A Trail To Follow

IN THE TOWN:

For the past thirty or so minutes, Amilia, John, Lani and Kyuala have made their way through the alleys and streets of Mulvenscroll as they've followed the carriage.

"Why is this town so fucking big? I swear, we've been following this bastard for ages!" Amilia complains.

"Amilia!" Kyuala scolds, "We're still following said bastard. So, can you keep it down?"

Amilia quickly relents, "Fine. But I get first dibs at the asshole in charge."

"Deal. Now move your furry ass," Kyuala agrees, trying to get Amilia to quickly shut her mouth as they continue to follow the aforementioned cart at a safe distance.

---

MEANWHILE:

At the Tarron Manor, Sydna and Naura have just snuck through the front door and have quickly dashed upstairs.

They both rush to Apollita's room and knock on the door. A few seconds later, the door is opened by Apollita herself, with the rest of the sisters looking on from behind.

"We've got something," Sydna says.

Apollita let's the duo in and quietly closes the door before heading over to the bed. As she takes a seat, Apollita, along with the rest of her sisters, looks at Sydna and Naura who stay standing.

"Alright. We went to Knagstun's Manor, and snooped around, just like we planned to. Now, we found a few things, but the big thing was that Knagstun had a meeting with some guy," Sydna starts.

Naura then picks up from there, "There was a folder on the desk. It had a report from when Terra and her friends arrived at the docks. It seems as if Knagstun had his men on the lookout for her."

"Then, Knagstun gave him a location of some sort of package. The location in question... was the Seventh Mill of the Green Path."

The sisters all show a mixture of worry and confusion on their faces as Kova says, "There isn't a seventh mill though."

"We know. Luckily, The person he met with, is heading there right now. So, John and the others are following the carriage right now. If all goes right, we'll get her back tonight," Naura replies.

The sisters then all look amongst themselves with their expressions remaining the same. Sydna and Naura notice the looks, and so Synda asks, "What's with the looks? Did you find something?"

The sisters remain silent for a few more seconds before Apollita reluctantly says, "We did."

"What is it?" Naura asks.

Erya then takes charge, "Mother has a journal, and in said journal, she was talking about my curse. In almost every entry since I became... afflicted, she talked about having an idea. When Terra and her friends came, she talked about how even if they were to refuse to negotiate with the Giant Queen, she would resort to a backup plan. In the last entry, she talked about how she and Father have a meeting to discuss some other matter."

"And when is this meeting?" Sydna asks.

"Tonight," Manai answers.

Keira then adds, "And Mother said that Father is currently away at a meeting."

Sydna and Naura then look at one another, immediately putting the two pieces together.

"Do you think Father was the one at the meeting?" Naura asks.

"He definitely wasn't the one who left the meeting that's for sure. I don't know if you've noticed, but Father has quite the stand out figure," Sydna responds. She then continues, "But obviously he would think of that. It's possible, and most likely, that he send someone in his stead to get the location and is waiting somewhere secret."

The room goes silent again, with everyone just thinking about the possibility that's turning more and more into a reality with every moment.

The eerie quiet that's settled within the room begins to unnerve everyone, specifically Naura. She looks around, seeing that most of the sisters are staring at the floor or ceiling whilst deep in their own thoughts with Virra being the only one doing something different as she is now staring out of the now open window.

After a few more seconds of thinking of what to say to quell the silence, Naura asks, "Erya, you said that Mother had a journal, where is it?"

"We had to return it. We originally took it since Mother was coming up before we had a chance to properly read it, but we returned it not too long ago just in case she looked for it. Luckily for us, she doesn't seem to have left her and Father's room."

Naura lets out an annoyed sigh, wishing to see the contents of the journal for herself. She then looks around the room before noticing that something is... off.

From what she could tell, nothing had been moved in the few moments she hadn't paid attention nor had any of the sisters moved from the bed.

Naura then quickly does a head count just to make sure that she isn't losing her mind. A few seconds of counting later and everything seems to be fine with all the sisters being accounted for. She then gives a quick glance over at the open window and just nods, counting Virra.

Naura then brings her gaze to a complete stop before looking back over to the window. That's when she sees that Virra... isn't actually there.

Immediately, Naura fears the worst, so she rushes over to the window whilst catching the attention of the others.

"What's going on?" Sophia asks.

The sisters take a collective second before realizing that Virra is missing as they rush over to the window as well.

"Where is she?!" Kova asks.

As they all scan around, Manai catches a glimpse of a moving cart in the distance, "Over there!"

As Manai points, the sisters all see the cart in question. This time however, the cart is being operated by Virra herself. Apollita then sighs before saying, "She's going after them."

