THE MIRAGE OF THE MOON

We are already half of the way, we have been camping near the road and we light fires just to cook and then we move again trying not to leave a trace of where we have been, more than monsters, people "bandits and murderers" many times can arrive to be more dangerous than the beasts that besiege near the paths.

The night of the third day I realized that they were following us, even with great armor like mine, you can silently stand guard without being discovered, there were ten people I could see with the moonlight, I quickly warned to the adventurers who accompanied me and we left some lures next to the wagon and the improvised camp, it consisted of an illusion conjured with the light of the moon that made us see a mirage where we were asleep.

We soon hid and let time pass while we observed what they were going to do, four hooded individuals who seemed to have short swords surrounded the place, stealthily observing any sign of movement, meanwhile there were five other individuals with crossbows behind, and even more behind the group a lookout at the top of a tree.

They quickly ran towards the supposed people who were sleeping, when they stabbed them, they turned into mist and their face turned pale.

- It can't be, where are they...

As soon as one of the bandits had said this when I pounced on them and rammed them with the shield, immobilizing two in a single movement, the remaining two quickly turned to attack me, while the crossbowmen charged a burst that I was able to block with the shield, while I was distracting them I could see that the strategy was taking effect, they began to charge while the others pounced on me, the two jumped ready to take my head from both flanks, I couldn't defend myself from both at the same time or at least that's what they thought, in At that moment I covered my eyes and a blinding light coming from where Rose was, blinded both the crossbowmen and the assassins, and roots came out of the ground that began to squeeze everyone, it was Saria, her elemental magic seemed to be linked to the vegetation .

The lookout, seeing this, simply tried to run away and abandon his companions, but he had not noticed that Franz was aiming at him directly from the nearby tree with his bow, he released an arrow that left him hooked on the tree, while he simply hung from the hood. He raised his hands in surrender.

After a while we were able to tie them to a tree, the ten were held by a spell that prevented them from moving, the lianas that did the work were quite strong, and only a sleeping spell was enough for them to stop moving.

As Saria cast the spell she gave us the warning,

- This spell will last until they come to pick them up to take them to a prison, we simply have to report what happened to the town we are about to reach and they will take care of it.

- I think it's a good idea.

Rose commented.

- We spared their lives, but I think that the safest thing is that they go out to do the same misdeeds again, we should punish them with death right here, don't you think so, gentleman?

- You have enough thirst for blood to see you so calm, this time it didn't get any worse, we'll let the people of the village decide what to do with them, I don't want to judge anyone without knowing enough about their life.

- I suppose that all those of the church believe themselves to be saints… let's do it that way I suppose.

The atmosphere felt quite awkward, maybe Franz was right, but it's not our duty to decide that, everyone was silent as we prepared to leave.

The first rays of the sun were coming out when we started our journey again, and in the middle of the morning we could see the gates that led to the village.

This one was called La Sentinel, or at least that's what it said on the sign we found before we could see the village.

We got closer and to our surprise the huge doors of a wall made of logs were closed, we reached the door and a lookout appeared at the top.

- Identify yourself.

The guard whispered, then I looked at the group and told them that I would talk to him, from among my armor I took out a medal that I wore hanging around my neck that contained the symbol of the faith of the church, an eagle that embraced a flame and stood I showed it to the sentry, he seemed to be watching it carefully

- We come from the church; we are going to investigate a possible crack in the forest near the village of the Crimson Circle.

- I understand, however, I can't trust a mere medal, it could well be you bandits and you snatched it from some unfortunate priest on the way here.

- How much imagination do you have, sir, but fortunately for those of you who speak, they tried to attack us at night and to their bad luck we captured them at dawn. If you please, you can send a group to look for them in the location that I am going to give you.

- Okay, but they don't move from here until we confirm that what you're telling me is correct.

- I guess we have no choice.

We weren't going to break in either, but their treatment seemed rather grotesque to me.

I approached the cart again "we will have to wait."

- Aren't you being too rude to us?

Saria was correct from my point of view, also why so suspicious to let us in, it is supposed that this is a village of frequent passage to travel to the north.

- I think the same as Saria, besides, it doesn't seem strange to you that during the three days we've been traveling we haven't come across a single merchant or person along the way, I don't think it's the fault of those bandits, if at least that If it were the only cause they would have already organized some plan to capture or execute them long ago.

- I agree with the priestess, something strange is happening here, besides, they don't seem very happy with the visit of those sent by the church.

Franz seemed to be upset and both Saria and Rose were quite thoughtful about it, to which I replied with "when they bring the bandits we can ask the questions, as long as these people don't take our word for it we simply can't ask anything"

- I very much doubt that they want to chat with a "sent" from the church.

Saying this, Franz got off the cart and climbed a nearby tree to stand guard.

After about an hour Franz quickly came down from the tree, "they are here" he mentioned.

Soon they reached the gate of the village, the guards opened the gates and began to inspect the bandits who were now prisoners.

- It seems that they are correct, however, the leader of these subjects is missing.

- I'm sorry, but I myself confirmed that there was no one else around when they attacked, we even caught the one who was watching in the distance, the person they describe was not there, there were only these ten subjects.

- I understand young archer, I suppose they were going to do the dirty work alone.

They gave us the signal to advance and so we entered the village that seemed to have many shops selling all kinds of things, from weapons, food, clothes, and other items, there were a lot of people, but for some unknown reason they seemed to be a kind of refugee.

- Excuse me, there will be an inn where we can stay.

- Yes, go straight to the square, and through the intersection on the right you can find a suitable one to store the wagon, I also want to talk to you, knight of armor, but it will be later, now go before it gets dark.