[color=9966cc][h3]Joss Corbyn[/h3][/color][sub]directly interacting with [@OwO][/sub][hr]
Somewhere around the middle of the Iron Rose's formation a man in armor sat comfortably on his steed. Joss was comfortable in full plate armor, though he chose to keep his helmet off for the moment, seeing as his companions were discussing the best way to deal with the "Bandit King." Being relatively new to the Order, Joss figured he'd let the other's figure out the plan, though there seemed to be no shortage of ideas. He didn't see what the big deal was, they were the [i]Iron Roses[/i] for Reon's sake, they should be able to handle these scum regardless of whatever traps they may have in store. He saw the logic in sending a scouting party to test the bandits' defenses, but the Roses had a reputation to keep, any opposition should be thoroughly crushed beneath their boots. 

The skeptic in Joss whispered that they were walking into a trap. If he looked at the events leading up to that day, it only made sense that the Bandit King would only be bold enough to challenge the Order if he had something up his sleeve. Even if it was, there weren't many options for the Roses, they had to take the bandits out regardless. As Joss mulled over his thoughts, he reached into one of his saddle bags for some food to give Zephyr, his horse. While letting Zephyr snack on the feed he had just brought out, his attention was drawn to the vanguard, where the Rose's newest Knight-Captain was considering the best way to engage the mission. Joss had been baffled when he learned how the Iron Roses picked new leaders. To put someone so young in charge of such a unique and efficient group of warriors seemed like a recipe for disaster. And by the looks of it, it was mostly the seasoned members of the Order that spoke up to either agree or disagree with Fanilly. It made sense, the old and the new will always clash, tradition versus change, it was the way of the world wasn't it?

Joss dismounted from Zephyr, patting him lightly before tying him to a nearby tree. Normally the tether wasn't necessary but he figured if things went south and Zephyr got spooked at least he wouldn't have to run around trying to retrieve his anxious mount. He had just returned to the main cluster of Roses when an explosion of movement took place near Fanilly. It looked like their caravan had come across what was left of a bandit attack, coincidence? Joss didn't think so, and he was proven right when his Captain was almost skewered by an archer volley. Quick to act, Joss retrieved his spear from it's holder over his shoulder and donned his helmet as the Order scrambled into an attack formation. Fanilly made the call, [i]attack![/i] 

He was moving in an instant, taking in his surroundings and looking for the best place to enter a formation with the other Knights. Spotting Aria, a fellow spear user, Joss slid up behind her group of Knights to cover their rear. [b][color=9966cc]"With you,"[/color][/b] he called out, signaling that they could advance forward on the bandits in front of them without having to worry about being ambushed from behind. Joss activated a mechanism in his spear that allowed it to split into two blades and he adopted a wide stance, grounding himself. Guarding the rear meant he would have to be reactive and not allow himself to be baited out of formation. 

A rustle in the forest was enough to alert him of the bandit that sprung from it's tangled depths. Joss almost felt sorry for the man, almost. He was a short man but made up for it with muscle, but judging by his unbalanced stance, he didn't know how to properly use it. The bandit held a battle axe and a buckler shield, and he rushed Joss hard. Corbyn let the man come, refusing to budge even as the bandit let out a war cry and let loose a wild but devastating strike from over his head. Joss moved then, dashing past the strike and lowering his shoulder, his left knee almost scraping the ground. Joss heard the air leave the bandit's lungs as his armored body met the leather clad bandit's. Using the man's momentum, Joss flipped the bandit over his shoulder, using his crouched position to spring himself upward. The axe fell from his grip and the man found himself on his back, winded and dazed. Joss knew what he had to do next, and instead of the expected swift slash to the bandit's neck, he sunk one of his blades straight through the man's shoulder and into the dirt beneath him. Having successfully pinned the bandit, Joss called for rope, and a Knight who was still mounting their house retrieved some from a saddlebag. As quickly as he could, Joss hogtied the bandit and the Knight who grabbed the rope for him threw the man over one of the horse's backs for interrogation after the skirmish. [b][color=9966cc]"We got one alive!"[/color][/b] He informed the squad he was moving with, having returned to his place in the formation.