Chapter 6 - The Journey Continues

  After travelling for ten days they arrived at a small valley, the sight of a quaint village nested amidst the greenery gave a sense of relief to Viktor and Kaavi. The village surrounded by lush green fields and rustic homes, seemed like an oasis to Viktor after the encounter with the bandits.

  Kaavi scanned the surroundings, ensuring there were no immediate threats. Satisfied, he turns to Viktor, who was gazing at the village with wide eyes.

  Kaavi: "We'll rest here for a while. The villagers are usually welcoming, but we must remain cautious."

  Viktor: nodding "Understood."

  They walked down the gentle slope towards the village. The closer they got, the more details came into view: children playing near a well, women tending to gardens, and men working in the fields. The air was filled with the sounds of rural life, a stark contrast to the quiet tension of the forest.

  As they entered the village, a few villagers paused to look at the newcomers, curiosity evident in their eyes. An elderly woman, her face lined with years of hard work, approached them.

  Elderly Woman: "Greetings, travelers. You look weary. What brings you to our village?"

  Kaavi: bowing slightly "We are on a journey north and seek rest and provisions."

  The woman's expression softened, and she nodded.

  Elderly Women: “people don’t travel this time of the year, because bandits are very active this time around. But the bandits for some reason avoid this village.”

  Kaavi: “we saw some bandits on our way here, fortunately they didn’t spot us…”,

  Elderly Woman: "Bandits have been more brazen lately. You're safe here."

  Kaavi: “is there any place to rest and get some food?”

  Elderly Woman: “Yes, there is an inn down the street, they also provide food, try some apple pies, it is their specialty.”

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  Kaavi thanked her, and they followed the route to a modest inn at the village's center. Inside, the inn was warm and inviting, with a crackling fireplace and the aroma of hearty stew filling the air. The innkeeper, a stout man with a jovial demeanor, welcomed them.

  Innkeeper: "Welcome, welcome! Have a seat by the fire. I'll bring you some food and drink."

  As they settled at a table, Kaavi's sharp eyes continued to observe the room, noting the villagers' interactions and listening to snippets of conversation. Viktor, meanwhile, couldn't help but relax slightly, the warmth and comfort of the inn a welcome change from their recent ordeals.

  After they had eaten, Kaavi leaned closer to Viktor.

  Kaavi: "We need to gather information discreetly. I'll speak with the innkeeper. You stay here and listen. Sometimes, people reveal more than they intend when they think they're not being watched."

  Viktor nodded, understanding the gravity of their task. Kaavi approached the innkeeper, engaging him in casual conversation.

  Kaavi: "This village seems peaceful. Have you had any trouble with bandits recently?"

  Innkeeper: sighing "More than we'd like. They never bothered us, but lately, they've been more aggressive. We're a small village, not much of value here, but they still cause trouble."

  Kaavi: "That's concerning. Have the villagers done anything to deter them?"

  Innkeeper: "We keep to ourselves mostly. Some say there's a reason they avoid us, but I think it's just luck. We've set up some watchmen at night, just in case."

  Kaavi: "A wise precaution. Have you heard any rumors about why the bandits are becoming bolder?"

  Innkeeper: glancing around and lowering his voice "There's talk of a new leader among them. Someone ruthless, he is trying to find someone. And they sometimes come here looking for them, investigating the area and checking all the inns in this area. It's dangerous to even go out of the village."

  Kaavi: "Thank you for the information. We'll stay alert."

  Meanwhile, Viktor, sitting by the fire, overheard two villagers speaking in hushed tones at a nearby table.

  Villager 1: “The bandits have a new leader now and they are trying to find some child and a man traveling north.”

  Villager 2: “that might be the reason the are more hostile these days, they didn’t used to bother us in the past. Their new leader must be someone ruthless.”

  Villager 1: "and did you hear about the incident at the southern pass? nine dead bodies were found. They say it was a massacre."

  Villager 2: "Aye, but who would be foolish enough to challenge the bandits there? It's suicide."

  Villager 1: "Some say it was a group of mercenaries. Others say it was a lone warrior, out for revenge."

  Villager 2: "Either way, it's made things more dangerous for everyone."

  Villager 1: “They were already bothering us for some old man and a child and now a murderer, we can not get a moment of silence now.”

  As Viktor listened, he noted the tension in their voices, the fear of the unknown threat looming over their village. He made a mental note to share this with Kaavi later.

  Kaavi returned to Viktor, a thoughtful expression on his face.

  Kaavi: "It seems the bandits are trying to find us. We should be cautious as we continue our journey."

  Viktor: "I overheard some villagers talking about a massacre at the northern pass. They maybe be the same people you killed that day. I think because of their new leader they are searching for us."

  Kaavi: "It's possible. We need to stay vigilant and gather more information before we move on."

  They spent the rest of the evening in the inn, blending in with the villagers and listening to their stories. The sense of unease was palpable, but the villagers' resilience shone through. As night fell, they retired to their room, planning their next steps in the journey that lay ahead.