<div class="floatright">(https://i.imgur.com/eAkWvQE.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/D12z1iM.jpg)<br/><strong>Lady Septimia</strong>, Queen's Counsel // <strong>Inge Sigridottir</strong>, Shieldmaiden</div>"Not the face!" the vampire hissed and flinched away from Lucia's undead-disrupting magic. Further distracted by trying to shield her face from the inquisitor's spell with her free hand, she didn't notice Astrid lunging forward until it was too late and the vampire hunter's holy blade pinned her knife arm to the wall of the dining car! The ambassador didn't let this sudden opportunity go to waste, but quickly slipped out of the hostage-taker's grasp now that the hold and threat to Antoine's bodily health was temporary neutralized.<br/><br/>"Screw this I'm ou- OW!" the bitch, rapidly losing her composure, snarled and bared her teeth, her intentions turning to fleeing now that the odds had definitely shifted against her. She didn't get very far though before she had her legs quite literally shot out from under her. But there was still one final trick up her white dress sleeve - in a reversal of the way she had solidified out of thin air to land on the train car roof, she started turning wisply and translucent as she began switching back to her gaseous form to make good her escape...<br/><br/>...only to find herself tied down and swiftly enveloped by Penny's tendril-like hair! From within the pink cocoon came soft moans as the vampy woman found her ample porcelain-smooth bosom and, though not as obvious at first sight, equally gifted booty now being molested by some of the very same locks holding her prisoner.<br/><br/>Ambassador Antoine - a bit disheveled , but none the worse for wear thanks to the heroines' decisive intervention - dusted hemself or hirself off.<strong>"My eternal gratitude, ladies, for foiling that wastrel's plans. I shall ensure that you are rewarded appropriately for your efforts."</strong>Meanwhile the sound of the wind changed, and the dining car's interior brightened a little, as the train finally pulled out of the tunnel beneath the mountains and the darkness outside the windows was replaced by a moonlit landscape of rolling hills and scattered woods. Everyone lurched forward slightly as someone finally pulled the brakes in the engine compartment and the train began slowing down properly to the screeching of metal instead of merely coasting along. The sound of horns in the sky above announced the arrival of the cavalry, fashionably late as usual. Mounted on griffons, they descended to secure the scene, evacuate the stopping train, and take over the custody of the prisoner.<br/><br/>Two people in particular stood out among the new arrivals, one of whom the heroines of Zettai Ryouiki immediately recognized. Septimia was a former member of the thighhigh adventuring guild herself, now in a lofty position as<strong>Lady Septimia</strong>, Queen's Counsel, as she described herself. Indeed it was none other than her who had requested the arrival of the party in the first place. Still, her rank didn't stop her from giving each of her fellow guild members a heartfelt hug. "Welcome to Futanaria! I'm glad I asked you to come. An attack on a foreign ambassador already sheds a bad light on the country, but had it actually succeeded it would have been a thousand times worse. Please, help me make sure the succession goes smoothly, and feel free to stay awhile afterwards - I'm sure you'll love it here as I have!"<br/><br/>The other, foreign-looking woman was<strong>Inge Sigridottir</strong>, Shieldmaiden and member of Her Majesty's personal guard. Her features and accent were exotic, like they were from out of this world - literally! "Well met! I am Inge daughter of Sigrid, from the Northlands of another Prime Material plane. My travels have brought me into Her departed Majesty's service. The Crown Princess wishes to speak with the saviors of the day. The rest of us will take over here - please follow me when you are ready."