As the Shepards began packing and preparing to leave, Alicia helped, loading as many supplies as she could onto her pegasus. It took some time, but eventually, they managed to get all of their supplies and injured secured away. As the rest of the Shepards prepared to leave, Alicia made to mount her pegasus when three men on horseback entered the clearing. Turning her head, she glanced over at the intruders, and gasped.

[b]"F-Father?!"[/b] Alicia stood still in shock, one hand clutching her Killer Lance with a death grip. Lantus urged his horse forward at a walk, advancing with his sword drawn.

[b]"You're safe. Good."[/b] Lantus nodded at the blond, his expression softening for a split second before his face returned to his usual stoicism. [b]"Come with me, Alicia. Exalt Darrian has appointed me as a general once more. I can assure your safety and secure clemency for you."[/b]

[b]"I..."[/b] Alicia hesitated, glancing at her father before behind her to the Shepards. Ambra was still there, looking sick from fatigue and stress. A brief flash of the archer injured at the hands of Ylissan fliers popped into Alicia's mind, and she steeled her resolve, turning back around to stare at her father and his bodyguards resolutely. [b]"I'm sorry, Father, but I can't do that. If I go with you, I would be abandoning my comrades to the Exalt's army. Doing so would make me no better than the Exalt himself."[/b] 

Lantus sighed, frowning. [b]"So you choose the Shepards over your own blood? Very well, then."[/b] He turned his head back to his bodyguards, who bore the heavy armor and horse representative of Great Knights. [b]"Aedan, Fergus, kill the rest of the Shepards. Leave Alicia untouched."[/b] The Paladin brandished his sword, preparing to run down the fleeing Shepards when Alicia quickly mounted her pegasus and maneuvered herself between the Shepards and Lantus, who narrowed his eyes. [b]"Clever."[/b] Lantus stated, a hint of approval coming through his voice as he saw that the Shepards were moving towards the tree line and into the forest, where his horse's movement would be impeded. [b]"You would take advantage of my unwillingness to harm my own daughter? Very good, Alicia. Realize, though, that this tactic won't work a second time. I have no grudge against your comrades, but if killing them would secure your safety from the Exalt, then I will not stop pursuing them."[/b] He stated matter-of-factly, sheathing his sword as the last of the Shepards vanished into the forest. [b]"Goodbye, daughter. Stay alive."[/b] Lantus gave Alicia a nod as she urged Bellerophon into the skies. 

[b]"Goodbye, father."[/b] Alicia replied in kind as her pegasus ascended. [b]"For what it's worth, I'm sorry."[/b] And with that, she fled the battle as well, racing to rejoin the rest of the Shepards as Lantus watched on before turning as he saw the Ylissan army finally catch up to him. 

[b]"Ah, my lord."[/b] Lantus gave a bow from atop his steed as Darrian approached, giving the man a stern stare. [b]"I see you've finally realized that using an entire army to chase down one man is a waste of time. Had I the infantry and aerial forces that you took to hunt down a single Shepard, I may have been able to chase down the rest of them. But I'm certain you had your reasons for pursuing a single man with such determination. I take it that man is dead, then?"[/b] Lantus said with absolutely no hint of mockery or sarcasm at all.