"Make sure nobody falls behind!" Rosseau ordered from his vantage atop one of the wagons. "Gavin, gather up some of the men and help the elderly, your children can tend to the mules." The sun was just rising over the forest to the East as Louise Valliere found herself riding atop a donkey, a donkey of all things! But it was more than most of the Villagers had. She was just one person among many in the caravan making its exodus from Tarbes. The stream of people stretched for a quarter of a league, commoners leading animals and their children while the elderly rode atop wagons along with those worldly possessions that could be packed to travel.

One hundred families, some six hundred people, had gathered together at a predetermined location on the Western side of the Count's estates before setting out along the highway towards the town of Aldi. There was no way to tell if the market town would be far enough from the path of the 'boss' type mob in the forests, but it was the nearest refuge, and Aldi's walls and mages could at least offer some protection if the monster could not be subdued before it began ranging further afield.

Louise looked over her shoulder at the retreating sight of the forest. Since last night, she had heard nothing from KoKo or the others. They certainly would have flown back by now if they could, which meant they were probably fighting. Either fighting with the 'boss' or the pixies. At least, she hoped that was all it was.

They couldn't be . . . ? No! Lousie shook her head. Tabitha had her Dragon, and the Faeries were all strong fighters. But that didn't stop Louise from growing concerned as no word came from them or the Count and the Zerbst.

By the Founder! She was even worried about Kirche! Like the Germanian harlot would die without a parting double entendre!

Looking for a distraction, Louise turned her head and found it in the form of the Village healer. "Florine, are you doing alright?"

The water mage looked over from her seat atop the wagon filled with her patients and supplies. She looked dishevelled, naturally there had been no time to sleep last night, not with sick and injured, and not with her daughter missing. There were rings beneath the woman's eyes and stray hairs had started to fall out of her utilitarian ponytail. Both added years to her appearance. "Well enough, Miss Valliere." The woman said tiredly as she spared a glance back at the forest.

It had taken a great deal of convincing on the part of the Village Chief and the other Villagers to get Florine to leave without Euphrasie. But in the end, they had convinced her that her patients needed her more and that staying in the Village was too great a risk.

"You're worried about your daughter. I'm sure she'll be alright." Louise tried to reassure her. "She may not look it, but Kirche is a pretty powerful mage, and I think Fernand must have some experience in battle. They'll be able to find Euphrasie and that commoner boy."

Florine smiled back, "Oh, I know. Fernand is quite a skilled mage. And I have no doubt that Arthur will find Euphrasie. The Count is not as weak a man as he thinks he is." The conviction in Florine's voice surprised Louise. Did this woman really put that much faith in her Lord? The man was . . . out of sorts.

The healer became silent as she returned to her patients. Louise tried to puzzle at the meaning of Florine's words, but her attention was quickly turned westward by whistles and calls coming from the surrounding Villagers. In the sky above, a cloud of dark shapes had appeared against the backdrop of the clouds. The youngest Valliere daughter felt her spirits lift at the sight. The reinforcements had finally arrived. She had to squint to be sure, but the figures were definitely humanoid, flying in a loose formation along with a half dozen Tristanian Dragon Knights, and judging by the smaller, kite like silhouettes, the same number of Cait Sith Dragoons.

All around her, the Villagers looked up anxiously as the Fae began to descend. There were uncomfortable mutterings at this strange sight, though people remained more or less calm. Most of the villagers had at least seen a Fae for themselves during the investigation or had the opportunity to speak with them.

Louise could make out the distinctive armor and helms of Cait Sith warriors along with a few strangely garbed Fae, for Fae that was, that might have been Leprechauns or Puca. "Everyone stay calm!" Louise called loudly. "These are the reinforcements that were sent for."

"Louise-san!" A familiar young voice shouted.

One of the Cait Sith Dragoons was gliding in for a landing to the south of the highway, wings extended to catch the air. The other Dragoons following suit one after the other until a half dozen of the squat creatures had settled to the ground, looking for all the world like a particularly vicious breed of earth drake grown wings. Silica jumped down from the lead Dragon, followed by a truly gigantic Cait Sith. Louise slid down from her donkey and raced to meet the girl.

"Silica. I'm so glad you made it!" Louise shouted in genuine relief. There had been no telling when the reinforcements would arrive. KoKo had thought they would get here quickly, but if anything had taken them from Cadenza, they might not have been ready before evening.

"We came as fast as we could." Silica said, Pina bobbing her head and giving a chirp of agreement from her master's shoulder.

"Miss Valliere, I presume." Another Cait Sith was approaching, removing his helmet to reveal tawny hair and a tall pair of ears.

"Yes?" Louise asked.

The man bowed his head. "I'm Gaius, Leader of the mob hunting task force. We came as soon as we heard you'd found Lhamthanc. I apologize we didn't make it sooner." Gaius hooked a thumb over his shoulder. "I suppose I should say the cavalry has finally arrived."

"And you brought mages too!" Louise observed, watching as the gangly forms of fire and wind Dragons circled high above.

"Additional forces sent by the Princess to help with our cleanup operations around Cadenza." Gaius confirmed. "They had only just arrived when word reached us about the boss. We've also brought a support squad of Puca."

As wonderful as this news was, not only Faeries, but Dragon Knights, there was no time to waste. Louise shook her head quickly. "Please, now that you're here, we have to head for the forest. I haven't heard anything from the others since last night."

Gaius stroked his chin thoughtfully. "So it hasn't reached the village yet? That probably means that they've succeeded in drawing it away." The commander turned from Louise to his troops as they landed and gathered. Curious villagers watched from the roadway. "We've been on the march since before morning. I'd like for the squads to fully recharge their wings here before we begin a staggered advance into the forest." He instructed.