Quiet week after the madness of travel. Had a blast trying DnD over the weekend, though. I've learned not to trust furniture anymore, though. We were attacked by an evil chair, then I got knocked over by a bookcase. Pretty sure my paladin is gonna develop a mistrust of all inanimate objects at this rate. Can't wait to cause more chaos with the group as I start figuring things out.

Also, took my dogs to the vet yesterday. Mina is going on a slight diet after gaining 8lbs (she's at 88 now). Maverick dropped to 90lbs, but he's a little taller and a lot leaner. He hates going to the vet, though. Had to get two shots and a blood draw, meaning I had to wrestle 90lbs of crazy and muscle for the vet. Pretty sure that counts as intense exercise, right?

It's only one woman.

No matter how many times Adam told himself that, he couldn't help the tremors of fear that shot through him at the sight ahead of them. They had three fighters in their group, including one that might as well have been a low level Huntsman. Jean had taken on two bandits by himself just yesterday. Even if she had aura, so did each of them. The three of them against a single bandit - for what else could she be out here - should've been an easy win.

So why didn't they attack?

The silence dragged on for what felt like forever. It was like this woman had stolen their very words with her presence, and not in a good way. Finally, the world unfroze as the woman stepped forward, slowly making her way down the middle of the path directly for their group. She didn't hesitate, though. The pace was deliberate. She was in full control, and she knew it. Adam had felt such domination before, but from a very different woman, even if a hysterical part of Adam's mind envisioned the mask being pulled aside to reveal Alyssa.

Whoever it was, she didn't seem at all concerned as she finally came to a stop only a stone's throw from Jean at the head of the caravan. "Well, well, well. What do we have here?" Her words, mixed with a hint of amusement, finally broke them from their trance.

"W-we're just humble merchants, ma'am," Soji managed. The bandit leaned over to see who had spoken, causing both Soji and Adam to tense under her gaze.

"Just merchants?" She watched them fidget a moment longer before turning her attention to Jean. "Not many merchants come so heavily armed. Unless you're just the pack mule for all those weapons."

Jean chose his words carefully. "I'm just here to keep them safe."

"Safe from what, exactly?"

The dangerous question hung in the air. She sounded friendly enough, but the drawn sword sort of ruined that perception. "Grimm, mostly."

"And?" They both knew what she wanted to hear, but telling a bandit that you fought bandits sounded…well, it sounded a little dangerous. When Jean didn't take the bait, she decided to hasten things along. "And bandits?"

"And bandits," Jean repeated.

The woman couldn't have smirked harder if she tried. "Well then, you're in luck! After all, you know who I am, don't you?"

"Raven Branwen," Jean answered reluctantly. "Of the Branwen tribe."

Now that name Adam knew. He'd heard the whispers from other merchants of a fearsome tribe of bandits that traveled around Anima, preying upon anyone unlucky enough to cross their path. Travelers Caravans. Even villages weren't safe. They were rumored to be the oldest and largest bandit tribe in Anima. Maybe even all of Remnant. From what he'd heard, most people that ran into the tribe were lucky to escape with their lives.

And they'd just run into the tribe's leader.

"I see my reputation precedes me," Raven boasted before holding her arms wide. "So, Mister Protector, there's a bandit right here in front of you. Do you wish to fight?"

"No." Jean couldn't refuse fast enough.

"No?" Raven feigned surprise. "Why not?"

"I prefer to live," Jean growled. Through it all, Jean sat there, keeping Magnifique steady while making sure not to reach anywhere near his weapons. He waited in silence for what Raven would do next.

Much to their surprise, Raven sheathed her sword with a cocky grin. "A wise choice. Wouldn't you all agree?"

Adam's hand instinctively shot to his sword as at least a dozen bandits emerged on both sides of the trail. He hadn't even noticed them, too fixated on the intimidating woman ahead. Soji reached over to push his hand away from his weapon before he could accidentally escalate things.

"Tanner!" Raven called out, summoning a familiar figure forward. It was hard to forget someone who had tried to kill him yesterday. "Are they the ones?"

The scarred face of the leader from yesterday's attack took one look at their group and sneered. "That's them, all right. And he's the one that did Mauve in."

