10 The Bandit Chief (1/2)

A soft shower descended on the forest. Inside the hut, a black cat lazily curled into a ball, its eyes closed halfway. In the darkness, small sounds of grinding teeth chomping were barely audible from a small crack.

Outside, the smell of damp soil hung permeated the warm air. The crush of leaves underfoot and hastily packed tents joined the sound of fluttering wings and monkey hoots as the night deepened.

At the approach of the imposing figure wearing a dark cloak, the ill-tempered stallion tied to the outskirts of the hideout, emitted a low-pitched breathy sound. The nicker caught the attention of the men who were packing up with haste. All eyes trained on the horse who raised its head attentively towards someone.

Their eyes eventually trailed on the man with an imposing aura who seems to have materialized out of thin air. Tension hung in the air and almost everyone held their breath.

The man walked closer to the horse who continued nickering.Illuminated by the light from the fire, the animal's ears were pointing up while sniffing the man's hand. A hand shot out of the cloak, scratching the animal's neck. Happy sounds of a horse who just received a thorough petting broke through the clearing, catching the men off guard.

”Com...Chief!!!”

The cloaked man took off his hood, revealing his unkempt hair hovering close to his sharp eyes.The flickering light from the fire cast shadows on his face, making him look fiercer with his lips firmly shut. Looking at the men, he nodded back in greeting.

The young man with his hands on the hilt of a sword relaxed his hand. Almost every man let out a deep breath. Looking at the items around the temporary camp, his chilly voice resounded.

”Don't leave any tracks behind.”

”Yes, Sir!”

The chief tilted his head toward the only tent left standing.

”Did she cause any trouble?”

”She has mostly behaved.”

Nodding, he made his way to the tent. ”Don't leave anything behind, we're leaving before daylight.”

Before dawn, the rain disappeared and Mina was too bored to stay indoors. She couldn't keep still and her tail kept twitching. She glanced at the open window, and couldn't resist but explore. Without any idea where to head off to, Mina found herself in the direction towards the bandit camp. Taking cover in the darkness, she observed the quick movements of the three men.

A man she had never seen before came out of the tent. Her ears perked up when she saw the man and her tail curved.

With narrowed pupils, she stalked the man from the cover of darkness. She could make out a tall figure wearing a tunic and trousers similar to the other bandits. But compared to those people, this man stood out with his feet splayed outward and his chin up with his back fully erect.

The princess followed behind the man, her hands clasped, fingers interlocked. She stood still on her spot, looking at the scene before her.

”It's time to move.”

Mina's eyes trailed back to the man again.

'Leader, he is the leader.' She nodded, finding a comfortable position to continue watching the show. Licking a paw, she looked up to see the man staring at her direction. Tongue out, she abruptly stopped, sensing his gaze.

Without giving him an inch, she stared back unblinking, her front paws stiffened and she felt the fur on her back stand up.

Intense.

Smoldering.