Noticing that the robber was walking more slowly, I narrowed my eyes trying to hear what could alert the person. But apart from insects, I did not hear anyone, Keirin also noticed that the robber was behaving strangely.
- Why are you walking slowly? - I asked in a low voice looking around where we were.
We walked uphill, sometimes we had to grab onto trees to keep from falling. I was glad that there was no rain in this part of the forest, otherwise our journey to the bandit camp would have taken longer.
Hearing my question, the robber slightly turned his head and put his chained hands to his lips, calling for silence.
Frowning, I did not like the behavior of the robbers, exchanging glances with Keirin, she also did not like the change in human behavior.
- We are in the territory of another gang that may be passing through here. - Trying to speak in a low voice explained the robber.
Looking around with concern, he began to walk faster. Another gang, how many robbers are hiding here?
I didn't have the desire to destroy all the bandit camps, me and Keirin were drawing too much attention.
- How many bandit camps are there? - Keirin asked with apprehension in her voice.
The robber, listening to the question, began to laugh, I already guessed from his behavior what he would say.
- A lot, mostly mortals who had nothing to pay tribute to the baron and were thrown out of their homes and villages. - With a slight sadness, the robber answered, continuing to climb the mountain.
As we pondered his words, our original plan began to show signs that it needed to be reworked. Keirin and I proceeded from the information we received at the academy and from acquaintances of Keirin merchants.
- But does the baron benefit from empty villages? - I asked the robber incomprehensibly.
Regardless of the kingdom or empire, if the tribute came less than expected from a certain region. Then the rulers summoned the leader of this region to the capital, wanting to find out the reason for such a small tribute to the treasury of the kingdom.
- The baron may not be profitable, but he only verbally leads the regions. - The robber answered with a chuckle in his voice, waddling over the mountain.
Continuing to climb the mountain, I pondered the words of the robber if not the baron leads these regions, then who then? Is it possible that he transferred all power to one of his children, but then it is not clear how the heir repays debts to the treasury.
Climbing the mountain and looking around, I felt the air getting heavier, grabbing the tree and trying to regain my breath. I had the thought of how the heir pays tribute to the treasury but is not able to formulate it.
- If mortals are unable to pay tribute, they are forced to give their children into slavery in payment of tribute. - Keirin said with disgust in her voice.
Looking over at Keirin, her face was full of disgust at what she had just said.
- You are right, when the tribute goes to the baron and he sees that it is less, he sends one of his sons to collect tribute from the village. - Confirming sadly said the robber.
I saw how this news did not please Keirin, trying not to fall to the ground approaching her and placing a hand on her shoulder forcing her to look at me.
- There is nothing we can do, these mortals themselves have decided to hunt for robberies and not go to another region. - I spoke to her in a low voice.
I saw that she wanted to say something, but realizing that I was right, she nodded and silently followed the robber.
We had a beautiful view down which I hoped we would not have to go again. But remembering where the capital of the Abel was located, I just shook my head.
If the robber camps were everywhere in the forest, it meant that some kind of camp was also located near the capital of the Avels.
Continuing to follow the robber, everyone was immersed in their own thoughts, I hoped that we would not meet with other bandit camps.
I had no desire to kill everyone who lived in this forest, many of them fled from the actions of the baron.
The sun's rays penetrated through the foliage of trees, raising my head and stopping, I admired the beautiful blue sky, the branches and foliage on the trees swayed under the influence of the wind. Lowering my head, I saw Keirin's gloomy face.
- What worries you Keirin? - I asked her while catching up with them.
Keirin tried to change her expression, but under my gaze, she realized that it was useless to try to hide her anxiety.
- Trey, what are we going to do if we run into some other bandit camp? - Voiced my fears Keirin, in her quiet voice, I understood that she was afraid.
Approaching her, I heard the sounds of wings from above, looking up I saw a large figure with wings, at such a distance it was impossible to see the whole figure, but I was sure that it was a wyvern.
Wyverns were younger dragons, but they could not develop to the size and power that their older brothers possessed. In the direction in which the wyvern flew, and remembering the map, I assumed that it was heading towards the mountains.
Clenching my fists, I tried not to think about going after her right away.
Everything has its time, first I need to figure out the location of the robbers' camp and then the capital of the avels where I, as I hoped, would find the sword technique for myself.
- Trey, can you hear me? - I heard the voice of Keirin, which brought me back from my thoughts.
I could see that she was worried about my behavior, putting aside my thoughts about the wyvern.
I thought about the words of Keirin and turned my gaze to the robber who was looking around for fear of being attacked by monsters or other robbers.
- I don't know what you want to hear from me Keirin. - I said, but thinking about what I would say next might affect her. - We will try not to draw attention to ourselves, but if something happens, we will do what we must.
I saw that my words did not calm Keirin, but I did not want to lie to her and tell her that everything would be fine.
Not I, not she could not know what would happen next and better act on the basis of what happens. Turning my gaze to the robber, I remembered one point in the building that disturbed me.
- The assignment states that you are holding captives, how many are there? - I said in a quiet voice, carefully looking at the behavior of the robber.
The robber's face began to change, he began to noticeably get nervous, but realizing that he had nowhere to go, he began to remember how many girls there were in their camp.
He hoped that this information could save his life by looking from the light elf to the half-elf.
- I can't tell you the exact number, each member of the gang has one or more pillows. - The robber answered looking at the half-elf.
Listening to the words of the robber, I began to frown, if there were a lot of prisoners, I doubted that we would be able to hold such a number of prisoners without attracting the attention of other robbers.
- How many bandit camps are there near yours? - Continuing to ask the robber, I tried to listen to what was happening around.
Pelori began to understand the problem and the half-elf's fears, trying to hide his joy that he might have a chance to escape.
- Rogues try to stay away from each other to prevent possible battles between each other. - Thoughtfully answered the robber turning and slowly heading towards the camp.
Watching how the robber goes in a certain direction and how the chain begins to stretch more and more. Looking over at Keirin who was still looking at me.
- Come on, let's hope we don't run into bandits. - I said in a low voice as I followed the robber.
I did not see how Keirin reacted to my words, I knew that in the depths of her mind she understood that we cannot know and foresee everything that can happen.
As I continued to follow the robber, I thought about how we could avoid a possible collision with other robbers.
I was afraid not so much of robbers as of uncertainty in the forces and capabilities of the enemy. Remembering the lessons from the generals of the Kray army that one cannot build long-term plans in battle.
During the battle, there were many things that influenced the battles such as the weather, the place and most importantly the knowledge of the place where the battle took place.