Raven nodded. "It seems I'm a head short thanks to you. It takes strength to kill one of my bandits. I'm Impressed, but I'm also shorthanded. You've proven yourself worthy, so why not join our tribe? Take her place among our ranks and I'll see your strength rewarded."

Every eye in the caravan watched Jean, fearful that they'd lose their best defense and be left helpless against the bandits that now surrounded them all. It was a tempting offer. One Adam didn't know if he could turn down if he was in Jean's shoes. Joining the tribe meant he'd be safe from whatever happened next. Given the number of bandits around them and the Branwen tribe's reputation, it was probably a safe bet it wouldn't end well.

"What about my friends?" Jean dared to ask.

"What about them?"

"They go free," Jean demanded. A few bandits laughed at the display, knowing he wasn't exactly in a position to make demands.

Raven didn't seem keen on the request. "That wasn't part of the deal."

"Then I'll pass."

That certainly shut her audience up. "Maybe I was wrong, then," Raven offered. "Maybe you're not that strong after all. But the fact remains that you took a life from the tribe yesterday."

"I did," Jean admitted.

"Then you owe us a life in return," Raven continued, leisurely strolling to the side to glance up and down the caravan. "And I'm here to collect."

Jean steered Magnifique in front of her, cutting her off. "Then take mine. I killed a member of your tribe, so I'm the one to blame. Let the rest of them go."

"Such bravery!" Raven's mocking tone spoke of just what she considered of such a display. "But that's not how this works. A member of my tribe died in a fight, so your caravan owes us another. And you already refused."

Which meant someone else would have to fight. That pretty much left Jesse and Adam. Jesse had taken a few nasty hits yesterday and hadn't had time to rest, so his odds weren't great. Then again, neither of them would stand a chance against someone like Raven. Adam had a feeling being the leader of a bandit tribe had less to do with organization and more to do with eliminating the competition.

Someone had to fight, and by the sounds of it, someone had to die. Adam didn't want to be the one, but he also knew the alternative was Jesse. Could he really let someone else take the fall for him? Wasn't a hero supposed to sacrifice themselves for others? It was a lot easier to say that than actually going through with it, though.

Adam breathed a sigh of relief as Jesse ended the argument for him. "I'll do it." Watching him throw himself on the chopping block wasn't easy, especially when he walked a little stiffer than normal, trying to hide his injuries as he hobbled forward to stand before his executioner. "I'll fight."

Adam could almost imagine Raven cocking an eyebrow beneath the terrifying mask she wore. "A cripple? Hardly the cream of the crop there."

"I fought against your bandits yesterday, same as Jean," Jesse defended, even if it might seal his own fate. "I'm as much to blame as he is, so I'll fight. Just spare the others."

"It's cute how you think you get to choose." Raven walked through them, nearly knocking Jesse aside as he tried to get out of the way. Adam shrank in his seat as Raven seemed to fixate on him. "You're the one who fought Tanner, aren't you?" Jean tried to speak, but a quick glance and the hiss of her sword being pulled a few inches was all Raven needed to silence him. "I asked him."

"I did," Adam quietly answered, wishing she would go back to talking to Jean. "He attacked our wagons."

Raven sheathed her weapon fully once more, but her hand stayed resting on the hilt. "And you fought back. He tried to claim what's yours and you stopped him."

More like Adam delayed him. Tanner, as she'd called the man, had been winning in the end. Without Jean's intervention, Tanner would've cut him down and then moved on to Soji and the others. "I wouldn't say I stopped him..."

"I would," Raven immediately cut in. "You fought. He fled. In the end, you bested one of our own. But can you do it again?"

"What?" Tanner and Adam asked in unison.

"You have potential. I want to see it in action." Raven's smile soured to a sneer at the next words. "And the tribe cannot abide weakness."

Tanner didn't miss the obvious dig at his failure. "But, Raven-"

"Hold your tongue or I'll cut it out." The friendly manner vanished in an instant, replaced by the visage of her true self - a bandit queen. "Prove you're not so weak as to be beaten by a child. Unless you'd rather challenge my authority as leader?" Tanner swallowed whatever answer he had. Either way, he'd have to fight. Given the choice of Adam or Raven, he knew which fight he actually stood a chance in. "Good."

