The voices were muffled by the wood and brush around her. They were angry and frantic. The darkness had not taken her for long it seemed, else they would have already found her by scent alone. Lydia could feel the vibrations of large objects being lifted and tossed aside, causing the tree limb above her to shake dirt onto her. It wasn't clear if they wanted them dead or alive, but they were intent on finding something.<br/><br/>"...gone to the south. Was he alone?" The voices became clearer. This one had a deeper, commanding voice. Another replied. "Yes sir. No reports of the woman. She could be hiding or dead." The south was back towards the city. The second man continued. "The majority of our men are after him. They should have him well before first light." Another object shook the ground around her.<br/><br/>"She's near." A small man spoke out, a third man. "I don't smell her blood, she's alive." The deeper voice followed. "Good, make sure she stays that way for now. We'll leave with her immediately. The rest of our force will continue to hunt the demon. He may be the one called Shenyo, in which case he is almost as important as her. He, however, needs to killed on sight. We have no need to keep him alive." The second man replied with a curt. "Sir!"<br/><br/>Their voices continued to get closer and closer, circling around her as they began to pin point where she was. The branch above her creaked as something began to lift off of it, letting in a breath of fresh, cool air. Time was not in her favor.