Chapter 5: On the way to the bandit camp

I logged in early to fill my canteen, mend my clothes and present myself to the expedition Captain.

I had imagined him to be tall muscular and rough but when i asked one of the pikemen for him i was directed towards a slender red headed women clad in a dark brown thick leather outfit with iron boucle’s and a large sword attached on her back. She looked powerful and authoritative. she must have felt my gaze on her because she turned her attention to me. under her heavy scrutiny i hastily presented myself.

"Greetings Madam. i was told you are the expedition's Captain. I am the Cook recommended by Master Kaden."

"Ah, yes i remember. he said you know how to defend yourself. i hope it is true because neither i or my men will have time to baby-sit you."

"I understand Captain. If you permit me i will go see the rations you planned on, so i know what i will be working with."

"Yes, you go do that."

Her attention was quickly back on the departures preparative.

I took the time to count the troops constituting the Punitive forces. I spotted several players among them.

30 pikemen ( 3 players )

30 archers ( 8 players )

20 swordsmen ( 6 players )

10 mages ( 1 player )

In addition to the combative troops were 10 Priests, Captain Miller, 2 boys leading donkeys a caravan driver and me.

In total 110 men were forming a 5 men colon, the red headed warrior at its head followed by the pikemen and archers. Then there was the chariot, filled with tents, water barrels and rations. i was sitting next to the driver while the mullet boys sat in the wagon, they donkeys following close behind. closing the march was, in order, the Priests, Mages and Swordsmen.

The procession was starting to attract attention as the common folks came to wish them luck and offer their support. among the NPC crowd early players were watching their piers with envy.

"What is going on?"

"Its a punitive expedition. they are going out to clear a dungeon with the city's troops."

"So cool... how do you join?"

"I don't know. maybe only the top players can get in."

"That means people from the Wall of fame are in it?"

"Probably"

The Wall of fame... Thanks to the 1 Fame i had gotten by building the well my rank had risen from 74 to 53. maybe i should celebrate it.

On a whim i opened my Option window and turned the Recording setting on. At the limit of my upper right vision a blinking red "REC" appeared. from now on i would be filming the expedition.

We orderly exited the city, following the dirt road 4 hours before leaving it. we crossed a small river by foot, the mullet boy and me had to push the wagon through it, then the ground started going uphill. By mid day we could see the forest. once we were under the tree line Captain Miller told us to settle for lunch.

That was my queue.

As soon as the order to stop was given i jumped of the wagon and set up a fire place, then i went back to the wagon and pulled from it a water barrel, 55 bread loaf and 110 apples and small slices of rabbit meat

I stood next to the fire and put the meat to cook on wooden sticks. when the first soldier came by handing me his wooden plate and goblet i served him half a bread loaf, an apple and a roasted rabbit meat slice, filled his cup with water to which i added a squished Elabore seed to shorten the fatigue's effect.

Every time i would empty a wooden stick from meat i would refill it and place it back on the fire.

At first the other players hesitated before taking their share, it was certainly their first time eating something done by another player. he had to reassure them he had no benefit’s in tricking them. on the contrary if they refussed to eat he would save some rations. one of them came and tried it out. when he drank from his goblet and a window showed him the Elabore infused drink effect it finished convincing the rest of them.

The last one to take their share was Captain Miller. she took her plate in silence and left to eat with her men.

As soon as everyone was served i killed the fire, but the barrel back on the wagon and readied myself for my dish washing duties. using soft mud and a wet cloth i wiped all 110 plates clean before giving them back to their owner, chatting with them as i did so.

Now certain i had fulfilled my Obligations as a cook i sat down next to the driver and a mullet boy and ate my lunch while conversing with my 'wagon bound' companions.

The break was less than 30 minute long, just enough to take care of everyone’s satiety, thirst an fatigue.

It took a minute for the Colon to reform then we entered the forest through a narrow path. As soon as we crossed the tree limit my passive herbalist skill started showing itself. all around me, on the floor, the bushes and trees myriad of small names tags revealed to me the presence of various leafs, seeds, fruits and roots.