This time, it was Jean's turn to interrupt. "He's just a child."

"He carries a sword," Raven countered. "Let's see if he knows how to use it."

"You can't-"

"The next person who tells me what I can or can't do won't live to regret it," Raven snapped, tired of all the delays and interruptions. "A life is owed. Either he loses his or he earns the right to keep it. Strength or death."

"Strength or death!" A few of the bandits echoed with the thrill of their bloodlust. The circle tightened, forming a loose arena for the deathmatch to come.

"Can I at least talk to him first?" Jean asked. He nearly shouted the question just to be heard over the baying of the animals surrounding them.

"Very well," Raven allowed, "but don't waste my time. I'm a very busy woman."

The laughter of her small army of murderers and cutthroats only added to the chaos building around them as Jean hurried over. Adam couldn't help but watch the monsters that boxed them in. They weren't people anymore. Some of them licked their chops and rubbed their hands greedily, hungering for the sight of blood. He doubted they even cared who shed it at this point.

"Adam, look at me!" Jean instructed, turning him away from most of the crowd.

"I can't do it!" How was he supposed to take on an experienced fighter? He'd barely held his own last time, and there wouldn't be any rescue this time. The only person he'd ever beaten was Jesse, and they all knew he'd gone easy on Adam. There'd be no holding back here. Adam's breath quickened as his heart threatened to explode out of his chest.

"Yes you can." Adam was glad one of them believed it. ""I've never seen you fail to rise to a challenge. You fought me time and time again, just so I'd train you. You took down an Ursa without aura. As long as I've known you, you've always fought and conquered anything in front of you." Jean turned them both toward the center of the arena. Tanner smiled cockily from the other side, no longer hesitant to fight. "Well there's your next challenge. Show him what a real warrior looks like. Just promise me one thing."

"What's that?"

"Promise me you won't let them get to you." Jean patted his shoulder as he backed away, knowing Raven wouldn't let them drag it out much longer. "You can do this, Adam. I know you can."

"About time!" Tanner called out. "You done saying your goodbyes yet?" Adam didn't bother answering as he drew Thorn and tried to steady his shaking hands. Tanner's smile made it clear he'd noticed.

"No one is to interfere," Raven announced, confirming what Adam already knew. There'd be no last-second save from Jean this time around. "Prove to us who the stronger fighter is. The weak die. The strong live. Those are the rules." Meaning only one of them would be coming out of this fight alive.

Adam just hoped it would be him.

No one announced a formal start. Instead, Tanner strutted forward, then tossed his pistol to one of his fellow bandits before drawing his sword. "Let's pick up where we left off, kid."

Adam inched forward, watching his opponent closely in the hopes of spotting an opening. His two-handed sword meant Tanner had more momentum in his swings, while the longer blade meant he had more reach, too. Getting into a test of raw strength wouldn't work. Yesterday's fight proved that. Tanner seemed to have all the advantages, but Adam hadn't spent all that time training to not recognize his best chances.

Hit and run. That was his best bet. His smaller blade gave him more speed. He needed to slip in, get quick hits, and be back out before Tanner could get a good swing in. Blocking would only lead to a weapon lock like yesterday. Better to dodge and divert. It wouldn't be impressive. No big blow to end it. Instead, Adam needed to win by a thousand small cuts.

You're doomed, Adam.

No. He wouldn't let it end here. He'd worked too hard to make something of himself - to pick up the scattered pieces of his life. He wouldn't let some bandit with a sword end it so easily. He'd fight. He'd show this fool just who he was messing with. And in doing so, he'd protect his friends.

Raven might not have said it, but Adam had to hold out hope that winning would spare his friends. If he fell, then his friends might be next. No. His family. Jean. Jesse. Soji. Rikyu. He had to protect them.

And he couldn't protect them if he fell here.

"What's the matter, kid? Hoping I'll just-"

Adam struck. No words. No warning. Tanner may have wanted to put on a show, but Adam just wanted him to go down. Tanner managed to get his sword up to block a second too late. Adam's attack hit steel and flesh at the same time before being pushed away.

