Approach with caution

You snap back into action mode at the announcement, peering to where Glenda's eyes are fixed farther up the road. Sure enough, an overturned merchant cart partially blocks the road up ahead, though you can't make out any finer details from here.

"What do we do?" Anya squeaks in a hush voice.

"We keep moving forward, but with care," you bite out grimly, "Four women walking in fine dresses through brigand territory was always an invitation for attack, but we're not going to be mere hapless targets."

"Anya, stay next to Xallia. Xallia, cover my back and disguise yourself; if we encounter people, be they hostile or benign, your true nature should be kept secret as a course of action. Glenda, you're with me."

You put a hand on the sword of St. Magdalena as your companions fall into formation around you, Xallia's human form from the baths covering her.

"All together now, move as one and don't be caught unawares."

The approach to the wagon is slow and harrowing with tension. Asyou get nearer, you see the pair of arrow riddled bodies, and your grip on the hilt of your blade tightens.

You make it unmolested all the way to the wagon's side. After a long look around, you motion for the others to check the surrounding brush.

You speak out and look. After a few moments, Xallia calls out an all clear, and after Glenda and Anya echo her, you are **** to admit that there's no danger and regroup by the wagon.

"Who could have done this," Anya implores, gazing wide-eyed at the body of the middle aged man pinned under the wreckage.

"Looks to be the handiwork of goblins," Glenda replies, inspecting an arrow in the younger man's neck, "Vile savages, and so deep into civilized land too!"

"The state of the countryside and its defenses is reprehensible," you mutter, "the legion at the convent, this raid, it should have never happened. What has become of the security of these lands!?" You yell out, unable to hold back. There is no answer from the others.

After a moment of silence, you sigh and straighten, "This is unfortunate, but nothing can be done now. We will complete our mission, and when Thoros is banished to oblivion, I will personally see to it that all lesser threats in these parts are eradicated, and measures taken so that they never come back."

"Sabine..." Anya trails off even as she starts.

"What troubles you Sister Anya?"

"I think I saw tracks, over that way," she puts at where she stood to peer into the woods, "should we go after those goblins, put a stop to them as we go?"

You almost instinctually move to where Anya indicated, but manage to check yourself. The goblins are long gone, you don't know their strength, and you've lost time already. Seeing the demon's driven back is the most pressing matter anyway.

Still, a side of your mind insists on addressing this affront. You have companions at your side, one of them possessed of incredible magical might, and a powerful weapon of your own.

You feel that you could deal with this scourge quickly and with little damage. But is it worth risking?