Ben kneeled beside the trapped knight who was facing down in the dirt. “I can leave you there all day if you want.”

  The knight growled like a vicious animal. “Do you think this is the end? Even if you kill me, Lord Sudfield will send an army here to destroy everything.”

  Ben shrugged. “I doubt Sudfield will be too happy about your defeat here. He can come here anytime, and I’ll be here waiting for him.” He noticed the knight’s arm dart toward the small dagger that had fallen just out of his arm's reach. Ben got back up, shaking his head. He kicked the dagger away and then stepped on the knight's arm. “You just don't learn, do you?”

  Shrieking, the knight scoffed. “You have no idea what’s in store for you.” He coughed a few times. “Go on then. Kill me while you can. I will never stop till you and your peasant friends are dead.”

  “Shut up already.” Ben huffed, kicking the knight's head, which rang like a stone had hit it. The knight went limp as his head plopped in the dirt. Ben shook his leg. Even though he wore heavy work boots, his ankle hurt like hell. “Some people just don't learn.” He muttered before turning his attention to the people of Robynhill.

  [+25XP, +1MP]

  Har had already made his way there and attempted to pry the lock with one of the metal tent anchors. A few seconds later, the cage door screeched open. Kerstin hurried out and embraced Har, who picked her up and took a few steps back.

  Arthel emerged from the mass of bodies and started shouting. “Listen here! The danger is gone! There’s no need to panic while we figure out how to get everyone back.” He then turned to Ben and Har. “Did you kill them?”

  Ben shook his head. “No, but they’ve been hindered. I don't think the bandits will be causing any more problems. I firmly believe in second chances, so you might want to try to convince them to consider their life choices and turn over a new leaf.”

  Arthel frowned. “What? You can't be serious.”

  “I’m not saying welcome them with open arms. Don’t you have a place in the village where you lock criminals when they get caught? Make them serve their time, and once you feel they’ve paid for their crimes, give them a chance to be productive citizens.” Ben shrugged. “As for the knight, he seems hell-bent on your demise, so I'm not sure what you want to do with him."

  Arthel scratched his chin, stuck in deep thought. “We usually string them on the hanging tree for crimes like this, but I understand what you mean. Killing them wouldn't make our situation any better.” He then motioned Ben to move away from everyone before he whispered. “What happened at the checkpoint?”

  “Let’s just say the Bloodhounds won't be much of a problem anymore.”

  Arthel let out a breath of relief and nodded. “Good going. Alright, I think I’ve got something up my sleeve.”

  Ben leaned on the van with crossed arms.

  Arthel stood before the cage where all the bandits, except the knight, had been tied up. “Your leader has been defeated. And I doubt Lord Sudfield will be too happy with what happened here and will no doubt make you pay. You have an important choice to make. We can leave you here for the bloodhounds, or you can take your chances with us. We will tend to your wounds and ensure you are fed while you serve your time. After that, either live within the law, or we will hunt you down and decorate the hanging tree with your bodies.”

  By then, the knight had come around and started screaming again. “I swear, if any of you listen to a word they say, I will personally split your throats.”

  Arthel seemed to have had enough. He picked up one of the tent anchors from the ground and stomped towards the knight before clanging his head back to unconsciousness. He made his way back to the cage. “We don't have all day, and it’ll be night soon, so make your choice.”

  After that, most bandits looked pale and agreed to the terms. The ones who didn't were left tied in an open cage.

  Har had gathered the horsecarts and placed the younger children in them. Most adults were huddled between them, while the bandits were tied like a chain gang at the back. The van breathing down their necks a few feet away kept them in check.

  It was almost evening time when Ben parked up beside the inn.

  [Condition: 57%, Fuel: 44%.]

  Har had already led the carts to the nearby grassy clearing, where Finnan stood, tearfully embracing his sisters. Everyone else seemed to give Otker strange stares before getting to work clearing the mess. Arthel spoke with Otker about the prisoners before they were dragged across the village to the jail cells.

  Arthel’s gaze met Ben’s before he made his way over with a heartfelt smile. “When you first arrived in my inn, I thought you were like the rest of them, but I was wrong. You’ve done more to help us than any of those uptight nobles. With the hounds dealt with, the roads are now safer, and we can start getting this village back to where it was. Everyone here is thankful.”

  This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  Ben nodded. “You’re welcome. I’m just happy things turned out in a positive light.”

  Arthel patted Ben on the shoulder. “I know you’ve got your quest to complete, but there is much to do, and we could use all the help we can get. There’s a place for you here anytime you wish.”

  “Are we going to clear the rubble from the mine?” Finnan interrupted, coming to stand between them.

  Arthel looked at Finnan and scratched his head like he had been caught off guard. “Take it easy. I was going to get to that. I know you want to know what happened there.” He faced Ben again. “This village exists because of the mine; without it running, we will never get to where we used to be. We would be happy if you want to take it.”

  Ben’s jaw dropped. “What? Why do you want me to take the mine?”

  “Well, first, you’ll have to clear the rubble, then find the deeds. Without them, that idiot Sudfield won't stop at anything to swipe it away. I feel you’ll bring it back better than it ever was.”