"Down to business, then." Tanner yelled as he tried to carve Adam in two, but Adam didn't plan on making it easy. He was already dodging away before Tanner even attacked, knowing to stand still was to die. "Hold still, kid. This'll only hurt for a moment."

Thus began a sickening game of cat and mouse, if a cat could hurl insults and curses. Adam would dance just out of Tanner's reach, waiting for a chance to do a quick strike and retreat. His attacks didn't always land, but he made the ones that did count. Bit by bit, he'd wear down his opponent, praying that his stamina would outlast Tanner's aura.

Tanner didn't take it lying down, though. Adam used his size and speed to his advantage, but Tanner hadn't lasted this long as a member of the Branwen tribe by being completely worthless in a fight. His attacks became more focused. Quick stabs and slashes rather than broad swings that took time. Adam kept moving, but he couldn't dodge everything. Tanner's blows landed far less often, but they packed more of a punch than Adam's frantic attempts.

Their fight didn't stay in one place. As Adam was forced to give ground more and more, they began to spiral outward from the center of the circle. Adam rolled to his left, narrowly avoiding Tanner's blade as it crashed into the dirt. Adam managed a quick slash on Tanner's arm, earning a new torrent of curses before being forced back as he did his best to divert another swing. He sidestepped right, only to be forced back further as Tanner picked up the pace. Whether Tanner had gotten quicker or Adam had already begun to slow, he found himself spending more time dodging than attacking.

Still, he was doing it. He was winning! At least, he felt he was. Tanner looked frustrated at how long they dragged on, snarling both at him and the taunts of his fellow bandits. In their eyes, Adam was making him look like a fool. The frustration showed clear as day on Tanner's face as much as in his insults. Adam just hoped he'd get reckless with all that anger.

Instead, Tanner's scowl suddenly brightened. "Got ya!"

Adam barely had time to wonder what he meant as Tanner swept his sword for Adam's stomach. It was a clumsy swing at best, and Adam saw it coming a mile away, He jumped back.

A pair of hands pushed him forward.

Crap! He'd been so focused on Tanner, he'd completely forgotten about the living wall surrounding them. Tanner hadn't just been trying to take him down. He'd been herding him into a dead end. His vicious smile suddenly made sense now as Adam tried to block a brutal strike, only barely getting Thorn up in time to prevent disaster.

His block didn't hold. Tanner's attack proved too much, smashing through Adam's guard and into his side like a meteor. His aura instinctively flooded to the point of contact, but the strain still tore a scream from his throat as he was flung sideways, body skipping painfully along the highway until he came to a stop beyond in a cloud of dirt. He struggled to keep his grip on Thorn, but his hand faltered just for a moment. The feel of it slipping through his fingers hurt more than the ground did as he rolled to a stop, disarmed and defenseless.

"Not so smug now, are ya?" Tanner laughed as the bandit arena cheered the sudden turn of events. Rather than finish the job, Tanner sauntered over to where Thorn lay and kicked it further, putting himself between Adam and his weapon in the process. "Nice try, kid, but we both knew this was coming. Shame. You might've made a decent fighter someday. Guess we'll never know."

It was over. There was no way he could win now. Maybe if he had a second weapon, he could hold on long enough to get past Tanner and continue the fight. His aura hadn't broken yet, but it wasn't doing great after his impromptu flight. Tanner was in no hurry, either. He knew he'd won and was making sure he finished the job properly.

What a waste. Adam winced at the hateful words. This is what you left me for? Just to let some idiot with a sword end it all because you're too weak to protect yourself?

He'd worked so hard, but in the end, it was just like Alyssa said. He was worthless. He couldn't even win a single fight when it really mattered. He'd thought himself so clever, but he hadn't even paid attention to his surroundings. Now, his friends would have to watch him die. He just hoped they'd be spared from the same fate as him.

"I'm sorry," Adam whispered, eyes shut as he braced for what came next. He just wished the last thing he'd hear wouldn't be Alyssa reminding him what he really was.

Weak. Pathetic. Worthless.

"Get up, Adam!"

