Arrival Of The Bandits

Lord Losler, Jien and the melee guards were already in position when the flare became visible in the night air. There was a semi-circle made of around the cave entrance to block most escape paths. In a few of the openings between the guards and a bit back toward the lake were the pure mages, a look of concentration on their faces as they prepared to cast spells as soon as needed. In the trees on either side the archers stood on branches of the tall evergreens, bows drawn to full moon and waiting for their targets to arrive.

Jien had dawned some leather armor, knowing that this was not going to be a sparring match if he ended up against one of the bandits, they would be aiming for the kill to escape. His rapier was already drawn and though he hadn't taken a fighting stance at the moment his awareness was at its peak. Earl stood by his side, his long sword drawn and having dawned his own steel armor. He would have had Jien wear steel armor as well, but Jien was used to fighting without the bulk of armor currently and adding the extra weight could mean the difference between life and death for anyone that lacked experience.

It was at that moment that the first figure came out of the cave, a trail of smoke following their figure. They had moved fast enough to carry some of the smoke from the smoke bombs used to try and force them out. The man was large at over six feet tall, his figure was bulky like that of a bear and rippled with a muscle pressing against his simple leather armor. He was wielding a large two-handed war axe that matched his size. The blade was chipped in some places showing both the wear and tear on the weapon and the bandit's lack of weapon maintenance.

As the man exited, he immediately saw that he was surrounded by all sides. This did not seem to faze him however as he decided to charge toward the left with a battle cry that resounded back into the cave and out into the forest. His deep voice seemed to reverberate in Jien's bones as the man charged at the space between two guards. As he took his third step an arrow appeared in calve as if it had always been there, avoiding the man's leg guards by a hair's breadth. Another appeared in his ankle, causing him to stumble over his own feet, his size and slight momentum forcing him to roll on himself and end up not far from one the guards who used the moment of confusion perfectly, to strike the man on the head with the pommel of their blade, knocking him out.

With that they had successfully captured one. If the rest were as easy to take care of, they would be able to wrap this up in no time and be on their way home. It was at that point that they realized that this was not going to be an easy fight at all. Though they had captured one of the crew ten others exited the cave in an orderly formation. Up front were a pair of warriors who were large and muscular like the first, these two bore large steel shields, one had a spiked mace while the other was wielding a one-handed axe. Behind them was another pair of melee fighters wielding swords and wearing heavy steel plate armor. They were followed by two archers surrounding a woman who had a lithe figure, dark skin and raven hair. In one hand she held what appeared to be a spike whip and in the other a rapier similar to the one that Jien was wielding, though plainer in aesthetic. Behind her were two dark robed figures wielding a pair of knives each. Bringing up the back of the group was man wearing simple mage robes and wielding a staff made of a dark wood with a crystal imbedded in its tip.

It was now confirmed that this was the bandit crew that they had been tasked to find and bring to justice. Unfortunately, it appeared that they were not just a ragtag group. They had at least some understanding of strategy, which likely came from their time spent in the military academy. Nobody could escape having to attend after all, so though they wouldn't necessarily stay in the army they all learned something of strategy.

As the group slowly exited the cave with careful steps the leader of the group in the center of the formation peered around her to take in the surroundings. Soon she caught sight of her captured companion and heaved a deep sigh while shaking her head before speaking in a calm melodic tone. "Duke, you idiot. I knew you were not as tight knit with everyone but to try and leave us high and dry to escape. You really are pathetic." With a wave of her arm and a snap of her wrist the whip in her hand extended and cracked with what sounded like thunder through the quiet forest. Though the whip wasn't long enough to reach the position of her companion let alone the surrounding guards, a blade of wind left her whip, using her movement as extra momentum.

The blade moved so quickly and out of the blue that nobody was able to react before the man supposedly named Duke saw his head rolling from his large body. The guards looked at the action with a grim look on their faces. Not only was this fight not going to be easy, but they now realized that the bandits likely wouldn't hold back from killing anyone captured. This would make it harder. They had wanted to capture at least a few but if they were willing to kill each other then it may end up being impossible.

The guards in response to the swift execution took up firm stances, knowing that the fight would now be starting for real. The woman in the center of the enemy formation didn't speak again, instead she whistled a low whistle that seemed to waver in and out in an odd pattern. Once the whistle concluded the four melee fighters spread to create a proper spearhead formation from their side-by-side march. The archers immediately took arrows from their quivers and drew their bows, looking around the area as if looking for something specific while the mage in be back of the formation mumbled a short line of words that nobody but those near him could hear.

As soon as the mage had finished his enchantment while hiding behind the other warriors the crystal at the tip of his staff began to glow. At that moment two arrows approached from either side in an attempt to stop the spell from activating, but it was too late. A rush of fog expanded at an incredible rate from the mage and covered the bandits and the guards preparing to face them. The entire world in Jien's view became nothing but pure white fog and even the sound of the melodic whispers faded away along with all other sound.