted less than a mile from here posting these in the nearby city, “she says handing Bette a paper. Unfolding the paper Bette was shocked to see a wanted poster depicting a picture of Princess Alice offering a substantial amount for her capture. Showing the poster to Gaia they both look at each other.

“I am confused as all the lives of the royal family were stilled, why post reward for the deceased unless——.”

“Come, “Bette says cutting her off not wanting to reveal the truth to the young soldiers claim, “Jennicus soldiers must be hunted and their lives stilled like the snakes they——–.”

“Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh, “her sentence cut short as the horrifying scream of the young soldier before them fell to her knees in agony. It wasn’t until they both looked down and saw two arrows piercing through both her thighs. Falling to their knees they crawl on each side of her linking their arms with hers using their weight they drag her back into the forest.

“Bette ahhhhhhhhhhhhh!” The woman screams out her name while clinching her hand. Gaia staring at her wounds gets a better glimpse of her injuries the 12 inch arrows penetrated more than halfway into her flesh. Removing the arrows would cause greater concern she would bleed to death as they pierced the main artery in both her thighs. The others alerted by the wounded soldiers cries came to their aid with swords drawn.

“She must be moved to stable ground!”

“The arrows in what direction did they hail!?”

“South, just beyond the horizon “Bette says pausing looking down at the quaking ground beneath her feet, “Quickly grab a hold of her and carry her beyond that rock! Gaia, you and the rest follow me I do not know about you all but I’m in the mood to spill blood, “she says smirking. The two youngest of the soldiers did as commanded helping the wounded woman to her feet they helped guide her towards safer ground. Knowing Kelly was not a soldier she also gave command that she follow and help tend to her wounds. Strategically Bette knew Jennicus soldiers would attack them head on, if she and the others were going to defeat them it would have to be by the element of surprise. Quickly and carefully they maneuvered through the weathered trees and soiled grounds now positioned as the hunters and the not the prey. Eight soldiers lay ahead of them with swords drawn and archers with their arrows steady. Bette gives the signal for them to split into two equal flanks but also to keep distance.