"Now then, huntress Jyl, would you care to listen to my offer?"

She furrowed her brows and narrowed her eyes.

"What kind of offer?"

"You want to aid your village, and I in turn wish to acquire you. Let's make an exchange."

His words startled her. Acquire her? "Why?"

"Your skills, obviously."

"My skills? I have not shot a single arrow since entering this battle."

"And yet it is already obvious. I do not need to see your aim to know you are dangerous with that bow." A grin marked his features, but it was quickly wiped away.

"And in exchange for me, you would help protect my village? How? Send soldiers? Annex the village into demon territory? Do you have the authority to do so?"

In all honesty, Arick didn't know how to answer. This whole thing had been an on the spot decision. And he truly did not have the power to promise the protection of a village in human territory. He would first have to talk it over with his lord, but that would take time.

"In addition," she continued, "how do I know I can trust what you say?"

Sighing, he responded:

"There is no answering that question. No matter how I could try to convince you, doubt would always remain. I can do nothing but give you my word and swear on my pride."

A chuckle escaped her.

"So humans swear on their honour, and demons swear on their pride? I think I prefer a demon's promise."

Jyl looked him in the eyes, searching for signs of deceit, trying to figure out what kind of person he is. What she saw reassured her.

"Regardless, it is a tempting offer. How about we do it like this? There are several hunters from my village participating in the battle, you will assure they get back home. In return I will follow you. We'll discuss the rest after that."

"This way your village will not receive any immediate protection, though?"

"Once these hunters return, they will be able to take care of themselves. Did I not already say so? Our warriors are strong, now that they know of the danger, they will find a countermeasure. In fact, the elders will likely already be preparing."

He marvelled at her absolute confidence. It also made him wonder what her village was like.

"Well then, now that that's decided."

The battle around them had meanwhile come to an end. After the archery platoon had realized they were about to be annihilated, deserters had sprung up left and right. By the time the captain realized this, it was already too late.

Arick sighed in regret, so much pointless loss of life. Quickly clearing those emotions away, he turned towards the demon woman approaching them.

"What are the battle results, Cecile?"

"About a fourth of their forces ran, we captured around fifty, the rest were killed in combat. We have three casualties and a dozen wounded who'll be back in action after at most a month. Good results, all in all! No thanks to you."

She mumbled the last part with a glare directed at him, but Arick paid it no mind.

Her gaze fell on Jyl. "Who's this?"

"Cecile, meet Jyl the Grey Wolf. Huntress, meet Cecile, my second-in-command."

"Nice to meet you", said Jyl, imitating Arick's slight bow from before.

"It's a pleasure", responded Cecile. "Say, why are you 'the grey wolf'? Is it similar to a family name?"

After her leader's introduction, most of the suspicion left her eyes, replaced by curiosity.

"It is my beast name. Hunters from my village receive the name of the beast they killed during their first hunt."

"A beast?! Like the ones living in the Great Forest to the south?" Cecile was stunned. Most people, human or demon, stayed away from that place, and for a reason.

"Let us talk about this later", Arick interjected, "We need to get your friends out of that battle. But how?"

In response, Jyl revealed a strangely shaped piece of bone hanging around her neck. She put it to her lips, causing a piercing birdlike cry to sound out throughout the plains.

"Ugh, that hurts my ears", Cecile whined.

"Some kind of signal?" inquired Arick, looking at the little whistle with interest. "Aren't you full of surprises?" He chuckled.

"It signals to retreat and gather. I will explain the situation to them so they can inform the elders."

"You are not going to tell them yourself?"

She looked at him in surprise. "You would allow it?"

"Of course", he answered with a large grin on his face, "And I'll be coming with you."