Veronica was old enough to know what Jack was up to, along with plenty of experience, but she also had faith in the companions around her so she relented to his request.  Veronica turned toward gear heart, closed her eyes and leaned up against him as if starting a game of hide-and-go-seek.

[color=f49ac2]"1, 2, 3..."[/color]  She started to count while thinking of what animal to reply with at the end.  The baron smiled at her but then turned when he noticed the approaching beasts and assassins.  The ugly creatures making a beeline for the pond so that they could then emerge from it as close to their quarry as possible, also the water would make them more slippery and harder to catch.

[hr]

The leader noticed something behind him too late to dodge and the blunted arrow hit him in the back of the knee, causing him to collapse as his knee buckled outward and threw him off balance.  Instantly on guard the small pack quickly turned around to spot Noella and Lance, one spotted her and fired his crossbow.  The other one had a short bow and fired a shot at lance, but quickly switched to his melee weapon, a cruel looking mace so he went to intercept Lance.  The large one kept going along with the creatures as he kept an eye on the enemies ahead and the target as well.

The leader took a few moments to get back up but he had his eyes on the prize and kept going forward as well.  "Let's keep these fools busy while the creatures get into a flanking position!"