The next morning dawned bright and clear, painting the rolling hills of Baron Rothgard's domain in a fresh coat of golden light. Jolthar couldn't help but feel a tinge of anticipation as he joined the Maena's knights in preparing for their mission to deal with the troublesome bandit problem.
"Alright, listen up, you lot!" Eran barked, his voice cutting through the relative quiet of the manor courtyard. "Today, we ride out with a wagon full of valuable ores. Our task is to lure those bandits out of hiding and put an end to their meddling once and for all."
Jolthar couldn't resist a grin. "So, we're playing bait, eh? I thought we were supposed to be the hunters, not the hunted."
Eran shot him a stern look. "This is no time for jests, Jolthar. The Lady Maena has entrusted us with an important mission, and we will see it through."
"Easy there, big guy," Jolthar placated, raising his hands in a gesture of surrender. "I'm just saying it's my first time in action. Forgive me for being a little eager."
The older knight let out a long, suffering sigh. "Just try to keep that eagerness in check, will you? We need to be sharp out there—these bandits have been giving the baron no small amount of trouble."
"Understood." Jolthar flashed him a rakish grin. "I'll be the picture of restraint. You can count on me."
Eran looked less than convinced, but before he could respond, Lady Maena emerged from the manor, her silver-streaked hair gleaming in the morning light.
"Knights," she addressed them in a firm tone, "today, we ride to put an end to this bandit scourge. Remain vigilant, and do not stray from the plan. Jolthar."
Jolthar straightened, suddenly feeling the weight of the lady's piercing gaze. "Yes, my lady?"
"See that you keep that impulsive nature of yours in check." Her lips quirked in the barest hint of a smile. "We cannot afford any... mishaps on this mission."
Jolthar couldn't help but chuckle. "Wouldn't dream of it, my lady. You can count on me to be on my best behaviour."
Lady Maena arched a sceptical brow but turned to address the rest of the knights. "Mount up. We ride in five minutes."
As the group quickly secured their gear and swung into the saddle, Jolthar couldn't help but feel a thrill of anticipation. Sure, Lady Maena had warned him to keep his impulsive tendencies in check, but when had that ever stopped him before?
Besides, he reasoned, a little bit of excitement was exactly what this mission needed.
The wagon, laden with crates of gleaming dratium ore, rumbled to life as the knights formed a protective escort around it.
Jolthar couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy—he'd always been more of a "hands-on" kind of guy, preferring the thrill of close-quarters combat to the more subtle art of deception.
"Remember," Eran called out from his position at the front of the procession, "we need to make this look as authentic as possible. The bandits need to take the bait."
Jolthar grinned. "Relax, Eran. I've got this all figured out." He leaned back in his saddle, affecting an air of casual disinterest. "Just leave the acting to me. I'll have those bandits eating out of the palm of my hand."
Eran shot him a wary look but didn't bother to argue. In just a couple of hours, Jolthar had gotten close to the men. That's why they didn't bother with his banter, and it also helped to keep things less tense.
As they made their way down the winding roads, Jolthar noticed that there were fewer people present in the town, and most of them were old and disabled.
He could see a few empty houses, but he didn't say anything. Their priority was to catch the bandits.
Everything about this place screamed trouble, and that overly respectful Baron and his family. Jolthar was starting to think it wouldn't just be a simple mission.
Sure enough, it wasn't long before the first signs of trouble began to emerge.
Jolthar noticed the way the birds fell silent, the forest growing unnaturally still. He gripped the reins of his horse a little tighter, his eyes scanning the treeline for any sign of movement.
Their group disguised as the baron's men and followed the wagon out onto the road. Right after the baron's region, the road led into the forest, not too dense and not too sparse, but with an eerie quietness. Not a single sound of a bird or roar of an animal.
As they ventured further down the road, Jolthar was paying attention all too well, his senses heightened, alert for any potential danger lurking in the shadows.
Jolthar's ears perked up as he heard a faint rustling in the bushes nearby, causing him to signal to his companions to be on guard.
"Heads up, everyone," he called out, his voice low and urgent. "We've got company."
Almost as if on cue, a hail of arrows erupted from the foliage, raining down on the vulnerable wagon and its escorts. Jolthar reacted instinctively, drawing his long sword and urging his horse forward to shield the valuable cargo.
"Bandits!" Eran shouted, his own blade flashing as he parried the incoming attacks. "Defensive formation, now!"
The Maena knights quickly fell into a well-practised defensive stance, their armour and shields creating a formidable barrier between the wagon and the hidden assailants.
Jolthar found himself at the forefront of the charge, his sword a blur as he deflected arrow after arrow.
"Is that all you've got?" Eran taunted, his voice dripping with bravado. "Come on out and face us like real men!"
As if in response to his challenge, a contingent of rough-looking men emerged from the treeline, their weapons drawn and their eyes glinting with malice.
Jolthar felt a grin spread across his face—finally, some real action.
The knights surged forward, their blades clashing against the bandits' swords and axes.
Jolthar was in his element, weaving and dodging, his sword striking with precision and power. But as the battle wore on, he couldn't shake the nagging feeling that something was off. It was the first battle, and these men weren't able to scratch him. He had no real battle experience, and yet he was able to overpower them.
The bandits, for all their ferocity, seemed to be holding back, their attacks lacking the desperation of true outlaws fighting for their lives. Jolthar's brow furrowed as he parried a swing, his gaze flicking toward Lady. What Jolthar didn't know was that he was just too strong for these bandits.
The silver-haired warrior woman's expression was equally perplexed; her eyes narrowed in concentration as she cut down her opponents with effortless grace.
Jolthar could see the subtle tensing of her muscles and the way her movements became more measured—a clear sign that she too sensed something amiss.
"Eran!" Jolthar called out, even as he continued to fend off the bandits. "Something's not right here!"
The older knight grunted in acknowledgement, his own sword flashing as he dispatched another attacker. "I know! Keep your guard up, Jolthar."
Jolthar nodded, his mind racing as he tried to piece together the puzzle. Why would the bandits, who had been causing the baron so much trouble, suddenly pull their punches when faced with the might of the Maena knights? It just didn't add up.
As the battle reached its climax, Jolthar found himself side-by-side with Lady Maena, their blades moving in perfect sync as they cut down the attackers.