After securing their gold and new horses from the City Lord's mansion, Garrick and Stoinis began their journey back to the stronghold. The sun had just begun to dip below the horizon, casting long shadows across the forest trail. Garrick led the way, the reins of his newly acquired horse held firmly in his hand, while Stoinis followed closely behind, deep in thought.
"Stoinis," Garrick called out suddenly, breaking the silence.
"Yes, sir?" Stoinis responded, snapping out of his thoughts.
Garrick glanced over his shoulder, a sly grin on his face. "You've got a good head on your shoulders, boy. What you pulled back there—asking for more than what was on the table—that's the kind of boldness that'll get you far in this world. But remember, it's not just about being brave. You've got to be smart too. Always think three steps ahead. That's the difference between a successful raid and a death wish."
Stoinis nodded, taking the advice to heart. Garrick's words always carried weight, and the boy knew that every lesson the leader shared was a piece of the puzzle he needed to complete his transformation from a mere bandit into a true warrior.
As they rode, the landscape began to change. The dense forest thinned, giving way to a narrow path that led to the bandit stronghold. The air was crisp, and the sounds of the woods began to fade into the distant echoes of laughter and music. They were close.
As they neared the entrance of the stronghold, they were met with a wave of cheers. Bandits lined the path, raising their mugs and shouting greetings. The atmosphere was electric—everyone was in high spirits, and the return of Garrick and Stoinis with their hard-earned loot only added to the excitement.
Amidst the crowd, Elara stood, her eyes gleaming as she caught sight of Stoinis. Her smile was wide and bright, a reflection of her joy. Garrick noticed the way Stoinis's gaze lingered on her, and without missing a beat, he leaned in close to the young man.
"Take care of her, Stoinis," Garrick murmured, his voice low but serious. "She's my only daughter, and I trust you know what that means."
Stoinis felt a shiver run down his spine. He had tried to be discreet about his feelings for Elara, but it seemed nothing escaped Garrick's notice. Unsure of what to say, Stoinis quickly deflected. "Sir, let's celebrate. We've made quite the haul this time."
Garrick chuckled, looking ahead at the stronghold, which was already bustling with activity. "Look at them," he said, shaking his head. "They're already in the mood to feast. It seems like they couldn't wait for you to come up with another scheme."
The two dismounted, handing their horses to the stable hands, and made their way inside the stronghold. The grand hall was filled with the smell of roasting meat and the sound of clinking mugs. It was a scene of celebration—a well-deserved break after days of toil and danger.
The feast was grand. Stoinis and Garrick took their seats at a table where the vice leader of the bandits sat, already halfway through his cup of wine. As they exchanged stories and laughed over the spoils of the day, Stoinis, feeling bold after a few drinks, leaned in.
"I've been thinking," Stoinis began, drawing the attention of both Garrick and the vice leader. "What if we created our own martial art? Something that reflects who we are, our strengths and unpredictability. We're not just ordinary bandits. We're a family, and we fight like one."
Garrick raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Go on."
"Well, we've got skills that no one else has," Stoinis continued, his excitement building. "We can use our knowledge of the forest, our quick strikes, and our ability to vanish into the shadows. If we could combine all of that into a cohesive fighting style, we'd be unstoppable."
The vice leader nodded thoughtfully, swirling the wine in his cup. "He's got a point, Garrick. We've always relied on our instincts, but having a formalized style could give us an edge."
Garrick stroked his chin, considering the idea. "A fighting style built on unpredictability and precision... I like it. It's something that can grow with us. Something that can give our legacy real power."
And so, the upper echelons of the bandits—along with Stoinis—spent the next few weeks working together to craft their new martial art. They called it Shadow Arts, a name that embodied their philosophy of blending into the darkness and striking with precision when least expected. Each member contributed their unique skills, and by the end of it, the Shadow Arts had become a deadly combination of swift, unpredictable movements and strategic attacks.
Amid all this, Garrick had another announcement to make. As the training progressed, the bond between Stoinis and Elara became more apparent to everyone in the stronghold. One evening, after a particularly intense training session, Garrick gathered everyone in the great hall.
"I've got something to say," Garrick began, his voice booming over the chatter. The room fell silent as all eyes turned toward him. "In three years, we'll be celebrating something even greater than our victories in battle. We'll be celebrating the marriage of my daughter Elara... and Stoinis! But before that, this lad follows me to the forest, training comes first, he should have transformed to quite the man before his wedding, 3 years is enough"
A cheer erupted from the crowd, and Stoinis, though caught off guard, smiled nervously as he glanced at Elara, whose face was lit with joy. The wedding was set, and the stronghold had yet another reason to rejoice.
But before the wedding could take place, there was still much to learn. Garrick took Stoinis deep into the forest for three years of rigorous training. It was an adventure in its own right—a test of endurance, skill, and trust. Garrick pushed Stoinis to his limits, teaching him everything he knew about combat, leadership, and survival.
They practiced the Shadow Arts relentlessly, honing their skills and perfecting the techniques they had devised. The training was grueling, but Stoinis welcomed it, knowing that every lesson brought him closer to becoming the warrior Garrick had always envisioned.
By the end of the fourth month, Stoinis had transformed. He was no longer just a quick learner; he had become Garrick's equal in strength and skill. The leader had given him everything he knew, and Stoinis was ready to carry that legacy forward.
As they made their way back to the stronghold, side by side, Garrick looked at Stoinis with pride. "You've come a long way, boy. You're ready."
Stoinis's heart raced, he knew that a week after his arrival to the stronghold would be his wedding date, Elara would be waiting for him. He suddenly blushed, it was a rare sight, Garrick let out a laughter. "You have become a man, it's different now, now you have wordly responsibilities, don't let them tie you down"
Stoinis nodded, the weight of Garrick's words settling in. He was ready—not just for the battles ahead, but for the future he would build with Elara and the bandits he called family.