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nIn the southern borderlands, no caravan traveled before dawn. Being so close to the Grandshield Forest meant more shadow beasts active after moonset.

nKrow remembered several caravans in Gremut packing up and leaving before sunrise. Further away from the Forest, travelers had fewer worries.

nThe trip back to Cerkanst was unsuccessful.

nThat was what Krow would like to say. The world, as ever, didn't cooperate.

nThere was a fallen tree on the road.

nWind was always a consideration in the high mountains of the draculkar. But wind that deposited old mossy trees perfectly perpendicular across the road?

nThat wind came with grasping hands.

nThe herbalists immediately armed themselves. Krow watched, slightly fascinated, as knives and daggers appeared visibly on hips. Three people dug out bows from the depths of the cargo, and they bunched the carts closer together.

nThey waited.

nNothing happened.

nThe air filled with unease.

n

"I'll check the trees.

" Krow offered.

nTwo of the stealthier herbalists, Qemelai included, joined him.

nThe mountain was quiet. A warning in itself.

nKrow bounded into the tree-line, leaving the nearer sections to the others. They wouldn't be able to keep up with his Forester skills and his DEX.

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"Equip-one.

"

nHe probably shouldn't have left them, but at the least, he could thin out the numbers from the back.

nIt was a simple matter to send out his ghost scouts.

nFinding the bandit camp wasn't a problem.

nThe problem was that the bandits were children.

nKrow crouched on a branch, frowning.

nSix people in the clearing.

nThe only one above the age of twelve or thirteen was a mafmet lying in the shade.

nInjured, old blood and new staining the mess of cloth around his torso.

nThe faded marks on his skin spoke of old age. Mafmet hair didn't really discolor with advancing age, but their birthmarks paled in intensity and their claws toughened to rival steel.

nEven downed, the old mafmet was still armed.

nKrow circled the camp, noting that at least three other people had been here. From how the two lookouts were sending glances toward the road, this was indeed the bandit camp.

nHe dropped in front of the two lookouts, close enough to see their shock and wide eyes.

nThey screamed. Loud. High-pitched.

nOw.

nHe flipped away, started running toward the road.

nHopefully, the screams would draw their compatriots to break cover. If they were armed adults, it would only help his companions. If they were children as well, then the others would know to stay their hand.

nHe was ignoring this quest prompt, though.

nA flash of movement against the green trees in the distance caught his attention.

nSomething pinged on the Map.

nKrow glanced at it. There was a scout-mark moving on the road, traversing the same route the carts had just taken.

nOh, that was possible now?

nGhost-stones were really useful.

nAnother group of farmers?

nThe scout-mark was moving too fast, though.

nKrow climbed up on an overhang to see the road.

nIt was a group of riders.

nAny other time, Krow might have discounted it, but they did just cut their stay in Rakaens short because of the commotion with Tamvost, who failed their scheming and lost two contracts to Cerkanst.

nHe slid closer to the road, keeping low.

nThe intentions of the approaching eight riders could not be ascertained. He was still designated weapons bearer. The visible one, anyway.

nHe could just confront them on the road and ask them what they were doing in these here parts, hombres, like the old wild west revival movies of the last generation.

nHe had the needed gun-twirling down already.

nHe just needed to practice the moustache-twirling more.

nKrow mentally snorted at his thoughts.

nThey weren't helpful.

nHe took a survey of his surroundings, then an idea caught hold as he noticed one thing.

nWell, this mountain was just full of fallen mossy trees, wasn't it?

nIt wasn't quite fallen, still connected by the barest roots to the earth, it tipped precariously.

nKrow pushed it into position, just above a perfect launching spot.

nShkav, the riders were close.

nHe hacked at the roots keeping the tree in position. It slid easily downward.

nThey were close enough for Krow to see the ears of the lead horse perk up. The leader reined in his horse, looking upward.

nIn the noise of the tree falling, Krow tied some Paralyzing Mist Vials to grapple-hooks and connected them to several bushes and trees.

nThe tree crashed down on the road, slid over the stones, and tipped half-way into the gully beside the path.

nThe cut roots were right in the group's faces.

nThe leader's eyes roamed the mountainside again.

"Come out!

"

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"You're surrounded!

" yelled Krow, internally groaning at himself for this. He tugged a little on the ropes, bushes and trees rustling.

"Leave the horses, the valuables, and the boots!

"

nThe five people looked at each other incredulously. Then they guffawed loudly.

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"Are you a bandit, then?

" one giggled.

n

"You don't believe me? This road is mine! This mountain is mine!

" He made his voice more theatrical.

"Leave the toll, and I'll let you keep your lives!

"

nHe had experience with weird childhood cartoons, alright?!

nThe leader chuckled.

nKrow pulled a couple of his ropes again. The man's eyes pinpointed the rustling with scary accuracy.

nThe leader smiled upward.

"Since you're a bandit, I should tell you I'm a bandit too. Let's talk, eh, brother?

"

nWhoa.

nWhat now?

nThe ruse would be up the moment he showed his armor.

n

"What sort of bandit looks as ragged as your bunch, eh? Tell me that! And those horses, what bandit rides horses like those, hm?

"

nKrow didn't actually know what kind of horses they were. But could bandits with clothes like those afford the horses?

nThe leader sighed.

"This isn't funny anymore. Rog, Hattrek. Kill them.

"

nTwo of the riders jumped up the mountainside, as easy as gazelles. Heading for the

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"You traitor to the brotherhood!

" Krow bellowed, in his farewell to the role of bandit. He twisted and pulled on the ropes.

nThe Mist vials broke.

nHe jumped to a mass of boulders, quickly drank a Low Revitalit, drew his gun and fired a half a cylinder of bullets toward the bandit leader.

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