"Anna this doesn't sound like a very sound business strategy."

Gaius eyed the path the pair was observing with growing apprehension. If Anna was right, as she often was regarding these types of things, a group of bandits with a particularly hefty store of goods would be passing through at any moment.

"Hush Ginger, just think of the sweet sweet coin we'll have in hand." Anna could already feel her money pouch growing heavier with the weight of gold she'd soon be stuffing it with. That is, after she'd sold the goods the bandits had. Of course, she had good reason to be after this particular group. Word had it that they'd stolen from one of her many sisters. And any enemy of her family was an enemy of hers. "Call it a favor for all the treats I've saved for you."

Gaius grunted, but he couldn't deny that she'd held back some choice selections of candy for him. "Alright Red. But after this we'll call if even for awhile." That is, if they got out of this alive. He wondered why she hadn't asked for more than just him. If they were taking down a caravan, it would have made sense to have more than just the two of them.

He took a deep breath before slipping past the trees lining the road, keeping himself just out of sight as he scouted the area. A few steps in, he heard the clop of hooves against dirt and the steady rolling of wagon wheels against the well worn path. He ran his tongue over his teeth, trying to get a feel for who was there, and how many there were.

The sound of course swearing and gruff laughs preceded a rough looking band of men, their visages scarred and scowling. He could take a fair bet that they were the bandits Anna had been talking about. Aside from the bandit at the reins, there was one more sitting inside the wagon, and two flanking the sides. Four total. The odds weren't as bad as he'd expected, but they weren't particularly good either. Done scouting, he carefully tread back to Anna, conveying the information he'd gathered.

Nodding, Anna took in the report. "Sounds like just the bunch we're looking for." A smile replaced the thoughtful look she'd kept on her face, and she placed her index finger on her chin. "Time for a little surprise."

Gaius wasn't sure if he liked the sound of that, but nonetheless, he agreed to work with the plan she had. Working together was their best bet, as Anna didn't look like she was heading back to camp without the goods secured.

With a grin, Anna pulled out a levin sword, the bolt shaped blade glinting. She easily twirled it in hand, entirely comfortable with using it. "Let's hit quick and knock them out. Time is money you know."

"Don't have to tell me twice." With a casual salute to Anna, Gaius took point, ready to ambush the bandits about to appear before them. He steadied his breath, concentrating on the moment he would burst out of the shrubbery and in front of the caravan. Though it couldn't have been more than a few seconds, the wait seemed like hours. But from the corner of his eye, Gaius saw the wagon and the men appear.

In a flash, he tightened the grip on his sword, leaping at the bandit managing the horse, and taking a swing at him with the backhanded hold he favored. Gaius made easy work of the horseman, and was cutting free the straps tethering the creature to the wagon and stopping any means of a quick getaway.

Anna had taken care of the bandit guarding the side of the wagon, the jagged ends of her blade cutting through him as if he were made of paper. The sword was drenched and gleaming a shade as crimson as he hair, and without a pause, she dashed towards the back of the wagon to meet the remaining bandits.

Gaius quickly followed suit, making it in time to see Anna send a bolt of lightning at the man inside the wagon. As he fell from his seat, Gaius met him with the end of his blade. The third bandit slumped over, and with him out of the picture, Gaius threw him aside. As he did, the fourth bandit hit the dust, having been victim to the magic imbued sword Anna was wielding. Over as soon as it started, their surprise ambush carrying them through with ease.

Still buzzing, Gaius circled the wagon, securing the area before joining Anna. The merchant was already sorting through the contents of the wagon, occasionally giving a thoughtful hum.

"This is definitely my sister's goods." Closing the chest she'd been rummaging through, she moved to open a new one, taking stock of all of the items. She pulled a pinstriped bag out, already knowing what the contents were. She tossed it to Gaius, with a wink and a smile. "Nice job back there Ginger."

Raising an eyebrow, Gaius caught the bag, shaking open the package. His eyebrows continued to travel as he saw that the bag was filled to the brim was an assortment of candy. He popped a piece in his mouth, all too pleased with the outcome, and forgetting the danger that they'd charged into not minutes ago. "Anytime."


AN: Hello! Sorry for the lack of updates. I was wrapping up school and graduating, so there wasn't much time to work on stories. But now that summer vacation is on, I'll be trying to get more frequent updates.

As always, thanks for reading and please feel free to request a pair!