After Jasmine split from the group, they set off towards the bandit's hideout. They were likely on guard with the two other groups nearby, so they needed to attack fast. It was half a day's ride to the suspected hideout. The only issue was Ursa's exhaustion.
Using her magic ritual to call upon the wolves physically and mentally exhausted her more than she thought it would. She was passed out in the back of the carriage still, with Lily and Ana attending to her. They needed their heaviest hitter healthy for this next fight.
Hannah and Claire were driving. Both women had their full set of armor on just in case they were ambushed. It was a quiet ride. They followed the instructed path that Jasmine gave them, with a local map of the area. The rough plan was to park and rush the hideout fast and hard. No need for stealth if they are already on guard.
To do that, they needed Ursa at her full strength. Hopefully, a twelve-hour nap was enough for her to regain her strength.
There were no ambushes to be found. They made it to the spot Jasmine told them about. The place to hide and park the carriage while they fought. However, they were met with people they weren't expecting. At the meeting spot was one of the two adventuring parties that the wolves told them about. Judging by their age, it was the younger party.
They hailed Claire and Hannah down. The veteran members were on edge upon seeing the carriage pull up, likely suspecting the Scarlet Seraphs may be a part of the bandit camps. Hannah pulled alongside them, doing her best to hide the insignia and colors of her Lady.
"Adventurers?" The veteran woman, no older than Hannah, asked. She had a long scar running down the right side of her face, just barely missing her eye and temple. She looked like a martial artist with light clothing, short blue hair, and a muscular build.
"We are," Claire responded. She pulled out her contract for the bandits and the party's registration. "You can check the authenticity of these with magic."
"Thank the Gods," The woman exhaled. "We weren't supposed to be fighting these women, but our younger members couldn't say no to the locals after they asked."
"Hey!" One of the younger women said. She looked like an amateur archer or ranger. "They've been a menace to the locals. We need to put an end to them."
Another veteran member put a hand on the woman's shoulder. "We know. But, there is a major difference between killing monsters and humans."
Claire couldn't help but smile at the interaction. If Jasmine were here, she'd probably make a comment to Claire.
"You look quite young," the blue-haired veteran said to Claire. "Are you also a novice party?"
"Somewhat," Claire responded with a bit of pride. "We've dealt with multiple bandit groups already."
The veteran scratched the back of her head. She studied Claire, who, while young, didn't seem as naive as her party members. "That's good to hear. This is their first 'real' outing. I preferred not to get involved, but I can offer my assistance if needed."
"Do you mind if we see your contract?" Hannah finally chimed in. She nudged Claire with her elbow and whispered, "Never forget to check."
Claire nodded as the veteran handed over their contract. Hannah took it and put some of her magic into it. The contract glowed and revealed a familiar insignia on it. She glanced down at the crest just above her left breast and laughed.
"Gods," Hannah finally said after a moment of laughing. "Your Lady really does suck. The locals had to go to Lady Efreit for help."
Claire sighed. She could feel the bile pile up in the back of her throat as she prepared herself to speak. "Don't say that out loud. We still need to be respectful towards her, or else there are consequences."
Hannah shook her head. She moved her shield to reveal the crest on her armor. "Nice to meet you all, I am a knight under Lady Efreit. I am unable to tell you why I am with this party, and I ask you not to mention me being here, but know that I can speak for their skills."
The veteran stared at the crest, and her shoulders eased. She looked worn out and tired, much like Jasmine in a way. "That… is very comforting."
"Oh, a knight?" One of the younger women stepped forward. She had very similar armor to Claire, leather with steel padding. She wielded a two-handed sword slung over her right shoulder. "Are you looking for a squire?"
"Ashley! Abandoning us already?" The young archer turned to her party member.
"Well, it'd make becoming a knight easier," Ashley smiled at her. "Skips the outrageous price of the academy."
"Sorry, kid," Hannah smiled. She looked the young warrior up and down, "Not looking for a squire. I can give recommendations, but I suggest another year of adventuring. It's something I wish I did."
"Damn, worth a shot," Ashley smiled. She ignored her party member banging on her shoulder.
"So what is your plan?" The blue-haired veteran asked. "I'm Clara, by the way."
"Claire," Claire nodded. She chuckled slightly at how close their names were. "Clara will be easy to remember."
