The forests surrounding Zarina were lawless and ruthless places filled with bandits. They were a notorious bunch who murdered and pillaged merchants and peddlers.
Today was like any other day, full of haul as the bandits caught a big caravan of 10 carts laden with wine barrels and food rations. The merchants this time were somehow a clever lot. They obediently surrendered everything and allowed themselves to be bound.
The bandits enjoyed in feasting and drinking while occasionally teasing their captives. It was an overall festive mood. While the bandits were oblivious, their leader wasn't. The nonchalance of captives, their lack of fear, absence of anger or resistance reeked of suspicion. The leader could almost smell a conspiracy. Did the captives inform someone about their plight? Do they have some hidden trump card or something? the leader was perplexed.
Just as he was about to savor the wine, ~~~~boom~~~~ with a loud noise, his glass was shattered into smithereens by an electric blue lightning bolt. Turning to the source revealed a little child dressed in a typical hunter outfit, two cat ears waving above her head, a bushy tail wagging behind her. She was a cute little cat beast girl.
"A cat! " the bandit leader was astonished by the intruder's appearance.