[IRP] Beginnings of Change

[Swift_Assassin]

Shad and Cassandra shot glances at one another when they heard a cry of pain. It didn't sound like any of the others. Did Cass really miss a forth pursuer? They did run pretty fast, perhaps the forth wasn't as quick to the draw as the first three, which would be why the missed him. They both moved to the source of the sound, Cass leading the way. They stopped suddenly, hiding behind the tree. Cass kept Shad from showing himself as she surveyed the zealot.

He was nursing his shoulder, his lance on the ground. She spied an arrow piercing him. "Does Paige or Ambrose use a bow?" She questioned, having not noticed their new companion during their run. Shad shook his head when she looked back. She returned her gaze to see a second figure reveal themselves. Her eyes widened a bit. It was that spy from Pharae. The one that was tried to shake the church off of Shad's tail. She watched her take out a knife.

"Who are you? Are you with the mages?!" Shad's body jerked at the man speaking. He tried to look, but Cass stopped him. "N-no wait. Get back! Ahh!" Cass just watched as the spy cut open a huge gash into the knights throat. The spy then looked towards their hiding spot. Cass ducked her head back, while Shad used the opportunity to look. The spy was gone before he got a chance to look.

"Coast's clear Cassie. Let's find the others."

"Let's go," Cass replied, still quite unsure of what to make of that woman, Alice Richter. Alice was still following them, but for some reason felt no qualms against deceiving her own allies. Does she have an issue with the Church? It was her only explanation for her actions that Cass could come up with.

The pair ignored the dead body and Cass led them in the direction she believed that the arrow came from. That's when the pair came across the archer. Shad stopped first and put his hands up. "Hold. I'm not with the church," he said, his Etrurian accent coming through. Cass came up right next to him, doing the same thing. Shad looked around a little bit and saw Paige and Ambrose not that far away. In fact, he was confused about how he missed them. "Those two over there are my friends. We're kinda the reason those knights attacked. You know, besides them dragging people naked out of their houses."

"Your target is dead. A third party slit his throat after you shot him," Cass informed. "We should regroup with the others," she directed towards Shad. "Besides, you still have to introduce them to me. I know you haven't told them yet."

"Fine, fine," the lord replied. "Why don't you tag along for now?"