Bandit Encounter

John stepped out of the tavern and felt a sensation he could only describe as "a long hike". Logically he knew he had transitioned from the tavern to a few miles outside of the village, perhaps a few seconds passed in real time, but in game he felt as though he had been on the road for a few hours. An upturned carriage was blocking the road ahead; horses and a few well armored guards lay dead.

"Crazy," he said to himself. Then he realized he needed to be on alert. The carriage was in the middle of the woods and he could tell that something was amiss. Examining the road he discovered tracks that led off into the forest. The road suddenly felt very vunerable to be on.

"I know you are there," John shouted unsheathing his sword. "Surrender now and I'll go easy on you."

Laughter came wafting on the wind, "Oooo man flesh thinks he's got us dead to rights." Came a gravelly yet high pitched voice.

Squinting John could make out three bandits with knives preparing to strike... Three female green skinned... Orcs? Goblins?

"I didn't think you bandits would be so... buxom..."

The goblin women blinked in surprise. The shorter of them cleared her throat. "I think he called you hot, Gretchen."

The black haired one slapped the shorter one across the face. "Shut up, idiot! We are here to fight, not flirt."

John wondered if Lana had taken on the role of one of the bandits, but he didn't have time as the third began to charge. Instictively he side stepped her slash and cleaved down with his long sword slashing her torso in twine.

"That... was easy..." John muttered to himself. He looked up with determination, "If you don't want me to slice you in two, surrender now!"

Gretchen and her buddy hesitated, he could see them sizing up if it was better to attack, retreat, or surrender. Gretchen took a defensive stance, "I've gotz a secret man-meat... One of the people in that carriage is still alive, we captured her."

"Are you bartering for your freedom?" John asked.

"We tellz you where she is," Gretchen said backing away very slowly, "And you let us leave, we won't come back."

"And how am I supposed to trust you?"

"I sawz what you did to my friend," Gretchen said, gulping, "I won't risk that happening again."

John nodded, "Then we have a deal."

Gretchen sighed, "I've drawnz an arrow on this piece of bark." She tore a piece of bark off a nearby tree and etched a crude arrow onto it. "I'll place it on the ground and the arrow will point in the direction of the hostage, she'll be a five minute walk in that direction. By then we'll be gone."

John sheathed his sword, "Get on with it."

Gretchen carefully placed the bark on the ground and she and her friend ran in the direction away from the village. John quickly ran towards the bark and then followed the direction the bandits pointed it in. He hoped a wild animal hadn't found the hostage yet.