The reason why so many appeared was because of my extensive reading back at the old wizards tower. i had slowly learned the names, appearance and properties of multitude of plants used in magik ritual, brewing and potions, adding to this the many food ingredients naturally found in a forest i already knew over 200 herbs, roots seeds and fruits.

Incapable to resist such tentation i leapt from my seat and went from one spot to another, picking clean the vegetation surrounding us.

The players and soldiers behind the caravan were staring at me, wondering what i could be doing. Seeing me place handful of regents in my backpack they soon understood that i was looting.

Since they were all characters built for fighting none of them understood that they were passing by so many valuable items.

I briefly wondered if the nametags would show on the video and decided that it did not matter.

They advanced through the forest until they reached a small clearing just before sun down.

"We will camp here tonight!"

With just those words the colon disbanded. the soldiers started organising guard watch, a few archers went into the woods to hunt, the wagon was parked and discharged of the tents which were set in a circle around a big fire place in the middle of the clearing.

Many of the players had never camped in the wild before and hesitated before helping out here and there.

As for me i had pulled bags of vegetables, a gigantic cooking pot. some salt and another lot of bread and meat.

Following a recipe i had read in a book i peeled then diced a total of 134 potatoes, 76 carrots and 34 onions while the pot water was heating. when vapour started emanating from the pot i added a bunch of aromatic herbs and roots i had gathered this very day into the hot water then covered it with a lid.

That will do for the seasoning.

When it boiled i added the potatoes and carrots to the water. As they baked i grinded various seeds into an oily paste that i used to season the meat that i then once again put on skewers. I put them to roast under the pot when th vegetables were nearly ready.

The scent of the cooking meat and the pottage drew the soldiers to me. they formed a line plate and goblet in a hand their spoon and bowl in the other.

Seeing that i needed help, the 2 mullet boys came to assist me. one filled their cup and handed them half a bread while the other placed a morsel of roasted meat on their plates. finally i would fill their bowl with vegetables.

When the returning hunters saw how tasty the meat was they happily gave me their game. to them who had contributed to the food stocks of the expeditions i gave little extra veggies.

When the time came to clean i started with the table dressings pilling the cleaned ones next to the tents, the already sleeping soldiers would pack them in the morning before lifting camp.

I let the fire dim to keep the leftovers in the pot warm without burning them. as i was putting back a few ingredients back in the wagon i quickly did an inventory. as i feared the bread loafs would run out by tomorrow at lunch. i needed to make some now since i didn't know if i would be able to do some then.

Using a large pot as a mixing bowl i emptied several bags of wheat flour, added some water, yeast and following my instinct seeds and nuts.

I spent the next ten minutes malaxing it all into a sticky paste.

I set 3 smaller fires, placing the burning wood in a circle. i let it burn a little then on the ashes in the centre of each of them i placed a ball of bread paste. thanks to the in game settings the bread only took 5 minute to bake but since i needed enough for several days i made more than 500 of those round breads. it took me several hours and by the time i was done the sun was starting to show up.

Throughout the night, rotating watch guards had gradually emptied the vegetable pot. i had made sure to chat with everysingle one of them.

I cleaned the giant and big cooking pots, extinguished the small fires and prepared for breakfast. Every time a soldier came to recuperate its table wear i would hand them a third of still warm bread and a slice of cheese. the water barrel was emptied and another one opened.

When the procession started moving again

I had switched with one of the mullet boys for the morning. less than a minute later i fell asleep at the back of the wagon.

When i woke up i gathered as much as i could from the surrounding flora then started preparing for lunch. Bread, meat, apple and infused water.

After lunch i checked my map and notice that we were gonna pass close to the area were the ruins were supposed to be. i wondered if i would be able to stop on our way.

By the end of the afternoon we met the first resistance. a group of archers hidden in trees started shooting at the priests and mages while mass wielders flanked our archers on the right and swordsmen attacked the front and end of the procession.

We are surrounded. they are killing the healers and massive damage killers first. smart outlaws!