Through the din of all the bandits, Adam heard Jean's shout clear as day. A simple command. Get up. It cut through the noise and silenced The vicious whispers in his mind.

What was he doing? It wasn't done yet. He wasn't done yet! A man was only beaten when he let himself be beat. Like Jean had said, Adam was a fighter. He'd hadn't given up before, and he'd be damned if he was gonna start now. Quite literally, as Tanner lifted his sword high, intent on ending it in one cataclysmic blow.

Adam's mind raced for options. His aura might not be enough on its own here. He needed something to divert the attack, but his sword was well beyond reach. His hands scrambled for anything he could use, ripping Thorn's scabbard free with a violent yank, even as he felt his aura surge along the blackened sheath.

The impact was terrifying. Knelt down, Adam just managed to get his thin shield up in time, bracing both hands against it and begging it to hold. The hardened material glowed red as he felt a strange tugging somewhere deep inside. The weight of Tanner's attack nearly drove him into the ground. His knees screamed as they were driven into the unforgiving ground, but through it all, two words kept echoing in Adam's mind.

Get up!

He felt the pressure lessen slightly as Tanner realized the fight wasn't over yet. Adam shoved as hard as he could, throwing Tanner's blade back as he pushed off the ground with his free hand, fingers scooping up whatever they could grab. He flung the dirt and grass directly at Tanner's face, doing little more than stunning him for a moment.

Which was all Adam could ask for.

Adam bolted past Tanner in the brief opening, sprinting for his sword with every ounce of strength he could muster. He could hear Tanner charging behind him. It was a life or death race to his weapon now. Even if he got there first, they both knew he didn't have much aura left. Battered and bruised, any chance of outlasting Tanner had vanished.

But none of that mattered. As long as he had his sword, he still had hope. Somehow, he'd pull it off. He'd find a way to hold on and turn the tables. He'd silence that horrible, scarred face once and for all. He had to. There were people still counting on him. And not just his small family watching with fear in their eyes. He'd sworn to protect people someday, but how could he protect them if he died here?

His hand scooped up Thorn and held on for dear life as he spun to face his imminent doom once more. Tanner was already swinging mid-run, refusing to give Adam any time to think. But that was the point in training so much. Adam didn't need to think. Countless hours of Jean's practices kicked in and had his arms moving on their own. Thorn crashed into Tanner's blade, smacking it aside as Adam felt a new surge of energy. He wanted to live. He needed to live.

Which meant Tanner needed to die.

Adam thrust Thorn straight for Tanner's side. It slammed into aura, but Tanner's painful grunt proved it had still done the job. Tanner tried to drive him back, but Adam drove his swing down along the edge of Thorn's blade before kicking Tanner's shin to get him a brief opening as Tanner dropped to one knee. Tanner managed to get his sword up in time to block, but Adam didn't care. Once. Twice. Three times he swung down on Tanner's sword, working like a lumberjack as he chipped away at Tanner's defenses.

Tanner finally pushed back up and their dance continued. Adam no longer heard the roar of the crowd, drowning it out with the pounding of his heart. The bodies lining the edge were nothing more than a blur now. All that mattered were him and Tanner. Adam no longer gave ground, blocking and redirecting blows at every turn while fighting furiously to break through Tanner's guard. His muscles screamed in agony, but he pushed them onward, knowing that to rest was to die.

And the only one dying today would be Tanner.

Finally, he saw it. Tanner had overcommitted on a swing, hoping to break through Adam's defense with sheer power. His sword bit hard into the dirt, stalling Tanner for a second, which proved more than enough for Adam. With a yell, he brought his sword around, his arms tingling with anticipation as he drew upon what little energy he had left and somehow kept finding more. He braced for the impact with Tanner's aura, intent on carving out a significant chunk.

Something shattered.

Adam tried to swing again, but his sword wouldn't move. A scream pierced through the air. Adam's eyes widened as they traced down Thorn's blade to find it buried in Tanner's shoulder, blood pouring from the edge of his sword as it remained lodged deep in the man's flesh. Adam felt something hit his foot as Tanner dropped his sword, arm hanging limply at his side.

He'd done it? He'd done it!

