A white-haired girl, dressed in what Ashton considered ridiculously skimpy clothing, popped out of the forest, throwing accusations at trio about the angel. Her eyes were blank and unfocused to anyone around her, though she navigated the tricky forest floor without problems.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">What.</span><br/><br/>Ashton's face turned blank with shock at the accusation. Was this something knights were always accused of doing?<br/><br/><span style="font-weight: bold">"They did nothing to her. They are, in fact, her rescuers. I wish to help in this endeavor of helping the Angel."</span><br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">Angel... so that's what she is? Never seen one before.</span><br/><br/>"Pardon me, skimpy lady," interjected Roy. He stepped forward, shifting his grip on his crossbow with his left hand and drawing a shortsword with his right. He gave an appreciative grin towards Serenity for speaking for them. Ladies know how to speak to ladies, he knew. Unlike Ashton.<br/><br/>"If you want the privilege of insulting Sir Ashton Cromwell, the price to pay for it is in blood." Roy looked with smug knowingness towards Ashton.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">I wasn't that insulted.</span><br/>Ashton seemed to say to Roy with his pleading expression.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">Was afraid you'd give <span style="text-decoration: underline">it</span> away.</span><br/>Roy smiled.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">Never. Would sooner die.</span><br/>Ashton shook his head.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">She's a strange girl though. See those eyes? And the elf dresses manly, despite her female face. Interesting.</span><br/>Roy pointed towards Amaya's face.<br/><br/>Ashton moved towards Roy slowly, still keeping his eyes on Amaya. As he reached Roy's ear, he whispered, "Huh? What were you trying to say just now?"<br/><br/>Roy frowned, then whispered back: "Well, I mean her eyes, Ash. They certainly don't look like they belong there. And the elf certainly loves the other department of clothing. Or maybe it's just for convenience."<br/><br/>Ashton had noticed that about Amaya earlier, but the shock of the ninja's accusation threw him off for a bit. "Is she blind? Whenever Lord Grimsby opened his eyes, he looked just like that," Ashton whispered back.<br/><br/>"Possibly," replied Roy softly, "Or some sort unholy magic. Or mind control."<br/><br/>"The elf is interesting though," Ashton whispered back.<br/><br/>"Reminds me of a little sister I had." Roy smiled cheekily at Ashton.<br/><br/>"Shut up. I'll keep an eye out. If the skimpy lady goes violent on us, she'll die. But try not to give her an excuse, Roy. Apologise."<br/><br/>"Alright, Ash." Roy coughed and cleared his throat, returning his short-sword back to its sheath. "Pardon me, good ladies. My name is Roy Barlow, and I apologise for drawing my sword. But try not to give us a reason-"<br/><br/>Ashton grabbed Roy's left ear and dragged it down to his height. "<span style="font-style: italic">Unconditional</span>apology!" he hissed into his ear.<br/><br/>Roy yelped and pulled Ashton's fingers off his ear. "I mean, I apologise for taking out my sword. I won't do it again."<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">That's better.</span><br/>Ashton smiled towards Roy.<br/><br/><span style="font-weight: bold">"Please."</span><br/><br/>The angel had begun to speak again, as Claude brought her to her feet.<span style="font-weight: bold">"You need to get out of here."</span><br/><br/>Ten, lanky figures appeared from the smoke they had created, each as black as coal. They could have been mistaken for shadows, if not for their bright green eyes. A sly hiss came from one of them, but no mouths could be seen.<br/><br/><span style="font-weight: bold">"Kill the mortals, Master wants the angel <span style="font-style: italic">alive</span>."</span><br/><br/>The angel cowered behind Claude's giant form, clearly shivering in fear.<br/><br/>"Roy?" Ashton turned towards Roy, but saw a crossbow bolt zoom past his face, piercing two of the creatures. They screamed, gurgled and dissolved into intangibility.<br/><br/>"Silver, sir," Roy reloaded his crossbow and drew tension on it. "Works like a charm."<br/><br/>There were still 8 of the demons, and 5 people capable of combat around them. But did all of them have methods of killing demons?<br/><br/>"Don't have silver, Sir. Only steel," said Claude meekly. Roy, grabbing his silver short-sword, tossed it towards Claude. He caught it, grasped the grip of the short-sword, and mumbled in annoyance. The sword was almost uncomfortable for his large hands, but it would have to do.<br/><br/>Ashton drew out his own longsword. Made of the strongest and finest silver he could afford, Ashton was proud of what the sword could do, though his legs would often turn into jelly when dealing with demons. But if a crossbow bolt from Roy could kill two of them, they shouldn't be that difficult.<br/><br/>"Kill them." Ashton held his ground against a charging demon, slashing it into half as it came close.