A number of hours later, the group are ready to move into the forest to eliminate the bandits. Fen and Lock grab the remaining equipment, let the carriage drivers know they are going to return before the night falls and head off into the forest.

The two making note of the soldiers with them, a clear distinction can once again be noted between the two groups that make up their small army. Their definitely seems to be a hierarchy between them as well.

With Denburys group seeming to be ordered around at points by Lavicius' more professional looking troop, causing the former group to look at them in anger and the latter to laugh in disdain.

"They look like a professional army... though the discipline is quite surprising..." Lock whispers to Fen, his face showing some concern.

"If these people are usually keeping order within the capital itself..." He continues, Fen nodding in agreement.

"Lord Fenbrook! Please come join us at the front, it would not do to have you towards the back or mingling with the common soldiers!" Denbury spots them and yells in a jovial tone.

Denbury himself is walking alongside his superior, Lavicius, who too looks back in their direction with his stone like expression that has barely moved.

Fen and Lock comply, moving through the ranks of soldiers to reach the front. Hearing whispering as they pass them.

"Apologies again for making you trek all the way out here. We realise it must not be convenient to be roped into joining us on this outing." Lavicius begins apologising again, making Fen smile and wave him off.

"Nonsense, it should be a nobles duty to help those in need if they have the power." Fen replies to the stocky knight.

"I am rather shocked that things like these are happening around the capital though. You would think that security in the vicinity would be the highest anywhere in the country no?" Fen asks inquisitively.

"That should be the case... though sadly the situation is a lot more complicated at the moment... It would be inappropriate of me to divulge more details sadly. But suffice to say, there are factors at play distracting our attention and stretching us rather thin." (Lavicius)

Hmmmm...

Fen thought about what he could be referring to. Knowing that border raids from the neighbouring western country of Klaxon. But those have been going on for generations and they have a whole separate army to deal with those.

The nation of Klaxon is more accurately just described as an area of land that is uninhabitable for most normal people. Not due to any kind of natural reasons, but because of how violent and lawless it is. It is inhabited by many tribes, with often the most powerful tribe having strong sway over what happens in the area. But mostly these tribes don't interact beyond fighting each other... except on the occasions surrounding nations decide to try and take territory in the area for themselves. Historically when this happens, it unites the largest tribes together to then briefly attack and push out the invading nation completely.

Fen continues to mull the puzzle as they walk while Denbury talks at them loudly about various topics, causing headaches for the three accompanying him.

*

Eventually the group come to a clearing that splits into two pathways, as they approach Lavicius puts his hand up to call their advance to a halt.

"Call some men to scout!" Lavicius barks orders at the nearest officer, they scupper away quickly to round up a few troops to look ahead down the pathways.

"The reports we got said the bandits base of operations is not far from here. That is what your scouts said correct Denbury?" To Lavicius' question the moustachioed man nods enthusiastically while grinning proudly.

As the scouts arrive, seemingly made up of both their groups soldiers, he hands out a few orders to them before turning back to Fen and Lock to explain the situation. Telling them that he plans to get an update in case anything has changed in the bandits area, before leaning in to talk more quietly out of earshot of Denbury.

"… And I'm unsure if I completely trust Denbury's ability to handle this." He turns a unsatisfied look towards the jolly looking captain, before looking back to them once again.

"But I do apologise for the delay, we will aim to get the scouting done in a short time." Lavicius apologises, bows to Fen and heads back to see off the scouts.

Fen and Lock then go to sit a little bit away from the rest of the soldiers who start to prepare for a fight. Taking a seat on the outskirts of the path way on a downed tree trunk, and some of the soldiers begin practicing some swings with some light sparring. Denbury being one of the ones joining the sparring with a few of his men.

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"What do you think of Denbury, my lord?" Lock asks Fen as they continue to wait.

"Hmm... It is strange. Looking at him, he doesn't exactly seem weak." Fen looks on as Denbury spars with multiple of his men at once, seemingly showing off knowing he is being watched.

Denbury easily dispatches each one of his men as they come at him, none of his troops seemingly go easy on him, but none the less he bats them away. Before looking Fen and Locks way with a back smile.

Guh... Definitely a show off...

Both Fen and Lock think as they look at the big headed Guard Captain.

"He doesn't seem incompetent despite his ego, it's hard to assume that he would have trouble with some simple bandits..." Lock continues Fens initial thought until he notices some movement behind them.

ROAAAAAAAAR

"Ah!? Fen!" A large bear like creature leaps out from behind the bushes behind them both, seemingly from nowhere. Slamming down its two front raised front feet down upon where Fen is seated.

