Of course she meant Lady Maria, he'd known that. Realistically there was nothing Josephine could teach him that Edmund hadn't already imparted upon them. That said Kael had a difficult time imagining what - if anything - they might gain to learn at this point in their training; veteran hunters were borne of countless hours of the hunt, of trial and error and learning the mannerisms of their quarry. The basics could be taught but from thereon out it fell to the apprentice to gain the experience that only combat could bring. Edmund must have known this and yet not thought them ready, and given today's fatal blunder Kael was forced to agree. Still, what reason was there to seek out this Maria, other than finding some kind of closure for Josephine? Would she even train them once they did find the woman? He would see his given task through of course but to say his heart was wholly devoted to it would be false. 

They needed to get moving before beats began to converge on their location. The fire was bound to lure some their way even with Lydia fighting the majority, some were bound to break off and follow their curiosity. Gathering their belongings Kael brushed over the fire with his boot and snuffed out the flames, leaving a few cinders burning in its wake. Not as though it mattered whether it was extinguished or not, he noted, there weren't any people left here, only beasts. "Cocky huh...? Sure, whatever you say," Kael muttered as he watched the drying embers, clicking his tongue and noting how dry his mouth felt. He needed water after all of that, not to mention he was noting just how dry and hoarse his throat felt. Where was there a well nearby? Water should be safe provided nothing had been slaughtered in it recently, they should be sure to fill up before departing.

Rest was out of the question for two reasons: neither of them would realistically be able to sleep after today's events, not for some time. The presence of another on these empty streets was enough to stir them from their stupor and they were greeted by an alarming stench - rank blood. While not wholly uncommon in the soiled city this smelled fresh, and decidedly un-beastly. Turning on his heel Kael narrowed his eyes at the figure before them, lowering his bag and freeing his weapon. It was a man, aye, but there was something... Off about him. Josephine attempted to speak with him and yet their only reply came in ramblings, words jumbled together and incoherent. Lydia's warning rang fresh in his ears as the man lifted his head and a pair of hollow, sunken eyes stared back at them. His hair was dirty and matted, his skin pale, blood soaked on every piece of clothing as fresh blood seeped from his blade. No two ways about it - this man had succumb to the blood. 

"Stay back! We have no reason to fight, turn and leave!" Diplomacy was perhaps the worst idea right now and yet Kael saw fit to at least try. Not that it had ever been his strong suit, talking things out, and as expected the man continued to shamble towards them, his murderous intent palpable in the stale air. Cursing under his breath Kael swung his weapon and let the blade split in two, stringing the bow before notching an arrow. Killing another man was not something he'd ever wished to have to do. But then this was not a man anymore was it? Taking aim he lowered the bow and fired a single shot at the hunter's leg, deciding it was best to cripple him and run rather than have an all out fight. Fighting would attract beasts, beasts would chase them until they either tired or they were killed, it was not something they could afford. A single arrow was all he'd need. 

If it hit. The arrow was on the verge of tearing through the hunter's ligaments when he dashed to the side and avoided it, the arrow piercing and shattering the stone where he had stood. He was fast! Unlocking his weapon again he let the string retract and held a blade in each hand, charging the man for a more personal encounter. They had to kill him quickly, the longer they lingered the more likely beasts would appear. Raising his right arm and taking a swing Kael growled as his blade  glanced off the side of the man's axe, lifting his other arm to block an overhead cut from the weapon. Straining to hold it back with both weapons he grit his teeth and tried to push black, closing his eye reflexively as blood dripped down from its rusted edge onto his cheek.

"I need... Fresh blood... The Vials, they no longer work..." The man's voice came out in raspy hisses and he smiled hungrily at the young hunter, his teeth stained and several missing. The pair were at a stalemate until Josephine intervened and forced the man back, and another dodge helped evade a Quicksilver bullet from Kael's pistol. As though unsteady the man swayed side to side briefly before flashing the pair a delusional grin, laughing dryly as he approached again, dragging his axe along the cobbled streets. "Come children, give me your blood... Our evolution... Is at hand..." he cooed, extending a gnarled hand and curling his fingers to them, "You... Won't need it before long, surrender... Your blood!"