The Rulside Bandit Camp

He jumped over a broken table and surveyed his surroundings. There wasn't a single dead body; everyone seemed to have evacuated the tavern just in time. He checked behind the counter, peeked behind another upturned table, and then moved to the back room where barrels of beer were stored. There was no one to be found.

Darrin came up behind him, his eyes were turned back to normal color. He shook his head, looked at Soul with surprised eyes.

Soul glanced around one last time before making his way toward the door. As he reached for the handle, a voice called out from behind him.

"The fuck happened?" Darrin asked, stepping out from behind an overturned table, his face pale and confused.

Soul paused, turning slightly to face him. "I don't know," he said, his tone measured.

"Who was that man? Why did he target you?" Darrin pressed, taking a cautious step closer.

"I think it was that man's, Clancy's, friend. Tried to kill me and get revenge," he lied smoothly, avoiding Darrin's eyes.

Darrin rubbed the back of his neck, clearly troubled. "Gods –"

"I should get going. See you, Darrin," Soul added, moving toward the door again.

Darrin reached out as if to stop him but hesitated. "Y-yeah… You sure you'll be okay?" he asked.

Soul gave a brief nod, opening the door. "Hmm," he murmured before stepping out into the night.

He kept his head low and moved through the scared crowd outside. He didn't turn to them or ask if they were okay. With a flat expression, he continued onward.

Hope entered Rulside, taking in her surroundings. The village was charming, with houses made of sturdy embelwood, blending seamlessly with the area. There was a fountain featuring a beautiful statue of Niearman, goddess of lust, In the center. Water flowed gracefully around her curvaceous body.

The cobblestone paths winding through the village were lined with blooming flowers. Children played near the fountain, wooden swords clashing. Lanterns cast a soft glow, illuminating the paths and creating a peaceful atmosphere. The quiet chatter of villagers winding down their day could be heard, making Rulside feel welcoming even at night.

"Hello," Hope said, walking toward a couple sitting by the fountain. "I'm looking for a bandit. I'm told he has some kind of tattoo on his hand."

"Oh – that guy? Jamey? He's been a menace to us all," the man replied.

"What has he done?" she asked, curious.

"He used to live here. He's kidnapped people from our village and used them as slaves. He's dangerous," the man explained.

"Where is he now? I need to find him," Hope pressed.

"He's hiding in a part of the forest nearby," the woman joined in. "We've lost good people to him. Be careful."

"Where exactly is he right now?"

The man sighed and answered, "Walk west two miles. Then head into the 'S' shaped cave, take two right turns and a left. You'll exit a cave that leads into a dense part of the forest. He's holed up somewhere there."

"Be cautious," the woman added. "He's not someone to underestimate."

Hope nodded. "Thank you. I'll be careful and do what I must."

She crouched behind a large boulder, observing the entrance to the cave. Two men were there, seated around a flickering campfire as they enjoyed a simple stew. Above the entrance, the words 'Do not enter' were scrawled in chalk.

Hope scratched her finger, allowing a small stream of blood to trickle out. With practiced precision, she molded the blood into a makeshift bow. Taking aim, she fired, hitting one man in the shoulder and the other in the knee. Before they could cry out for help, she quickly drained their blood, leaving them unconscious but alive.

"Don't wanna kill anyone that doesn't deserve it…" She muttered to herself. "Come on, Hope. You can do this… Come on, girl."

She entered the cave, navigating the narrow paths as instructed. Taking two right turns and then a left, she exited the small cave.

Hope found herself facing a small campsite, where four guards were stationed. One guard was fast asleep, another was relieving himself behind a bush, and the remaining two were engaged in a quiet conversation a bit further away from the camp.

She quietly crept up to the sleeping guard and covered his mouth and nose, cutting off his air until he lost consciousness. Next, she grabbed the hair of the guard relieving himself and knocked him out by slamming his head against a nearby tree.

With only two guards left, Hope needed to act fast. She grabbed a nearby rock and threw it, creating a distraction.

"We should investigate that," the tall one suggested, glancing toward the sound.

"No!" the short one refused, grabbing his arm. "You don't investigate where the sound came from. You investigate everywhere but where the sound came from."

"Oooh."

"What in the world…" Hope whispered. "You dumb idiots!"

One of the guards stumbled upon the man who had been relieving himself behind a bush. He was covered in his own piss, the stink making the guard who found him grimace.

"I found one. He's passed out," he announced, stepping back from the stench.

"Uuh, whoever is attacking this camp right now," the short guard called out, raising his hands. "Please come out. We don't want any trouble."

Hope created a mask with her blood that hid her face, clothes, and hair. Then, she got up from her hiding place and created two daggers in the air, which followed her every step. The two guards, seeing a blood mage before them, immediately dropped to their knees, discarding their swords and shields.

"Great. A blood mage," one of them muttered, trembling. "We don't want any trouble. Please, leave us."

"I'm looking for a man with a tattoo on his hands. Where's he?" she demanded, stepping closer.

"He's in the main camp, not here. Go a bit further down this rocky path, and you'll see the camp. It's near the shore," the other one answered, pointing shakily.

"Y-yeah. Like my friend said. Please don't kill us."

"I'm going to draw enough blood to leave you passed out. Not dead… would that be okay?" Hope asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I mean… we won't tell anyone. You don't have to do that," one guard pleaded, raising his hands higher.

"Or I'll kill you both. Your choice," she countered, the daggers hovering menacingly.

"Drain our blood," they said in unison, looking at each other and then back at her.

"Okay… bite your lips hard until there's blood."

"Aw, man. That would hurt. Can't we just cut a very tiny small –"

As the daggers got close to the two of them, they bit their lips, letting their blood drop to the ground. Hope stretched out her palm, making their blood leave their bodies and form a small orb in the air. Not long after, the two guards passed out in the mud.

"Smartasses," she muttered, shaking her head as she continued on her way