A roving band of mercenaries make a surprise appearance

Suddenly, the sounds of raucous laughter comes from the treeline. From out of the forest emerge five burly men dressed in scraps of armor and tattered rags. From their scarred, grungry appearances, it is clear that this is band of mercenaries- sellswords willing to take on any job for the right pay.

In this world, mercenaries are looked down upon as scum of the earth and for a good reason. When loyalty is prized, these hired swordsmen would sell out their employer as long as they were offered more. The job profile also tends to attract the rough and tumble types. Often they are ex-thugs or convicts looking to earn a pretty penny through brute ****. In other words, this could spell trouble for Eris and her friends.

"Oh shit!" Brandon exclaims. "We've got to hide!"

"Why?" Eris asks cluelessly.

"I recognise their insignia. They're known as the Hound Hunters, a mercenary group hired by the Capital to suppress goblins in the forest. We've run into them a few times before when out hunting deer. They're a real nasty bunch." He explains.

Hurriedly, both he and Marcus start swimming to some larger boulders around the pool, which they can hopefully hide behind.

As the mercenaries approach the water, Eris is left with a few choices.

She could try and fight her way out of this, but the chances of success are low. The mercenary band is armed, while their equipment is all in a neat pile a distance away from the pool.

She could try and hide with either Brandon or Marcus. However, if they get caught, things might not end so well.

Or, she could pretend to be a lost girl and pray that the mecenaries are a kind bunch.