As the caravan continues their journey, one of the people driving in front saw something on the path. There is a tree blocking the road. Because of this, the caravan stopped.

After a while, a group of people can be seen leaving the caravan, heading towards the direction where the fallen tree is located.

Closing in on the tree. They can be seen looking laid back, not caring about the possible dangers that might happen to them. In a forest where anything can happen.

The identity of those people were the ten guards that are hired by the caravan for protection. They were ordered to inspect the tree and possibly remove it if they can as it is blocking their path.

They were instructed to carry their spears with them but completely unaware of the danger they are in, they thought that their Spears would just hamper their movements so they just left it.

But even though they didn't bring their spears. They still have gone towards the fallen tree, fully equipped with their swords for weapon and their armor as their usual wear for protection.

In their defense, it's not like they wouldn't be able to protect themselves in case something attacked them so with that in mind, they continued.

When they got close enough to be able to see and inspect the problem, one of them noticed something weird with the fallen tree.

From where the fallen tree split with its main body. It looks like it's been intentionally cut and not accidental.

He looks at it closer to check if what he thinks is right and indeed it was. After all, he was one of the people who was made to cut the trees that are used to make their spears.

Although he was one of the people, skeptical about the effectiveness of giving weapons to merchants. Wondering if his efforts wouldn't be in vain. Now that he was able to use that experience on a completely different matter which although weird, but helpful made him feel thankful.

A naturally fallen tree looks nothing like what's in his memory. A natural one would look like it's been torn up not cut at all. Even when he called for the others. They all just came to the same conclusion.

Because of that, they grouped up again and tried to reach for their weapons on the ground trying to be wary of the possible setup they are in.

But before they could even go back to report what they saw. A scream is heard from both inside the forest and the caravan at their back.

...

The leader while looking at the guards inspecting the tree is trying to look for an opportunity to start their attack.

'I didn't think that most of them would go!'

Thought the leader. Looking at the guards of the caravan. He was surprised about the number of the guards who goes to check the tree. In the visual report made by their scout. They reported an amount of thirteen guards on the caravan.

Because of that, the leader thought that there would only be five people who will check.

'Are they not wary at all that this is a trap?'

It was also through this report that heavily convinced the leader that it is indeed their target as there's no way for a normal caravan with almost half of their members as guards.

He even specifically chose a smaller tree just to make them think that they are just dealing with a small problem and wouldn't need ten of them.

'I mean, they should be at least be wary of an attack! How dumb can they be?'

Thought the leader.

Because of the disappointment he just saw, he is now thinking that the enemy they are facing isn't actually as good as he thought. But although he changed his thought about their target. That still didn't make their mission easier.

On the contrary, it just became harder.

'They're dumb but they're lucky!'

Since there are ten people that came. Although they could still ambush them. It would be harder now since there are only fifteen who could face them on equal footing.

The harder part is that he didn't even plan to use fifteen of his people to ambush the guards.

'But I have no choice. I have to attack.'

The leader thought.

"Okay, we will start the plan."

Said the leader. Speaking to his subordinates. As he said this. One of them got up and made hand signals to the others.

When they received it. They all nod their head. Holding their weapons harder than before.

The plan is pretty simple. Ambush them while they are removing the log. With them busy, hands on work not on weapons. Killing them would become so easy.

As they wait for the guards to remove the three though. A problem sprung up.

The guards are not working on the tree. In fact, they are heading towards their weapons on the ground, taking their weapons while some are looking at the forest.

"They found us out!"

The leader shouted.

With that sudden shout. His companions easily understood what they needed to do and chose to push the attack.

"Wahhhh!!!"

One of them shouted. As the other members heard the first shout. They also did the same and shouted towards the caravan. Because of their combined battle cry. The people on the caravan got surprised and was shocked.

Many tried to find where the noise is coming from but they weren't able to see anything. Some though who have noticed the possible danger immediately got inside their wagons, taking the weapons that they have.

As arrows suddenly started to fall into their position though. Instead of coming out to face the enemy, they were instead forced to stay inside their wagons.

Luckily for the caravan. Even though they are surprised by the sudden attack, not a single person was hit by the arrows.

"Target their exposed part!"

Said the leader. Who is still concentrated on taking out the guards.

On the side of the leader. He has concentrated at least ten people to defeat the guards using their momentum and stealth as an advantage to take them out of the fight.

With the sudden cries, they were able to remove the wariness of the guards and instead make them focus their attention on the caravan.

Since they have gathered all in one place. The leader thought that although it would be harder, it's still an opportunity too tempting to not take advantage of. Them gathered in one spot means that they can eliminate them all at once. If they can do so, the leader believes that the merchants in the caravan would definitely want to surrender. With that in my mind. The thing he has to do now is to think about how to do it.

One strategy he has in mind which is pretty much their strategy in the beginning is to use their bows. And even though things didn't go as expected. Their plan is still the same.

While they are busy with the guards. Another team would focus on holding the people on the caravan in place.

Although they aren't exactly the best in terms of archery. The leader who has already thought of that devised a way to make it still effective.

Instead of aiming for accuracy, they instead would just focus on firing their bows faster. At first, he has thought of going the opposite way which is to hold down the guard as they were busy dealing with their target.

But he instantly abandon the idea when he noticed that the time it would take to even find their target would take longer than just making them surrender and taking her hostage.

With the release of their arrow, the guards who are now running back to their caravan wasn't able to see the incoming attack planned against them at all. Because of that, two people were easily hit. One guard was hit in the arms while another was hit on his lower back.

The other guards that weren't hit on the other hand saw the arrows run past them. Because of that, they immediately look back and look in the direction where the arrows came from.

The guards then raised their shields to defend themselves as the arrows continued pouring in.

The one who was hit in the arms though failed and even dropped his on the floor. Because of that, he was again hit by the arrows.

The armor on his chest managed to block the arrow but his left leg left unprotected wasn't lucky and was hit. He immediately lost his balance and fell to the ground.

His mates tried to help him but failed because of the intensity of the attack on their enemy.

With their enemy now aware of their presence, the leader decided to change tactics.

He can't manage to make the fight long after all as he has to defeat them as fast as possible before the caravan can notice what's going on.

"We're going melee."

The leader said.

Half of them drop their bows and then take their spears on the ground, readying themselves to charge.

"Charge!"

When the signal was given by the Leader. All hell breaks loose. Five of them charged with their leader catching the guards by surprise again.

Unlucky for them, the guards were able to use their numbers to hold down their ground.

The Leader with his team did try their best to push their enemy but found it unsuccessful with their number.

With the state, they are in. They found both themselves in a stalemate.

The guards who have noticed the stalemate immediately tried to flank their enemy by releasing some of their members in the lock of shields and attacking them from the sides. But sadly for them, before they could even do that. Another group of people came from the back of the guards and charge at them.

But although they weren't successful about their plan, the guards who were able to escape the lock were instead successful in blocking the enemy's attempt to flank them.

So like before, they again found themselves in a stalemate.