Seeing that the rear of the colon was too far for the Captain voice to e heard above the noise of the battle i took a leap and shouted

"Priests and mages gather , swordsmen protect them!"

Instantly the soldiers obeyed to the confident voice. the priests healed their allies and themselves while the mages took care of the archers and immediate threats. the swordsmen mowed through the bandits. once their end of the procession was clear they started advancing against those at the front. in less than 10 minutes the batle was over.

I had personally defeated 5 bandits who had tried to take over the caravan, among which a flying archer by throwing my kitchen knife at him.

After, the priests kept healing the soldiers, equipment loots were placed on the wagon by the NPC soldiers and a quick Head count was done.

A mage, 2 priests, 6 archers and 2 pikemen were dead, among them were 2 players that would come back in 24 in game hours.

We were better off than i had thought.

Captain Miller came toward me, her cheek had a little blood smeared on them. other than that there was no trace that she had been through battle.

"I was told you held your share of the action. it is good to know that Kaden's opinion of you was founded"

"Thank you Captain."

" Hum. keep going like that Cook."

She left, living me the impression that i was getting on her god side.

"Your contribution to the battle has been noticed. a Bonus will be awaiting you at the end of the Expedition.

Your familiarity with the expedition forces has increased by 15%

Your familiarity with Captain Miller has increased by 14%"

After this i took the time to check on the loots i had obtained from the bandits.

"Travelling Boots

Durability: 8/11

Toughness: 2

Speed: 1

A pair of comfortable and sturdy skin boots. ideal for long travels.

Protection against cold weather: 1%

Common equipment."

"Tough Skin Belt

Durability: 7/9

A belt made of intertwined skin strips. made to last but lacks any aesthetics.

Anaesthetic equipment"

"Smelly Yellowed tunic

Durability: 4/5

Toughness: 1

An old tunic smelling of sweat. no matter how much you clean it it will never be white again.

Protection against cold weather: 1%

Anaesthetic equipment"

"Rusted Iron Sword

Durability: 21/30

Attack: 4-7

Paring: 2

Blocking: 2

Weapon type: short one handed sword

An old and rusty short one handed sword. you are most likely to get thetanos than wound your enemy from it.

Maybe if you tried to sharpen it...

Anaesthetic equipment"

"Common Wooden Bow

Durability: 24/31

Precision: 64%

Speed: 1

Weapon type: bow

A regular wooden bow. the sting seems to be a bit ragged.

Common equipment."

Looking at the wagon i saw one of the mullet boy take a large knife to defend himself. Following his exemple i casually selected a few items for my own use.

"Hunting Knife

Durability: 24/30

Attack: 1-3

Speed: 1

Weapon type: long knife

A 15cm long and large hunting knife with a sharp blade.

When equipped wild life based loot will increase by 3%.

Common equipment"

"Small Skin Quiver

Durability: 7/11

Complementary equipment to Bows

A small shaggy/scrapped off/ dirty skin quarrel which can contain a maximum of 50 arrows.

Anaesthetic equipment"

"Hand-made Wooden Arrows (x50)

Durability: 1-2/3

Attack: 2-4

Critical attack: 3-6

Precision: 34%

Arrow type: wooden, sharp stone head

A hand made wooden arrow with shared pointy stone fragments at their head and a few chicken feathers at their extremity.

Due to poor craftsmanship the durability and precision is relatively low.

Anaesthetic Equipment."

I immediately upgraded my get up. I now wore my brown tunic and trousers from the beginning but gone were the smelly sock like shoes and rope belt that itched. in their place i put the boots and skin belt, hanging my sword on my left hip, the hunting knife horizontally on the back of my hips and my gourd and journal on my right. the quiver was strapped on my back, arrows and bow tucked inside of it.

Now i feel like a true Adventurer. Maybe i should choose this as my Job...

Captain Miller reorganised the colon. it was now devided into three units each of them were attributed a number of Priests, Mages, Archers, swordsmen and Pikemen. The close combat soldiers and players were on the front, back and side lines while the Archers mage and priests were mixed up in the middle.

