Story 1: The Highway Bandit

The vast countryside of the continent stretched on, miles of vast woodlands interspersed with the occasional town or village, connected by winding roads; some mere muddy trails, others better maintained and paved with stone slabs. At the side of one dusty path of sand hiding behind the bushes sat a person at the ready with a cocked crossbow, occasionally glancing over the undergrowth looking at both sides of the trail, waiting for anyone to show up...

Her auburn-red hair was tied up in a messy braid, partially covered by a worn scarf. The rest of her outfit was in a similar condition, looking frayed and ragged in places, and haphazardly patched in others, but it was functional. No frilly dresses for this woman, but functional boots, pants, and some leather chest armor fastened with straps around the back, all of which helped accentuate her fit human frame. Astrid swallowed the last of a little piece of beef jerkey she took off another unfortunate passerby, and listened intently as she heard the sound of footsteps a ways off, crunching on the sandy road.

As soon as the person passed along the bushes she was hiding behind, Astrid sprung up with her crossbow aimed. Her target was a man in the earlier years of old age, hooded and cloaked and walking with a gnarled wooden staff, a leather bag slung over one shoulder and hanging by his hip.

“Hold there, oldtimer, this is a robbery! Please hand over whatever is in that bag and any other valuables on yer person, and you can be on your way.”