Liv is swayed, the pair meet Emmaline back at camp

It didn't take long for Liv and Becky to make their way back to where the group had set their temporary campsite. The forest was of modest size, but with Liv's keen memory, it was easy enough to find their way back with the most efficient path possible.

The pair moved like shadows, keeping on their toes and with a watchful eye out, but save for the occasional call of birdsong, there was little that caught their attention. Before long, they were stepping back into the clearing where they had been resting earlier, a few supplies and the pit for a fire waited patiently as they approached.

"It was good thinking of Emmaline," Becky said as she started to sift through one of the bags they had left. "Leading them off in the opposite direction and all."

"Yeah," Liv said. "I was almost surprised to see it from an airhead like her."

They fell into silence. Becky laid her alchemical supplies out on the ground beside her and begin sifting through them. She unscrewed bottles and vials, carefully refilling those she had made use of with the reserve supply she had left in the camp. While Becky worked away quietly, Liv hadn't wavered even for a moment in her focus. Her eyes still scanned the tree line, while her entire body remained tensed and ready to bolt at a moment's notice.

She didn't know whether or not Emmaline would really manage to 'give them the slip,' but...

"I'm not becoming a Gnoll **** because some ditz didn't think things through before coming back here," she muttered.

"Well, luckily, the ditz did think things through!" a voice declared. Emmaline strode proudly into the clearing, her pursuers nowhere to be seen. "At least, this time I did."

"Good," Liv said. "That's at least what was expected of you."

"Good work, Emmaline," Becky said. She finished slipping the last refilled vial back into her coat. "I hope you're still ready to move. We need to save Fuu."

"What?" Emmaline's brow furrowed at once. "Is she okay? What happened?"

"We're not sure, but..." Becky frowned.

"She just lost." Liv said. Becky frowned at her, but she shrugged it off. "Probably. She probably just didn't win her fight."

"We heard her," Becky said. Her voice was quieter now, a little choked and dry. "She was screaming..."

"...and moaning," Liv added.

"I see..." Emmaline said. She paced back and forth for a moment, then turned to the other two. "Well, I guess all there is to do is go and save her then, right?"