The wagon, me and my three non combatant friends were still in the middle of colon, swordsmen and pikemen guarding our flank and the long range combatant and healers were divided in the front and back of the trailer.

With this troop arrangement, attacking the procession would be more difficult for the bandits. Especially since the bandits surprise advantage was gone.

We set our camp in a small clearing, the watch guards was doubled and soldiers slept in their armours, weapon next to them. the next three days of the expedition was similar, crossing the forest, being attacked during the day, lunch or night, pushing the outlaw back, camping...

The soldiers were always watching the trees, expecting bandits to crawl out of behind them at any moment now.

On the fouth day of the expedition i pulled my map, wanting to know how far from the Ruins we were. we had passed them by a large merging. but what got my attention was that our travelling route had been inconsistent.

I understood that the Bandit camp location was unknown to our superiors and they were trying to ferret out the outlaw by searching the forest one place at a time.

I knew immediately that this was not the best way of looking. the Outlaws would need a large yet defendable space close to a water source. i studied my map more intently and found three possible places where they could hide. I wondered why the Captain hadn't thought of it sooner and decided to talk to her about it.

But before i had to convince them to go back towards the Ruins.

When we set up camp on the sixth night i went to the officers tent looking for Captain Miller. She was looking at a travel map with her right hand, a dark skinned staff wielding mage. they were discussing the next day itenary.

When i entered the tent the mage brightly smiled at me.

"What can we do for you Ben Varrant?"

"I have come to inform you that our food ration has been consume by half. if we do not find a way to re-stock it we will have to go back to Djaden empty handed."

"I see. anything else?"

"Yes. i need to impose a detour in our travelling plans."

Hearing my words the red head finally paid attention to me.

"A detour? when you have just notified us that we will soon lack food? why?"

"We need to replenish our water supply. we are done to less than 2 barrels."

"How it get used so fast?"

"We used a considerable amount on cleaning and bandaging wounds."

"I see. what do you have in mind exactly?"

Looking at their map of the forest i noticed it was only composed of the bigger clearings and rivers. that explained why their search was so unorganised. I pulled mine and laid it over theirs. it showed land marks such as easily remembered trees and rocks with clearings of all sizes, rivers and springs and trails left by animals, travellers of passing caravans. all of those were thanks to either my reading on the area or the many talks had had with local huntsmen before leaving the city with the expedition. then there was the Ruins indicated by a red dot.

I showed them an old merchants path that went back West, towards Djaden. to reach it we would have to walk up-hill for an hour.

"If you follow this trail going north west you will directly get to a large river it would be perfect to fill the barrels. One day minimum, not counting possible outlaws attack."

"Too risky"

"I agree. we should not squatter the caravan."

Up to now they had reacted exactly the way i wanted them to. now i just had to convince them to adopt my plan and stop at the Ruins.

"In that case my suggestion is to pass there, it is a large trail left by regular merchant caravans so there should be no problems with the wagon, lunch in this big clearing here then continue to the river. the banks are large enough to set up camp for the night."

"That would not be so bad. we would be filling our water supply, checking two different sites... Captain?"

"The men could use a little fresh water. it will be good for the moral. very well let us do so. Now that we have tomorrow settled every one should go to sleep. we never know when we will need our strength."

I took my map back, noticing that the Captain's map had copies all my area's information, and left the commending tent with the mage.

One of the amassing things in New Roads! was that NPC could also learn and improve, just like a players. this system applied to theirs map and journals which meant that now that the Captain had a detailed map of the forest the efficiency of the expedition would skyrocket.

The Mage Officer bid me goodnight and left. i went in my tent next to the trailer. a RL hour later i connected back. apparently a small group of bandits had attacked during the night, managing to kill a sentinel pikemen and 2 other soldiers before the camp reacted to their presence.

The men left the clearing in a bad mood, even my lunch didn't lift their spirits. when we finally arrived to the river The night was falling. with the help of the 2 Mullet boys i stocked on water. Once diner was finished i sneaked of the camp perimeter to gather everything i could in the surrounding forest. some berries and fruits, wild carrots and onions... it was only 5 meals worth of looted food, medicinal herbs for cataplasms and bandages and a few seasonings yet it was worth the time spent.

