Alex opened his eyes to the dawn of a new day. There was an earthy smell in the cool air that he found quite pleasant. He sat up and looked around. Lika’so, Nijo’tika, and the horse seemed to still be asleep. It was still somewhat dark, so that was understandable.

Alex stood and then began his morning stretch routine, bending at the hips and touching his toes. Coming up from the stretch, he noticed a small humanoid figure far off in the distance. The figure was far enough away that Alex couldn’t make out any detail except for the eyes, which seemed to glow white. The figure stood still, watching him. Alex didn’t move a muscle, he just stared back at the figure. Alex’s pulse increased and he swallowed hard. The figure began running to the left, its eyes still locked on Alex.

Alex turned his head to where Lika’so was on her stomach sleeping and called out to her. When he turned his head back around, the figure had vanished. Alex’s eyes widened and he darted over to her.

He dropped to his knees and shook her. “Wake up!” he yelled.

Lika’so opened her eyes and looked at Alex. “What?” she asked.

“I saw someone!” Alex said.

Lika’so got up on her knees and rubbed her eyes, “Where?”

Alex pointed in the direction he had seen the figure, “Over there,” he said with increased urgency.

“Stay here,” Lika’so said with a serious tone, getting to her feet.

Alex stood up and watched as Lika’so dashed in the direction of the horse.

-------------------------------------------

Bandits? Here? Lika’so was confused. Bandits almost exclusively did their raids in forests. They would never come out in the open like this. She didn’t have time to think about that. Her priority was to keep Alex safe.

Lika’so sprinted to the bags she had taken off the horse’s saddle last night which now lay on the ground next to it.

“Nijo’tika!” he yelled at the top of her lungs, startling the horse awake. The horse reared back and whinnied, then began running in circles. Unphased, Lika’so dug through the bag and pulled out her sword and Nijo’tika’s repeater crossbow. The bow was already loaded, ready to be used at any time.

Lika’so turned around to see Nijo’tika running in her direction.

“What’s going on?” asked Nijo’tika.

“Bandits,” responded Lika’so, jogging over to her friend. They met at Lika’so’s sleeping place where Alex was still standing.

Lika’so handed Nijo’tika her weapon. “Why would there be bandits all the way out here?” Nijo’tika asked as she gripped the handle of her repeater crossbow and placed her finger on the trigger.

“I don’t know, just be ready!” shouted Lika’so as she held up her sword in a defensive stance, ready to fight. How many were there? What were they armed with? Where were they? Lika’so looked around but didn't see anything.

Several screeches rang out making Alex jump. Lika’so knew what it was. The sound was unmistakable. She had heard that throaty, high-pitched shriek before. It wasn’t a bandit, it was an imp, something even less likely to be out in an open field. This meant big trouble because they always traveled in packs. Imps were fast, had razor-sharp claws, and could teleport.

“Imps!” Lika'so yelled.

This fight was going to be very messy.