Not the most successful hunt I've had, but I'll not go hungry tonight. Not for the lack of opportunity, but for the presence of thieves. Usually I mind my own business but this time was a little different. It's not like it was a scene I hadn't seen countless times before in my travels. Or one I had found myself in on occasion.
But somehow it warranted me climbing down from my cover. It was the usual thing, an aging midlander and his grand child perhaps. I could see the set up from clear across the valley as plain as the trees on the horizon. They really had no business being out this far from Ul'dah to be honest. Yet there they were, strolling along not paying one bit of attention to the hillside or the various vantage points scattered among them.
One of the thieves, a woman, she could be seen laying in wait along the road while the others gave warning of approaching travelers. From my vantage point I could see them just below me. Just as the pair approached the bend, one of the men gave a little whistle. Just as I predicted, the woman laid down in the middle of the road. Now who didn't see this coming? So cliche.
What happened next was nothing shy of pure and utter foolishness on the old mans part. He tells the boy to wait while he takes a close look at the figure laying in the road. Surprise! She pulls a blade just as the others came out from hiding and approached. Now this is usually when I turn a blind eye and leave things to fate. But when I got a look at the scar across the boys face, and the horror in his eyes..
Well, damn it to the hells. Before I could blink I caught myself nocking an arrow and drawing back. Of the two males, the smaller one was the most aggressive. He reached back and was about to strike the boy as let loose the arrow, sticking it in a post just past his face. Nocking a second, I gave my warning. Told them to let them pass, and no blood need be shed this day.
After a long moment of pause and no doubt calculation, the trio backed off with eyes glued to me. Making certain there was enough distance between us so that I could at least loose two shots before the third could reach me, I made me way to the boy and his grand father. Naturally, the trio made the usual threats before deciding the were at a disadvantage. For their trouble, I tossed them my pouch which had a few coin. The woman grabbed it and they ran off.
Now normally, when someone shows gratitude, I feel humbled somehow. But this time, it irritated me. I gave the old man a verbal lashing about being out here, let alone excising such foolishness as to fall for such an obvious set up. He was still thanking me as I walked away. As I looked back, the boy was standing there with his arms wrapped around the old man looking at me. He smiled.
That smile moved me somehow. I gave them direction to the nearest camp, and suggested they hire an escort for the rest of their journey. And just like that, a potential good days hunt shot to the hells. The game I had been tracking now long gone..and the days light spent. At least there was enough time to make camp and eat. Tomorrow I think I'll head a little further into the hills and away from the roads. Any more distractions like the one today, I'll be going hungry tomorrow night. I wonder how the lot from the other night are doing?
But somehow it warranted me climbing down from my cover. It was the usual thing, an aging midlander and his grand child perhaps. I could see the set up from clear across the valley as plain as the trees on the horizon. They really had no business being out this far from Ul'dah to be honest. Yet there they were, strolling along not paying one bit of attention to the hillside or the various vantage points scattered among them.
One of the thieves, a woman, she could be seen laying in wait along the road while the others gave warning of approaching travelers. From my vantage point I could see them just below me. Just as the pair approached the bend, one of the men gave a little whistle. Just as I predicted, the woman laid down in the middle of the road. Now who didn't see this coming? So cliche.
What happened next was nothing shy of pure and utter foolishness on the old mans part. He tells the boy to wait while he takes a close look at the figure laying in the road. Surprise! She pulls a blade just as the others came out from hiding and approached. Now this is usually when I turn a blind eye and leave things to fate. But when I got a look at the scar across the boys face, and the horror in his eyes..
Well, damn it to the hells. Before I could blink I caught myself nocking an arrow and drawing back. Of the two males, the smaller one was the most aggressive. He reached back and was about to strike the boy as let loose the arrow, sticking it in a post just past his face. Nocking a second, I gave my warning. Told them to let them pass, and no blood need be shed this day.
After a long moment of pause and no doubt calculation, the trio backed off with eyes glued to me. Making certain there was enough distance between us so that I could at least loose two shots before the third could reach me, I made me way to the boy and his grand father. Naturally, the trio made the usual threats before deciding the were at a disadvantage. For their trouble, I tossed them my pouch which had a few coin. The woman grabbed it and they ran off.
Now normally, when someone shows gratitude, I feel humbled somehow. But this time, it irritated me. I gave the old man a verbal lashing about being out here, let alone excising such foolishness as to fall for such an obvious set up. He was still thanking me as I walked away. As I looked back, the boy was standing there with his arms wrapped around the old man looking at me. He smiled.
That smile moved me somehow. I gave them direction to the nearest camp, and suggested they hire an escort for the rest of their journey. And just like that, a potential good days hunt shot to the hells. The game I had been tracking now long gone..and the days light spent. At least there was enough time to make camp and eat. Tomorrow I think I'll head a little further into the hills and away from the roads. Any more distractions like the one today, I'll be going hungry tomorrow night. I wonder how the lot from the other night are doing?