BOOOM

Dust is flung up into the air as the power of the slam sends shock waves around the makeshift resting area the group made, making the soldiers jump in shock and turn to see the cause.

"Soldiers grab your weapons and surround that beast! We need to check if those two are still..."

"We are fine." Denbury screams at his troops before being interrupted by a familiar voice behind him.

Everyone turns around to see a Cat-Kin stood nonchalantly with a very comfortable looking person being carried princess style.

"Huh!? Ah! Glad to see you are safe." Denbury seems in shock as he turns and see them both completely unharmed, not seeing Lock move at all.

Lock places Fen back on his feet, Fen reluctantly accepts being put down despite him being comfortable... While Lock has his eyes set on something else.

"You... You tried to kill my master..." A dark aura begins to radiate around the Cat-Kin, his green eyes fixed angrily upon the beast which seems too frenzied to notice the death stare being directed at it.

"Ahaha... Lock calm down... I'm fine see!" Fen tries to cool Locks mood, standing in front of him and trying to show he is unhurt.

Locks rage does not seem to quell however, even if he is relieved to see Fen unharmed.

"… Nnn fine, but make it quick and DO NOT get hurt." Fen accepts what his friend wants to do and steps out of the way.

"My lord! Did you want us to help? Men surround the beast!" Lavicius comes running across to Fen, looking to help them out. Fen looks at him and smiles thankfully before shaking his head.

"He's got this." Fen says as he turns his attention back to Lock who was slowly approaching the bear now...

Before seemingly being swallowed up into the ground....

"Huh?!" the soldiers, Denbury and Lavicius all look stunned. Rubbing their eyes to make sure they saw what they saw.

ROAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAR

Before they have chance to ask what happened, the bear begins to charge towards the target it failed to kill the first time, Fen.

The incredibly large beast, with dark blue fur and completely red eyes builds up speed quickly, giving the soldiers next to no chance to be able to get between it and Fen.

"Shit... Soldiers form a shield wall quickly!" Lavicius shouts at the still in shock soldiers, who at the same time had been shaken by the animals roar.

Fen though, remains still as the beast edges closer and closer.

"That's far enough."

The bear turns to face the coming voice, startled. Not seeing where the voice, which had been so close to it, could have come from. Then it looks to its side, those same furious green eyes peering out of the beasts shadow.

The bear goes to turn and swipe at the eyes, but before it does, the entirety of Locks body emerges from the darkness.

"Too slow" Lock pulls two jet black daggers from under his jacket, stabbing them into its side and slicing down to create large cuts down its side before it could react.

The beast reacts as quickly as it can, roaring in pain as it does from the deep slices being carved into it. it swings again one of its massive paws towards Locks position. Only for the paw to swing against nothing but air. Its head begins darting around trying its best to locate the Cat-Kin, when a sudden sharp pain stabs into its spine. Lock using the knives had flung himself into the sky before slamming his knives into its back.

ROAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAR

The bear lets out another shriek of pain, trying to shake Lock off its back, but with it hardly being able to shake Locks balance at all. Before he falls deliberately back into the monsters shadow.

This time its knows better, running towards the shelter of the forest and trying to retreat, and the first sign of real panic from the animal.

And the animal seemingly cannot believe its luck, reaching the place it feel most safe inside the tree line... until...

"Fool... This is where I thrive." The voice sends the beast into a panic.

Schlack

Two blades slice across the thick throat of the animal causing blood to pool below it... And the hulking beast falls to the floor with a thud.

*

"Hold your arrows!" Lavicius shouts as the bow and arrow wielding soldiers aim at where the bear escaped to, only for someone they did not expect to return from that exact point.

"... Oh hello." Lock emerges from the bushes, blood staining his clothes.

Lavicius stood in shock for a moment, before telling the soldiers to lower their bows.

Lock in the mean time, walks straight to Fen. When he reaches his master, Fen goes in for an inspection. Patting him down and making sure he is not hurt anywhere.

"My lord, I kept my promise and the beast is dead." Lock says bowing his head before Fen to try reassure him.

"Mhm mhm! Good job!" Fen smiles in delight, once he is satisfied he is okay.

Lavicius approaches the two after having a brief conversation with Denbury and sending him off on a errand.

"My Lord, I am relieved you are safe. I let my guard down and you were put in danger. Though I am surprised by your attendants strength! It makes me a lot more confident that we can easily achieve our goal in this mission." Lavicius seems pleasantly surprised by Locks strength, while Fen smiles smugly at his friend being recognised for his strength.

"The timing is perfect in fact. The scouts have just arrived back. After seeing the strength of this young man, I think I have the perfect plan." Lavicius says with a confident grin, the first real bit of joy the knight has shown.

"Let me explain..."