Thankfully the Gods were offering Adrielle the slightest amount of pity after that whole ordeal with the king.
Pity in the form of a poorly guarded bandit camp.
Five tents littered a small glade, blazing fires battling away the still thawing Spring breeze. Only two bandits could be seen - a man and a woman with rather nice weapons - yet Adrielle could hear another two close by.
The trees hugged close to her body, ground soft as she crouched to observe the camp. They were rather tall for humans, the woman maybe a head shorter than Adrielle herself. Weighing up her options, it was most likely smarter to wait until nightfall to ambush them quietly.
But then again… she only had a day to bring that princess home…
She'll end it now, then.
Careful to keep sunlight from glinting off the metal, Adrielle allowed the poorly crafted throwing knives she'd bought from Ironclaw to find their place nestled against her knuckles.
A swift flick of the wrist, two weighted thumps.
The other two came to investigate, falling shortly after their companions. Assuring there were no other signs of activity throughout the camp, Adrielle edged slowly towards the first body. The lifeless glaze over his eyes unnerved her still; death was a difficult thing to come to terms with even after years of seeing it. His cloak tore easily, and Adrielle placed the torn patch to cover his face, offering a short prayer.
She only began to check their pockets when all the bandits had been covered and honoured.
"Oh wow." She muttered, admiring the balance of the swords. Now all she needed was an enchanted bag to carry it all in.
And almost every good bandit camp had enchanted bags.
The more Adrielle explored the more excited she became. Good clothes, proper food, weapons that didn't break after a single use (which is what happened to those pathetic throwing knives) and most importantly gold. It was like a campfire in Winter.
Her search was interrupted by a soft mew.
The sound came from the largest tent, a second following shortly after. The animal was clearly only a baby, judging by the mews that called to her. All else took second priority over the creature, Adrielle's guard slipping in favour of rushing to the tent, cutting the fabric away and tearing it to the ground.
Cages upon cages of creatures had been stacked within.
None had been given a cage large enough. Mossy birds with their grand wings pressed flat to their sides, firestorm foxes with their paws tied, even great wolves were cramped into tiny nets of iron. And worst of all they were all wailing at her. Their suffering twined with the air around them, clinging to her skin like dew.
The soft mewing had come from a kitten, unremarkable and starving. It's black fur matted to it's body in unkempt clumps. The poor baby wouldn't make it on it's own. The rusted bars of it's cage posed no threat as Adrielle snapped them easily, cradling the kitten in her hands. "Hey sweetheart, you're ok." The poor baby was shivering. In a state of panic Adrielle nestled the kitten into the stitching of her bodice, rested beside her neck between the cloth of her shirt and the fur of the coat she just stole. All the other animals were freed swiftly after, scattering into the forest around them. "Don't expect this to be a long-time thing, sweetheart. I'll find someone to care for you when you're healthy." Adrielle spoke to the kitten, glancing down to assure it was warm.
"Brothers, sisters! I have returned!" The deep quality to the man's voice sent chills down Adrielle's spine. How had she not heard him!?
He was huge, standing at eye level with her and muscled beyond belief. A thick beard tumbled down his chest, scattered with small plaits. Stone cold eyes trained to her's immediately.
They stood, frozen, staring at one another, his companions' bodies scattered out behind her.
"Shit." Adrielle slowly edged her fingertips towards a dagger she'd stolen. The blade, made of startling obsidian, nestled comfortingly against her palm.
"Who are you, who has slain my beloved family without a thought?" His question was accentuated by the thud of his war hammer coming into contact with the ground. The weapon was huge, solid metal and more than though to cave her head in without much trouble.
Adrielle stood tall, burning with rage. "And who are you, who has been so cruel to creatures that have done absolutely nothing to you?"
"Bethor, poacher in high demand. And I assume you're just a dainty-faced Elf and nothing more?" He stood proud, somehow even more regal that Bartholomew. He was proud of the horrors he'd caused. The comment aimed at her was nothing, but the tickle of the shivering kitten nestling further into her neck meant everything. Adrielle did not even think to humour him with a response, the ground passing in a blur as she braced her foot, boot connecting with Bethor's cheek.
His grasp on her ankle was strong, yet his hand immediately darted away at the slash of her blade. Adrielle was at an undeniable disadvantage, one hand being used to cup the kitten safely. Ideas raced through her mind as Belthor blundered towards her.
His bulky build was clearly a blessing and a curse.
Sure, he could crush her arm with a single squeeze of his fist. Yet it made him clumsy, and heavy-footed. She needed only one sign of weakness to end him.
"Do you really think you can kill me, little Elf?" He jeered. "I do not think I've ever seen something quite so sad. You're nothing but a sad, disfigured child."
"Can you wrap up your little speech? I sort of have somewhere to be right now, and I'm pretty sure I can't be late." Adrielle said. Merely interrupting the oaf made him practically ooze rage, a toddler in the form of a man.
Anger fractured one's defences. He was truly a fool for letting her anger him so quickly. He lunged for her, colossal fist inches from connecting with her stomach. Yet all Adrielle had to do was jump, use his arm as leverage and dart over to his neck, blade slicing over the back of his spine.
He crumpled, paralysed.
"You know," Adrielle sat causally beside him, "I thought for a moment about offering you mercy. Ending you quickly and all. But I think that's too easy, don't you? See, as I'm sure you're very aware right now, you can't move. But… you can feel. And I know some good friends you've made who would be delighted to pay you a warm visit." She glanced over to the tree line, bloodthirsty animals awaiting their revenge. His bag was enchanted, just like she'd needed, and his coin pouch was weighty with gold.
"Please… spare me." Bethor begged, crying and snotting all over his face. Funny, how the strongest monsters were always the quickest to beg when met with their punishment. He was swiftly ignored in favour of a nice bag of clearly stolen jewellery. Adrielle checked the camp one last time, sure she had everything she could possibly loot.
She knelt beside him again. "Oh but how could I help you? Seeing as I'm nothing but a sad, disfigured child." Springing to her feet, Adrielle blew Bethor a kiss. "Goodbye, I'll leave you to your friends."
His screams slowly faded as she strolled down the path, checking on the kitten. It looked blearily up at her. Vibrant green emeralds rested in the kitten's eyes, captivating and glittering. It's age was impossible to decipher due to it's clear malnutrition.
A giggle slipped from Adrielle's lips as the kitten buried it's face against her neck.
"Alright sweetheart, you're alright. Are you a girl kitty?" No response. "A boy?" He mewed softly. "Pretty boy." She scratched under his chin, smiling. She was glad animals could understand her, it made everything so much easier. "I've got a job to do, wanna come?"
He purred loudly against her throat, curling up into a ball.
Now to save a princess.