But how? Tanner's aura hadn't broken yet. Adam knew what that looked like. He'd trained enough to see it strain and flicker as it weakened before breaking entirely. Tanner's had still been going strong, but it had failed at the last moment, letting Adam crash through in victory. Had it been weaker than Adam thought?

More importantly, did it matter?

Adam pulled his sword free, sliding it through Tanner's flesh with a terrible grating sensation. Large droplets of blood dripped from the end of his sword as he stood there, staring at his defeated foe. Tanner wasn't dead. At least, not yet. With proper treatment, they could probably save his life. Not that anyone expected him to get taken to a hospital. No. They expected Adam to finish the job.

And why shouldn't he? Tanner had tried to kill him yesterday. He'd come even closer only moments ago. Were the roles reversed, Tanner wouldn't hesitate to end him. Adam had been trying the same only a second ago. He'd been intent on killing Tanner during their fight, but now, with his opponent helpless and injured, something held him back and stayed his hand.

Something else wanted him to act.

Kill him, Alyssa whispered. Finish the job. He deserves it. Drive your sword right through his rotten heart and end his miserable life.

Adam's sword rose slowly until the point rested against Tanner's chest. All he had to do was lean forward to end this latest nightmare. Tanner's screams of pain cut short as he looked up into the eyes of his executioner.

Tanner's eyes were different now. The mocking hatred he'd shown earlier was gone, seeping out of his injured shoulder onto the cruel ground below. Adam couldn't take his eyes off Tanner's. They weren't filled with hate. It was a much more familiar emotion he saw there.

Fear.

It had been a while since someone had looked at him with such pain. Not since-

A young girl looked up at him, eyes reddened with tears as Adam held his sword to her breast. Brown rabbit ears drooped low, reddened with the blood running down her back. Blood that he'd drawn. Her eyes silently pleaded with him for mercy.

"Please," Nila softly begged. "Don't."

Finish her, Adam. You had your fun, but she refused you. Betrayed you. Show her what happens when she doesn't obey.

Adam's sword drooped lower as he stared into those saddened eyes, even as the face around them began to change. A young boy stared up, confused and hurt as they widened to match Adam's own. Because they were Adam's. He hardly recognized the innocent face that looked back, untouched by the torments of life. A shame it didn't stay that way.

"Somebody! Help!" Young Adam's frantic eyes looked around, but no one paid any heed. No one but Adam, as the words stabbed into his heart. That had been him once, a long time ago. He'd been so alone. So afraid.

And now he was the one to be feared.

"What are you waiting for?" Tanner demanded, his voice cracking as it broke through sobs of pain. "Just do it already."

Do it. Kill him. Adam's sword felt ten times heavier as he looked down on the man before him. Could he really finish him so easily? He was a bandit. Evil. Bloodthirsty. Vile. But he was still a person. Maybe he'd been an innocent young man, once upon a time. Had he chosen this path, or had life dragged him down to the point of Adam's sword? Who could tell? But in the end, he was still a person, just like Adam.

A second voice broke through Alyssa's chants, reminding him of Jean's simple request. Promise me you won't let them get to you. Adam had thought he meant not to let the crowd overwhelm him, but is this what Jean really meant?

Adam looked around. The bandits that had only moments ago been cheering for his death were now eagerly awaiting the demise of one of their own. No one looked ready to charge in and save Tanner. No tears were being shed over his defeat. He was nothing more than sport to them now. They'd probably kill Tanner themselves if given the chance and would be laughing about it by dinner.

Jean had been different. Killing that woman yesterday had broken him for a moment, even if he'd done it to protect Adam. That was the difference between Jean and these bandits. They saw people as nothing more than targets of opportunity. Jean saw humanity in them, even when there was barely any left. The two were complete opposites.

So which one was Adam?

"I can't."

For a moment, nothing but Tanner's pained whimpers made a sound.

"You can't what?" Raven demanded from behind him. "This fight is to the death. Finish him."

"I won't do it." Adam tried to sheathe his sword before remembering he'd dropped the scabbard after using it to block with. The clumsy move of sliding it into nothing kind of ruined the moment. He turned to face her despite the failed bravado. "I won't kill him."

