Chapter 37: Bandits
"They suddenly came a few weeks ago. It wasn’t the first time bandits had come and tried to attack the village. Usually, the high walls would be enough to thwart a few bandits. If that wasn’t enough, Uncle Jeffrey and Aunt Helena used to be mercenaries, and with bow and arrows at the ready, would scare them off. That usually worked, but this time it was different."
Milos spoke, remembering the past few weeks when everything was still normal.
"At first, they came in small numbers, we thought it was the same usual, and they got scared, but later we learned that they were just scouting the area. Uncle Jeffrey noticed that something was wrong, so he sent a letter for aid."
Milos spoke while making some hand gestures, and then he stopped as he bit his lips again.
"As if they timed it with that, a few days after they came back with numbers. Uncle Jeffrey and Aunt Helena could only hold them back for a while before they were able to break down the walls. Both of them were able to kill a few while telling us to run, but it did not last long. I did not see what happened to Uncle Jeffrey and Aunt Helena, but I saw them kill a few men and most of the elders while taking the others. I hid with some of the kids, and then a few hours later, you came."
"So, it has just been a few hours? Did you see where they went?" Lucen asked.
Milos nodded his head.
"They moved fast. I saw some on horses, most on foot. I guess they were heading south... toward the old forest trail. The one traders used before the bridge was made. They took almost everyone and killed a few."
"Is there any place in the old forest trail where they could be hiding?"
Hearing Lucen’s question, Milos was quiet for a few seconds, deep in thought, and then an answer came to him.
"Yes, I think I know where they might be hiding."