Helping out a Merchant, Pt II [job/solo]

Job Overview: The roads along the Plains is often plagued by bandits, hoping to interrupt traders with their wares. You did such a great job last time, they have asked you to help out again. Escort a caravan of merchants between two tribes to keep them safe.

Enemy Name: Seasoned Bandit x5
Rank: C
Needed damage to take down: C
Description: Seasoned bandits may sprint at 9m/s and carry short swords capable of inflicting C-tier damage.
Abilities:
Gutting Stab: The Seasoned Bandit thrusts his blade to deal C-Tier damage to the gut of his opponent at 15 m/s, setting them up for his next attack.
Gutting Slash: The Seasoned Bandit slashes his blade across the gut of his opponent, dealing C-Tier damage at 15 m/s and opening up a hole in their stomach if his prior attack landed.

---

Ariella enjoyed a meal with the small tribe, listening to their banter and other chatter. It was always nice to hear about current events from the local inhabitants, the information tended to be more accurate. She arched a brow when one mentioned that several of the larger tribes had gathered to hear from one of the tribe leaders, but the tribe leader, an Altair Loros, had disappeared after an attack by Kou one night. He had been missing for months, it seemed. It was troubling news, but Ari remembered her last visit to the Great Plains and the information she had obtained then. Lilly had been spotted in the Plains and was wreaking havoc across the countryside. If this Altair fellow had went up against Lilly, he was most certainly dead.

The talk moved on to the news slowly spreading about Kou having a new Emperor and she kept a sharp ear out, wanting to see if the change in leadership had altered Kou’s strategy on the Plains. Apparently, several of the troops had returned home but there were still rogue groups moving about and attacking smaller tribes. It seemed as though Yoshiro was keeping good to his word about not attempting to conquer by force. There were still reports of Kou envoys traveling around, inviting smaller tribes to join the country, but if they were turned down, they simply continued on their way to the next camp.

As the meal winded down, the merchant came over to speak with her, filling her in on his plans for the next trip. He made several short stops to tribes to drop off deliveries on his way to a large tribe near the Balbadd border, where he would stay for a week, restocking and selling, before returning to Magnostadt. His route was far enough South that he made the same trip all year, spending a week traveling, a week in a larger tribe, in Balbadd, or in Magnostadt, before traveling a week the other direction, back and forth, each cycle taking about a month. She nodded in understanding as he picked up a stick and drew out the road he would be taking and where reports had been coming in of bandits.

Ari discussed strategy and landscapes with him for a bit, wanting to make sure she was prepared for whatever might be coming for them. The merchant explained that the stronger bandits tended to be closer to Balbadd, their newly turned republic and access to a port drawing in not just bandits but also pirates. Ari was glad for the verbose nature of the merchant. While some might find the never ending flow of words irritating, she knew there was much value in what he spoke about. People often discounted a merchant’s knowledge due to their seeming lack of education. But a merchant had much more intelligence than most gave them credit for. They had to keep track of different currencies from around their trade route, they had to be familiar with local customs and habits, and they needed extensive knowledge about travel, including routes, weather and local tribes willing to help in times of need.

The merchant advised her to get some rest, as he planned to leave before the sun rose, hoping to arrive at the next tribe by the time the sun was at its highest point in the sky. Ari nodded in acknowledgement before settling in for the night, wanting to be well rested for the next day.

---

Ari was groggy the next day. Being outside of the protective barrier of Magnostadt made her restless with worry that Lilly might attack. She did not let her lack of rest affect her attention, keeping a sharp eye as she sat on the front wagon of the caravan. Behind her, four more wagons followed at a short distance. They had started their travel before the sun had kissed the horizon, the stars lighting their way as the wagon swayed along the road. The sun had been up for a short period when a shout came from the scout moving ahead of them. He had spotted the remains of a camp, the fire still warm. Ari tightened her grip on her staff, her eyes sharp as she scanned for bandits. Her attention was drawn to a grove of trees several meters off the main road.

She covered her gasp as the scout was suddenly knocked from his horse by a bandit and she hopped down from the wagon with a shouted warning to the others to stop their movement. The wagons all creaked to a stop as Ari moved forward cautiously. She had just reached the scout when a shuffle near her made her turn, her borg flaring up as a bandit tried to use Gutting Stab on her, the knife bouncing harmlessly off of her borg. It startled him enough that he did not attempt to follow through with the second part of the attack, giving Ari an opening. Raising her staff and murmuring to the rukh, she cast Electric Chains, the bandit falling to the ground in a judder of vibrating muscles.

Her borg flared as another bandit attempted an attack on her and she spun around, wasting no time in casting Impaling Root. The vine grew rapidly between the feet of the second bandit and struck him in the gut. He groaned and fell back, three more bandits jumping down from the surrounding trees and moving to surround her. Ari took a quick assessment. While her borg could take another hit or two, she had no desire to lose it. With a flick of her wrist, the chain around her waist fell free, her dagger resting in her hand. She waited until the three bandits were all within a meter of her before using Slice and Dice, the blade cutting across the faces of the bandits without mercy. When the bandits had quit moving, Ari gave a sharp whistle to let the merchant know it was safe to move again and she could hear the creaking of the wagons as the passed up the road. She jogged to meet with them, the merchant giving her a thankful smile as they rode to the next village without further incident.

[1043/1000]
[Magoi 220/300]

Abilities Used: