Chapter 39: The Bandit Leader Subjugation - IV (1/2)
Merlin picked up on the faint scent of blood, a feeling of panic ran through his body, he suddenly stopped walking The two bandits turned around, noticing that Merlin had raised his guard and looked to be on edge
"What's the er bandit asked The other bandit's eyes narrowed, Merlin noticed this but he wasn't sure what thoughts were running through his head
"I smell blood" Merlin answered He wasn't sure what the bandit camp would be like, but it was somewhat com around He wasn't sure if this was the case with this particular bandit ca fro bandit started sniffing the air around hi back to Merlin and shrugging The other bandit's narrow glare softened, realising that Merlin was probably just an overly cautious individual
"It's most likely animal blood, don't worry it's coht" The s Merlin briefly, and then continued on his path towards the faint light in the distance "We're alo"
Merlin's guard was still heightened, but he followed along As he travelled through the forest the scent of blood grew stronger, he tried his best to block out the glaring warning signs in his brain telling hih the forest, finally reaching the cah the treeline into a clearing, Merlin's view of the camp was blocked by what looked to be at least several hundred logs, stacked side by side for wall around the ca how the camp hadn't been wiped out by mercenaries or soldiers yet If it was just helpless civilians who caht back against the constant harassment But as it turns out, they could survive because they built as essentially a wood fort
The light Merlin saw in the distance a little while ago, the light the group had been walking towards, was a single lantern hanging over the wooden gate that served as the caroup walked towards the entrance, where an older looking arroup to identify theer bandit quickly retorted with a one-liner about hian sliding opento use that one for a while, haven't you?" Merlin noticed that the younger bandit see him to assume this was probably his first excursion out of the fortress, his general naivety was also a strong indicator
The younger bandit let out a cheeky giggle in response, he seeroup entered the camp, the smarter bandit tapped on Merlin's shoulder, only to point his attention in the direction of a canopy tent Within the tent stood a buff e cleaver at a skinned animal corpse "Perhaps that's the source of blood you orried about?"
It did seem like a reasonable assuer as he entered the clearing, but soht to Merlin Nevertheless, after obtaining a reasonable answer he lowered his guard sohts that eighing his h the encae he had of the ca it was the complete opposite of what it really was There was no pools of blood everywhere, no kidnapped villagers being held hostage from what he could see anyway, and no stereotypical evil bandits
It just seeht-knit co their role to help their village prosper Within the safety of the wooden walls was a thriving community, not a violent band of thieves and enuinely happy with their lives, there were even s around without a care in the world, it was surprisingly peaceful
The camp was also well lit from inside, there were various torches and campfires littered all around, so he felt safe from the darkness Merlin threw his torch into one of the ca a little bit of firewood and ultiuished torch any longer
Merlin received soh the village, it seemed they were very hesitant to trust outsiders, this was understandable The group weaved between the various tents and structures that the villagers inhabited Until he was brought into a large tent a little bit past the residential area
Within the tent was a youngnotes onto sheets of parcherial position, although his expectations were proven to be a little s man was introduced as the leader of the caht Merlin along, calling them over to his side The two fa to him in whispers, shortly after they were sent out of the tent, leaving Merlin alone with the e
The bandit leader stood up and approached Merlin, as he came closer a name appeared above his head, "Jackson Lychester"
Merlin's thoughts started racing, as Jackson Lychester? He was young so he probably wasn't the brother of Arwell Lychester If he wasn't the brother, then an estranged son perhaps? A rebellious nephew?