Hang back; let the professionals go first.

You sigh and nod. "I'd just be in your men's way," you say ruefully. "I'll let them handle this."

Optio Felix nods. "Praxis! Gentus! You two proceed carefully down the passageway. The rest of you, form up in groups of two; stagger yourselves so you don't get in each other's way, but don't let anyone get too far ahead."

As the soldiers begin to pour down the passageway, you pace next to Felix. "Do you think we'll find this She-Wolf down there?" you ask him quietly.

"If she's down there, this should flush her out," he says. "There's no way to avoid that many soldiers."

You're among the last to enter the tunnel, but just as you do you hear shouts from up ahead. Stepping quickly, you and the Optio make your way through the twisting tunnel and into the cavern at its end. It's a small but wondrous chamber, an underground grotto of sorts. A hole in the rocky ceiling lets in sunlight, and a small, twisted pine tree is growing in the shaft of day. The tree stands on a small, rocky mound surrounded by a pool of clear water. No wonder the bandits have been able to hide out here - they have a source of fresh water within their encampment itself!

At the base of the pine tree crouches a woman: blonde, well-muscled, and clad in armor decorated with wolf's-head motifs. Almost half a dozen soldiers are sprawled on the ground around her, dead or wounded; one still has an ax buried in his chest. But she's disarmed now, and surrounded by scowling legionnaires pointing their spears at her throat.

"The She-Wolf of the Tiber, I presume," Optio Felix calls mockingly. The She-Wolf only spits in reply, but it's confirmation enough. You feel your heart swelling. You would have liked to have been here to face her, it's true (or maybe you wouldn't, given ax-boy), but you've done it. You've captured the bandit who was plaguing your land!