Melvin sat back and gave an annoyed huff. "Wasn't expecting something like [i]that[/i]."

"You think she'll follow us?" his buddy wondered worriedly.

"No way," the horseback rider joked. "That chick was hot, but even she wouldn't want to put up with the boss when he's in a foul mood."

"Shut it," Melvin snapped. His friends chuckled at his expense as he stared afar. Thanks to his Lorelei Thauma, he was able to pick up sounds that those without one would otherwise miss. Thus, Melvin's keen sense of hearing allowed him to catch the galloping of Deimos' horse in the distance. The dark elf frowned and narrowed his eyes.

[i]Maybe she didn't buy that story I fed her...[/i]

"What's wrong, man?" the rider asked. "I know you're eager to get back to base before the authorities catch up to us, but it won't do you any good to be so tense."

"Sorry, but we can't go straight back to the cellar. That woman is following us."

"Seriously!? Wouldn't she be just heading back to Izumo like we are?"

"Her horse is running parallel to us, and its pace is the same as ours. If she wanted to go to Izumo on her own, she would've definitely beaten us to it."

"Bloody hell... What should we do?"

Melvin spit off to the side and muttered, "As much as I hate having to help the Sect, we need to keep our ruse up 'til we shake her off. One of us will report to the authorities. I sure as hell can't since I'm so freaky-looking - societ as a whole already rejects half-elves, and don't get me started on what they'd do to dark elves like me."

"I'll do it," his half-elf friend offered. "I've become drinking buddies with a few of the constables in Izumo. You two can head back to the stables first."

"Sounds good. We're only getting started with our manifesto, so we can't afford any slip-ups at this time."