It's dawn. Radek has been on his travels for about 3 days now. He soon noticed a caravan pass by. Tired as he had ridden nonstop, he started to go towards the caravan on his horse. Just as about he was to talk to the caravan leader, a group of highway bandits appeared on the road, bows readied, swords drawn and all. "Pull over your caravan or I'll burn you with it!", the bandit leader shouted, and he and his band soon started to encircle the caravan, as well as Radek. Surprised, Radek had his father's honor, and of course, bravado, so he soon answered back in the name of the caravan: "You'll have to go through me!", he answered confidently, as he has never tested his bow or sword in battle before, only in hunting. His arrow soon hit the chest of a bandit, and he fell on the floor, dead. Radek soon nocked in another arrow. "Bring it, come on!", Radek shouted, challenging the bandits, as the thrill had completely took over him. A bandit was quick to swing his axe at Radek, but he managed to take a swing at the bandit, cutting off his arm and finishing him off with a stab to the neck. The caravan guards were surprised, and were quick enough to get out and ready their swords and shields. Before you knew it, the dozen bandits that were circling a hopeless caravan were soon halved. Radek was all over the place, hitting the bandits with his bow as if they were target practice. While aiming at one bandit, the bandit leader hit Radek with his rather blunt mace, and Radek fell from his horse, under shock from the big hit he suffered to his stomach. Just as the bandit leader was about to cave in Radek's skull, the bolt of a crossbow soon found the bandit leader's head.
It's been a couple of hours since the attack. The bandits soon fell apart after the death of their leader. The caravan managed to move on. Radek finally woke up. "Oh, you're finally awake", a caravan guard said, "It's been about 4 hours, tried to make you comfortable in the back of the caravan, we're almost near our destination." "Where are we, and who the heck are you…?" a sleepy Radek said, confused about what happened. "We're just near Uxkhal. And my name's Jangos. I'm from Veluca. I'm the one that saved your life." Jangos said, cleaning his crossbow. "What happened back there?", Radek asked, still shell shocked from the hit. Jangos was quick to answer: "Well, you were riding around like it was the battle of your life, and while you weren't looking, that bandit leader bloke hit you flat in the stomach. He was about to finish you off, too. If it weren't for me and my crossbow, that is". "Oh… that explains this…" Radek said, quick to unbutton his jerkin to see a giant bruise on his stomach. "Oh, don't be a baby. It's not even bleeding", Jangos said, mockingly attempting to make Radek feel better. "And my horse? I remember falling off him.", Radek asked Jangos, afraid where his horse is. "He's back there. Hitched him to the caravan after that battle was over. We're stopping here, so you can go out and check him out if ya want. "Sure will", Radek said, and went off to see his horse following the caravan, hitched to the back of it. "Here you are, buddy. Good thing those cavemen back there didn't hurt you", Radek said, happy to see his horse unscathed. He soon turned to go back to the caravan, and saw a sight he never saw before.
A giant city, sprawling with life. Radek was quick to be amazed: "Whoa, what the heck is this place?". "That, my friend, is Uxkhal. Trade capital of Calradia. Flax is on demand now, the caravan leader pays us good denars to protect the goods. Wait… You're not a village kid, are you?" Jangos asked Radek. "I grew up in a village, I never saw a town in my life. I was born during the war, what would you expect?" Radek said, defending himself. "Fair enough. I guess it's time to part ways. Till next time, traveler", Jangos said to Radek, saying him farewell. "HEY SVEN, WAKE UP! WE'RE HERE!, Jangos shouted to the other caravan guard. Sven mumbled: "I'll be right there… ya Rhodok piece of crap!". "Yeah. See you next time." Radek said, quick to unhitch his horse and ride into the city, only to find starving people, devastated by the war. Radek soon went to the tavern, ordered a steak and beer, only to find challenges in the most surprising of places.
(Well, that was more than the intro, for sure. The intro was a short introduction into the series, expect me writing more and going into detail from this chapter on. Reviews are welcome, although let it be known that this story is still in progress. We'll see Radek's challenge in the tavern next chapter!)