"That idiot is going to get herself killed! This isn't just some simple monster hunt! She could die out there!" Bislea says in a blunt yet still caring voice.

Kiera then says, "We have to tell Mother."

"No offence, Kiera, but after everything we've learned today, you really want to tell Mother?" Naura states while looking straight ahead. She then turns her gaze toward Kiera, "What exactly would you tell her anyway? 'Oh hey Mother. So, Virra ran away to join the adventurers we sent to secretly search the Knagstun manor and are now tracking Terra's potential location whilst we broke into your safe and read your super secret journal.' I don't know about you, but I don't think that'll go over well with her."

"Well, we can't just do nothing!" Kiera retorts.

"What can we do, Kiera?" Sydna asks. "We're not exactly adventurers like them. We go out there, and we're more screwed than the cheapest whore in a brothel."

"So what can we do?" Diane asks.

Sydna takes a moment, looking back out of the window before saying, "We hope they get the job done."

---

BACK WITH THE OTHERS - THE GREEN PATH:

The carriage carrying the figure has gotten onto the dirt path and the group are still closely following behind. They peer through the vast amount of trees and brush that keeps them hidden, keeping their eyes on the carriage itself.

Eventually, Lani says to the group, "I've been keeping count of the mills we've passed so far. We are at two so far, but I see two more a little bit ahead."

"So, the seventh one shouldn't be far," Kyuala says, her tone sounding a little foreboding.

Amilia then chimes in, "Good. The quicker we get Terra back from these bastards, the quicker we can get back to living in luxury."

"You do remember that we still have a Giant Queen to go meet with and potentially kill, right?" John asks.

Amilia is quiet for a second before saying, "Shut it, human."

The group let out a quiet, collective chuckle as they continue creeping through the brush and shadows.

A few minutes go by, and the carriage, along with the group, finally pass the third and fourth mills.

The group continue sneaking along when Lani says, "I know now might not be the best time, but I've been thinking about something for a bit now, and I thought I should ask you all what you think."

"What is it?" John asks.

"Well, since we're somewhat real adventurers now, I was thinking that we should come up with a name for our party."

Kyuala then responds, "I don't think now is the best time to be brainstorming for party names."

"Lani isn't wrong though. I mean, do you really want to keep getting called 'the friends of the Hero of Reduna'z Gaze?'" John adds.

"Hmm, I suppose you do have a point."

Amilia then butts in, "Hey, let's can the damn party talk til we get Terra back, alright? Then we can start talking stupid-as-shit party names like the Mighty Fuckers."

"Not a bad start," John jokes, earning him a soft jab from Kyuala.

Mere moments later, the carriage suddenly turns right, heading directly in-between the third and fifth mills. The group are immediately concerned and confused simultaneously as they don't see any in said direction.

That's when Lani says, "That must be where the seventh mill is hidden!"

"Then we need to get over there!" Amilia states before running out of the brush and treeline.

"Amilia!" Kyuala exclaims, reaching her hand out to grab the cat, but is nowhere near close to catching her. Kyuala then let's out an exasperated sigh before muttering, "That fucking cat is going to kill us all."

Not a moment later, Kyuala and John, with Lani holding onto the latter's shoulder, make their way out of the brush and follow Amilia, who has hidden beside the third mill.

Eventually, the trio reach Amilia, and Kyuala is the first to give Amilia a slap on the shoulder, "What in the hells do you think you're doing?! We are trying to be hidden here!"

"And I'm trying to find Terra! So you better move that huge ass of yours!" Amilia says, that last part earning a confused expression from both Lani and John.

Kyuala, on the other hand, simply replies, ""John quite likes my huge ass, thank you very much."

John's eyes widen as he realizes exactly what Kyuala just said, but doesn't have time to react more than that as Lani says, "Look, there are tracks through the trees!"

"Of course there is, they're going through them," Amilia responds.

"No! The tracks are already ahead of the carriage! That means that someone's already come through here before!" Lani explains.

"Good spot, Lani," Kyuala says. She then continues, "Get ready, we've got an opening coming soon."

The carriage then passes another set of trees, and Kyuala says, "Now!"

The group then rush forward, hiding behind the first line of trees for a few moments before moving forward to the next line.

They repeat this pattern for a bit, move from line to line as the carriage continues forward.

Eventually, the carriage begins manoeuvring down a small hill and the group head to the last set of trees before having to move down said hill themselves.

As they get to the treeline, that's when they see it.

The seventh mill.

The mill itself is extremely run down, essentially left for nature to take over it as vines and moss have covered the concrete. The best way to describe the scene would be a concrete tree of sorts.

