"The city is still filled with Orcs, the knights should have higher priorities than to come after us. I know a way out without getting spotted." a feminine voice would be heard… The hooded figure that stood before him wore a black traveler’s cloak. She stood at 5 ft 5in (1.65m), but not much else could be discerned due to her clothes. The force she mustered with her tug earlier was quite surprising for her stature.

“Follow me.” She stated before leaving, not bothering to look back to make sure he was following.

‘Did this lady know what she was doing? Was she crazy?’

This woman had no reason to help him, he didn’t trust her. He was just betrayed by his long-term comrades; he wasn’t in the most trusting of moods. If anything, he felt quite bitter and resentful.

Still, this was his best and safest bet. He didn’t understand what was in it for her, but he would not look a gift horse in the mouth, not for now. Nor did he have the time for pleasantries. If she was really here to save him… An ally when a whole kingdom was against you was not a bad thing.

So, he simply followed, not even saying a word. He intended to hold off any questions, at least until they were at a safe distance. Where they wouldn't be so easily found.

Kazius would follow the woman, making it to the outskirts of the city. Most of the evacuees had gone West towards the capital of Layton, but the 2 of them were headed East. A dangerous thing since that was the direction the wastelands infested with monsters were, where the Orcs had come from.

The City of Marv was close to Zelphar, which was to the North, but it was also close to the very edge of civilization… Close enough for the Orc attack to occur.

Parts of the outskirts in the area remained intact, the actual horde coming from further South… It seems the woman understood the path of the attackers well… Maybe too well…

‘Had she seen them come in? Why did she not warn anyone?’

Then again, if she was helping him, she was likely an enemy of the church who ruled the kingdom… She smelled human though…

‘Why would she have such a grudge? Wait… Smell? Oh this was getting weird.’

They were pretty far out and could likely let down their guard for now, but the woman staid on edge. “We are close to somewhere safe… I doubt that the church will send word that fast to towns near the outskirts, not when the city is in such a state… Before we reach any area that would be considered savage lands, there are two towns on the way.” She stated, not once turning to look at him or even giving him a name.

He stood still for a moment, taking in the surroundings after they have submerged from the underbelly of the city. A lot of greenery and very few roads "I will continue to follow you" He whispered in confirmation, staying in the greenery, hidden.

It was then the two would hear quite the chaos. Turning, his eyes were met with a chapel he had been to a few times on patrol. It was a small place, yet he had never seen it so empty, evacuated, not to mention... He has never seen the Elf holy maiden that currently was causing quite the commotion. They tried to not get involved yet the elf seemed to spot them, looking straight at them… But how?! Even the hooded woman was frozen, appearing confused as well.

"Please, you have to help me" She pleaded, rushing over to Kazius… Did she not see his eyes and odd appearance? He still wore his Holy Knight garb, did she think he was just a normal Holy Knight? Then again, he doubted word spread too much of his actions, or so he hoped… Still, nothing could hide his face, even the shadows that clung to him appeared to be gone for now.

“Those at the chapel, they think I'm a Demon worshipper... Please speak to them, sir knight" The blonde elven woman pleaded naively, holy staff in one hand while she ended up grasping it with both in a pleading hand gesture. Her baby blue eyes looking at them both like she was some stray animal looking for a home.

The Elf was a little shorter than the hooded woman, standing at 5ft 2in (1.57m). Though her height was far from the most notable thing about her. The holy maiden wore the typical clergy clothes of a follower of The Oracle, but the clothes almost looked indecent on her. She was gifted when it came to her rear and to some extent to her breasts.

"I-" She began only to hear knights rushing over. How were they already here? They must have gotten backup faster than expected from nearby posts.

‘Shit.’

"There he is! The heretic holy maiden too! The Demon worshippers! Monsters! All of them! They are all running around together, get them!" Exclaimed one of the Holy Knights.

"W-Wait, no!" the Elven woman exclaimed, attempting to explain herself only to be grabbed by the back of her robe and be dragged along by the hooded woman who seemed to realize at this point that this holy maiden was clearly going to get herself killed. The two had not intended to bring the Elf along, but it seems she was coming with them.

At first the clumsy Elf was being dragged by the hooded woman, but at one point the Elf did realize that she was actually in danger, so she too was running.

After some time, they were out of the city and in a forest, it would be hard to be spotted. The hooded woman panted a bit, sighing. Clearly something was bothering her, she seemed jittery, then again, the 3 were clearly being chased by the church as some sort of monsters. There was silence in the group, until the Elf broke it.

"Thank you so much for saving me! You are so kind!" She exclaimed giddily in quite the carefree manner, "I think the church really is confused... They called us Demon worshippers... but I have the staff of God himself!" She chirped

The hooded woman seemed to stare at her, as did Kazius.

‘Oh, so she’s crazy, great.’

It seems the hooded woman was thinking something among the same line if her gestures said anything.

This only made the Elf woman frown and whine, pouting a little while looking like a sad puppy. Clearly, she was upset to not be believed.

"Look, being an enemy of the church isn’t easy... You don’t have to answer questions you don't want to... But I saved you both for a reason. I am no nanny. I need protection and traveling in a group is better than alone when the 3 kingdoms possibly want you dead. They all are related to the church somehow. I didn’t save you because of kindness. I also don’t intend to be buddies or anything of the sort" Hooded woman pointed out bluntly, at least she was being honest.

"Still, I am not dumb enough to go to the wastelands alone… I won’t ask you anything, but I do hope you understand… The only place people like us will be able to get away from the church is there. They may still chase us though… The Knights of Edict are persistent” she added.

‘The Knights of Edict? Why was someone like her being chased by them? Myself I understand, but this girl… What did she do? Then there was the crazy Elf…’

“Tag along, or don’t, makeup your mind now. You are free to leave whenever you like. Of course… 3 is better than 1. I don’t know what to expect out there. I suppose I only wanted your help since you looked strong, but a healer could be useful too." She stated simply. Even if it was a crazy one.

"Oh! That sounds like so much fun! Everything is always better with friends, my name is Eve!" Eve stated innocently despite having just met the two, oh the woman really was too trusting. She seemed giddy at the thought of friends. She was beaming, flowers practically blooming in her head, not acting like someone who was so close to capture or death but a minute ago. Would she survive out there?

"…Alice..." The hooded woman stated hesitantly. She looked like she was already regretting saving the Holy Maiden, she clearly was a ditz… Though if the two did not save her, she would likely be dead.

" Kazius....is my name...”

“We should camp....it is getting dark...The Holy Knights won't stray this far at night...they would of already made camp..." he added.

The male knew how they operated well after all, the mess with the Orcs was still an issue for Marv after all and personnel were still few in numbers. So as determined as they may be, things were on their side.

“I think you are right… There should be a river nearby, let’s get food and water, we will need to make do until we find a town… I doubt word would reach the outskirts about us, at least not while we have this head start.” Alice agreed.

“Oh! It is like a slumber party in the woods, how fun!” Eve added, seeming to be quite optimistic…

Kazius wasn’t sure if he could trust them, but it was certain that his time with the two would be an interesting one.