It has been a few days since the attack and everyone was preparing to kick the bandit out of the region or even exterminate them. The town’s militia was preparing by making more leather armor and arrows for their forces. The town’s militia was made mainly of archers with a few axe men.

Aaron had also called for aid from the other near by village. They were sending a number of their towns guards made up of swordsmen, they where also sending a number of archers and axe men as well along with a handful of skilled Rangers. The temple dedicated to Enea and Laee where sending a number of their clerics to help heal the wounded and to help if there where any Necromancers. The make shift army numbered just over 200.

Jonathan had told them that the bandit’s base of operations was an old abandoned fort to the west. Jonathan had also mentioned that the bandit’s forces where three times the ones we’ve seen all together. So the bandits numbered around 300.

Laee, “So our plan is to draw out a number of the bandits out with fake caravans and attack the fort while they are distracted.”

Aaron, “that is the basic Idea but even best of plans are not perfect in battle.”

Jonathan, “That is an interesting plan since they raid almost anything that goes down the roads near their forts.”

Aaron, “So that’s settled but we are going to need to find a way to sneak into their fort.”

Jonathan, “there is a passage from the nearby woods that could be used but they have it guarded and trapped.“

Aaron, “then that’s the path that we are taking. The people that make up that group are Laee, Jonathan, April, two of the rangers, 4 swordsmen, and myself will use the tunnel.”

Laee, “Are you sure we can trust him?”

[Enea, “I’m the one that told Aaron to trust in the man.”]

Jonathan, “I will stay back if you wish.”

Aaron, “no we need you to show us the way and if anyone does not trust you the best place is for you to be near Laee or me to calm them.”

Laee, “You are right Aaron I will follow yours and Enea’s judgment on this.”

Aaron, “ok with that settled the remaining forces will be waiting in the forest near the fort until we give them the signal to attack.“

Laee, “All right when should we attack?”

Aaron, “we will attack the tunnel shortly before dawn while the decoys will head out at first light to draw away a number of the bandits.”

With the meeting ending Aaron went over with laee to the tavern for a meal before heading out in the night.

Laee, “You are surprisingly a good strategist.”

Aaron laughed, “well I do like reading war stores and the like.”

Laee, “Does that mean you like war?”

Aaron, “No I do not like real war but I do like to read the story’s made to try and prevent them but they still happen.”

Laee, “many of the youngsters think of what it would be like to be a hero of those wars.”

Aaron, “kids do dream of that I even dreamt of it and in a way am living it out but in no way can someone really imagine what its like.”

Laee, “It sound like you’ve been a war.”

Aaron, “no I’ve never been in a war but a number of my family members have been and they have never been the same since.”

Laee, “I’m sorry.”

Aaron, “Don’t worry about it.”

Enea, “Will we ever meet your family?”

Aaron, “who knows maybe.”

Aaron orders a soap and some water while Laee like usual orders her drink of mead and the days meat.

Aaron, “Do you ever eat anything besides that.”

Laee, “On rare occasions but no I always have the same thing.”

Enea, “told you so.”

Aaron, “Well in my opinion a diversity in meals is always nice.”

Laee, “You better watch what you eat later because someone might poison it.”

Aaron, “why is that?”

Laee, “well you are a chosen representing the Goddess Enea and if you do unite the Deathly Isles you will make a lot of enemy’s.”

Aaron, “Ah great even more worries to come.”

They continued on with their meal then headed out to their positions for the attack. Aarons group followed Jonathan through the forest to the tunnel. They where attacked by wolves once along the way and where dealt with very quickly.

Once they where near the entrance they hid themselves and moved up slowly. Once they where close enough they could see a guard sitting on a barrel at the side of the entrance. Laee quickly cast a spell to put the guard to sleep. Aaron went up to him at slit the mans throat before the spell could wear off. He then quickly picked up the loot before calling the rest of the group forward.

The entered the tunnel with the rangers first then Aaron Followed by Jonathan with Laee and April with the four swordsmen in tow. They continued slowly avoiding the traps the Rangers pointed out or disarmed.

Soon the reached a chamber area with a small underground pond. As they continued forward 4 giant spiders dropped from the ceiling. The rangers went after one while the swordsmen went after another.

Aaron ran to the closest one and began to cut at the creature’s legs while Jonathan came up with his war hammer and crushed the creature with three swings before it vanished. Laee and April took out the last one. The swordsmen had overpowered the one with shear numbers while the rangers used pinpoint accuracy with arrows to blind it before moving in for the kill.

After the fight they gathered the loot and continued on down the tunnel until they reached a door. Slowly they pushed it open to find themselves in a cellar. One end seemed to have had a cave in but the stairwell was still in working condition. They slowly worked their way up into a long hall with multiple doors. They crept forward passing closed doors.

They came upon a door that was open Aaron looked in and saw about twenty-five bandits sleeping in their bunks.

Aaron whispered, “Laee do you think you could cast a timed fireball or explosion on the doors and on the floors of the open rooms?”

Laee, “I can but it would be to dangerous to do every room.”

Aaron, “that’s fine we need to move fast without being spotted anyway.”

Laee, “Ok I’ll set them but keep an eye out.”

Aaron and the rangers slowly moved forward checking the rooms and grabbing some loot. Eventually they came to an intersection as Aaron looked around a corner he spotted a bandit walking down the hall going away from them. He waited for the man to enter a room then motioned the rest of the group forward while still casting a few timed spells.