"Are you sure? He's practically dead, anyways. Why not do him a favor and end his pathetic existence?"

"Because I don't need to," Adam answered, catching sight of Jean, who smiled like a proud father in the midst of a bunch of confused bandits. "He's beaten. I've won."

"Is that so?" Raven seemed almost bemused by the turn of events.

"You said I owe the tribe a life. Well there it is." Adam pointed to Tanner, who clutched at his shoulder. "I've spared his. I think that makes us even."

The bandits around them waited silently, looking between their intimidating leader and the boy who dared defy her. Adam hoped she didn't notice how weak his legs felt as he stood his ground, doing his best to put on a brave face as she studied him from behind her Grimm-like mask.

Until she tilted her head back and laughed.

"How precious. Strong enough to defy me, yet too weak to do what needs to be done." A few nervous chuckles spread through her tribe. Even they didn't know what to make of the situation. "But like I said, the weak die."

Adam heard someone yell his name as Raven suddenly drew her sword and raced forward. The air almost seemed to ripple in her wake as she moved faster than Adam could've imagined. Any thought of them being able to fight her vanished in an instant. He didn't even have time to raise his sword as she blurred toward him.

Which left him confused when she overshot.

Or didn't. Adam heard a thud and turned to see Raven frozen several feet away, her sword having completed its rapid attack, reddened blade shining in the evening sun. Tanner's now headless body stayed up for a second, as if confused by what happened until it toppled over next to his head.

Raven sliced her sword downward, dispelling the traces of Tanner's blood before sheathing her sword once more. "The weak die. The strong live. Those are the rules."

"You killed him!"

"I did." Raven's didn't sound overly concerned, as if decapitating one of her men was as mundane as brushing her teeth. "He was weak. If a child could beat him so easily, then he had no place in our tribe. We're stronger without such weakness." Raven turned back to Adam, but her words carried past him. "We're leaving."

"What about them?" Adam recognized the other bandit from yesterday. Despite losing two "friends" in so short a time, he hardly seemed upset. In fact, he was more focused on the caravan than the headless corpse nearby.

"Leave them."

"But what about-"

"Leave them!" Raven ordered, causing every bandit to flinch back. "Tanner is dead. The debt is paid."

"And what about Tanner?"

"What about him?" Raven looked down at her handiwork, then spoke to Adam. "You defeated him. His belongings are yours."

Adam couldn't help but consider it for a moment. The sword and pistol might fetch a decent price, not to mention any ammunition he carried. He might even have some extra lien on him. But the thought of claiming such blood money didn't sit well with him. "You killed him. You take it."

Raven snorted in amusement. "Still clinging to your so-called morals, are we? Fine. Gather his belongings! We'll find someone more worthy of them." Two bandits rushed forward to obey, turning over the corpse and rifling through his pockets, caring more about the dead man's valuables than the man himself. "As for you, I'm a little disappointed. I'd thought I'd found his replacement. You'd have done well with us, but the tribe has no need of someone who can't do what's necessary."

"I'm already where I belong," Adam replied.

"So it would seem."

Without another word, Raven walked by him, the bandits parting around her before following into the woods. Soon, the caravan was alone once more, but none of them dared move.

Until Adam's courage finally gave out.

Followed by his legs.

Kinda expected a shorter chapter this week, but it wound up being about the same length as usual. My whole plan was basically "Raven makes Adam fight the bandit from last chapter. Adam wins, but doesn't kill. Raven kills. Everyone goes their own way." Funny how these things somehow grow on their own.

Only a single chapter for Raven, but that about the level of involvement I expect from her. She isn't going to be a repeat character or major influence, but she'll factor in a little bit later. Let's just say she's made an impression.

Also, Adam isn't quite at the murder hobo level yet. I'm sure some will complain about him not killing Tanner, but that's easy to say. Hard to be the on to do it yourself. Obviously, that'll change in time for him, but right now, he's still somewhat normal in regards to morality. Maybe like a Neutral Good trending toward a true Neutral. We'll get that Chaotic Evil in time.

Next chapter: Adam recovers from his encounter with the Branwen tribe and life moves on.