Moina nodded. "A good cup of coffee is very important for a successful day." Traveling was always hit or miss on whether the coffee that she came across was any good. Sometimes she traveled with her own grounds, but had forgotten it in her haste to leave Crorefell originally. So she had to make do with whatever she'd found in the inns she'd been staying at. Nothing had really met her expectations.

The Boneknitter's head turned back as the bells rang out in the morning air. An eyebrow raising in curiosity, but in the end it wasn't really her business now that she was heading back to the mercenary city-state. "Glad your business went well." She gave a laugh at his suggestion at raiding a bandit camp for their coffee. "While we might find something with bandits. I worry where their beans might have come from."

The continued down the road at a steady pace, neither slow nor in a rush. "Mankind I'd imagine. This is a well traveled road. If you mean hostiles," Her face grows a bit hard. "The Empire doesn't keep their roads well protected. So I imagine we'll end up running into bandits before we run into hostile wildlife." It could be nice to do a little hunting however, before they made it back to the city.
 
Chuckling lightly Mathis did not stop and turn at the sound of the city bells. It wasn't like it would be possible for them to track him at this point. Moina had a very good point about the beans. There was no telling if the beans the bandits had were going to be a good kind. Disappointing but not surprising given their life style.

Mankind would be their greatest enemy aye? No doubt there would have to be stores of food to also loot. Perhaps cut down on their hunting time and grant them shelter space. "I quite like the sound of these uninvited guests.. I am looking forward to seeing what we encounter first. Raid their supplies and have a go from there." Licking his lips slowly Mathis began scanning the area around them as they walked.

Their first ambush would not be too far ahead at this point, the path they walked curved up overhill and down once more out of sight of the city. The morning air was still chilly but Mathis was very happy to be outside once more. There was something so comforting about having his feet on a dirty road with a new destination in mind.

On either side, there were open fields with a thick treeline some yards away. Before them lay a crossroads with signs pointing in various directions. "If we are even more lucky, perhaps we might find some new toys for later on." His eyes gleamed at the thought of looted weapons off of the corpses of his enemies.
 
Personally, she'd be more than happy to have a quiet trip back to Crorefell. There was no need for things to be more complicated than they had to be, but it was also wishful thinking to imagine that the trip would be without it's problems. If she wanted a easy trip, it would have been better to travel to a port and take a ship back north. However, after the last trip she had, there was no way she was taking another trip aboard a ship any time soon. Who knew there were such vast creatures in the deep. At least on land she didn't have to worry about the ground swallowing her up like that giant squid had tried to.

"Careful what you wish for. I'm certainly no slouch when it comes to combat, but two against a small bandit crew wouldn't exactly be a walk in the park." Though he did look like he could handle himself well in battle. Even then there was a point where even size would no longer be an advantage.

She took the road that turned toward the north west, toward the trees. "Why do I feel like we'll need to purchase an additional pack animal to carry what we find before the end of this trip?" She couldn't help but laugh. His attitude and excitement infectious. Not that she wanted a fight, but she was feeling a bit more comfortable should trouble find them. When she was on her own, running was often her first choice that and the shroud. It was amazing how something as simple as a charley horse could slow slow down pursuit.

They continue on chatting companionably until they moved into the thick trees that had been on the horizon. The sun was now high in the sky, a bit past noon, if she had to guess. "There's a river a couple more miles in. Could be a good place to rest the horses and stop for a bite ourselves. I have some bread that I got from the inn this morning, or we could try our hand at fishing."
 
Mathis cackled at her words, sharp teeth flashed as the laughter grew. She was funny and correct in the same vein. Getting past the Merchants' guards was no cake walk with an alarming amount of luck. He was grateful they had let their guard down, being in their home base.

"If we are lucky, we might just find another horse to carry the supplies. I would not burden a steed with my weight. They are usually fine with me walking next to them, but never riding them. I do recall one time, however, I met a warsteed that carried me with ease and without complaint. He was a good warhorse." Smiling at the memory, he stroked the mane of Moina's steed in appreciation.

Upon reaching the tree line, Mathis was vigilant with eyeing the treeline. So far, they had no enemies in sight, though that might not be the same when they got to the river. Unclasping the hook to his greatsword, his right hand held the hilt of the Shroud Cutter Moina had identified for him the day before. "Fishing, I can do in my alternate form, I also have a fair share of jerky in my pack from my late-night run." Waggling his eyebrows, he cracked a smile, stepping towards the woods. Drawing the greatsword in his left, he moved it as if it weighed no more than a stick.

Sniffing the air, he allowed his senses to expand; the smell of spice filled the air. Shroud energy could be felt as he pushed to explore the further reaches past their sight. Knowing there was a river nearby meant this would be a possible spot of conflict for unsuspecting visitors. Mathis was ready.
 
"Perhaps you can find such a beast in Crorefell. Though most mercenaries don't tend to keep horses. Just not worth it in the end. Most contracts provide payment and transportation in one way or another. The knights of the north have larger beasts like the one you talk. Probably helps when carrying the knights and all that armor they wear."

The shade of the trees made the day feel cooler as they traveled. At the sound of sword being drawn from sheath, Moina grew tense herself, wondering if he had seen or felt something in the forest that had made him draw his sword. There was a quiet about the forest that made it feel off.

"Fresh fish sounds much more appealing that dried jerky if it's no problem for you." She said keeping the conversation going. Hoping to make it seem as if they could be caught off guard. Her hand slid down to pull at the ties that held the cover of the quiver attached to her saddle, making it easier to reach the arrows. "I might be able to shoot a hare or a couple of birds to go with the fish as well if we're lucky." She pulled her bow from her back, stringing it smoothly and letting it rest in her lap.

