There was still a bit of tension after their discussion, leading to a quiet ride for the half day it took to get to their next destination. Claire was too busy thinking about her Goddess and Her words to really notice. She didn't notice that Jasmine and Lily were still quietly continuing the argument from before. They were going back and forth about "taking off the edge" like Lily suggested. But, they were getting nowhere.
By the time Claire noticed, they were already at the newest village. It was quite different from the others they had visited, closer to the cities. Very similar to the place they first met Toni. It had rows of housing and was on the verge of urbanizing like Fyre. However, the chimera was causing issues for that plan.
Claire glanced out the window and examined the uniform structures. Before, she didn't understand why they felt the need. But after traveling and experiencing Fyre, she understood some of the reasoning. She noticed the signs labeling the streets they passed, something she didn't notice before. The whole place was carefully constructed to be easy to navigate and make use of its space effectively.
She smiled at the people she passed, some of whom acknowledged their presence, while others went about their day. It was something that separated village people from these urban cities; almost every villager would wave back to you. The general hospitality was far warmer.
"Still have that face of wonder," Jasmine mumbled to herself aloud. It came out without her thinking and interrupted the ongoing petty argument between her and Lily.
Lily hesitated for a moment before glancing at Claire. She let out a long exhale, realizing how long the two had been arguing. "What are we doing?"
"Arguing endlessly about petty shit," Ursa responded to the rhetorical question. She looked quite annoyed at the two.
"I believe it's called a 'lover's quarrel,' Ursa," Hannah chuckled from the side.
"Do lovers typically argue about nonsense from childhood?" Ursa leaned back. There was finally some semblance of silence in the cabin.
"Maybe if they're childhood friends," Hannah nodded. "Though I can't imagine many still bring up stories about stealing one's favorite dessert."
Jasmine let out a deep, shameful sigh upon realizing just how petty the argument had gotten. "I wasn't lying when I said that Daphne ate it."
"Sure, but you're the one who stole it," Lily rolled her eyes. "It's semantics."
"Stop," Ursa growled. "Do not start again. You two were almost as bad as those goblins…"
Claire, who was in her own world and hadn't noticed the two arguing, could understand just how bad it had devolved. Firewater and Silkie spent hours yelling at one another about equally petty quarrels. She was surprised that both Lily and Jasmine argued for so long.
"I didn't expect this from either of you. It's so unlike both of you," Claire said without thinking.
"I thought the same," Toni laughed. "They seemed so mature when I first met them. Well, maybe not Lily given my blessing…"
"Must have been a long time coming," Hannah added. "They seemingly went over almost every petty grievance they had."
"Feels like it," Lily exhaled. "Had far more resentment than I realized."
"I can see why," Ursa nodded. Her red eyes glared at Jasmine. "Now I understand why you and Elsie get along so well."
Jasmine winced at Ursa's words. "She'd be really mad if she heard you say that."
"It's true, though."
"Yeah, well, most older sisters are like that," Jasmine shook her head.
"Mine wasn't," Ursa replied quickly.
Jasmine opened her mouth to argue, but caught herself. She was too ready to jump back into a petty argument. "Whatever. Lily, I'm sorry for being so defensive. I just… can't…"
"I know," Lily rolled her eyes. It wasn't often that the alchemist got annoyed, or even angry, but Jasmine was making it far too easy. "That's why I need to be forceful with the treatment."
Jasmine gulped. Something that Ursa picked up on with her enhanced hearing. The northerner chuckled at Jasmine's interpretation of Lily's words. "At least, it seems, that the arguing is over." She laughed.
Claire tilted her head before processing what Lily said. "True. We do have to be forceful with you and your emotions, Jazz."
"Enough of this," Jasmine let out an exaggerated sigh. "Let's move on to our mission while we're here."
"Thank Rava," Ursa muttered to herself.
Jasmine chose to ignore what she said. "This is Duvain. As you can see, it's been rapidly urbanizing to become a full-fledged city. However, they do not have the usual guard to deal with such a place. Usually, they'd take care of the chimera we are tasked with, but our Lady is slow to head their call."
"Typical," Claire shook her head.
"Mhmm," Jasmine nodded. "Which is why we were contracted. We were the first available group that they could hire. That means it could be much more of a challenge than we are… well, then we were expecting. Even with our newer members."
"Why's that?" Hannah tilted her head. "How big is this creature?"
"About the size of the carriage," Jasmine explained. "Head of a lion, like normal, then a goat and a snake for a tail. Its size is the main issue."
"So its hide is quite thick?" Hannah asked. "Guessing they tried to fight it already, but their weapons were ineffective."
"Indeed," Jasmine nodded. "Elsie's magic will be key. Somehow, they don't have any attack mages in the area, so they were desperate for one. She's the reason we got this contract. Do not. And I repeat, do not tell her that. She already has quite the ego."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
"Thankfully, both sisters are driving, or else Ana would have told her." Jasmine continued. She glanced at the driver's window to make sure it was secure. "Now, the plan will be to use Claire and Hannah as bait. Ursa, you'll need to help pin it. Do you think you can restrain it with your strength?"
Ursa took a moment to think. "I may need to transform, but I should be able to."
"Okay." Jasmine nodded. "We'll use hit-and-run tactics for this. Get its attention, pin it for Elsie, then retreat. It's far too strong to fight head-on, so we'll have to slowly chip away at its hide until we can pierce it. Then, I'll poison it."
Claire rubbed her chin. "I wonder if my shield will work with it. The recoil could speed the process up."
"That's true, but I wouldn't count on it," Jasmine nodded. "And, I would not risk it."
"What about its eyes? Do you think I could use my spear to cripple its sight?" Hannah asked.
"We'll have to see. They weren't even able to get close to the chimera, but I'll be doing my best to shoot at vital spots until we're ready," Jasmine explained. She took a deep breath. "This creature has already claimed the lives of the few guards this town has. It's very dangerous, so it won't be like the goblins."
Claire gulped. Images of her fight with the troll flashed before her eyes. She felt a pit in her stomach form. "Okay. Treat it like the troll fight. Do my best not to take a direct hit again."
Jasmine studied Claire intently. She recognized the expression and walked over to comfort Claire. "Yes. That goes for you, too, Hannah. This monster is incredibly powerful. Do not face it head-on."
"I won't unless I have to," Hannah nodded.
"Hannah," Toni glared at her. "Listen to her words."
"I am, master," Hannah said with a serious expression. "I won't face it head-on unless something goes wrong. Or if anyone gets injured."
"Even then, it's far better to retreat." Jasmine shook her head.
"And let it chase? Nah. It's my duty to protect, even if it costs my life." Hannah shook her head and leaned back. "I am a knight."
"That's very noble, but again, it's far better to retreat." Jasmine insisted. "We have Ana's ward or totem to distract it."
"I get it." Hannah exhaled. "From what I heard about your previous fights, Claire had a severe injury. I understand the concern, but we're both far stronger than she was at that time. I'm not saying I'll take the beast on myself, I'm just saying I'll be the one who keeps it distracted if anything goes wrong. Which, it probably will."
"Gods," Toni shook his head. "You can word it better."
"It's okay, Toni," Claire whispered calmly. "I understand what Hannah is trying to convey. And, should you get injured, I'll prove how much stronger I've gotten myself."