Juno walked up to the officer, who was speaking with a group of Edenian fighters. Spoiler: officer "Our mission is to scout the nearby area - we are not to engage. That is for the main force to do, once the battle starts. She finished the explanation, before turning to Juno. "You eager to join?" She asked.
Spoiler: combat punch - counter -1 dmg to Icena counter vs punch -1 dmg to Kina Icena Health 3-1 Stamina 8->7 Kina Health 1->0 Stamina 7->6 Kina pushed aside Icena's punch, delivering an upper chin punch, making Icena's vision brighten for a moment. As she swayed back she noticed Kina throwing a punch of her own - Icena pushed her punch aside and spun, delivering elbow strike of her own at the back of Kina's head. The woman fell on the ground, unconscious.
The orphan grunted in pain as she was hit again, before managing to deliver one final blow to her opponent and knock her out. Icena grimaced and took a step back, then looked down at her unconscious opponent and rubbed her own chin, where Kina had hit her. “Well, guess that's my victory...” She commented softly even though the busty woman could not hear her. A bit more challenging than I would have liked, but a win is a win, regardless. Icena decided to take a few moments to recover after the short spar and used the chance to look around the training yard, checking who else was there and what they were doing.
Valerian still didn't fully understand what happened to him. The pang of disappointment at losing his pay to some strange phenomenon hurt, but he knew better than to ask for more. More importantly, considering the change in his appearance and the new strange ability that had awakened inside of him. He knew the best thing to do was to finish the job quietly and find out more before making any decisions on what to do next. It could be some curse or affliction. Anything is possible. He was fortunate that most of the other escorts didn't care who they worked with. They asked, he deflected and both went on their way. However, as the leader of the caravan, Slate may have more to say. He could only hope that he passed under her radar. Valerian remained quiet and attentive and stayed near the back of the group. Close enough to not look derelict, but far enough that he hoped to avoid Slate's gaze.
(Please keep the order of actions~) Rina kicked the man to the face as he was preparing for the counter - he missed her intention completely and fell as the kick threw him to the side. The man rolled on the ground unconscious. "Bravo." Izana clapped as she walked up to her. "Very well done."
Icena's attention was brought to light clapping - her Mistress Crystal was standing in the shadow and observing the fight - was now clapping. "You progressed." She noted. "Good. Help Kina to the bed and join me in my study later on." She commanded as she turned around.
She didn’t really make her disdain at the idea of not fighting the enemy. Even so, she just had to play her cards right to build up trust. Besides, if they “accidentally” revealed themselves and had to fight their way out, she could hardly be blamed. Placing a hand over her heart in what was clearly just going through the motions of imitating, she took a slight bow. “I will do what must be done.”
Rina kick must break some teeth of this men, she found on her feet blood. Rina whipped it by strong kick in the air and then bow to her mistress. "Thank you for your kind words, lady Izana. Forgive me my curiosity, but I suspect this test wasn't your only intention to coming to me." She said, thinking about magic of sorceress and hoping that she would teach her some secrets.
As the caravan made it's way into the forest, the atmosphere started changing. It became darker, more sinister - the trees still had faces, but now they looked cruel and hungry. At some places Valerian could see bones between the roots or scraps of material hanging of tree's mouth. Here and there there was a green fire burning, without any source. Other parts of the forest were dark. He could hear moans and groans... sometimes sounds sounded like pleadings.
Valerian remained close to the group and eyes the haunting forest warily. It would seem that being separated from the group would end poorly based on the bones and scraps of material. He tensed up and kept his head on a swivel as he looked out for any possible threat, whether it be some bandit or other kind of creature.
"For Edenia." The officer said as she turned and started walking, leading the group. The group made it's way through the wastelands, before stopping on one hill. The officer - Mise - raised her hand for the group to halt. As Juno joined her and looked over the hill, she realised there was a camp in front of them. "Osh-Tekk." Mise declared as she looked at the camp. "Looks like a war party."
“Yes, Mistress.” Icena bowed and watched the older woman leave, before turning her attention to Kina. “Alright, let's get you to your bed.” She spoke to herself before picking up the unconscious woman and carrying her to Kina's room. Once there she put Kina down on the bed and let her sleep, briefly watching her large breasts rise and fall with every breath. “Come to think of it, I still owe you a spanking... but that can wait for later.” Icena smirked, before leaving the room and going back to training. Once the morning training session was over Icena would go to her Mistress' study, as ordered. As she walked she felt quite excited, wondering what was waiting for her there.
Even she had the sense not to pick fights when they would be overhermbinglg outnumbered, but the green haired woman still felt the urge to witness their mortal enemy’s actual ability. “Perhaps we should lure one and take them for questioning?”
The sorceress hummed as she looked at Rina. "Well, I needed to be sure you would be up to the level, where I could teach you something... more complicated." She waved her hand. "Come with me." The sorceress commanded as she turned around and started walking to the tower.
As Valerian kept walking with the caravan, he noticed, that something changed. The forest was making noises, creepy noises that made blood turn cold. But... there was something more. It took him a moment to realise - no one was talking. All of his fellows were quiet, marching in silence, their attention on their surroundings.
As she entered the study, Icena found her mistress sitting by the desk, writing something on the paper. The woman had certainly noticed Icena but made no move to stop what she was currently doing.
Mise thought for a moment, then shook her head. "The disappearance of Osh-teek would certainly be noticed." her eyes moved over the camp. "We better make sure of everything we notice, before reporting back... it would be easy to win with the main forces..." She stated.
Icena waited patiently for her Mistress to finish what she was doing. While waiting she had a look around the study, silently checking out the books and the other things there.
"Something's not right..." Valerian muttered to himself. Although he wanted to stay close to the back, he also didn't want to be picked off first by an ambusher. He carefully moved his way closer to the middle of the caravan, so that anyone targeting stragglers doesn't target him.
