Confidant now in his decision, Kal opened up his mouth and responded to the small cluster of soldiers that had formed around him. [color=f7941d]"Have we identified their leader?"[/color] He asked to the nearest one. [color=fff79a]"Yes Sire, we think so."[/color] The soldier gestured to one of the bodies lying on the ground. It was a cruel looking man in his mid thirties, marginally better dressed then the rest of the motley group. He wore a long brown cloak with a turnip roughly painted on the back. Though the most noticeable thing about him now was the arrow sticking out of his throat. He'd been one of the first casualties of the battle, hardly having any time to rally his men before a lucky or exceedingly skilled shot silenced him for good. Kal was actually pleased with this. It wasn't that he took joy in killing, but even if they had captured the leader alive he'd have been summarily executed. Most likely strung up in a public place, as a gristly warning to other would-be bandits. The man's death here and now saved both time and effort. There was still the matter of what to do with the rest of them though. More had surrendered than Kal had expected. He'd thought that they would fight to the death, but after seeing their leader downed so quickly and after those that had tried to flee the battle had been cut down by arrows in the back, a few of the more intelligent ones had thrown down their weapons, and the majority of the band had followed suit soon after. All in all there were probably about 15 kneeling on the ground, with a few others injured. Kal addressed the prisoners: [color=f7941d]"Who was the second in command?"[/color] [color=fff79a]"That would be me."[/color] The voice came from behind. Startled, Kal turned quickly to see the huge man he had fought. Evidently he'd been forgotten in the hole, or thought dead when they were securing the rest of the men. Reindolous acted swiftly and had his blade out and at the man's throat before Kal had scarcely had time to blink. He hardly needed have bothered though. Large as the man was, he wasn't much of a threat now, disarmed and leaning heavily on one leg to put his weight off his injured ankle, He'd evidently removed the arrow already, as it was gone and his arm was roughly bandaged. [color=f26522]"Would you like me to dispatch him Sire?"[/color] Reindolous asked. [color=f7941d]"No, not yet. I have a few questions to ask him."[/color] Kal looked the bandit in the eyes and asked [color=f7941d]"Is this all of your men?"[/color] [color=fff79a]"Nearly. There are a few more at our camp with the woman and children but most are here."[/color] Kal was taken aback by the man's honest answer. [color=f7941d]"Woman and Children?"[/color] He asked. [color=fff79a]"Yes, but they had no part in this."[/color] [color=f7941d]"Are they your captives?"[/color] The man almost cracked a pained grin at the question. [color=fff79a]"Some might say the opposite actually."[/color] [color=f26522]"Speak more clearly, cur."[/color] Reindolous interjected. [color=f26522]"Lest my blade slip."[/color] [color=fff79a]"They're our wives. Our children. "We-[/color] he gestured at the rest of the captive bandits [color=fff79a]-Weren't always in such a sorry state. Most of us come from what used to be a logging village not so far from here." "A few years ago a blight struck the trees. Rotted them from the inside out. Trade dried up, and we couldn't afford to buy crops or seed like we always had. We were starving. Then came along Hob and his men. [/color] [color=f7941d]"Hob?"[/color] The man pointed at the corpse of the Leader and spat. [color=fff79a]"Him. He was a known criminal in our area, robbed caravans and the like. We never had any truck with him or his ilk before... but seeing your children go hungry will do strange things to a man. He said there was good money to be had and that we we'rent in any position to refuse. Every few weeks he'd come and ask for men to help with his "little jobs". Those that did came back with food for their families. It wasn't long before nearly all of us were doing it."[/color] [color=fff79a]"I won't ask for forgiveness or leniency for and neither will any of the others, we all knew what we were doing and what would happen if we were caught. But I will ask, please Sire, don't hold our wives or children accountable for our crimes."[/color] The man hung his head and was silent. [color=f7941d]"What is your name?"[/color] The Man looked up. [color=fff79a]"What?"[/color] [color=f7941d]"Your name. I would know the name of a man before I pass judgement on him."[/color] [color=fff79a]"Balt, it's Balt Arbor."[/color] [color=f7941d]"Reindolous, put Balt here with the others, then send a scout out to fetch Tamlyn. I have an idea of what to do with these Turnips." [/color] ------ The next day Kal had marched his soldiers and the prisoners to Tamlyn's Village. He'd spent most of the previous evening speaking to Tamlyn(Son of George) about what he planned to do with the remaining bandits. At first the village Headman had looked at Kal like he was insane, but as Kal further explained his plan and reasoning, Tamlyn(Son of George) began nodding and eventually agreed. Now he stood in front of a crowd of villagers with the Bandits before him. They were all tied by the hands and linked together. He addressed both when he began to speak. [color=f7941d]"I have come to a decision. Know that I, Prince Kallain Windral, make this ruling in place of my father, the King. It is by this Authority that I hereby sentence all remaining members of the Turnip Bandits to Community Service.[/color] A shocked look fell over the crowd, with the exception of Tamlyn(Son of George) who already knew what the outcome of Kal's ruling would be. [color=f7941d]"All former members of the Turnip Bandits shall be forced to labor for the sake of this village, building houses, tilling land, and yes, harvesting Turnips, until such a time as it is deemed they have fulfilled their debt to the Kingdom. If they refuse to work, or attempt to escape, they will be executed. They will dwell in houses built by their own hands, and they, and their families will be fed by their own labors.Additionally they will build a garrison to house soldiers that that will be posted here to protect from future bandit incursions."[/color]