Trouble

You and your companions a leave the village. Your steps are hasty and your companions follows as best they can, whispering between themselves in a nervous tone. You pay it no mind and keep your pace.

Afte having walked for an hour, before reaching the path leading into the eastern woods, you have had enough of their muttering behind your back.

"If there is something you need to get off your chest, then speak up!" You say in a clear and deep tone to Ella and Gibbi. It comes out maybe a bit angry or annoyed, which you notice a bit late.

"N-no sir, i-it's nothing..." Ella submissively stutter, his soft voice making his nervous tone even more obvious.

"Gibbi not know why Edgar so mad?" the petite goblin asks in a more composed tone, yet still a slight tinge of nerves comes through.

You stop in your tracks and sigh deeply, slumping your shoulders.

"I'm... sorry..." You barely get the words over your lips. You turn around to look at your companions, who are standing close togeather. Ella is gripping the hem of his tunic, like a child waiting to be scolded, while Gibbi ruffles her hair in confusion.

"I don't know why I got so pent up and angry. But for some reason, the thought of what happened to that mother we are helping, it... work some feeling inside me, like... I want to avenge this great injustice done towards her and her family." You sigh yet again. "I... can't really explain it more than that... I'm sorry." You give them a feint smile and look at them apologeticly.

Your companions look at eachother and give you a relieved smile.

"Edgar good person! Want to help is good, okey? Gibbi help do good!" your goblin friend says and gives you a big toothy grin.

"Gibbi is r-right you know! I-It just means your heart is in the r-right place Edgar." Ella chimes in, still pulling the hem of his tunic, but smile cutely at you with closed eyes.

You slap both your cheeks a few times before making a few pounches in the air "Hiyah, hurh!" You exclaim with each punch. For some reason, you seem to remember suddenly, that doing this takes you out of whatever mood was getting you down and refreshing your mind. Was this something you did before coming to this world as well... Thoughts for later.

"Edgar alright?" Gibbi asks while tilting her head in confusion.

"Haha, yes Gibbi, I'm fine. Just trying to get in a better mood, and this usually helps... Alright, let's go guys!"

You turn around on your heels and walk into the woods.

Within half an hour of walking on the path, you are stopped. From inside the forest, two men step out from the bushes. They are clad in dark clothes and leather, it's all tattered and dirty. They are holding clubs in their hands and you spot some knives on them that they have tried to hide.

"Well well well, what have we here!" One of them blurts out in the most cliche way. "Looks like some vagrants thinking they can just walk on the kings road, without paying for that privilege!" The other adds.

You carefuly signal to your companions to stay behind you.

The two are obviously bandits or thugs, trying to take advantage of people far away from civilization. They look you over and laugh. "Kehehe, so a bum, a filthy creature and an elf. Two of you don't look like much, but you! Elf! Pay up or we will have to provide you with the king's punishment for not paying the highway tax!"