Back at the forest, multiple witches fell from above, landing perfectly on their feet. Their green eyes were fixed on the prince and his men, who didn't show one bit of fear. This wasn't their first time in such situations. They knew they have an upper hand as they were vampires, and the crown prince who has never been defeated on the battlefield, was with them.
Leonard joined the circle, as it was better that way. If they were separated, the witches will gain upper hand as they were more in numbers. The men held their swords high, and planted their feet. Silence filled the forest, as they watch who will make the first move.
The key to defeating the witches was to find their leader, as these specific type of witches, their leader is always with them. They are their strongest, and weakest points. In the sense that, the leaders can't perform spells, but they can create them. Through telepathic communication, the leader is able to tell her members, what to cast and how to cast it. They hide themselves at the center so as to have better connection with the others.
For Leonard, spotting the leader is no issue. But it is how to get to her, as she she is protected by the strongest members of the group.
His sharp eyes swept cross the witches and landed on one at the standing in the center, that had a soft difference from the others. Jackpot!
"Go afterrrr the ones who murrrrderrr ourrr sisterrr!" She yelled, earning loud responses from her followers. Their nails grew sharp and they one by one leapt towards the men. Maintaining their circle, they were able to slice through them with their sword with utter ease.
Leonard's eyes didn't leave the leader's, as he said to his men in a very low tone. As they were all vampires, and their earing is heightened, they could hear him perfectly.
"Get me closer to the leader, she can lead us to the witch responsible for the werewolf."
Once they received the order, inch by inch they moved close without the giving it out to the witches. They continued to jump toward the men, but before they could get to them, they were sliced in half.
Few steps away from the leader, Leonard did something unexpected. From where he was, he jumped, going over the many witches, before landing perfectly on his feet, right in front of the leader. Having a quick reflex, the witches weren't able to notice, including their leader.
By the time they did, it was a little too late. He grabbed her by the collar with one hand, reached into his left trouser pocket with the other, and pulled out a small green vial. With ease, he pushed the vial into her left chest. The vial shattered in her heart, earning an ear piercing scream from her.
"AHHH!" Whatever it was, it affected her followers as intense as it did to her, and they all fell to their knees.
The green vial contained multiple wild flowers that does harm to the shrine witches. To them it stung like when salt is poured on an open fresh wound. Leonard grabbed her by her hair and said to her in a very calm and cool voice.
"You know the witch that had the werewolf drawn to bite the King. Summon her, would you, dear?" There was a certain smile on his lips that didn't reach his eyes.
The witch didn't give in and looked away from him. Though in pain, she chose not to snitch on her fellow kind. The smile on the broadened, and he released her, making her fall hard on the muddy floor.
He reached into his trouser pocket again and brought out another green vial. He lifted his right leg and placed it on her chest, that was currently bleeding. He applied pressure to it, earning a surpressed grount from the witch. Blood spilled from the corner of her eyes, with veins popping on her head and neck. Leonard balanced his arm on his right leg and brought the vial close to her face, shaking it.
A flash of fear passed through her green eyes, and she finally agreed, with a nod. With his leg still on top of her, he urged her to speak with a slight nudge.
"She's in a place in this forrrest you can rrreach." Her lips broadened with an eerie smile, locking eyes with the crown prince.
Leonard gave a completely nonchalant shrug. "Just give me a f*cking direction." He raised an eyebrow, as if urging her.
The smile on her lips refuse to fade, as the place the witch was, even age and her followers wouldn't dare step in.
"Go Norrrth. When you get therrre, you will know."
Leonard turned to his men and gave a sharp order. "We head North!" Turning back to the witch, he heard her say.
"You and you men arrre verrry cocky. Most humans wouldn't darrre step in herrre." Her eyes held mockery as she spoke.
The crown prince wasn't bothered by what the witch said. He smiled and replied to her.
"Dear, we aren't humans." As he said that, his fangs peeked out of his mouth, and his eyes turned red for a quick second. The smile on the witch's face dropped and before she could react, Leonard shoved the green vial into her mouth.
Instantly it burst, and the liquid melted in her mouth, cutting off any form of scream. The liquid melted a hole through her mouth, to the back of her head, and she died. Alongside her followers.
Leonard walked away from her, and swung on his horse. His men were already on their horses, waiting for him to be done. The instant he swung the reins, putting his steed to motion, the other did the same. All horses heading North, with the crown prince leading the way.
Unbeknownst to the men, a shrine witch hidden amongst the branches of a tree was has been watching them. She had similar features with the other witches that just died.