The rain hadn't eased up even just a little. For several days it had drenched the land, flooding small farms and bogging up low-lying roads. Traders and merchants had to move slower and with more caution along these routes, to avoid being stuck in the mud. Luckily, in some parts of Redmont Fief were higher in elevation than the rest, and the roads there were relatively mud-free. But not bandit-free.
A few of the more intelligent bandits had figured out that travellers and traders tended to seek out the higher roads, so they could transport their goods quicker and with less hustle. But now the bandits had taken advantage of the fact, and lay waiting in ambush for an unsuspecting victim to pass by. They would stop the person/s and rob them of their valuables. Money, silks, and sometimes even clothing. Several of these victims had complained to the local Rangers, Will and Halt, who had decided to do something about these common thieves.
WILL'S POV
"I hate the rain". Grumbled Will, pulling the cowl of his cloak further up, shielding him from the water and wind. The oils in the cloak would keep out the rain for a while, but then the water would start to soak through, and Will knew that. He glanced at his former mentor, who was riding beside him, cloak wrapped firmly around him to hopefully keep out the elements.
"I agree, but we can't change the weather". Halt said, then instantly regretted the simple action as it dislodged a drop of water, making it trickle down his back. Will, seeing Halt's discomfort, couldn't manage to stifle a laugh. Halt just glared daggers at him, making Will laugh even harder. This caused several drops of rain to find its way under Will's cloak, and then it was Halt's turn to laugh.
"It's not funny." said Will, sniffing indignantly. Halt smiled at him.
"Yes it is."
"No it isn't!"
It was that moment that Tug decided to join in the argument.
Yes it is.
Will merely stared in disbelief at his horse, who shook his mane, conveniently shaking droplets of water all over Will. The argument quickly turned into conversation, story-telling and the like. The Ranger and apprentice were so engrossed in their stories that Halt nearly missed Abelard's warning.
GERALD'S POV
Gerald was a very experienced bandit, and had robbed quite a few dozen travellers and merchants in this lifetime, so he had been promoted to the title of 'head bandit'. Not long after, when the gang's scout had returned with the news that most of the other main roads in Redmont Fief were bogged with mud, Gerald hadn't hesitated in taking the opportunity to move next to one of the only accessible roads left. Because of this, the gang had several heavy purses filled with money, and fine new clothes. Life was good.
Now Gerald was leaning against a fallen log, under the tarpaulin shelter his men had set up as shelter from the rain, taking a nap. Or he had been. The 'thud, thu-thud' of horse's hooves snapped him awake, looking around for an attack. Gerald relaxed slightly when he saw it was one of his scouts, the one assigned to signal when a traveller or travellers were making their way along the road.
"There are two men approaching. Both on horses." The man reported.
Gerald saw the unease on the man's face, and glared at the man. He was hiding something. No-one should dare keep secrets against him. Eventually, the rider couldn't bear the silence, and spilled the information.
"Well… um… sir, the two men, they-they're Rangers, sir. One is no older than a boy, the other an old man… sir" the scout blurted out, refusing to meet Gerald's eye. Now this caught Gerald's attention. Ranger's where not to be messed with, especially when there were two of them. If his men were to attack them, then people would die. But Gerald's pride was bigger than his head. He thought that his men, numbering around a dozen, could easily overpower the two Rangers.
His mind made up, Gerald motioned for his men to gather around.
"There are two Ranger's coming along the road…" the crowd of bandits whispered fearfully amongst themselves. Gerald glared at them until the muttering died away. He continued.
"There are two Rangers and a dozen of us! One of them is little more than a boy, and the other an old man! Besides, we outnumber them six to one! Arm yourselves men and take up positions."
The bandits bustled around, picking up swords, spears and other weapons, then moving into position. Gerald had carefully planned the site of the ambush carefully, around a bend in the road with thick undergrowth on either side. The attack plan was simple. Four men would wait on the other side of the road, and when the victims walked around the bend, they would attack. When the victims were fully engaged, Gerald and the remaining bandits would attack from behind, ensuring a swift victory.
Gerald smiled, more like a wolf showing its fangs to its prey than a smile. The Ranger's wouldn't see them coming, until it was too late. He sighed, this would be too easy.
WILL'S POV
"Halt? Do you think the bandits will attack?" Will asked, peering over at his mentor, who was slouched over Abelard's neck.
"Yes. Why wouldn't they?" Halt replied.
"I mean… there are two of us… and we are Rangers, sooo… I just thought…"
"You're an apprentice, you're not ready to think," Halt said, smiling slightly as he saw Will's reaction.
"Look Will. If you had been paying attention, you would have noticed that there are at least a dozen bandits surrounding us. In the forest."
It took all of Will's self-control to not look around at the dense foliage surrounding them on both sides of the road.
"What do we do Halt?" Will was still an apprentice, and therefore regarded Halt as somewhat of a hero. Afterall, Halt always knew what to do.
"My guess is that a few of them will engage us, and while we're distracted, the others will rush us from behind. It's a pretty effective tactic if you think about it. Highly effective."
That didn't reassure Will in the slightest.
"But we won't let them, right?" Will asked.
"Of course we will. We need to get rid of these bandits, and if we let them know that we know about their plan, then there is a chance that one or two will get away, and continue to attack travellers."
"But…"
"No time for buts Will. They're coming."