When i came back to the camp i made sure to be 'accidentally' spotted by one of the men in my unit and had to admit to him that i had been 'secretly' spending my nights gathering regents for the soldiers meals and bandages. i made him promise not to tell anyone, perfectly knowing that by sun rise his bunk mantes would know everything and spread the story.

This was one of the many tricks i had developed to rise my familiarity with the expedition troops. As a result i was now known by everyone, including the players, as a nice cook dedicated to his work and capable of fighting on his own.

But the truth was far from the benevolent image i was spreading; i had access to the wagon which contained the NPCs loots and had periodically taken from it, since i was cooking 330 meals a day my cooking related skills were steadily raising, all the herbs, roots and seasonings i was gathering were my own property and i was steadily stocking on them.

All along the trip i had been tacking part in battles without putting myself at risk even once, levelling up to 14. true the other players were all around level 20 but thanks to my many skills and intensive training my actual stats were the same as them.

As for my familiarity with the expedition troops it had reached 67%, it was now a usual occurrence that NPCs would come talk to me during breaks, invite me to play dice ( i often won because of my 37 Luck stat ), or come offer me food ingredients they had found.

"I am totally ruling this quest!"

The next" day, before lunch we came upon a small gathering of bandits. Surprisingly they were easy to pick. after looking at their gear i understood they were the bottom feeders of the bandits, probably sent here to distract or mislead us. The men encircled them, not ready to forgive for those many days of nerve wreaking wait.

I went to find Captain Miller. if she did not notice the difference and thought they were our target, i was at the risk of receiving a significantly lesser reward.

"Captain, we have a problem."

"I know. Those are not our outlaws, merely starving people that were desperate enough to follow them."

"Indeed. what is your decision?"

"I can i do? the men re too angry, they won't listen to me."

"So you want to spare them?"

"If possible. them too are victims of the bandits."

Without listening any further to her defeated tone i pushed my way through the soldiers and stood in front of the captured beggars.

I heard a few soldiers telling me that it was too dangerous that i had to back off, i didn't listen to them either and started to prepare a warm meal.

"Here it this. it will give you strength."

The man hesitantly took a first mouthful, then started gulping the food down rapidly. a girl Annie's age came to me with pleading eyes. one of her arm was covered with bruises.

I gave her food too. one buy one our captives came to beg for a plate. as i was about to serve a trembling man i found out i was out of tableware. turning to the soldiers i made sure all of them could see the trembling, under nourished and frightened ' Evil outlaw' they were about to execute.

"Do any of you have an extra plate or spoon to lend them?"

Talking to them seemed to have shacked them from their surprise as one of them yelled at me.

"What do you think your doing Varrant?"

"Preserving my Honour as a cook and a man. what about you?"

"Me?"

"Yeah, you! you were all about to kill them as soon as you saw them! we’ve been chasing those freaking assholes for a whole week now and we've never been close enough to smell them, let alone see them.! do you really think they would wait for us nicely in our next lunch spot? do you really think that they are not laughing at us this very moment?"

The soldiers grew restless realising that there was a high chance i was right. tired of this cat and mouse game i raised my voice even higher and screamed to the tree line.

"I 'm right aren't i? you've been watching us this whole time! attacking us in the dead of the night and in our backs, beating up girls and using the sick and elderly! you have no honour, no morale!"

I had to stop to catch my breath. in that moment i heard the Captain's voice whispering orders to her men, discretely they put themselves in position, forming a protective circle around me and the group of petrified beggars.

The Mage officer went behind me, ready for anything.

With a look the red headed women instructed me to continue provoking them.

" Come on! show yourselves! are you really that scarred of me?"

From behind one the trees an arrow shot upwards, soaring high in the sky to end up between my two feet.

The message was clear: don’t push it. we can kill you whenever we want.

But i did not pay attention to the warning.

"What was that? did you just miss me? how shifty is your eye sight to miss me from that far? Here! let me give you a hand!"

