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[Right][color=6ecff6]Interactions: Nolan [@hatakekuro], DM [@Zarkun][/color][/right] 

A quiet ride should have been lovely and boring. It wasn't long before the young water mage had to catch herself from starting to hum. The forest was lovely, and if it wasn't for knowing the dangers that lurked inside, she'd likely come wandering here herself. The way the sunlight passed between the leaves of trees, the wild flowers scattered among the carpet of fallen vegetation, the variety of birds perched in various places that didn't usually come into town - all quite beautiful. At some point she'd started counting how many blue and purple flowers were around and it wasn't until the guards started pointing out the lack of noise that she even realized she hadn't seen a bird or critter in a while. 

[i]Asterins...[/i] It was the only logical beast in the area that would make the forest go silent like that. Thus far, she never had the displeasure of an up close battle with one but she had seen the teeth and the claws and heard rumors about what they could do. Her attention turned from their surroundings to Nolan when he spoke up. Yup, even though the guards likely expected something else to cause issue with this shipment, Asterins being a problem didn't change any of their missions.

Offense would be an entirely different matter, but she at least never had problems casting defensive or utility spells. She kept her breathing steady, stroking her horse's neck as it shifted from side to side. Her gaze turned to the surroundings, scanning to be as ready as she could for the next point of attack. [i]Would funneling help or just mess up the guards?[/i] She didn't like the idea of being surrounded. Would it be better for everyone if the beasts were able to pile in front of them though? That would be worse, wouldn't it? Or would it be even worse to have them potentially just go from behind? Maybe she could block behind them - but that would block other travelers until she tore the wall down...."[color=6ecff6]Focus,[/color]" she whispered to herself.

Her attention turned back to the guards. She'd dealt with a beast with similarly sharp claws and their armor didn't look up to par for that kind of attack, and the horses definitely needed some additional protection if they were attacked. "[color=6ecff6]Water Make: Thick Articulated Armor[/color]", Ria muttered and directed the spell on each of the guards and all of the horses. It would make everything but a face plate, in hopes of helping grant them the best protection possible without hindering their ability to see or move as they were used to. It was the only thing she definitely knew she could do to help protect the guards and the cargo.


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[Right][color=9400D3]Interactions: Adelyn [@Lunarlord34], Kiba [@Cello], Sergeant Monreu [@Zarkun] [/color][/right]

Mark quietly listened to the more detailed information about the assignment. Once again, his interest in capturing the creature to study was peaked. It didn't sound like that was the intent. Sounded like they wanted the thing dead. Unfortunate for his interest in the creature, but if the guards were nervous and thought it would make it safer for them and the town if the thing was dead...Nope, still unfortunate. It wouldn't help in the long run to not know more about the thing, but history was full of killing things you didn't understand. 

"[color=9400D3]Our task in this mission is to kill this creature? Or capture it?[/color]" His attention was on the device being offered as he spoke. He accepted the device, and pocketed it as his attention returned to the guardsman. "[color=9400D3]We will ensure we achieve the goal you desire.[/color]" 

He had half a thought to tell the Sergeant to run rather than buy them time, but he was fairly certain that request would be shunned. Which made the request a waste of effort on his part, but he didn't relish the thought of guard deaths weighing on his conscious. Two miles out meant the lightning beast could kill one or more before he could get there. 

Well, they would cross that threshold if they got there. All he needed was the answer to his very pressing question about the state they needed that beast to be in, and they were set to be on their way. Hopefully Adelyn wouldn't delay their departure; given Kiba talked less than he did, there wasn't much chance the older mage would ruin that streak now by dragging out their departure. The sooner this mission started, the sooner it was over.