The shrine yard gives way to black-rooted woods. Parthus leads the family into the shade, with the surrendered bandit at the rear, empty-handed and staring into the trees. A twig snaps somewhere ahead, and all four slow at once.
The Surrendered Bandit
Two men, maybe three. They saw us leave the shrine.
The merchant father tightens his grip on the child and steps closer to Parthus. The woman angles her body between her son and the dark brush. The bandit does not reach for a weapon, only turns his head and listens hard.
Parthus
He warns them before the ambush lands.
A shadow shifts between the trunks, then another. Not an attack, only watching eyes. The bandit takes one step forward, placing himself where the path narrows.
The Surrendered Bandit
Let me go first. If they mean to cut us off, they will take me before them.
The merchant mother flinches, still wary, but the father nods once. The child peers past Parthus's shield, curious despite the fear. The woods stay silent, waiting for Parthus to choose whether the bandit walks as bait, shield, or test.
✓ Quest Accepted
Survive the ambush in the woods
✓ Quest Accepted
Get the merchant family safely to the mill
“It would be wise to stick together for now. If we split up they might be able to pick us off. First we have to stay calm and find out what we are dealing with. Stay focused and alert. Scan the trees for movement”
SUCCESS (Fair Perception, rolled -1)
Parthus holds the line with his shield and lets his eyes climb the trunks, branch to branch. The forest answers with a flicker of movement, not from one place but from three, higher than a man would expect.
The surrendered bandit sees it too. He shifts his weight, then stills, keeping himself between the family and the trail ahead.
The Surrendered Bandit
Archers.
No arrows fly. The figures in the brush hold back, waiting for someone to break rank.
The Merchant Father
We stay together.
The woman tightens her arm around the child. The child looks from the hidden shapes to Parthus, then back to the bandit standing guard.
The surrendered bandit draws a slow breath and keeps his hands open at his sides, facing the trees instead of running from them.
“Call out to the ambushers, "we come in peace to these woods. We mean no harm and only wish to traverse north, to a known ford." I say in a calm and collected tone. I've heard rumors these woods are watched over by honorable folk, surely no good and just people would mean simple travelers harm.”
SUCCESS (Great Willpower, rolled +3)
Parthus lowers his sword tip a handspan and lets his voice carry up the trunks, calm and clear. The forest stills around the words, and the hidden watchers answer by staying silent.
Parthus
We come in peace to these woods. We mean no harm, and only wish to pass north to a known ford.
For a long breath, nothing moves. Then a rough cloth strip drops from the branches, painted with a thin, dark sign, not a threat, but a marker. The path ahead is being watched by people who know the ground.
The Surrendered Bandit
They heard him. Good. They know better than arrows in the dark.
Leaves rustle hard to Parthus's left, close enough to draw every eye, and the surrendered bandit does not flinch away. He shifts one step toward the sound instead, keeping his open hands visible.
The Surrendered Bandit
If you mean honor, then show yourselves and speak. These travelers are under my watch.
A figure remains hidden, but a second strip of cloth appears on a low branch beside the trail, pointing the way north. The hidden folk are not attacking, and the family can tell it.
Quest Complete
Survive the ambush in the woods
Attribute Upgrade: Perception Fair→Good