The group of three woke early in the morning to continue what had become routine over the past couple of days. They moved towards the opposite end of the perimeter established by the barrier and began to ambush patrols as they came across them. They kept their movements as random as possible as they cut through each patrol, their density much thicker compared to when they had just first started a few days ago.

“Something’s strange,” Leaf remarked in a low tone as they maneuvered through the woods.

“What do you mean?” Helbram asked.

“The patrols… don’t you think they would be a bit more fortified if they knew someone was out here hunting them?”

“...you’re right, if anything they’re less armored than yesterday.”

“We should cut back to the camp for tonight, I think we’ve done enough damage to them today.”

“Agreed,” Jahora chimed in, “best to get some rest than take any risks.”

Helbram nodded and turned to head back to their camp. A distant rustle of leaves stopped him in his tracks and he motioned the others to take cover. As they slipped behind the trees another patrol passed by. The bandits remained in their usual four man formation and with the same assortment of weapons they usually carried. However, as Helbram watched them he noticed their postures were relaxed unlike those they’d taken down before. He looked to Leaf, who had his bow in his hands. The half elf raised it slightly and looked towards Helbram for confirmation. Helbram shook his head, and Leaf lowered his weapon.

“Not going to take the bait? What a shame.”

Helbram snapped his head in the direction of the voice, catching a flash of dark red light within the trees. He rolled, narrowly avoiding the arrow that embedded itself into the tree behind him, cratering the wood where it struck. He scrambled to his feet, barely finding his footing as another arrow flew towards him. Helbram raised his shield just in time to catch the projectile. A shock rocked his body as the arrow struck, and even with him angling his shield to deflect the shot there was enough force behind the attack to break his stance. He faltered back, unable to recover as a large red figure emerged from the trees and struck his shield with a shoulder charge. The little footing that remained left him as he was knocked from his feet and flew back into the clearing behind him.

He landed on his back, bouncing from the momentum that carried him to the ground. Helbram rolled, catching himself with his feet as he slid across the forest floor. The bandits were already on him before he could catch his breath. Their blades cut air as Helbram hopped back, bringing his shield up to deflect the bolt fired at him from the bandit’s crossbow. An arrow struck one of the bandits in the neck, but the shot was followed by a grunt as Leaf was thrown from the trees and to the ground next to Helbram.

The Quetali followed after him, walking into the sunlight with one of his hands wrapped around Jahora’s throat. He carried her at his side while the rest of hands tossed his bow to the side and drew three of the four swords that hung from his waist. 

“So you three are the ones that have been giving my men such a hard time?” he asked in a casual tone, “how disappointing.”

Helbram stepped in front of Leaf as the other bandits closed in, pausing as he drew his sword. The half elf scrambled to his feet and notched an arrow. The two looked at each other for a moment and nodded. They knew what they had to do.

Helbram led the charge, keeping his shield raised as he kicked off from the ground and to the Quetali. Leaf loosed two arrows as he did so, one at the Quelati and another at a bandit that moved to intercept Helbram. The one aimed at the bandit found its mark, striking the man in the shoulder and stopping him in his tracks as he screamed. The other was deflected by the Quetali’s blades, brushed aside as the man stepped forward to meet Helbram head on.

Steel flashed from three directions towards the armored man, two meeting his shield while the last sunk into his breastplate. Shock rattled his body as the blows landed, but his armor held. Helbram pushed through assault, throwing aside the blades with his shield and thrusting his blade towards the man’s leg. The Quetali stepped back to avoid the blow, but the moment his foot left the ground Helbram continued to attack, keeping himself low as he slammed his shield into the Quetali’s waist. The attack staggered the bandit commander back, giving Helbram a brief opening to slash at the arm that held Jahora. The blade scraped against the man’s skin, leaving little more than a scratch, but enough force was behind the blow to knock Jahora from the man’s grip.

As she landed Helbram grabbed her by her robes and threw her back towards Leaf. The half elf had driven the other bandits behind the trees with a steady cadence of arrows, stopping only momentarily to check on Jahora. The gnome scrambled to her feet, hand around her throat as she coughed and caught her breath.

“Run!” Helbram barked at them.

Leaf moved without pause, snatching up Jahora before she could respond and disappearing into the trees. Helbram turned to face the Quetali before hopping back to retreat.

“Oh… did you think I was finished?”