Some friends at their backs to fight the enemies ahead

As more Orcs began to come out of the trees, Venus began to turn to face the coming threat behind them. Before she could see who approached, an axe flew past her and she heard a scream from one of the two orcs that had begun to approach her and Rose.

Three figures emerged from the forest at an almost casual pace. Venus didn't know these Shadow Hunters, but their reputation was well known. They were the best of Regis, The King's Honor. The leader was a Dwarf named Geldrik the Aegis. In his thick hands was a massive smith's hammer and at his side in a leather loop was an axe to match the one he had already thrown. On his left flank was Rogue, a gambler and magician of sorts. In his hands he shuffled a deck of cards inscribed with runes. Each card was set with a spell, but in the shuffle she wasn't sure how he would ever get the card he needed for a specific situation. On Geldrik's right flank stood a young woman barely taller than him. Her name was Trina and she held a small bottle in her hand and was sprinkling a dash of some unknown powder into an unknown liquid. Once she was done the liquid turned crystal blue.

As more Orcs began charging out of the forest towards the group of Hunters, Trina threw the bottle into their ranks. When it shattered upon the ground, ice began to lance up as the ground and trees in the area froze. The orcs that were not immediately frozen were impaled upon spears of ice. The few survivors quickly fled.

The ice stopped a few feet from the girls as Geldrik and his companions came to rest with them. The Dwarf gave Venus and Rose a happy smile before turning his attention to Rondo. Trina was already kneeling next to him and checking for wounds.

"He was hurt by the Red Caps you see lying over there. The Orcs had nothing to do with that," Venus assured her. Trina lifted Rondo's shirt, looking for a wound before giving Venus a quizzical look.

"Healing magic?"

"That and natural Werewolf healing."

Rogue's eyes shifted to the man on the ground for a moment as Trina scrambled back away from Rondo in shock. Geldrik's smile faltered for a moment but his eyes were still locked on Venus.

"A rare thing for a Were to be with a couple of Shadow Hunters miss."

"Yes, and more so for him to be a Shadow Hunter as well as married to one Sir Geldrik."

Geldrik gave a rich laugh and bowed to Venus. Trina and Rogue visibly relaxed when their leader showed his amusement. Apparently this team was tight knit if they could easily trust Geldrik about a wounded Werewolf.

"Where are you ladies headed if you don't mind me asking?"

"Carthin to hunt a possible demon worshiping cult. How about your group?"

"We just finished a job the King had requested. Demon cult you say?"

Geldrik became quiet for a few moments before shaking his head.

"As much as I would love to see home, if there is a demon in Carthin I have trouble turning away from that. Would you mind our aid? We will be paid handsomely for our last job so we wont need part of your fee."

Venus looked at Rose for a moment hoping for her opinion, but the girl simply shrugged.

"You're leading this team Venus, so it is really your call."

Trina suddenly squeaked in surprise.

"Venus? As in the Beast Tracker?"

"Yes, though by now I wouldn't be surprised if the guys back in Namina changed it to Beast Tamer," she said smiling down at Rondo. Back to the matter at hand, a group like the King's Honor would certainly be helpful, but at the same time she didn't want to keep them from their own job too long.