Helbram had hoped that his trip to Silverglen would be nice and quiet. His prisoner was providing the opposite experience.

“Please let me go good sir, I swear I’m a changed man, truly,” the bandit said, tears welling in his eyes.

“That would indeed be quite the speedy change,” Helbram said through a yawn.

“Yes sir it was, the justice felt from your fist has given me perspective.”

Helbram stopped and eyed the man through his visor, “I understand that you want to appear weak and harmless but by the gods have some dignity man.” He yanked the rope tied to the bandit’s wrists to urge him forward.

“Bloody… at least unbind my godsdamned feet will ya?”

“There it is.”

“What, do you expect me to hop my way back to town? My legs burn and I feel a twinge in my groin.”

“Truly unfortunate. Perhaps that is something you should have considered before robbing people on the road.”

“You, I’ll have you-”

The ranting of the bandit faded into the background as Helbram nursed his neck.

“Mellisandra’s tits that hurts something fierce,” he muttered to himself.

He should have expected such pain from spending the entire night sleeping against a tree in his armor. Something he normally wouldn’t have done, but he had to set bait, and there was no better bait for bandits than an easy score.

“What in the five hells was that back there anyway?” The bandit spat, “What are you some mage that fancies armor over those breezy robes your lot wear?”

Helbram snorted, “Hardly,” he tugged on the rope harder, “Children could come up with such tricks given enough training. I’m afraid I’ve no storms or fireballs to conjure for you.”

The bandit grumbled and hopped forward with a series of curses muttered under his breath.

Helbram continued down the road, taking a moment to appreciate the trees that bordered the trail. Silverglen Forest was much like any forest; thick, green, and teaming with sounds of ambient life. Some of it was familiar, some unfamiliar. The road ahead was flat, but the twisted nature of its path suggested that it may have been an animal trail prior to man’s influence. He was grateful for the gentle breeze that wisped through the road. Even with the beginnings of Fall brushing against the leaves the Summer heat still lingered enough to be bothersome. He supposed he could take off his helmet in this situation, but with a rather loud prisoner in tow there was always the off chance some other bandit or wandering predator could make their way onto the road and he’d rather not take any chances.

His thoughts were interrupted by a sudden tug on his rope. He turned around and saw the bandit laying on the ground, motionless. Helbram sighed.

“Come now, have some decency will you?”

“Have some decency? What kind of decency can a man have when he’s been roped up like an animal?” The bandit wiggled on the ground to emphasize his point.

Helbram paused, turning his neck and pondering off to the distance.

“See? I have a point d-”

Helbram snapped his neck the other way, producing a loud series of pops as he did so. He groaned in relief.

“Ohhhh, much better,” he rolled his shoulders and rotated his head once more. After he was done he pulled on the rope again. “Come now, we musn’t dawdle”

“Don’t speak to me like some child! Even I have some pride…”

“Do you? It matters not to me. It’s been quite some time since I’ve gotten some decent exercise so I suppose I could just drag you back to town to compensate.”

To emphasize his point he pulled on the rope once again, expending little effort to drag the bandit for a few feet.

“Alright alright,” the bandit relented, “Bloody bastard… about to wear a hole in my clothes…”

Helbram did not help his prisoner back up to his feet, for as the bandit struggled with his bound limbs he heard the familiar bellow of an Auroc in the distance.

Turning the corner behind them was a wagon drawn by a large, four legged beast of burden. Two horns barely peaked through the thick fur coat of the beast as it trudged forwards, placing it as female. Its hooves packed the dirt beneath it further with each step, making a steady pace towards Helbram. A portly dwarf sat at the seat of the wagon, scratching his thick, short cut beard and adjusting his floppy, wide-brimmed hat as he urged the beast forward. The wagon itself had no wheels to carry its weight, and it instead levitated above the ground with the assistance of the magitek contraption strapped to its undercarriage. A soft green glow emanated from the device, indicating the circulation of Wind Aether through its circuitry. It was an odd amalgamation of rudimentary and Esperian innovation, but one that was becoming increasingly common in the Freemarks of late.

“Oh thank the gods,” the bandit exclaimed as he finally got to his feet, “transport.”

Helbram eyed his prisoner with a mix of annoyance and pity, but directed his attention to the driver of the approaching wagon.

“Ho there Joldir,” he said, holding up a hand.

The dwarf lifted his hat, eyes widening briefly as he caught sight of him, “Sir ‘elbram? And here I’d thought you’d moved on from our little town.”

“Not quite yet,” Helbram said, “had some unfinished business to take care of before I set off entirely,” he pulled on the bandit’s rope to emphasize his point.

Joldir smirked at the sight of the bound criminal, “Ah, so this is the bastard whose been robbing our good folk? Bring him closer will you?”

Helbram obliged, and bore witness to a slap across the bandit’s face. When said slap comes from the large, muscled hand of a dwarf, the sight was enough to make Helbram flinch.

“Ow! Bloody- I’ll have your head old man!`` The bandit tried to lunge for the dwarf, but Helbram pulled on the rope once again, this time with enough force to drag him back to the ground.

“That’s enough of that,” he walked over to the struggling bandit and addressed Joldir once again, “would you be willing to provide transport back to Silverglen? As pleasant as present company is, I'd rather be done with this business as soon as possible.”

“Why certainly sir, it’s the least I could do to contribute.”

“Wonderful, but please, I am no knight, just Helbram is fine,” he said, his smile hidden but evident in his voice.

Joldir chuckled, “Understood Helbram, toss the bastard in the back, you can ride up front.”

Helbram nodded and knelt down, lifting his prisoner and tossing him into the back of the wagon in one smooth motion, prompting another tangent of curses as he secured the bandit to one of the wagon’s posts, He took a seat next to Joldir and stretched his arms.

“Onwards good man.”