- Invasion -

A squad of King’s army entered the village and requested tax money. Owen heard it and went to the main square. The squad captain said that they need ten golden coins. The village elder answered that the village do not really have this amount of money. Captain ordered leading elder’s wife. Elder was begging not to lead his wife, but soldiers brought her. She was put on knees. Butcher was threatening with his axe.

 Stop, right now!

All people, who were on the square, turned back their faces. The captain was dumbfounded of Owen’s boldness.

 Who are you, young impudent man?

 My name is Owen Aston. I should stop this foolishness.

 Foolishness? Do you understand whom you are talking?

He hit the woman.

 To the last brute that needs to live in this world…

 Soldiers, grab him!

Owen has run to the captain before he stopped talking! It was impossible to see. He was like a lightning!

 You were too open this moment.

 …

Something has thundered behind Owen. He faced back. There were Eliza and a soldier.

 This soldier was going to kill you. How did you do not see it? So careless.

 I believed that you would help me.

 You were right.

Owen threatened to kill the captain, so every soldier surrendered. Villagers jailed soldiers to a barn. The worst fail of King’s army.

 You did so much for us. How can we thank you?

 It was my duty. I saw that one soldier was going out of village. King will not leave it as it is. We need to prepare for the next battle.

 You are right, but what we will do with people?

 We need to cover them.

 There is a special place for this. In the forest. I must show it you.

 Sounds good. I will go with him, Eliza.

 Okay, so, I am going to congregate all people.

Owen and elder went to the forest. They entered a field between trees. In this moment someone whistled. About twenty people jumped out from the bushes. Owen noticed one familiar face.

 Father, what are you doing here? Owen Aston?

 Son, our village will be attacked. Help us, please.

 Who is going to attack?

 King’s army. We have seized a squad with its captain, but one absconded from us.

 Let’s talk about this later. Do you want to hide people here?

 Yes.

 Good. My troops will go with Owen to help people get here.

 What will we do?

 We will prepare this place.

Owen with bandits went to village, elder with his son stayed there. Eliza have congregated villagers for Owen arriving.

 Good work, Eliza. They are elder son’s people. They will help us keep people.

 Okay, let’s go.

Crowd began to move. Peace and quiet are establishing some stress. Feels like something will destroy this quiet at any time.

Currently, everyone reached the field.

They needed to make some traps on the streets, as Owen marked on the plan. Archers will lay on roofs; swordsmen will hide into houses. Everybody is ready.