  Ben thought about it momentarily. It would take some time to get up and running again, which meant it would fix his money situation. After all, more money meant more upgrades for the van. Plus, he would be helping the people here out by improving the economy and creating jobs. It seemed like a win-win situation. “Alright. Once I finish my quest, we’ll see how to clear that mine.”

  Finnan walked between them. “Sir, you have to promise me one thing.”

  Ben looked down. “Yeah, and what’s that.”

  “You’ll take me with you when you clear the rubble. I want to find out what happened to my parents and put their memories to rest. They deserve a proper burial.”

  Ben gave the kid a pat on the back. “Don't worry, kid. We’ll go there together, you have my word. For now, I need you to hold tight while I get something important done.” As he finished, a commotion erupted across the other side of the village where the marketplace was situated.

  “What’s going on now?” Arthel huffed, stopping over there.

  Ben followed in his tracks, noticing unfamiliar people walking towards them.

  At the front was a man wearing a greenish hood, armed with a longbow. Beside him were a couple of guards who looked a little like Otker. They wore dirty surcoats with a crest resembling a green background, with a black pine tree above a badger in the center.

  The bowman raised his hand and motioned for his people to stop. He passed the bow to one of the guards before walking alone towards Arthel.

  “Arthel.” The bowman said, dropping his hood. “It’s been a few years, hasn't it?”

  Arthel raised his eyebrows and nodded. “Is that you, Jerry of Dimiwood?”

  “The last time you saw me was when I came with that fur caravan. You lot gave me a crappy price for my goods, so I started fighting in the marketplace.”

  Arthel crossed his arms. “Yeah, how could I forget? Then, you fought Otker and his guards and ended up in the cells for several days. Anyway, what happened to your people?”

  Jerry grunted. “It’s a long story, one better told over some ale.”

  Arthel motioned towards the marketplace. “Tell your people to get themselves here. You’re welcome to stay here as long as everyone contributes.”

  Ben sat on a stool by the bar.

  Jerry sipped on some Ale. “Everything was going alright when the Meso Knights were stationed there. Out of nowhere, they received orders to return to the Chateau.”

  Arthel nodded. “Yeah, I know that much. Did you find out why they were recalled?”

  “I heard rumors that a war broke out along the northern border with the Feruslands. They were gone for months, and we didn't hear anything back. That’s when that idiot Sudfield decided to make his move. Lord Dimiwood and his men fought them back for days till they lost their lives. Those of us you see here didn't turncoat and were imprisoned.”

  “How did you manage to get out of that one? I doubt they let you walk out of there like that.”

  “About a week ago, that Knight-Captain came with a few of his knights and soaked the ground in their blood. Sudfield managed to launch an ambush that caught them off-guard. They all died except for Alfred, who was imprisoned with us. The two of us managed to plan an escape, but he was caught at the last moment by Sudfields knights while we escaped into the woods.”

  “Do you know if Alfred survived?” Ben asked.

  Jerry sighed. “I can't be so sure. He was taken back into the cells. Knowing Sudfield, he would have made him pay for that.” He then gave Ben an extended stare. “I’ve never seen your face before. How would you know who Alfred is?”

  “Grand Marshall Le’Vieux sent him to figure out what happened to Alfred and his knights. His mission is to save them if they are still alive. Since we had little information, he stayed and helped us deal with the bloodhounds and bandits.” Arthel explained.

  Jerry frowned. “Bandits?”

  Arthel nodded. “Don't even ask me about that. Sudfield hired them and sent a knight dog to dispose of us so he could take over the mine.”

  Jerry turned to Ben and nodded. “That’s an impressive feat. Look, I won’t allow Alfred to rot in those cells. I’m not one to leave a man behind. There are a few things I need to grab from my hunter's cabin, and then we can see how to rescue Alfred.”

  Arthel raised an eyebrow. “I know what you’re up to. Let me guess, you’ll be going to the cattle farm after that.”

  Jerry shrugged, then gave him a sly grin. “Depends.”

  Arthel chuckled. “Anyway, It’s too late to head out into the woods. You should rest and fill your bellies in the morning before heading out there.”

  Ben slid the side door open.

  The early morning sun was obscured behind light cloud cover, making it dim. Ben had finished breakfast and bathed in the back of the inn. Jerry was still getting things sorted, giving Ben some free time to organize the back of his van and inventory everything he had that could be useful.

  After taking everything out, he made separate piles on the grassy clearing beside him. The first order of business was to check his power system. Luckily, he had upgraded the solar panels on his roof the previous year, and they seemed to be working despite the beating the van had taken from various encounters.

  That repair ability probably thinks it’s all part and parcel of the van.

  Ben grabbed some paper and a pen and created a list of all his items. After organizing them back into their correct boxes, he once again piled them into the boxes so they wouldn't tip over and be damaged.

  “It looks like an interesting machine.” Jerry interrupted. He raised a sack of things before Ben’s face and plopped them in the back. The only things he kept were his quiver and bow. “I’m curious to see how it moved without horses.”

  “Don't worry, you’ll see soon enough.” Ben slid the side door shut before opening the passenger side and letting the hunter take a seat. Once he was in the driver's seat, he turned to Jerry. “How do we get to this cabin?”

  **End of Robynhill I: Dire Situation Arc**