Then in an instant the quiet was broken as bandits jumped from the trees. Her horse took several dancing steps back at the charge. She hoped that the stupid thing wouldn't throw her. She had no idea how it had been trained, just that it was one she'd basically rented from the horse company in Crorefell. A arrow was drawn quickly, nocked on the string as she aimed it at an archer in the back, letting fly. The arrow thudded in the bandit's side and he cried out as he fell. Not dead, but unable to draw the bow.
 
"I agree, fresh fish sounds way better than dried jerky. Could possibly find some hares too, i can set some traps later on.." Smiling as he spoke he found the archers in the tree and two more in the back.

As they broke from their hiding place Mathis was prepared and ready. Shroud Cutter left the sheath thudding into the chest of one to his right clearing the space between Moina and himself. With his left the greatsword swung up in an arch, cutting the nearest to him. The metal bit leather padding shattering femur and breaking the pelvis from the force.

Carrying the swing down with a slam, he cut the whole leg off through the bone. Wrapping shroud into his body his muscles enhanced as he pushed forward. Rolling over the fallen body he pulled the meatshield up to take another arrow that had been let loose from the back.

Staying crouch he moved as if part of a Phallanx peering over the dying bandits shoulder. Cussing to himself he should have prepared a chain, it would have helped with retrieval and throwing. Moina had taken one as well leaving the lone fighter in the back.

Stepping more in front of Moina and her horse Mathis rose carrying the now dead bandits body in front of him. Blood trailed the earth making the dirt clump together. "Come on. Surrender or? Die? I think I don't know.. I'm not so generous." keeping his eyes peeled he scanned left and right for anyone else that may have evaded his shroud scan.
 
Mathis had drawn his sword and sliced through the leg of the nearest bandit. The crunch of the weighted weapon tearing through bone echoed through the air. Someone who hadn't seen battle might have been put off by the noise and the resulting howl of the man. Leaving the Deva to deal with the other bandits on the ground, Moina turned her attention to the trees when she noticed movement from the corner of her eye.

The arrow on her bow released and a body fell from the tree with a scream, arrow stuck in the side of the squirrel-kin bandit. Another arrow onto her bow as she scanned the trees looking for others that might have been hidden among the branches. There was only the one left.

He may have been generous, at least in that moment, she was not. With a pinch of her fingers and a twist of her wrist, Moina popped loose the tendon and shattered the bandit's ankle. The bandit's weapon clattered to the ground as he screamed in pain. The boneknitter slid from her horse and walked over to the bandit kicking the bow away from his reach.

"Are there any more of your band?" She asked, her voice hard. She held no mercy for those that would prey upon the weak. This band of bandits had figured that they had the numbers. This time they had picked wrong. "Where is your camp?" Normally, she wouldn't have even bothered with the bandit camp, but Mathis had expressed an interest in looting such places, so it was worth the ask.
 
A sharp cry of pain came from the bandit as Moina turned his ankle to utter shit. When he cried out as he tried to crawl away, clawing the earth, he reeked of fear. This pair had just torn through the starting lineup. [Aque]"Please.. Spare me! We have more just a mile off the road. There are several more archers and three melee, and the Captain."[/Aque] The man's face turned pale as he stared up at Moina.

Wincing lightly at Moina's actions, Mathis chuckled, dropping the looted bandit. Flicking his wrist, he sprayed blood on the ground like paint. Sheathing the sword in a single gesture, Mathis clicked his teeth lightly. Walking back to the other corpses, he emptied their pockets and took some daggers. Snatching up the quivers, he emptied them into one before attaching it to her saddle. Extra ammo never hurt anyone.

"Perhaps we should keep him alive to bargain the way in? Or show the way in?" Shrugging slowly, he squatted down, hovering over the man blocking his escape from Moina's approach. "Maybe, we should send him ahead as a message?" Grinning broadly, Mathis flexed his hands slowly. Thinking about how he would love to chuck their corpses back at them.
 
"I'm not sure how useful he even would be to lead the way to the camp. Bastard can barely walk." She could heal him, should she wish, but she was not so inclined. Not without compensation and even then after they'd attacked first, her desire to help heal him was low. Perhaps he could offer enough information to make it worth it.

"What information would you trade for your life?" She asked as she leaned against her pommel, her eyes following the bandit.

"I can tell you how many were left at camp. And where the guards are!" He stuttered in fear.

"Talk."

The bandit's words came in a rush, describing the camp, where the guards were hidden in the trees, what loot waited them at the camp. Everything. By the end, they had a perfect view of the camp.

"Do you think that's enough to earn his life?"
 
"5 more men await ahead! Two heavily armored and three light armored with bows. About 100 paces from here, keep to the right side and look for the orange-marked tree. There's a fair share of looted weapons and crystals; talk is the Captain took a stone of interest. Means to add it to his blade when we stop back in town. We have three captives as well, meant for ransom. There are two sections to go up with a pulley system; it cuts down on the need to climb."

Words tumbled like a bubbling brook; musing over each detail, he looked at some of the sticks and fallen bodies. Kneeling lower his face hovered just over him.

"Thank you for your contribution." metal hissed as the man struggled to breathe. Wiping the knife clean, he slid it back into the man's belt while gazing at Moina.

"I believe we have an appointment with this Captain and his men. Let us scout ahead and plan from there, yes?" Rising slowly, he turned on his heel to move off quietly between the trees.
 
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