Teva was out the door in a flash, running straight to the town square and disappearing from view. The bell started ringing almost immediately. Villagers scrambled to their homes grabbing what gold they had and returned to the well where Kaylen waited holding a leather pouch. The villagers scattered as they threw in their gold; barring their doors and windows as fast as they could. Ciara peeked through the window again. Alaster was nowhere to be seen. She figured Kaylen must have told him to stay put as well. As soon as it was filled Kaylen tied the bag off and put it on his belt.

     The rolling storm of hooves rumbled across the old wooden bridge to the village, which squealed under the intense weight. The band stopped suddenly about fifteen feet in front of Kaylen who remained in place. “What do you want Dag? We already made a payment this month.”

     Dag was the kind of person that would give anyone an immediate feeling of disgust. He was larger and stronger than the men around him which made him leader by bandit logic. Nothing about him was clean from general hygiene to his overconfident and dominating personality. their armor was a mismatch of different styles that were scavenged off of the people they previously raided (the highest quality going to Dag of course.) “Well, me and the boys here haven’t been fruitful when it comes to our---foraging efforts.” several bandits, chuckled at the statement, mostly to kiss ass but also out of fear of Dag’s wrath if they didn’t. We were hoping your village would be kind enough to lend us a hand or at least some gold.”

     Kaylen glared at him but kept himself levelheaded. “You know we barely get by as it is.”

     “Yes, but I’m sure you can endure a little more hardship so long as nothing unfortunate happens.”

     The threat didn’t scare Kaylen. For months since this started, he wished he could cut down Dag and be done with it, but there was no way he could. He would be killed in the attempt and the village would most likely be destroyed with him. Kaylen spitefully tossed the gold he had collected to Dag who caught it with a smug grin. It soon faded when he noticed the weight as he juggled the bag in his hand a few more times.

    “What the hell is this Kaylen?” said Dag.

    “It’s what we have, take it and get out of here.”

     Dag’s temper grew short with Kaylen’s attitude. “Watch yourself Kaylen, I won’t have second thoughts about-”

     “Dag! Look who I found not following our rules.” A bandit, who was a small weasel of a man, dragged a struggling Teva by her tied hands from one of the back streets towards the horses.

     A grim smile formed on Dag’s dirt smudged face. He had an idea. “Well, we’ll just make the payment a different way. We could use a woman and a doctor at the camp.”

     Kaylen lost his composure and took a step forward. One of the bandits quickly notched an arrow and aimed it at his chest stopping him in place

     “That’s enough!” A figure emerged from around one of the houses, his right hand gripping the handle of his sword. “Who are you?” Dag asked surprised and annoyed.

     The man stepped forward as he spoke. “My name is Alaster; I am a Capitan from his majesty King Denorith’s royal army. By order of the King you are to leave this territory or face the full wrath of our military might.” Alaster stood tall and statuesque, his head held high and spoke with a tone that commanded attention as if the voice came from the king himself. He stopped next to Kaylen, who was also surprised at Alaster’s determined presence,

     “Dag, he speaks the truth; look at the emblem on his cape’s clasp,” said Kaylen.

     “I see it you idiot.” Dag scanned Alaster’s face trying to figure out what he was playing at. He remained steady and eyes unblinking locked on Dag’s like a hawk tracking prey. Dag smiled again he was going to test something. “The kings army huh? How goes the war, eh? Killing as many of these Inamian bastards that you can come across?” Alaster didn’t answer. “Then, I guess you won’t care if I take care of this one for you then?” He looked at Teva and gave a nod to the bandit holding her. Who in turn drew his knife and started moving it to her throat.

     Kaylen was about to move but Alaster was already bending to lunge forward. “HOLD IT!” Alaster’s composure was lost.

     Dag raised a hand and stopped the bandit from killing Teva, who was crying in fear. “Well Hero, why don’t you bring out this army of yours; show me the power I’m dealing with. Alaster made no signal, no army came. Dag leaned forward onto the pummel of his saddle. “Alone huh? Shame; but you might still be able save the day if you’re willing to cooperate.” He gave Alaster a self-satisfied smile that made Alaster want to punch through it.

     “What do you want?” Alaster said with a bitter taste in his mouth.

     “Caladen City is a day’s ride from here. Send a message to your king, tell him we demand one-thousand gold sovereigns in three days or young Teva here and the rest of the village dies.”

     “Fine.” Alaster wasn’t going to let anyone die for what he really wanted to say.

     “Smart man, don’t try and get an army. I have scouts across the countryside they will know if you try something and the deal will be off. So are we in agreement?”

     “Yes”

     “Good.” Dag looked at the archer who was aiming at Kaylen and dropped a hand signaling to fire. The arrow was released; Alaster jumped in front of Kaylen facing his back to the arrow which shattered against the flat of his sword. By the time he turned around sword drawn; the bandits had started to ride off. Alaster chased behind them for a moment till they out ran him. He drove the blade into the ground in frustration; it stood up on its own.

     Teva was hanging over the back of one of the last horses. She knew now that Alaster was a good person, Ciara was wrong. He jumped in front of Kaylen to protect him. She yelled as loud as she could before being towed out of earshot, “Alaster, she’s awake!”