>>5675129>0 Success: You come face to face with a group of forest thieves.The wood only grows thicker as you plod onwards, this is still generally faster than taking the main road would’ve been, and perhaps safer as well, but the overhead trees and the darkening clouds make it hard to discern some things. Off in the distance, you could swear you see a faint light, before it fizzles out.
Minutes later, the stench hits your nostrils. Smoke. That was a light you saw, a firelight no less, and it was snuffed out as you approached.
“Haytham.” You stay calm, but the way you whisper tips the boy off to the fact that something is amiss. “Helmets.”
He dons his armet, and you slide on the heavy great helm. You take the handle of your lance from your left hand to your right, and hold it straight up rather than rested against your shoulder.
It’s a weak deterrent, because it appears these fools have no idea the value of their targets this night. They emerge from brushes, clearings, there are five in total. Two are mounted on frail horses, and block off your retreat, while three hold axes and stand at the front and sides.
Haytham gasps and halts his steed. You, however, just keep yours walking until it nearly knocks one of the thieves over.
“You’re blocking the path.” You nonchalantly mutter.
“Path? You ain’t on the path. You’s trespassing!” One of the them shouts. “Good to know we don’t gots to wait on the roads anymore, rich folk come right to us!” He laughs. But the rest of his crew stay silent, they seem to be smarter. “What’s the matter with y’all? We have them surrounded. Knights, huh? They’s probably far too busy to play street law tonight… You’re about to trample our camp with those fine horses of yours. So how about you part with ‘em, bard ‘n all, and keep walkin’?”
That won’t be happening without a fight. You turn suddenly, your destrier’s flank slamming into the brigand closest to you. From earshot, you hear Haytham unveiling his sword. He’s going to need orders, and fast…
>Continued… 