A few days later they are walking through a sparsely grown forest on the outskirts of the mountainous Cavas region. Light pierces the canopies through the holes left by fallen trees, but areas are present where the light has difficulty illuminating their path.

  I can tell this forest is in poor health. Look at all the fallen trees and the many areas without shrubbery, Amalsius says whilst picking up a small branch from the forest floor.

  When did you become a forester Amal? You said you lived in cities all your life, why would you know anything about nature, Xenia says skeptically.

  I read a lot of books, he says, as he stands up again.

  Damon sprints back to the group.

  I've been scouting, we need to watch out guys, there's bandits hiding in those bushes over there in the distance, how do you want to deal with them?

  It won’t be a problem, if they’re smart they’ll just ignore us. We don’t look like the average group of travelers. How many are there? Zephyr asks.

  Five in total, 2 bowmen, 2 melee and one further back but I couldn’t see his weapon, however from that position I’d assume it’s either a crossbowman or a wizard.

  Alright. As Felicity is the most mobile she’ll deal with the guy in the back, I’ll take out the rangers whilst Xenia, you and Amal can deal with the melee. Make sure not to kill them.

  Sounds like a plan, Damon replies.

  As they approach the shrubbery the bandits appear. Two archers with their bows drawn, what appears to be a mage behind them, a larger guy holding a spear and another dual wielding short swords next to him. They’re all wearing green masks and hoods, hiding their faces and blending in with the environment. The larger spear wielding bandit talks to them from a distance.

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  Pay the toll and you can cross these roads without any harm. Hand over your valuables, bring them to my pal here, he says sternly, with a deep and hoarse voice, as if he just finished yelling for an entire day.

  The short-sword wielding bandit takes a few paces forward.

  Are you sure about this? Do we look like the sort of people you want to rob?

  We're the grey wolf gang, the leader says, and his accomplices strike what is supposed to be an intimidating pose. He continues speaking.

  None of you look that strong, just regular adventurers. Beaten our fair share of those. We’ve dealt with larger parties than yours. Except that girl over there with the feather dress, and the skull hat. What’s with her? Creepy. Tell you what, just give us 200 gold pieces and we won't harm you guys.

  See! Someone gets it. Xenia says excitedly.

  Alright, you leave us no choice, Zephyr says as he prepares his battle stances.

  In an instant Xenia starts citing a spell as red waves flow through the air from her and weaken the dual swords wielding guy who starts charging them, but halfway through he loses his strength and falls to the ground already.

  What's with this? They're wizards boss! We got to do something. The spear wielding guy yells.

  Don't worry about it, their wizard yells from the back and he starts citing a long spell.

  Damon blinks forward and disarms the spear guy whilst Felicity takes to the air and flies over the path, using her whip she disarms the wizard.

  Amalsius just drinks a potion, no need to exhaust himself, this battle is already decided. But he decides to throw out a cheeky little poison spell at the nearest melee anyway.

  Damon then dashes forward to the rangers whilst Zephyr is casting his spells.

  An arrow strikes him in the abdomen, but he continues onward and slashes a bow in half, whilst Zephyr's wind spells push them all further backwards.

  He speaks. So will you let us pass? We've disarmed most of your men in an instant. You're clearly outmatched.

  Their leader looks dumbfounded. This was a grave miscalculation. These are no ordinary adventurers.

  He just nods and looks at the ground as he helps up his friends.