As they look upon the incredible sight of naturalia in front of them, they see that the carriage has finally come to a stop.

A few moments later, the door to the carriage opens up and the hooded figure from earlier steps down onto the dirt below.

Kyuala immediately brings out the periscope given to her earlier and points it at the figure, trying to get a clear look at his face. Her attempts are moot however, as the hood covers every decent angle of his face.

Just then, they overhear the figure speaking to his men, "Wait here whilst I look inside. If anyone shows up, dispose of them immediately."

The figure then walks toward the door with a quick, almost storming pace as the guards take up positions around the woods.

"Alright, lets take 'em out," Amilia says.

"Wait, what?" The trio responds.

"The head asshat is already inside the damn building. We take out his guys, and he's more fucked than a ratfolk in the ocean."

John then says, "And how do you suggest we take them out? Just charge at them and hope for the best? That's only gonna alert the asshole inside and potentially endanger Terra even more."

"Well, what's your big plan then? Wave about your sword and pretend like you know what the fuck you're doing?!"

"Both of you, quit the damned bickering. I'll make the plan," Kyuala says. "Lani, is there any chance that you could act as a forest sprite?"

Lani stutters, "A-a-a forest sprite? No, no, no, no. I can't do that! I'm not... uhh, w-w-well... y-y-you know."

"Horny enough?" Amilia bluntly asks.

"Yes! That! I am not that! Not even close to that, whatsoever!"

Kyuala then explains, "I'm not asking you to fuck the guards. We just need you to pretend to be a sprite to lure one of the guards away. If we kill one, we can use him as a distraction so that Amilia and John can sneak behind them and kill as many as they can quietly. If need be, I'll help finish killing the rest, and then we'll carefully move into the building."

"I don't know about this. How am I even suppose to... entice them in the first place?"

Amilia then moves over to Lani who is immediately frightened, "You listen to me, Lani. We need you to do this to save Terra. So, you better slut up and get those titties out for Terra! You understand?"

Lani stutters once again, literally unable to answer the intimidating catfolk in front of her. Kyuala then slaps Amilia's shoulder, "Amilia! Don't frighten her! Plus, do you even know what a forest sprite looks like?"

"Of course I fucking don't!"

"Well, for your information, they don't fly around with their breasts out!"

"And how do you know?! You ever seen one?!" Amilia asks.

Kyuala takes a few moments before responding, "Not in person."

Lani then finally interjects as she says, "Then you should both know that forest sprites have green skin! And in case you haven't noticed, I'm not green!"

Kyuala looks at her, remembering that part of the tales she's heard of the forest sprites. Just as her plan seems to be crumbling in front of her, she gets another idea as she looks up at a nearby branch.

Lani sees where Kyuala is looking and immediately protests, "No, no, no! Don't you dare!"

---

A FEW MINUTES LATER:

"I hate you," Lani says as she sulks.

"Oh, c'mon. It was the best I could do with what I had," Kyuala explains.

John and Amilia then look at Lani, and they immediately see what Kyuala has done to their fairy friend. Lani sits upon the nearby branch with her body being completely wrapped in leaves. She even has a leaf over her face, but there are small openings for her mouth and eyes, making it look like some sort of makeshift Halloween mask.

"Well, I can definitely say that I preferred my version," Amilia comments.

"Well, next time, you can be the one to run around the forest with your breasts out!" The usually timid Lani rebukes.

"Don't mind her," Kyuala says to Lani. "Listen, you won't need to do anything difficult. Just get the attention of the closest one, fly around, and just act sprite like. Once you draw him close enough, I'll kill him, and draw the attention of the others."

Lani looks at Kyuala with her barely exposed eyes showing obviously displeasure, and even with her face covered, you could practically see the annoyed expression through the leaf-mask. Her leaf-covered arms are also folded, adding to her already disgruntled body language.

"Fine, I'll do it."

The trio then let out a simultaneous sigh of relief, however, Lani continues, "But I am absolutely cashing in a non-negotiable favour sometime in the future!"

"Deal," Amilia quickly responds.

Lani then gets off the branch after taking a deep breath before flying down the right side of the hill with Kyuala closely following behind.

"Alright, let's get behind them," Amilia says.

Amilia and John then go down the opposite side of the hill, making sure to not draw too much attention to themselves as they get into position.

On the other side, Kyuala has got herself into a good position with Lani floating beside her as they hide behind a tree.

"You ready?" Kyuala asks.

Lani takes a deep breath again before saying, "As ready as I can be for something like this."

Kyuala then looks at her with an appreciative look before giving her a nod.

Lani then gives a nod back to Kyuala before carefully flying toward the closest guard.