Jacob heard a loud twang as an arrow embedded itself in the ceiling.
"Drop it! And let my friend go!"
Caroline dropped the cup and backed away from Jacob. Jacob could see Stewart brandishing a crossbow, pointed at Mink. Martha was rounding up the other cat girl maids, dressed in some kind of armor and holding a long sword.
"There is no need for violence. We were just being hospitable, " said Mink.
"Save it. Just get over there with your friends, " said Jacob, pointing to the herd of cat girls Martha kept at bay with the tip of her blade.
Caroline attempted to follow Mink and join them.
"Not you. You are coming with us, " said Jacob, grabbing Caroline by the hand.
"But I can't. I must stay with my sisters and serve Master," said Caroline.
"Leave her. She'll just slow us down, " said Stewart.
"Are you crazy? This is Caroline. She is our friend. I won't leave her behind. I won't leave anyone behind," said Jacob.
"Whatever you are going to do, do it quickly. The natives are getting restless, " said Martha.
The cat girl maids were beginning to advance, despite the threat of Martha's sword. She was having difficulty keeping them together and under control. Hisses and yowls could be heard indiscriminately in the crowd. A few of the cat girls bared their fangs and claws.
"We will not stop you from beginning your adventure. But we cannot allow you to take out sister. She belongs with us," said Mink.
Jacob did not hesitate. He threw Caroline over his shoulder and ran past Stewart. Stewart turned to follow, with Martha closely behind, cursing loudly as the cat girls nipped at her heels. After a few twists and turns the cat girls stopped their pursuit. Their plaintive cries could still be heard echoing through the labyrinth, calling out to their sister. Caroline answered their call with an equally sad cry, trying frantically to break free from Jacob's grasp and return to them. Stewart found some rope from a bag he scavenged at the entrance and bound her, allowing them all a chance to catch their breath and collect themselves.
"You know we will never get out of here with her like that," said Stewart.
"Maybe. But I am not willing to sacrifice a friend to save myself. I would rather die in here than live with the shame of abandoning someone I love, " said Jacob.
Martha said nothing. She just stared at her friend, now transformed into a yowling cat girl struggling to get out of her bonds.
"Let's get out of here," said Martha coldly. "I have a feeling that are a lot more dangerous things in this dungeon and I don't want to wait around for them to find us."