Claire was still quite hesitant about bringing the two extra adventurers. She could handle Clara coming along to help protect their mages since Jasmine wasn't there, but the extra two could become an issue. If Vanessa does get too eager and doesn't listen to Clara or the twins, she could end up hindering one of them. A stray arrow to the back is the main concern.
She made the ranger confirm that she was there only to watch them fight, nothing more. If Clara thought she needed help, then she could join. But only then.
It felt weird for Claire to talk to Vanessa like that. As if the two weren't the same age or similarly experienced. But since she was the Scarlet Seraphs' leader, she had to take charge. That fact did take all three extra members by surprise. Claire decided to inform them about her Goddess after the fight since she didn't want any other distractions or delays.
"You'll do fine," Hannah whispered to Claire. The knight could pick up on Claire's slight hesitation without Jasmine being around.
"Thank you," Claire whispered back to Hannah. She took a long, deep breath to quash her nerves. She looked around at the two groups. The combatants and the guards. "We ready?"
Ursa nodded. She shook off her exhaustion quite well after a twelve-hour nap. She felt a bit of grogginess, but that was quickly leaving her body. Both Elsie and Ana looked confident, with Elsie radiating smugness from Vivienne's praise. Clara, Vivienne, and Vanessa all nodded.
"Remember, when we get there," Claire used her commanding, confident voice to speak. "The roaming guards are your job, Elsie. Take them out. We'll be focused on breaching the stronghold."
Elsie lost her smug smile. Her expression got more serious. "Right. Make sure they don't flank you from behind as well."
Claire nodded. She looked to Ursa next. "Stay with us until we get to the door. They may have archers or mages, we aren't sure." Ursa gave her a nod in return.
"Then, if there are mages," Claire turned to the plucky ranger. "If Clara judges Elsie needs help, you may join."
Vanessa's smile widened. "Yay!"
"Vanessa," Claire said in a colder tone. It shut the woman up quickly. The young ranger's bright green eyes stared at Claire, her smile fading fast. "Do not be so excited to take another's life. I still dream about the faces of those I've killed."
Vanessa blinked. She slowly nodded her head. "I-I just want to help the locals."
"It's very commendable," Hannah jumped in with a lighter tone. "It's as Clara has told you. Killing humans is extremely different from monsters."
Vanessa shook her head. She smiled brightly again, "I'm not stupid enough to think otherwise. I just know these women have taken so much from the great people in Rorik. I can handle it, don't worry."
Clara sighed. "Van-"
Claire held her hand up. "Good. Vivienne. The same goes for you."
"I understand," The mage gripped her wand. She was less enthusiastic about actually fighting.
Claire turned to Clara. "Apologies for interrupting you. But I think if she is needed, it will truly test her capabilities."
Clara pursed her lips. "Maybe. Vanessa, you better not let these fine gentlewomen down."
"Right!" She cheered.
"Alright," Claire turned towards the forest. "Let's go."
They couldn't go as fast as they wanted to, since the three mages weren't as fast. It gave them a brief moment to survey the stronghold. Their intel was accurate; it was a basic building in the middle of a clearing. The rough estimate of women inside was in the twenties.
It reminded Claire of the traffickers' setup, just without the wall around it. There was a rough pathway on the opposite side, likely used for transport. She surveyed the windows, looking for signs of life. They weren't spotted by any guards yet, so they still had the element of surprise on their side.
Claire looked back at the recovering mages. Ana didn't seem too phased, but Elsie and Vivienne were still catching their breath. Vanessa and Clara didn't even seem phased.
"Give them a minute," Claire motioned towards the two mages.
"No," Elsie said through breaths. She leaned against her sister for support. "I'll be fine."
"You sure?" Ursa whispered to Elsie. "Your heart is beating insanely fast."
"I'm good," Elsie took a long, deep breath.
"Okay," Claire watched the roaming guards appear from around the corner. They were far enough away that they wouldn't be spotted easily. "On your mark, Elsie."
Elsie nodded and stared at the guard. For the briefest of moments, she thought about what she was about to do. She ignored the voice nagging at her, focusing on controlling her breathing. In a moment of clarity, her heartbeat slowed rapidly, and her focus became precise. She readied her Firebolt skill.
"Go."
Claire, Ursa, and Hannah took off with the older twin's word. They sprinted towards the entrance as Elsie's spell flew past them. She nailed the roaming guard, sending her flying backwards. A follow-up lightning strike likely ended the woman on the spot. The trio sprinted across the open field with Ursa lagging behind the two.
More than halfway across the field, an alarm rang through the stronghold. Elsie's magic bought them enough time to nearly make it to the entrance, but someone inside had spotted them. Claire caught the glint of metal off the sun in time to raise her shield just in time. An arrow was bounced off her buckler. The shield's magic retaliated against her assailant, delaying a follow-up shot.
Ursa zeroed in on the archer. Her anger was beginning to flare. It was getting hard for her to stay in control. She wanted to pounce on the woman who attacked Claire, but she didn't. She focused back on the entrance.
Movement could be seen from inside the stronghold as bandits hastily got ready for an assault. Claire and Hannah slammed their shields into the door, breaking it down in unison. Their opposition was barely armored and hastily put together. Still, they were outnumbered 3 to 1.
But, Ursa was finally able to let loose.
She leaped past the two and straight into the line of women. Her howl echoed throughout the entire stronghold, and so did her first strike. Her axe cleaved into the first unlucky bandit. The next bandit was struck by a power kick, sending her flying into the wall.
The line of women stared at Ursa in shock. But then they found their resolve. They charged at Ursa, ready to outnumber her. Claire and Hannah joined their companion, shielding her from being mobbed. The seven remaining bandits hesitated before focusing on Claire.
They could somehow sense that she was the least experienced of the three. They quickly started targeting her instead of Ursa. However, Claire was able to hold her own. She parried and blocked their strikes with surprising strength. Despite her young age, she was able to overpower her assailants.
This gave Hannah and Ursa quite a bit of freedom. With four of the seven focusing on Claire, they were able to quickly dispatch the remaining three. Hannah blocked and pushed away one bandit's sword before slamming her axe into her side. The bandit's cries were short-lived as Hannah's kick sent her flying back. She turned to find the other two already taken care of.
Ursa was already heading towards the stairs, so Hannah turned back and helped Claire. For only a brief moment, she watched Claire use their numbers against them. She weaved around the closest bandit, always putting the unlucky woman between Claire and the other three. Hannah smiled under her helmet just before she let out a war cry.
She charged the three bandits trying to attack Claire with no regard for her own safety. She slammed her shield into the closest one, sending her flying into the second. Her distraction allowed Claire to finally use her Defensive Strike on the one bandit. Left dazed by the strike, she was quickly finished off by Claire.
She joined Hannah in taking care of the remaining three. She threw her shield at the furthest bandit. She managed to block the shield in time, but not Hannah's follow-up Defensive Strike. Then, she was quickly killed by Hannah's handaxe.
That left two women.
They recovered from Hannah's attack quickly. They had fear in their eyes as they charged the two women. Claire was shieldless now, so she went on the offensive. She clashed with the left bandit's sword, while Hannah focused on the right. The bandit tried in vain to use one of her skills, but Claire was able to use her Parry skill against it.
With two quick swipes, Claire defeated the woman.
She turned just in time to catch her shield. She could only see Hannah's eyes, but that was enough to guess her expression. They were filled with a mix of pride and amazement.
"Damn," Hannah chuckled. "No wonder Ursa is obsessed with you."
Claire smiled under her helmet. "Upstairs?"
Hannah nodded. Both took a deep breath before they headed for the stairs.