The woods were thick with mist, the golden light of dusk barely piercing through the canopy. The robber knight Elissa Bulwer crouched low behind the twisted roots of an ancient oak, her horned helm gleaming dully in the dying sun. Ahead, a party wound its way along the narrow forest road—three wagons laden with goods, a handful of guards, and a nobleman riding at their head. Easy prey for a robber knight and her band.

She raised a hand. The rustling of leaves and snapping of twigs signaled her men moving into place. The moment stretched, silent but for the creaking of wagon wheels. Then, with a sharp whistle, the forest erupted.

Arrows flew from the trees, felling the first two guards before they could draw steel. Horses reared, screaming. Elissa surged forward, her sword flashing as she struck the nearest guard from the saddle. The noble turned, wide-eyed, reaching for his blade, only too slow. Her hands grabbing him and pulling him down from his horse and into the dirt.

"The coin and the food will be split evenly, the rest is finders keepers." she ordered, voice calm amid the chaos. She pressed her dagger blade to the noble’s throat, tilting her head as she regarded him. A noble man. Her grip tightened, perhaps a fine ransom. The thought made her smirk.

"Your name and house, my lord." She demanded with mocking courtesy pressing the dagger harder against his throat. "I need to know who I need to write a ransom demand to."