The air was entirely silent while two of the bandits scoured through the group’s pile of belongings. Although, there was little that they did [i]not[/i] take. Even furs and clothing was valuable. Even so, the looks on the bandits’ faces were distinctly disappointed. They packed away what they wanted into their packs, grabbed the weapons, like Pieter’s halberd, then approached their leader. 

“It’s not looking that good, ma’am. There were a few weapons, a few coins, but I reckon most of it is still up in their main camp. A lot more of them up there…” One of the bandits explained quietly. 

The leader, whose blade was still held out towards the group, did not take her eyes off of them as she answered. “Thought that might be the case. Well, we planned for this. We’re heading up there, then. Grab one of them for…compliance.” She ordered. 

“With pleasure.” The mace-wielding Imperial answered, drawing a dagger from his belt. While the archers kept their weapons at the ready, aimed at the most seemingly defenseless members of the pack, the Imperial took a few steps forward. His eyes gravitated towards Sabine, looking her over from head to toe. It was a gaze that was unsettling in more ways than one. 

The man walked up to Sabine and lightly brushed his knife across her cheek. “Well, aren’t you a pretty little thing? You’re going to be coming with us for a while. Now, make any noise and I’ll slit your throat.” He threatened. Grabbing a hold of her, he pulled her to him, facing away, and put his blade to her neck. Slowly, he started to walk backwards towards the rest of the bandits with her.

As the Imperial grabbed their hostage, the leader watched the rest of the pack like a hawk. “Don’t even think about trying anything. Remember, we want your things, not your lives. We’ll even send your girl back to you once we’re…assured of your compliance. Stay here, stay quiet, and don’t even think about following.”

As the bandit was making her threats and the rest of her men were keeping the pack under control, a silhouette appeared on the hill above and behind them. The actions of the bandits, it seemed, had not gone entirely unnoticed. It was uncertain exactly what had alerted him, but looking down on the bandits from above was Leaps, and he was most certainly angry. A simple beast he might have been, but even a beast could recognize when his masters were being threatened.