Ursa returned just before dawn. She was no longer transformed, walking out of the treeline completely nude. She stretched her arms out and nodded to Hannah, who was on watch.
"How was it?" Hannah smiled before checking out her nude body. She unconsciously licked her lips. "Breed any of them?"
"No," Ursa rolled her eyes. "Too big for them."
Hannah raised her eyebrow at that. She thought about it, then chuckled. "Yeah, I guess you'd be almost three times their size."
"Indeed." Ursa gave her a faint smile. She was learning to banter with Hannah better. "More importantly, they are looking for Samira as we speak."
"That's good to hear," Hannah stood up. She was really looking forward to seeing Samira. "Hopefully, we find her before anyone else."
Ursa nodded. "There are two other adventuring parties in the area. One is a beginner party, but the other is full of seasoned adventurers."
"Hmm," Hannah rubbed her chin. "That could pose an issue. The younger party would likely listen to my authority as a knight, but the older one is more complicated."
Ursa tilted her head. "How so?"
"Depending on the status of the party, they could be getting their contracts straight from Lady Lloyd," Hannah explained. She pursed her lips and thought for a moment. "They would not like me being here."
"Your politics sounds awful," Ursa exhaled and sat by the campfire. "Where are my clothes?"
"I'll grab them," Hannah smiled and headed towards the carriage. "And, yeah, usually whatever gets the local Lady the most power. It's simple to understand, at least."
"Ours is simpler," Ursa scoffed. "Strongest decides. Or our elders."
"That has its flaws, too," Hannah returned with Ursa's clothes. "Pretty sure they wouldn't entirely approve of your actions with this party."
"You're not wrong," Ursa nodded. She put on her clothes and thought about her words. "But, we don't have these mass systemic issues like you."
"Systemic? That's a word I don't know off the top of my head," Hannah couldn't help but smile. "I see the lessons with Lily weren't just more reasons to play with her breasts."
Ursa could feel her face flush with heat for a moment. "I-I do pay attention to her lessons, yes."
"Much better with our language than I am, that's for sure," Hannah smiled and sat beside Ursa. "That was a genuine compliment. I didn't mean to come across as teasing."
"Th-thank you," Ursa exhaled softly. "I understand the flaws with my people's society. We forced my sister out of the tribe because we are so stuck in our ways. Likely to happen to me, too."
"Damn," Hannah sighed. She didn't know about this. "Are we really worth that?"
Ursa nodded slowly. "I… I understand why my sister left, now. Yes, this country has innumerable flaws, but the people are amazing."
Hannah looked to the carriage. "Well, the hope is that Claire can change this country."
"Yeah…" Ursa looked towards the ground. She looked at the ground and thought for a moment. "She might help change my people, too. Claire said her Goddess was closely interacting with Rava… If She can change Her mind, there may be hope for my sister and me."
"If not, you found good people to spend the rest of your life with," Hannah scooted closer. "Me included."
Ursa scoffed. "I don't think I can handle you and Elsie every day for the rest of my life."
"Sure," Hannah bit her lip. "Speak of Elsie, I do have control over her…"
"And?" Ursa let Hannah wrap an arm around her. She was also getting better at accepting skinship with her companions.
"We could get a bit of revenge for her annoying you," Hannah whispered in Ursa's ear. She could feel Ursa fighting her urge to move away. "What do you think?"
Ursa couldn't help but squirm. She loved the idea, but her pride wouldn't let her admit it. "S-sounds good."
Hannah laughed and moved back slightly. "Too much touching? Or was it my words?"
"Both," Ursa mumbled. She got up from the stump they were sitting on. "I think I should inform the others…"
"Aww," Hannah looked up at her. "Good idea. But, I'd love to discuss what we should do about Elsie later."
Ursa stumbled somewhat as she walked towards the carriage, leaving Hannah alone. She relaxed her shoulders and looked towards the sky. "That adventurer party could pose a real issue." She said aloud. "I hope we don't have to run into them. It could cause issues for Lady Efreit. Let alone if that woman discovers Toni is in her land."
Ursa walked into the carriage to find her sleeping companions. Jasmine stirred first. She woke up to see that Ursa was back. Her moving caused Claire, who was cuddled up to her, to wake as well.
"What time is it?" Jasmine asked in a low whisper. She rubbed the sleep out of her eyes, still not used to actually sleeping.
"Nearly dawn," Ursa replied in a whisper. She walked over to the two and sat beside them. "They didn't see her, but they know of two other parties in the area."
"I see," Jasmine bit her lip. "That complicates things because we need to find those bandits."
"Could send Hannah or Ursa after Samira," Claire yawned. She stretched softly to better wake up.
"Don't have the manpower," Jasmine whispered back. "We need both of them for the bandits. Especially if they are also werewolves."
"Yeah, I guess," Claire yawned. Their voices finally started to wake the rest of their party. "We'll have to deal with them fast then."
"Ursa?" Elsie said as she roused.
"Yes," Ursa responded quietly.
"Good, they didn't eat you," Elsie whispered softly before cuddling back into Toni's arms.
Ursa tilted her head in confusion. She scowled at the older twin for a moment before moving on. "They'll find me if they do track Samira down. The issue is that the adventuring party is full of veterans. Hannah speculated they were working for your Lady."
Jasmine bit her thumb. That was an issue. They had luckily not run into any other adventurers while traveling. Most of their contracts were for more remote areas, so it made some sense. "We'll see if they become an issue. The other one is a newbie group, I assume."
"Yes," Ursa nodded. "Only two veteran-looking adventurers."
"Let's hope to run into them, and not the other one," Jasmine sighed. She had some of her memories of her previous party flash in her mind. "Veteran parties can be quite stubborn. If they find a lamia out here, there's likely no reasoning with them."
"Couldn't she just use her magic?" Ursa asked, sitting next to the two. "Control them and get away?"
"I don't think she will," Claire said as she opened her arms up to Ursa. The Ravian didn't even hesitate to crawl into them due to how tired she was. "She was forced to use it against her will on those villagers. I'd guess she's still scared or horrified by her magic."
"Fuck," Jasmine bit her thumb harder. She knew there was a way to split up, but she hated the idea. Absolutely hated it.
Ursa let out a yawn as she settled into Claire's arms. "So either we send someone after her, chance it, or delay the bandits."
Jasmine took a deep breath. She was mentally cursing at herself for even thinking about what she was about to suggest. "Chancing it or delaying attacking those bandits has too many downsides. Either Samira is put in danger, or we risk the bandits capturing or killing more locals."
"So we have to send Ursa after Samira, or maybe Hannah?" Claire asked, squeezing her lover tightly.
Jasmine shook her head. "No. You need both of them. Ursa, can you have the wolves guide me to Samira?"
Ursa perked up, a fire stirring in her eyes. "I can."
"I'll go to Samira."