Finally they reached a section of the fort where they could see outside. The sky was lit by the early morning light, As they continued to looked out they could see a large amount of bandits moving out on horseback through the gates.

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Aaron, “looks like they have taken the bait.”

Laee, “sure does.”

April, “I hope everyone will be ok.”

Aaron, “All we can do is wish for the best of them.

They waited for the gaits to close and the courtyard to clear before quickly moving forward to one of the side doors to go outside. Aaron quickly motioned the Swordsmen, Jonathan, Laee, and April to the Guardhouse and gate. He took the rangers up the wall. Aaron slowly worked his way down the wall shooting arrows at unsuspecting guards posted on the wall.

Soon he could hear a commotion from the gatehouse. He quickly ran down the last section of wall to the gatehouse. He took out the guards who where beginning to look down into a trap door. Moving forward he looked down to see Laee’s group finishing off the last guard inside.

As Laee was heading for the Ladder up The timed explosions began to go off inside. Laee rushed up the ladder and cast the signal for the main force while the swordsmen opened up the gate.

The makeshift force quickly ran out of the forest heading for the gates. As the first of the force was about to enter the gate bandits began to poor out of the forts main building. They noticed the gates where open and the makeshift force beginning to poor in. Aaron began to pick targets at random firing at the bandits while the archers either climbed the walls for a better advantage or fired from a distance at the oncoming bandits.

Laee was casting fireballs like crazy and an occasional Lightning bolt. With the increasing assault the bandits where being slotared in large numbers. Soon the bandits where running back in to the fort to hide from the storm of arrows.

Aaron and laee’s group quickly ran for the side door again attacking the bandits in the main hall from the side. The bandits soon where pinned from the attack at the front and Aaron's group. He continued to fire arrows at them until some bandits came down the hall on his level.

He quickly drew his swords and activated Fire Blade while charging at the bandits. He quickly hacked his way through them one after another slowly working his way back into the maze of halls.

Laee continued to fire fireballs and lightning bolts at large groups but soon stopped at the groups became to mingled and chaotic. She stuck to Aaron’s side firing at bandits as they came at Aaron at a distance.

Aaron finally came upon a finally dressed Bandit who seemed to be giving the commands. He quickly moved forward dispatching a number of the bandits before reaching the Bandit.

The man drew a great sword and turned to Aaron.

Bandit Leader, “so you are the one that’s been causing all the trouble.”

He brought his sword down at Aaron while he blocked it with both his blades.

Aaron, “so what of it you guys are scum.”

The bandit readied his blade for another strike.

Bandit leader, “this is our way of life.”

Aaron quickly attacked aiming for one of the mans arms but was blocked.

Aaron, “so your way of life is to take from the weak!”

Bandit leader, “it’s the worlds way with people taking from others.”

Aaron nocked the mans sword far out to the side.

Aaron, “you are wrong if you thing the world is that way.”

He quickly attacked the man while he was open and struck the mans right shoulder making him drop his sword. The next strike took out the mans legs out from under him. Aaron quickly finished him with a final stab to the heart.

Aaron walked away as the man disintegrated going after the next bandit keeping his eye out for Crazed. As Aaron got deeper he finally reached the cellar where he had entered. A few of the bandits where running out the tunnel.

Aaron posted a few of his force to guard the cellar entrance and worked his way back through the halls taken out a bandit here and there or taking those that surrendered prisoner.

Laee, “the Battle is over Aaron.”

Aaron stopped took a deep breath then turned to Laee who had been fallowing Aaron through the whole assault.

[Enea, “you did a good job Aaron.”]

Aaron, “I couldn’t find Crazed!”

Laee, “he may have been killed or escaped.”

Aaron, “He is to sly to be killed and he never likes to leave fights.”

[Enea, “stop Aaron you need to rest.”]

Aaron closed his eyes.

Aaron, “you are right.”

You have captured an abandoned fort!

You now have access to the regions control panel!

You have gained +200 fame

You have gained +30 Faith

Level Up!

Level Up!

Aaron smiled for a moment.

“it is finally over at least for now.”

Laee, “come on lets go have a drink.”

Aaron, “we first need to help the wounded and secure the area so there is no more chance of an attack from those that escaped.”

Laee, “we can deal with that but we need to celebrate this for the peoples sake.”

Aaron looked at her.

She continued, “They have been suffering for a long time from the bandits and the Monster attacks.”

Aaron then looked at the men who were all either cheering or concentrating on their tasks.

Aaron, “you are right Laee. I think everyone has earned a round of drinks on me.”

Laee, “yes I have the coin and with what we have captured here we have enough to organize and improve this region.”

[Enea, “don’t waste to much of it and plan out what you are going to do with it.”]

Aaron, “you don’t have to tell me I am better with money than many I know especially one.”

Aaron looked back at Laee again.

[Enea, “you are right there.”]

Laee, “what is that supposed to mean.”

Both Aaron and Enea laughed at Laee.

Aaron and his makeshift force began to secure the fort and a number of the men returned to their villages to spread the news and heal their wounds. Word spread across the Island in the days that followed about the chosen hero’s who have eliminated the regions bandits.

Later after things had calmed down Aaron found out that Crazed had led one of the groups that attacked the decoy convoys. After the bandits initial attack on the convoy having the militia that had been hidden in the wagons come out of hiding he had his men retreat. From what people have seen Crazed had gathered the Bandit remnants and headed west.

Now it was time for Aaron to help improve the region under his control before heading out to find the next chosen.