As night fell we watched the group of twenty bandits set up camp. They were laughing, talking about what they’ll do to the townsfolk and other such crude themes. There was a particular part where they were talking about the women they would take, apparently someone dropped the name of a granny. A dead awkward silence fell. I know we will kill you but you have my empathy anonymous bandit.

What is important however, is that the bandits were drinking ale or some sort of alcoholic beverage. As the night carried on they started to fall asleep, most of them drunk. This is going to be easier than I thought; they didn’t even bother to post a watchman and are merrily sleeping.

I readied the guys, filled the pots with oil and fixed them on the points of the ice javelins. Though there is still a grave matter not resolved. The success of this mission depends on that fact. It will be the difference between glorious victory and humiliating defeat. That is I still don’t know Second’s name!

With my mind otherwise engaged the guys took position surrounding the camp, waiting for my signal. See this is why Second is so good with a vague order he took an excellent ambushing position.

I took a pot filled with oil, lighted it on fire and threw it towards the bandits. As soon as the pot left my hand, javlins lit on fire were raining onto the camp. The bandits awaken by the fire and the screams of their burning comrades are in a state of confusion. After the third volley was thrown we charged them. Because of their drunken state, the fire and our overwhelming charge the battle finished before it began.

In the aftermath of the battle, I only killed two bandits. That poses a problem my reward is only two-thirds of the belongings of bandits I slay, so my reward is puny. And I still don’t know Seconds name why must you punish me so mother nature!

Dawn was breaking by the time we finished cleaning and looting the bandits, among the bodies none of them struck me as the leader of the group. He must have stayed in the camp, in that case we need to raid it. The two I killed only had rusty  swords and shoddy padded armor. How unsuccessful were these bandits to have such crappy equipment?. The guys were happily chatting and boasting about the previous fight.

“I’m glad you are happy people but now we have to follow thru and attack the bandits camp.” {Pr}

They looked at me with surprised expressions.

“What do you expect, we need to follow thru and finish them off.” {Pr}

The group nodded and accepted the idea. That said walking over there is going to be a pain and also their numbers have been thinned quite a bit. I’ll take a couple of guys on horse with me to attack the camp. Because there are only five horses I took Second in command and the three  most advanced magic users.

We reached the camp and apparently the fires in the night were seen here, because of that they were preparing the defenses. We dismounted, tied the horses to a stake we lied on the ground and made our approach.

There are only five bandits so a full frontal assault should be fine. I can see a person on look out. We approach while trying to stay hidden as much as possible. Before we got in range of my ice magic the watchman shouted the alarm. Well sneaking is for cowards anyway, a real man lets the enemy prepare. The bandits scrambled, we quickly formed a line. The bandits stood around fifty meters away from us, in the center there was a man who clearly was the leader.

The leader was wearing a metal helm and  chain mail covered his body. Figures he would hog the best equipment for himself. He had a sabre, that is going to be problematic. Fortunately he didn’t have a shield so I should stay at range. The rest of them aren’t really worth mentioning some have fur armor and all of them have axes, aside from the leader we shouldn’t have any problems.

I launch an ice spike at the leader and we charge them head on, because it is a five versus five there aren’t many tactics to apply. The fight essentially turns into a series of individual fights, with me taking the leader on.

I’ll spare you the details of the fight as the only thing decent about the leader was his equipment. His technique was notorious for its absence, he was just swinging wildly hoping to connect, and his magic could have been bested by a toddler. There was though a decisive event in one of the other fights. Something that made my day a whole lot brighter. Second in command got injured, mind you it was fairly light but because of that the girl adept in magic that I brought shouted his name.

“ODALCET!!” {Girl}

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Second in command, rather Odalcet was bleeding from the cut on his arm. The cut was rather superficial, there wasn’t a need for such drama. Perhaps this girl has some interest in our gallant hero.

“Don’t worry I’m fine it just grazed me.” {Od}

Yes! I got his name, engraved it in my soul. I have avoided burning in the fires of awkwardness, mother nature smiles on me!

We took everything and anything that we could carry in the bandit camp and putted it in our saddles. I grabbed the ale keg; it will be sacrificed to the townsfolk to safeguard my other earnings. Because I started to get bored on the way back I started talking.

“So given that we survived and you’ve seen actual combat, do you still want to accompany me?” {Pr}

As I said that the girl looked at me with darkened eyes. Wait is she jealous? I have to exploit this! Ocladet answered while a mischievous smile drew on my face.

“…Yes, after all it’s only interesting because there is danger.”{Od}

“…But… we…” {Girl}

The girl muttered something neither of us could hear.

“You can’t take him away from… me… I mean from the village!” {Girl}

“Calm down Eve. I’m not essential to the town, besides it is not like I’m leaving forever.”{Od}

“…but…” {Eve}

Okay, I’ll have to intervene here. All this sugar and honey is starting to erode my soul. I began to open my mouth and froze half way. The girl, no Eve was glaring daggers at me don’t worry I won’t steal your darling.

“Then how about this, Eve do you want to come with us?” {Pr}

Both of them stared at me with surprised expressions. What about is so weird about it? She is a capable fighter, and I don’t want to be stabbed because I stole darling hero.

“But it will be dangerous, I can’t have Eve face danger” {Od}

Oh, the damsel is blushing gallant hero but if we don’t take her with us I will be in danger.

“She is a capable fighter, besides the more the merrier safety in numbers and all that. You’ll also be able to experience new adventures together.” {Pr}

The last part was attentively catched by Eve. She was now looking at me with sparkling eyes. I also feel as is she is saying good job but that might just be my imagination.

“Well, you either take me with you or stay here” {Eve}

She sent an ultimatum. Odalcet was getting cornered; I don’t know the relationship between these two but apparently he can’t say no to Eve. Okay with three people we have a decent group for adventuring, sadly though they are not very experienced.

Once we reached the town the rest of the guys welcomed us with cheers and fanfare. The town chief came to me with a surprised expression, not a relieved one but one that expressed that we would never come back alive.

I hand over all the stuff I had from the bandits. I sold all the stuff to Tito in the end it all amounted to 150 Caes, yay money. The Caes is a silver-ish coin which the image of a rooster on one side and a royal seal on the other. It appears to be the only coin in this country. Though only 100 Caes reached my hand damn. Well it is something at least. Tito told me that I could live for about a two weeks with that.He agreed to having us escort him to the city this weekend.

Once the weekend arrived I left for the plaza where Eve, Odalcet and I arranged to meet with Tito before departing. I found Eve and Odalcet; they were saying their goodbyes to their respective parents. Eve’s mother came over to me and said.

“She is taken so you better not try anything.” {Eve’s mom}

“Don’t worry, I’m not dumb enough to try” {Pr}

“Good. I entrust you to keep them from harm, if you can bring them closer too” {Eve’s mom}

“I don’t do matchmaking for free though.” {Pr}

She winked at Odalcet’s parents and they returned a smile at me. So the only one who doesn’t realize he is already married is Second huh. Poor sucker, at least he gets to explore the world with a cute girl and a dashing mace wielding kind-hearted man. That is me I’m describing by the way stop laughing some of those adjectives fit me. We set off towards the city.