“Now, there is no need for this to be any more difficult than it needs to be. It is just like the dream! Providence, after all,” the obese man exclaimed between labored breaths, “As expected from her Champion, you have some gift with the Control… untrained though you may be. Ahh, forgive my manners. My name is Amon Vanes, Priest of the Church.”

My mind was confused by Amon’s rambling words. Champion? Divine will? As these thoughts ran rampant in my mind, Amon continued, “I will, of course, have you all put your weapons down and come with us peacefully. Peacefully…”

“Wait!” I half-shouted, my stomach turning to lead as a sinking feeling overcame me, “You come on behalf of Avaria?” I questioned, tamping down long-suppressed memories.

Amon visibly blanched as I used the Goddess's name, and his left eye ticked in annoyance, “Yes, yes of course. She chose me to deliver you unto her loving and caring bosom. Be not afeard, for you are her Chosen, and all of us here will be but your humble escorts,” he delivered, the lie obvious in his oily tone.

I pretended to be at ease, lowering my weapons a fraction, even as cold rage boiled inside me. Sneaking a glance at Kidu and Elwin, I feigned compliance and surreptitiously took a step forward.

Hurriedly, I tried to take stock of the situation. On the face of things, these people were technically on my side. Perhaps there was a way to talk myself out of this situation, even recruit these people to my cause. On the other hand, I had a pitiable Charisma, so I doubted that going down that road would be the wisest move. Also, did I even want to go through the hassle of negotiating with such obviously low-level scum? If I could do something about Amon‘s magic, the rest should fall like dominos. Sometimes the simplest solutions were the best, and in this case, probably more rewarding in terms of experience. I hoped that my companions would follow my initiative.

“Where are you planning on taking us?” I asked, doing my best to keep my voice calm and even.

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“Why, to the holy city of…” replied Vanes cordially, seeing that I was receptive.

As he was finishing his sentence, I moved another half-step forward, lowering my weapons close to the ground as if to relinquish them. I was just a few steps out of measure now. There was only one way to deal with the threat of violence. Real violence. Taking the initiative, I rushed at the bandit leader with a snarl. Kidu, drawn in my wake, started to engage the bandits to the side with his serpent-swift spear.

Even through the rush of my charge, I saw that all of the ambushers, except the leader, had various blunt instruments and nets, confirming the leader’s words that they were here to capture us. This meant that they would have to take care in how they engaged us. For some reason, these men wanted us alive. The thought that they wanted to possibly make us slaves once more gave strength to my resolve as I closed the distance.

Channeling the internal energy of my own body, I swung out at their leader with the edge of my shield. The sensation was much akin to using a Power Strike, but subtly different.

You have learned Shield Bash (lvl.1)

The notification crossed the bottom of my vision and I dismissed it.

Snarling guttural invectives at me, he dodged my blow and drew his weapon in a single motion before swinging the war cleaver in a swift counterattack.

I raised my kite shield in defense and angled it, more to deflect the leader's weapon than to absorb the blow outright.

I was still a novice at the art of war, and made a fool’s mistake. My own shield blocked my vision as I raised it high to intercept the oncoming blade. Had I known better, I would have launched an attack of my own to make up for my temporary blindness, instead of taking turns at defense and attack.

The heavy blade crashed against my shield and caused a shock to go down my arm from the impact. Upon deducing that he was fighting a beginner, the bandit leader charged in and placed his forward leg behind my rear leg, and pushed me to the ground. The world changed angles as I crashed onto the soft forest floor.

Looking up, I saw him reversing his grip and the blunt back of his weapon began its descent.