[h1]Chapter 1: The Merunda Bandits[/h1]

[h2]Prince Erik Reighn - Merunda, the borders of Miricia and Albia[/h2]

[img]https://i.imgur.com/NmZLe6g.jpg[/img]

"Ah, Albia!" Gregory applauded loudly as he caught sight of the familiar village of Merunda. The group had journeyed along the road together for nearly a week. After they exited the capital city of Dawn, the rest of Miricia was a bunch of fields and small villages that Gregory recommended Erik to avoid, so as not to draw unnecessary attention. Therefore, most of their trip was camping instead of sleeping in normal inns. Merunda was the first sizeable village that was close enough to Albia (being right on the border) that was supposedly safe enough to spend the night. "It'll be just past this village." He beamed happily.

Erik nodded in agreement. He was happy to finally be close to his home nation, where things made just a bit more sense. Before that, however, they agreed to spend one last night in a Mirician village. "We're not through yet," Erik began as his hand slipped to the hilt of his sword, as if absentmindedly ensuring it was still there. "Let's head to the local inn," He proceeded down the hill, glancing around at the surrounding forestry. While his mind was occupied to his current surroundings, the others would notice quite an extensive amount of damage in the city below. Barrels were broken on the street. A few houses appeared broken in to and vandalized. Steady smoke came from one of the houses further into the city. 

Something had happened in Merunda. And it happened recently.