The horses were tired and all the passengers already had pressure sores after a long journey so the caravan stopped again that everyone will rest before they start the last sprint of the journey.
Everyone disembarked to stretch their legs. The guards caught some unranked wild game and it was shared as everyone individually built their own fire to make barbecue.
"I want to urinate", a young lady said shyly as she wanted someone to escort her. It's getting dark and no one wants to be far away from the camp.
"Ease yourself there", a young handsome guard said pointing to the rear of the caravan. Everyone ate and went to sleep as the guards stay awake and make sure the fire was not out.
It was around three o clock in the morning, the galloping of horses accompanied by the fierce shout of the bandits was heard. Everyone scrambled awake and the bold able bodied men brought out their weapons, they joined the guards to provide everyone.
The bandits obviously waiting for someone did not attack, rather they surrounded the camp. A new set of bandits dressed better with good weapon rode in and the other bandits made space as Roq rode in followed by the others.
"I am Roq and I am here to destroy one of you", he said as he laughed loudly. All the other bandits began to scream ROQ! ROQ! Roq who was satisfied with this squinted and looked at everyone's face trying to get a hint of fear from their faces.
"Is he looking for me? I knew it, this woman is not so kind", Louis thought as he already guessed he was the one they were searching for.
"Anyone with the name LOUIS should step forward".
All the bandits laughed arrogantly as they all got down from their horses.
Louis had not talked to anyone that he had to mention his name so he thought he was pretty safe until he remembered that he registered with his real name. Everyone continued cower in fear as they looked at the bandits.
"I am trying to be peaceful and I hope you cooperate. Louis should complete out now", Roq said as he was trying to cool his nerves trying not to get angry.
No one said anything or stepped out. Roq waited for about five minutes and no one made a move. Louis was betting on luck that he would not be caught.
"My time is so precious", Roq said again but this time the calmness in his voice was already gone. His previously gentle eyes began to turn fierce. This is the time to show his usefulness to the young master and it has been confirmed that Louis traveled with this caravan. He noticed the caravan owner and stared fiercely at him.
Even though Barl, the caravan owner looked calm, that was just a facade. Who would stand in front of such a fierce group of bandits and will stay unafraid.
"Since you are all unwilling to talk, I guess I have to do it my way", Roq said as he focused his gaze on the young lady that hid behind Barl. He guessed that was his daughter. Roq knew Barl knew something and he wanted to force him to talk.
Whoosh Woosh. Two arrows hit the young lady as she screamed and fell down. Barl could no longer keep calm as he rush towards his only child.
"If you take another step, I will shoot another arrow", Roq said as he removed another arrow from the quiver.
Barl stopped running, he knew he had to choose between customer secrecy and family. Barl could trade everything but his daughter. He had always felt guilty that he could not protect her mother, that's why he takes her with him on his every journey.
Roq laughed louder and all the other bandits joined him. He could see the hesitation on Bart's face and that confirmed the fact that he knew Louis. Louis who thought he was already safe felt danger again.
"This bandit chief is playing with human psychology. It was already a certainty that Bart will point him out as the hesitation on his face was gradually vanishing as his daughter continued to bleed", Louis thought.
Just when Roq was about to shoot another arrow, Bart shouted, "No don't shoot" as he pointed at Louis who was hiding amidst the passengers. All the other passengers avoided Louis like virus as no one wanted to be implicated.
Roq jumped down from his house for the first time since his arrival and walked towards Louis. Louis thought of escaping with a horse but he had no access as the front was filled with bandits and the passengers at the rear. Roq got to where Louis was and dragged him back, the fury in his eyes was ...
GBOA. A hot slap landed on Louis face. "This is for wasting my time". Few hours had passed since they came and the day was very clear now.
"What are you still waiting for?", Roq said as he looked at the passengers shivering. As Roq finished talking, all the passengers ran to the caravan and they were about to continue the journey. Bart threw Louis's bag and they sped off. The jingling of the bag as it touched the ground made the bandits pay attention.
"Go check what is in the bag", Roq ordered. The closest bandit poured out everything in the bag and a lot of silver and bronze coins fell in the ground. The bandit picked all the coins and returned it to the bag and handed it over to Roq.
"Back to you. I should have given you an easy death but the fact that you wasted my time...", Roq said. He looked at Louis and signalled to the bandits who were armed with rod and clubs.
"Beat him to death", Roq said as s he regained his look. Roq went back and sat on his horse as Louis screamed in pain as the fierce beating began.
"Bastard".
"Fool".
All sort of insulting words pour out of the bandit's lips as they flogged him tirelessly. As some were getting tired, others were replacing them.
"Am I going to die again?", Louis asked himself.
"It's a pity that you obstructed Young Master Nicho Samton"s plan".
"Oohh. So it was Nicho that planned all these. I have noted this name and I will carry out my revenge if the heavens allow me", Louis thought as he gathered all his remaining strength and ran towards the wide river in front when they had lessened their vigilance.
"He escaped", a bandit who noticed shouted but it was too late as Louis had already jumped into the river.