Before you can decide you have visitors

Pondering what to do, your situation seems hopeless. You are about to say something when you hear the sound of hoof beats coming down the trail. Five bandits on horseback stopping short of you, catching Enzo’s attention as he walks toward them.

From the look of their weapons and armor the bandits look like the most dangerous type, Army deserters who are well trained and ruthless. Soldiers who have decided to kill and steal for themselves rather than their lords. The leader, a bearded man wearing a brown leather breastplate and a soiled tabard laughs before he speaks.

“Well well what’s this then…?” Looking over at you he teases, “Looks like you lot have had better days.”

The bandit beside him, adorned in furs and a leather helmet chuckles as he says, “Looks like a masked man robbing some poor merchants. Bet there’s some fancy cargo in that wagon.”

“Yeah… maybe they got furs… I like furs…” Another bandit in rusty mail says as his eyes hungrily eye the wagon.

“You all need to leave… this is a personal matter.” Enzo growls.

“See the problem is this is our road… and everyone must pay a tax to use it. We also don’t like it when others try to collect this… tax…” The leader snaps back, motioning to two of men who dismount their horses and draw their swords.

“I ask you one more time… leave…” Enzo says as his hand slides under his cloak.

“Watch his hands there!” One of the bandits shouts as he draws a crossbow but Enzo quickly throws a knife at him before he can aim it. The man falling off his horse clutching his throat.

“He... he killed him! He killed him with a fucking knife!!” One of the dismounted bandits shouts.

“You’ll pay for that you bastard!” The other bandit cries out as he lunges forward. Enzo dodging his blow and rapidly driving his dagger into his chest and neck. The bandit falling beside you… his sword laid behind you.

As Enzo fights the bandits you quickly slide over and run your binds over the sword’s edge until you are free. Grabbing the sword you cut Grace and Azul loose who grab your bags and run towards the treeline. Turning to face Enzo, you see has killed the other two bandits and the leaders horse.

The lead bandit rises and charges Enzo, his sword crashing into the assassin's blade as he parries his blow. You see Enzo draw his sword in response, the leader clearly more skilled than his men.

“John!! Come on lets go!” Azul shouts, taking your hand and pulling you towards the forest. You follow her as the sounds of the duel abruptly end with a loud yell in pain followed by a chopping noise.

As you run deeper into the woods, you can only hope that you just heard Enzo meeting his end…