That did break the veteran's tired expression. A small smile broke out on her expression before she got serious again.
"And, we were planning on parking our carriage here, then a quick assault," Claire explained. She pulled out the map and a rough estimation of the bandit's base. "They likely already know one of us is here to take care of them, so we decided to forego stealth. Hit them hard and fast before they can react."
"Need quite a bit of firepower," Clara rubbed her chin as she studied the hideout. "I can join you, if need be. However, I'd prefer if my wife stayed here to make sure our idiots don't follow us."
"Hey!" The outspoken ranger shouted at her.
"Vanessa is too eager to help," Clara explained. "It's why we are here in the first place."
"That should be okay," Claire nodded. She turned to Hannah and whispered. "We'll have them guard Lily and the carriage. Then, Clara can protect the twins."
"Good idea," Hannah nodded. "We do have a Ravian party member, so we aren't missing out on firepower. If you can protect our back line, it'd be much appreciated."
Clara nodded and motioned for her wife. "Did you get all that, Heather?"
"I did," Heather said. She looked like a priestess or a healer, a non-combatant adventurer. Her light pink hair was mostly covered by a headpiece, which Hannah finally recognized. "Though I must ask, Miss Knight. Do you know Master Anthony? Anka's bestowed."
Hannah bit back a laugh. "Fuck, I should have recognized the colors of your attire. Are you one of Anka's devotees?"
She nodded. She clasped her hands together and glanced at her wife, "I had a feeling I was needed here, which is why I argued to come. Thank you, honey, for listening."
Clara shrugged. "You're not one to argue so incessantly, so I figured it was important."
Claire gave a silent thank you to Anka, if she could hear her. The help may not be needed, but it was appreciated.
"And, I do know Toni," Hannah finally answered. She studied the woman again, noting the religious attire now that she could get a better look at it. "I was on his protection detail for several years."
Heather smiled at her, "Must have served him well. Anka has never pushed me in one direction like this."
Hannah held back the joke she wanted so desperately to make. "I have. I served him and his mother when I wasn't away on assignment."
"Well, I guess that means you are more than trustworthy," Clara exhaled. She beckoned them to follow her, "Park it here. We'll have these idiots guard the carriage."
"Cool," Hannah smiled. "Claire, mind filling in our party members while I sort this out?"
Claire nodded. She crawled through the driver's side window, over the top of the twins who were listening. She closed the window behind her to give them some amount of privacy. There, she made sure Toni was donned in his attire that masked his blessing. She informed them all of the plan and roused Ursa from her slumber.
Hannah was quickly introduced to the rest of the party. The outspoken archer Vanessa. Then, there was an earth mage named Vivienne. And finally, an amateur scout named Edith.
Hannah let them guide the horses to a nearby clearing in the woods while they discussed the plan in full. She didn't sense any hostility from them, so she decided to trust them. It helped that Heather was a priestess of her Master's Goddess.
They quickly got the carriage parked, then all of the combatants exited the carriage. Claire was followed by the twins and Ursa. The latter, who got many stares both because of her foreign appearance and the scowl on her face. She let out a long-winded yawn and stretched.
"These two are Elsie and Ana," Claire gestured to the twins. "Elsie is our red mage, and Ana is our white mage. Then this is Ursa. Our berserker."
Clara lifted an eyebrow at the Ravian. She knew them to be more than capable fighters. Berserkers, however, were a rare breed. "You weren't kidding about the firepower. What element of magic does Elsie use?"
Elsie put on a smug smile and explained it herself. "Fire, Lightning, and Ice. Multiple elemental mage."
The earth mage perked up and looked at her with wide eyes. "Really? You? You look my age."
"I am," Elsie nodded. "I am still eighteen."
"Incredible," Vivienne muttered as she studied Elsie. "Um, Clara, is it okay if I join? I really wanna see her in action."
Clara glanced at her, then at Vanessa. She took a long, deep breath, then relaxed her shoulders. She looked over at Claire and Hannah. "They will keep insisting until I tear my hair out. Can they come? I'll make sure they stay near your mages and not interfere."
"Is that a good idea?" Claire turned to Hannah.
The knight shrugged. "As long as they don't get in our way, I think. Makes Elsie and Ana much safer."
Claire ran a hand through her hair. She was starting to understand the stress Jasmine and Clara were going through.