Marcus screamed. The elf cowered back on his bench with his eyes squeezed shut and his ears covered.

“No nononono, I can’t hear you!” He said.

“Sorry if got carried away, man. You did ask me about the fight.” Drew said.

“You have a flair for story telling Drew.” Damien said with a smirk.

I hadn’t even gotten to the surprise fourth John ending!

“Whoa hold up.” John called back to the other wagons.

They all came to a stop and the other John’s and the Mercenary captain gathered up front to speak together.

“There’s two men up ahead on the road.” John said.

“I can see them.” John replied. “They seem suspicious.”

The two men were standing in the road a hundred meters away. They had not seen the wagons yet. They were speaking casually with each other.

They were of similar build and their light armor and clothing were in the same southern style.

Drew flew forwards in his armor to join the conversation.

“What’s suspicious about just standing there?” Drew asked.

“Well there’s nothing around here except the last of this forest and then the Great Plains of Ressellia.” The Captain replied.

“Maybe they were attacked by beasts? Are they stranded?” Drew said. “They might need help.”

“More likely they are bandits waiting to ambush us.” John said. “They are dressed like bandits.”

“Now come on, how can you know that? Is there a uniform for bandits?” Drew asked.

“No, yet he does have a point.” The captain said. “I’ve met many bandits, rouges, and scoundrels and they do tend to dress alike.”

“Alright then.” Drew said. “Five gold pieces says they are not going to rob us and could use our help.”

“Deal.” Said two Johns at once. The third John grimaced.

Drew flew on ahead to scout out the two men. On closer inspection, one was taller and had blond hair, and the other was slender and had red hair.

Thick brambles on either side of the road. Good cover for an ambush.

Drew took a wide path circling around the two men. He spotted three Garnts hitched to a tree just off the road.

This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

Three Garnts means three riders. No wagon tho. Where is all their gear? Don’t they have anything to cook with?

He flew up and over the two men, keeping above the trees to avoid being spotted.

He circled around again closer, looking for a third rider.

“-and with us standing out here all day too!” The red haired man whined.

The blond man took a deep passionate drink from a leather water skin and tossed it to Red.

“You didn’t.” Red said.

“Ye wer goin onenon like ah ‘ad drank it already, so ah did.” Blondie said with a shrug.

“Gah!” Red shouted in frustration. “If you weren’t so big I’d punch you in your quenched mouth!” Red said.

He stomped over to the Garnts and tied the empty skin to a saddle.

“You done yet!” Red shouted into the woods. “Once you are back it’s Hemut’s turn. He’s likely for to burst after drinking a whole stone of water!”

A woman strolled out of the bushes, hitching up her belt. She wore two short curved swords slung low in easy reach.

“Keep your heads on strait, both of you.” She said. We’ve only got three more hours until we ride out.”

Ride out to where? With just the three of them? Seems dangerous.

Drew flew back around where the woman had come from but there weren’t any other bandits hiding out.

“I’d much rather stay here in the shade.” Red said. “It would be a vacation if we had any water left!”

Hemut took a large bite of bread and chewed on it thoughtfully before speaking.

“To blave.” he said and gave Red a wink.

Red slapped the man across the face. Hemut smiled and kept chewing his bread.

“Shut up, the both of you.” The woman said. “Bella’s grace, do you guys stop arguing, ever?”

“Yes.” Said Red.

“Ah ain’t harguen.” Said Hemut through a mouthful of bread.

“Well, if you had been doing your jobs you would have noticed the wagons up the road.” She said.

She waved to the wagons and moved to the middle of the road.

Okay, moment of truth.

The wagons continued forwards with three of the mercenaries in front, shields ready.

At least there’s only three of them. They seem harmless enough.

Drew flew around again and tipped his wings to the captain.

“Caw, Caw, Caw.” Drew shouted.

There, now they know there are only three of them. Should be able to avoid a fight.

The woman strode forwards with her hands up. When the two men moved to follow her she waved them back.

“Hello to the wagons!” She called. “We don’t want trouble!”

Scarlet and Maggie popped out from the brambles beside the road on her left, and Marcus and Krag stepped out from the trees on the right with Jeff guarding them.

“You may have found trouble anyways.” Said the captain.

Not a bad line.

The two men rushed forwards to support their friend. Drew launched a Stamina Talisman down behind them. It held them back long enough for the two mercenaries to bring their spears down.

“Sit still a moment my friends.” Scarlet said.

That’ll keep them out of the fight.

“All clear.” Scarlet called. Jeff echoed that the other side of the road was clear too.

“Why are you blocking the road?” The captain asked.

The mercenary beside him, Monroe, activated his Truthseeker ability and watched the woman closely.

“Nothing illicit. We mean you no harm.” She said. “My name is Vaylari, that’s Pegg, and Hemut. Despite how those two look, we are ranchers. There’s a herd of wild Garnt ahead and the rest of our team is driving them towards us.”

“True.” Monroe said.

“It’s a large herd and we’ve been following them for over a week trying to separate out a few at a time.” Vaylari continued.

“A little help over here?” Pegg called.

Of the two men, Pegg was the worse off. He was face-down bottom-up on the ground with his stamina drained completely. Hemut was still managing to stay on his hands and knees a while longer.

He must have a massive stamina pool.

“Could you let them up?” Vaylari asked.

The captain nodded to Drew.

Well, no real harm done.

Drew deactivated the Talisman and swooped down to snatch it up. Scarlet kept his spear pointed at Hemut.

Pegg was unconscious on the ground. Hemut crawled over to him and pushed him over. He fell onto his side with a thud.

A John came forward and placed a hand on the captain’s shoulder.

“Seems like Drew was right then. You could use our help.”