The bandits

For every action, there was an equal and opposite reaction. When two bodies interact, they apply forces to one another that are equal in magnitude and opposite direction. Newton's third law that Stephan remembered right when his back hit the tree and he used as way to push his body to stand then kneel. However, all his circus play made Sir Jack warm up slightly. However, the suspicion weren't completely cast aside.

He brought back the sword to Sir Garen who snatched it angrily. The latter took a sip from his bottle then spat it next to Stephan's feet. "Sir Garen, if you'll be so kind?" he stretched his palm asking for the bread he had on his other hand. Garen spat again then threw the bed at his feet. "Thank you!" Stephan grabbed it and started cleaning from dirt while throwing a half-hearted smile at Sir Garen.

He sat down reorganizing his thoughts as the night creeped through. Stephan didn't know why they waited for the night to move; it wasn't a wise move considering how the shadows only roam at that time. As soon as the moon was high in the sky, Sir Jack asked everyone to prepare for movement. The men nod to each other and to make himself as one of them, he nodded as well.

A moment and then they were debating over whom would get Stephan behind him like a damsel in distress. Bu the end, Mike offered to get him on his horse. All the other men started laughing and called him a girl for forfeiting easily and being kind. They also commented on to watch his back for an anticipated stab.

As to stop any betrayal, Sir Jack brought out a chain from the sack over his horse and asked Stephan to stretch his arm. "Why would you do that? I am a good boy," Stephan moved his head from Sir Jack to Mike then the opposite. In the end, he offered his hands and brought back his head closing eyes as if afraid to see blood.

"Don't be such a girl! It's for our own good. You are too skilled for a wanderer."

"Well, you cannot expect a wanderer to live or far too long in the plaguelands without learning some skills. Even if I started without any, I am bound to learn."

"You are right but you will still keep those chains."

Sir Jack returned to his horse. Stephan threw a glare at him, ready to chew him alive. Mike, who watched the entire scene, rushed the boy and helped him over his horse like a real damsel in distress, except that this damsel wasn't satisfied. Before the night was gone, they started again on the blessed road.

"Where are you going exactly?"

"If I have known, I would have told myself first. Now I am burdened with you because I have to take responsibility for pulling you."

"By the way, my barrier isn't here anymore. I will need a special concoction to make it work again."

"Seriously? You don't have a permanent one."

"If I were a mana engine then I would have one. Such a shame! I am human. So how will you deal with the shadows?"

"We will not go into the mist. We will mostly keep looking for a man on the roads for the whole night. It's expected if he survived, he would come out to the blessed roads at night. After all, no one can kill the Night Grim or at least, no one has found a way yet."

"A shame! Truly a shame! I will fall here. Can I hug you?" Mike raised an eyebrow. "You know your shirt isn't this sturdy. I fear if you suddenly halted, I will fall. I prefer if it happened, you would be dragged alongside me. So who are you looking for exactly?"

"Supposedly, the ride would be just a few hours but I don't know why Sir Jack is making it longer," Mike's hands grabbed the reins tighter. "We are looking for Maddock Prowell."

"Oh, the criminal," as soon as he said that, he sneezed. "It seems someone is talking badly about me. Anyway," he shook his head. "How about my proposal?"

"Keep your hands in your crotch or I will make sure to break them," he glared back.

"But it will smell."

"Then keep it away," he shouted.

"Alright," Stephan looked around searching for anything that could attract a conversation but everything was dark. He wanted to ask about the forest or more about the monsters but Sir Jack's voice rang in his ears.

"Bandits! Prepare to engage!" he shouted as a rumble of footsteps came from all directions. The horses all halted. They were completely surrounded.

From what he could see, there were a total of forty bandits. Even if they were knights and trained ones above it, they were in an unfavorable situation.

"Talk about karma!" Stephan said.

"Shut up! Would ya? You are making the situation worse."

"Then I'm sorry. I am just stating the facts. Maybe if you didn't think of putting these stupid chains over me, we would all be alright."

Jack threw a glance backward then to the other directions. All paths blocked and from the looks of the bandits, they were trained. Furthermore, they were used to the plaguelands so they had more survival experience. All the knights jumped from their horses and unsheathed their swords. Stephan on the other hand looked around for a way to come down as well.

<You are surrounded by bandits.>

<Night vision enhanced by 50%>

<Agility enhanced by 3>

<Mastery over the sword enhanced.>

<Reward: Advance to level 1>

Stephan beamed at the notice. He would be an advantage with his eyes but not with his hands. He was bound and there was no clear way of unbinding his chains. However, the chains didn't bind his hands together, sticking them, there was a slight distance between them, enough to move down the horse and attempt to free himself.