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Last of the Shadow Foxes: 12 Departed

Emerson choked and coughed up blood violently as he burst into consciousness. Immediately he felt hands holding down his spasming body. He was not lying on the road anymore, rather, in a small clearing in the woods. It was dawn, a clear sky blue. The rogue appeared over him again.
“Thank the Dark Lord you’re alive, I thought that cleric killed you.” He smiled, wiping the blood from Emerson’s face.
“Nezumi, Vincenzo, Yan Hang, over here now!” The rogue shouted, loud enough for the people to hear but soft enough not to harm Emerson. Shortly after, a bandit, fire/poison and the cleric were hovering over him. The cleric grinned sheepishly.
“Sorry about that, if I healed any slower, you would have definitely died.” He explained, ruffling his hair.
“So true Yan Hang.” The bandit muttered, helping Emerson sit up. The assassin nodded his gratitude and coughed some more. The bandit produced a bottle of pure water from his clothes and offered it to Emerson. The assassin took a deep swig.

The fire/poison curiously rummaged around his person and produced something wrapped up in what appeared to be a newspaper.
“Cheese!” He grinned and proffered a piece to Emerson. The assassin cocked his head in the mage’s direction as he ate the strong cheese.
“I’m Vincenzo, did you know that too many potions screw up your eyes?” He said with a big smile. Emerson was feeling better already. Now he knew the names of three of the four people standing and crouching around him, he turned to the young rogue who had waited next to him, for what it seemed, the whole night.
“Thanks for watching over me, I’m Emerson, who are you?”
“Flash, I get the name from being unusually fast. And that bandit there, Nezumi? His name means rat – in the nicest possible sense ever.” Flash added hastily, glancing at his mentor.
“What my apprentice means is that I’m as skilled as a rat in being unobserved, escaping and –“
“Did you know that fire hurts? I found out the hard way!” Vincenzo interrupted, pointing at a fading scar on his ankle.
“And why do the call them cold sores, these sores aren’t cold.” The enthusiastic mage continued, gesturing to his nose.
“Umm, that’s your nose.” Flash told him. The mage did not really mind as he continued his rant.
“On the topic of noses, do you know I’ve found four hundred and ninety-nine ways to pick my nose?”
Emerson’s laughter echoed through the encampment.

Gavrilla came bounding into the clearing, and hugged Emerson. The assassin blushed at the open display of expression but no one noticed. After a brief check of his injuries, the hermit looked relieved.
“Emerson, you’re alive and well!” She exclaimed, wiping a tear from her eye.
“Nice to see you too Gavrilla.” He replied, scanning his eyes around for his equipment. Gavrilla noticed this and her smile diminished slightly.
“Well, I think you need a change of clothes first.” She notified the assassin, glancing at his shredded red china top and pants. Emerson looked down as he just noticed it himself.
“Luckily, I have some spare clothing I was going to sell, but you can have it. The china top and pants come in a few colours, would you like to keep that red tone?” Nezumi offered, disappearing from view for a short while before returning with the new clothes.
“Oh, your Avarice? The Kargo mangled it. Don’t worry, I went through the carts and found a new claw.” The hermit continued, producing a blood slain from her Dark Katte. Emerson was overwhelmed by the gifts and had a large grin on his face. The bandit Nezumi was shuffling hesitantly and was elbowed by his apprentice Flash.
“Oh, umm. Well…” Flash elbowed him again.
“Well I was thinking that, Kumbis might not be ah, up to your standards so here’s a set of Ilbies. I was going to give it to Sylv but…” He trailed off. Emerson’s eyes widened as the pouch of Ilbies landed at his side. Flash grinned at his mentor’s discomfort.

Ophelia and Sapphira were talking, having introduced themselves the night before, after the battle. The carts were silent around them and only distant voices could be heard.
“Well, you know your brother’s really worried about you. He came all the way to find you.”
“Really? Oh, wait, you don’t mean that boy who was crushed by the Kargo?”
“Yes, how did you know? I hope he’s alright now.” The ranger muttered, surprised.
“He’s Emerson right? Oh my goodness! My brother’s come looking for me!” And with that, Sapphira jumped up and dashed across the road.
“Talk about excited.” Ophelia murmured to herself before picking herself up and slowly following her.

Emerson reappeared from the woods, having changed in private. He could not believe the attention he was given but was still worried about his sister. The assassin was about to find Gavrilla to ask when the chief bandit he was with before bounded into him and gave him a bear hug.
“Easy there, I’m fine now.” Emerson told her as they broke off.
“Oh my goodness, Emerson is that you?” The chief bandit asked him enthusiastically, shaking him.
“Yes, yes, how did you know?” The stunned assassin replied.
“It’s me, Sapphira! Your sis!” She cried out, whipping back her hood to reveal her face. Emerson stood there astonished, mouth open and eyes wide.
“Sister I’ve found you!”
Their joyous cries made everyone look up.

Jiro turned to his friend Judas.
“Looks like someone’s happy.” He smirked, wiping his doombringer down. Judas nodded and dabbed his face with his arms. Zephan was checking the two red canvassed carts at the end of the convoy. The crusader cried out and with a scroll in hand, ran towards Sapphira. The chief bandit took the scroll and her expression turned serious.
“Jordyn, Jui, Tarang, to me quick!” She shouted, slipping her hood back down. Ophelia reached them.
“What’s going on?”
There was a wild look on Sapphira’s eyes.
“They’re planning an attack on the Alliance Headquarters!” She yelled, shoving the scroll into the ranger’s hands.

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Last of the Shadow Foxes: 14 Entrapment
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Picture 1: Emerson
Picture 2: Gavrilla
Picture 3: Mali
Picture 4: Ophelia
Picture 5: Sapphira