[h3]Tour de Rouge, Fields[/h3]
	The man’s smirk faded for a moment as he watched Tirnea smack at the ground, an inquisitive look going through his eyes before he refocused his gaze on Serena and Veronica. The air was dead with silence as he waited for a response. He retrieved a golden pocket watch and stared at it for a few seconds before putting it away. The two women hadn’t moved an inch, still waiting for him to make a move, though an impatient wind began to pick up until he continued to speak.

	“Not much for conversation,” he said to Veronica with mock sadness. “I was at least hoping that your masked friend had something to say. We’re practically old friends, you know. I still remember how she froze up when she saw Aegea’s life fade from her eye. She admittedly wasn’t doing her job very well, but it’s not like I could bring myself to defend such a poor excuse for a-” Serena failed to restrain her student as Veronica charged forwards.

	“I don’t know who you are,” the knightess shouted, “But you will [b]NOT[/b] speak against her!” she leaped forwards, hammer held aloft as she began to swing it down towards the man. He twisted to the side, the hammer sailing past his cape as it collided with the cart, breaking straight through the wooden planks where he was standing moments before and sending cracks throughout the rest of the frame. He wagged a finger at her as he stepped upon the hammer, his boots resting comfortably on the bladed edge of the weapon.

	“Now look what you’ve done,” he said cheekily. “You broke your little wagon. How are you ever going to pursue those assassins you’re after now, hmm?” He walked slowly and calmly down the hammer’s shaft towards Veronica, who had paused despite her seething rage as she looked upon the man’s face. He was one of them, was what she wanted to tell him, but she held her tongue as she tried to control her breathing, settling for letting the raging fire in her eyes speak for her.

	“The name’s Ashley,” he said dismissively as he looked down at the woman. “In case you were still wondering. Of course, it used to be [i]Lord[/i] Ashley Bonne, but that whole Choir business managed to put a damper on that.” He rested a heel on Veronica’s helmet to accentuate his point. She pulled at Maugris, and he made his move, shifting his weight so that the hammer flew up into the air as he pushed off of Veronica’s helmet and followed it upwards, sending her stumbling back. Ashley smirked as he caught the hammer and twirled it for a moment before bringing it down towards its owner with a single hand, his parasol still gripped tightly in the other. Serena took the moment to strike, leaping forwards and kicking him aside right before he could hit her student. He dropped the hammer as he flew aside and landed gracefully next to Tirnea, giving her a wave and a pleasant smile. Serena's gaze shifted for a moment, Ashley's new position and a sudden noise turning her attention towards a shorter hooded figure resting a hand on the muzzle of one of the cart's horses. She strained her vision to get a better look before Ashley snapped his fingers impatiently, drawing the woman's gaze back to him.