The couple left the new arrivals to prepare for battle- Svetlana retreating to the Leveton home and Oleg waiting by the front gate.

Almost directly after our heroes took their places, the sound of hooves could be heard making their way up to the front gate. The party heard a gruff voice yell out loud and clear, “Tax day! Hope you’ve got more than last month’s pitiful excuse for a payment; otherwise, we might make good on our offer to that wife of yours.”

Oleg cleared his throat, opened the gate, and spoke up, playing his part, “Yeah, yeah. Let’s just get this on with.”

Four bandits passed through the gate, followed by two horses drawing a wagon. The cloaked man sat astride one of the horses, and looked around as he entered. As soon as he passed the threshold, his eyes caught Kesal.

“AMBUSH!” he cried.