The guards moved quickly.
Ropes were brought out.
Hands were tied.
Weapons were kicked away.
All eight bandits were forced to kneel by the roadside.
Some were injured.
None were dead.
Manager Horen walked up, breathing hard.
"You caught them alive," he said. "That's… impressive."
Fenric nodded. "Alive means answers."
Liana crouched in front of the nearest bandit.
"Who sent you?" she asked.
The man hesitated, then spoke. "No one. We've been watching this road for days. Beasts moved closer. Guards got fewer. We thought it was our chance."
Fenric listened closely.
"Did you see anything strange?" he asked. "Anything driving the beasts?"
The bandit shook his head. "No. Just more of them. Stronger ones too."
Fenric straightened.
"That's enough," he said. "Take them along."
Horen blinked. "Along?"
"Yes," Liana replied. "They'll be handed over at the next city. Guild law."
The manager nodded quickly. "Of course."
The caravan started moving again.
