"Time to put your assassin skills to the test," Victoria smiled at her. "I'll help as much as I can, but I need to lower the risk of exposing myself. My reputation unfortunately precedes me."
Jasmine still did not like this woman, nor did she feel at ease around her. She glanced back at the rest of her party slowly exiting the carriage. "Can you stop being so cryptic? Just explain the plan."
Victoria looked past her and waved to her young Master. "Hello Toni!"
"Victoria?" Toni mumbled. He was rubbing the sleep out of his eye. "What are you doing here?"
"Just helping solve a problem," Victoria moved away from the table. Jasmine attempted to intercept her, but Victoria was too fast. She dodged Jasmine easily and hugged Toni. "Aww, did I interrupt your sleep?"
"I-it's okay," Toni's voice was muffled by Victoria's chest.
"Victoria," Hannah gripped her shoulder. "Be serious. Jasmine asked you a question."
"I know," Victoria squeezed Toni tighter. "Just Toni is too cute."
"Victoria." Hannah squeezed the spy's shoulder. "Answer the fucking question."
"Fine, fine," Victoria let go of Toni. She glanced over at Claire and gave her a subtle wink. "Jasmine, I'll need some of your spare clothes. And your bow. It shouldn't raise suspicion if I use a bow."
"Okay?" Jasmine rubbed her chin. "So you'll disguise yourself as me, then what will I do?"
"Assassinate them."
Jasmine exhaled sharply. She turned her head towards Claire and crossed her arms. "You sure we're actually being followed? She could just be fucking with us."
"I think so," Claire shrugged. She looked over at Hannah and Toni for help, but they were just as confused. "She was very serious a few moments ago. And now, she seems to be telling the truth."
"I am," Victoria let out a dramatic sigh.
"You sure?" Jasmine asked Claire. "She could just be trying to annoy us."
"Is this how I come across?" Elsie asked Jasmine. The older twin was questioning her spoiled act now. She was cringing at Victoria's dramatic act.
Jasmine shook her head. "You're only mildly annoying, which usually just ends up being cute. Never this bad."
"That's good," Elsie said, moving to her sleepy sister with a warm, thankful smile.
"Please, Victoria," Claire insisted. "Explain further."
"Sure," Victoria moved back towards the map. "Jasmine will pinch them from behind and pick them off that way. I'll provide long-range support with her bow!"
"Victoria," Toni tugged on her arm. "Does it matter if Hannah still wears her armor? It has Grandma's crest on it."
Victoria looked down at him, then to Hannah. "Mmm, no. They'd assume she was here to help the adventuring party, or if they know of you, are a part of the party."
"Couldn't we say the same with you?" Toni tilted his head.
"Nope! If any of them could read levels, I'd stick out like a sore thumb," Victoria spoke louder. "Which is why I will keep my distance."
"Why?" Ursa yawned. "We're going to kill all the witnesses. Why not just fight with us?"
Victoria pursed her lips. She took a moment to think about her next words. Her smile faded, and she studied the Ravian. "I wish it were that simple. Just trust me when I say that I cannot get within melee range."
"Fine, whatever," Ursa shrugged. She noticed Victoria's unusually slow heartbeat quicken for just a moment. It was the first time it had changed pace in her presence. "You okay with this?"
The question was directed towards Jasmine, who was busy studying the map. "Have to be. If they can get past both of us, they truly are way out of our league."
"Jazz?" Lily tugged on her arm. "You okay?"
"I will be," Jasmine gave her a faint smile. "Mad that I missed this."
"Jasmine," Victoria's voice reverted to that cold, monotone tone from her previous conversation with Claire. "It took me a day to realize they were following you. Do not feel bad."
Jasmine didn't even look up from the map. "Doesn't help. If you weren't following us, they'd have snuck up on us and-"
"Jazz," Lily embraced her from behind. Claire stepped forward, too. "It's okay. I guess these women are stronger than you."
"Not helping either," Jasmine placed a hand on hers. "But I'll get over it. This fort, why is it here?"
"Perfect strategic positioning." Victoria's smile and jovial tone returned. "Controls the road, the river, and a nearby lake. Natural resources and travelling."
"I can see that," Jasmine shook her head. "But why here? This land hasn't seen war in centuries."
"It's a very old fort," Victoria stepped towards the map. "Thus, why it isn't on the map."
Claire furrowed her brow. "But wouldn't people know about it? Like the locals? They'd know about it and notify cartographers."
Victoria nodded. She glanced at the last member to exit the carriage. A very sleepy Lamia, who still had Lily's sedation potion in her system. Victoria reached for her bag and pulled out a second map. "Mhmm, this map shows all the ancient, retired, and current forts. Yet it doesn't show up here either."
She pulled out a much larger map of the entire continent. Just like she said, it had all the current forts listed. Even forts for local guards, then it had retired forts from centuries-old wars. Then the ancient ones from before the Monarchy was established.
"Why is that?"
"Magic?" Ana asked in a sheepish voice.
"Yes, Anastasia," Victoria nodded at the younger twin. "And, I hope you don't mind me using your full name. It's very beautiful."
"Coercion magic," Samira spat out before Ana could respond. She had a disgusted look on her face. She could feel her emotions boiling up within her. "If people aren't talking about it, then it's either well hidden or they're being compelled not to. Likely forced."
"I apologize, Miss Samira," Victoria bowed her head. "Had there been another advantageous spot, I'd direct you there. However-"
"Wait," Jasmine shook her head. "If people can't see or notice or whatever, then why can't you fight? They'd have no chance of finding any of the bodies."
"If only it were that simple," Victoria took a deep breath. "The magic will dissipate when we enter. It'll expose the fort while we are there."
"That doesn't make sense," Elsie shook her head. "Why would it dissipate when we got there?"
"Because," Victoria glanced at the twins. "The magic will react to our presence and become hostile. It will do everything in its power to get us out of it. While it's in that state, its barrier will go down for at least a week."
"Then why-" Jasmine tried to speak.
"Because that magic can kill werewolves." Victoria cut her off. "It's our best bet to fight against them without me directly being involved."
"But then how will we use it?" Claire stepped between Jasmine and Victoria. "If it's hostile, won't it harm us too?"
"Without me, yes."
"So you'll deactivate it?" Claire pressed.
"Kind of," Victoria's smile returned. "Hannah, did Lila ever talk about me?"
"Yes, all the time," Hannah did not look happy. She shook her head in disbelief. "I understand."
"Good girl," Victoria's smile widened. "Lila taught you well."
"She hated you," Hannah said bluntly. "Starting to see why."
"I only care about my mission and protecting the Efreits," Victoria smiled at Toni. "I trust you understand why I cannot fight up close, too."
"I do," Hannah sighed. "You okay if I explain it to them?"
"I cannot tell them for I am bound by my oath," Victoria bowed dramatically.
Hannah was questioning every admiration and every positive thought she had towards this woman. In the year of intense training to resist Toni's blessing, she never acted like this. She was always stone-cold and distant. What was this?
"She can cut through magic," Hanna finally said aloud. "Cut the very mana that flows through spells. Even if we got rid of the bodies, her attacks could still be seen within the surrounding mana. Especially by an Analytical Eye."
Victoria clapped. "Very good. Lila's is quite powerful. Her family was enchanters."
"So what?" Ursa furrowed her brow. "Your arrows won't cut through mana?"
"Distance-based," Hannah answered for Victoria. "Lila guessed it was 20 yards around her."
"Close!"
"Whatever." Jasmine let out a deep exhale. "I'm tired of listening to her. Let's just go along with her delusions."
"Plans."
"I'm going back to bed." Jasmine turned and headed for the carriage. "Fuck this."
"I suggest you all get some sleep." Victoria ushered them into the carriage. She pulled Claire back, "Except you. I need to talk to you."
"Uh, okay?" Claire glanced at her party members, but they all looked either too tired or over the conversation. "About what?"
Victoria dropped the entire act. Her more serious tone and expression nearly gave Claire whiplash. "Firewater and Silkie. They won't stay hidden for long."