I pushed the soldiers away, stepping out of the relatively safe one. stopping a few steps away from the troops i took off my quiver and sword and threw them away.

"What about now? can you do it can you kill me?"

No reaction.

From behind me i hear a feminine voice mumble something that sounded strangely like "stupid kaden, i asked for someone who could take care of themselves not go and suicidal by provoking a whole gang of freaking criminals!"

"Still not enough? fine, but only because i really doubt you can even scratch me"

On that last insult i took my metal breastplate and tunic off, reading my arms wide and closing my eyes.

"It's whenever you want pals!"

There was a moment of complete silence. still even with my back turned to her and my eyes closed i could feel my Superiors murderous gaze on me.

i am so gonna get it later on.

I was so concerned with weather it would affect my pay that i nearly didn’t hear the wind piercing arrow before it was too late. with an impossibly fast hand movement i chopped the arrow amp in two. Bare-handed.

This feat would not have been possible if i had not gulped a mixture of potions and medical pastes as i was serving the old man. the effects were slow to show hence my little bit of acting in between. My mind was clear, my reflexes heightened and my muscles pulsing with adrenaline. Simply saying i was drugged.

From another direction a second arrow came forward. this time i caught it. then it was two, three and finally four at a time. Every time i would chop it in two or catch it. The floor surrounding me was soon covered with arrows

I could see on the upper right limit of my vision a blinking red number 54...53...52...51...

I had 50 seconds left before the drugs e

te wear off and started looking like a Hedgehog.

The arrow stooped and a large shoulder build man exited the woods. i knew instantly he was the bandits' chief.

"I a impressed by your trick swordsmen."

" An not a swordsmen."

Above his head a bright yellow “smiling outlaw chief, level 16”'. he was wearing a dark green matelesed leather vest. it seemed like a good object to have.

I want that top.

"If not, you must be an archer."

"I am a cook."

Hearing me say this The smiling outlaw chief burst out laughing.

"A cook? Defeating me? i do not think so, no."

"Oh, i am not gonna kill you. there is an extra if we can get you alive. i am just gonna make you kneel."

It was my turn to smile.

He looked at me more waringly but relaxed again when he remembered i didn’t have any weapons on me.

"Do not intervene. this is between him and me.

"Same here, Captain"

The bandit walked towards me, his large sword at the ready. Looking at the way he was positioning himself, he would be attacking my left side with an Upper Slash. He lifted his arm to strike and i took two steps forwards, entering his personal space and blocking his sword arm under my shoulder pit, my hand behind his neck. With my second arm i slapped his ear, making him lose his sense of equilibrium. a sweep of my back leg and he fell, kneeling in front of me.

Block-startle-trip and...

His smile now looked like a grimace while my grin went from an ear to the other.

In a half mocking half pleading voice he tried to get the final laugh.

"Well i guess you will get that reward after all..."

"About that, i lied. there is no reward."

Twist.

And i did. the noise of his vertebra breaking could be heard throughout the clearing. as soon as the body fell on the forest ground a mountain of windows popped up but before i could read them arrows flew in my direction.

Pinpointing the enemy archers the punitive forces mages and own archers killed the attackants one by one while the close combat soldiers shielded them of the enemy fire.

Not wanting to loose my loot to another player i picked the still present body and ran for cover. Once with my two friends the Mullet boys i took the time to read my messages.

"You have defeated the criminal 'the smiling outlaw chief'.

You have obtained a dark green long sleeved mattlased leather vest.

You have obtained 4 silver coins

You have obtained 137 exps.

You have gained 10 Fame.

You have obtained the Bandit Camp Location."

"Through repetitive actions you have created new Stats:

Honour (15)

Dignity (8)

Respect (15)

Leadership (8)

Those stats are essential while gathering followers or treating with nobility.

If you raise them high enough you will be given Positions in the Nobless."

"Quest upgrade: The forest outlaws have lost their leader, use this opportunity to hunt them one by one.

Remaining outlaws: 52"

"You have gained a level." X3

"Your Hand to Hand Combat Skill has risen to Beginer 2 (21%) speed attack + 1%"

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