Damian gestured for his companions to halt. The sight unfolding before them was a familiar one on the roads, and there was no way to be certain if the woman lying there was genuinely injured.
"Let me assess the situation," Damian whispered, "And be ready for a fight."
He approached the woman cautiously. She noticed him and pleaded, "Please, help me! I'm hurt."
Damian knelt to examine her wound. It was on her leg, but it didn't appear to be severe. He looked into her eyes and whispered, "Are you working with bandits to rob us? Be warned, if you try anything, you will all die."
She hesitated, then sighed, "Yes, I am, but it's not by choice. They kidnapped my sister and demanded I do this once in exchange for her release. I'm so sorry. I've probably gotten you all killed..."
As she finished her sentence, a group of bandits emerged from the nearby forest, armed with various weapons. Most were men, but there were a few women among them.
