Heirot

Soran's expression was unreadable. "You're paying," he obliged passionlessly. "But if it interferes with our safety, we're pulling out. Don't forget the terms of our agreement," he said, referring to Jhaptal's agreement to fight under his command.

Jhaptal nodded. "Don't worry, I won't," he said. "If you order me to pull out, or even to stop from killing those men, I'll follow your orders." He said, voice dropping a little.

"Good," Soran confirmed calmly, looking forward again. He didn't want to become too involved with this person, but still felt a reluctant sympathy for his position. After a few moments, he added, "I have a family, of sorts, as well. The bandits will regret their actions."

Jhaptal smiled in response, though it seemed to be a bit feral in this case. "Thanks," he said and continued to traveling down the path. He always looked around and noted the poisonous plants that he should avoid and whatnot.

The two men continued their course with little conversation for several hours. At length, they intersected a well-trodden path and took it up. Voiced could be heard in the distance, and the smell of a campfire was in the air. Soran slowed down as they grew closer, moving stealthily until they could clearly see a small group of the bandits sitting outside around the fire and joking amongst each other about 5 yards away. Aside from them, the rogue saw no other guards present to defend the mouth of the cave behind the bandits. It appeared that the area was completely unprepared for an attack. He looked to Jhaptal for confirmation to begin the attack.

Jhaptal nodded and he silently drew his kodachis. The two had made up some basic tactical hand signals to follow in case they needed silence. While they were making it up, Jhaptal had idly noted that the ones Soran made had been Arken's. Jhaptal did a signal for flanking maneuver and asked for confirmation.

Soran signalled back affirmatively and spread out from Jhaptal, preparing to ambush. When both were in place, he gave the signal to attack.

Jhaptal lept out of the bushes and immediately sliced off the nearest bandits head with simultaneous swipe of his two swords, using them quite efficiently as an oversized pair of scissors. The expression on his face right now was feral enough to impress the wildest of animals as he started to attack the next one.

The rogue moved in sync with Jhaptal as they quickly took out the group that had been sitting outside, barely giving them time to make noise. His blades cut like flames through the air, taking out each bandit with precision at their vital points. He was preoccupied, but spared some attention, to glance at Jhaptal's work on his side of the fire. The man was indeed skilled with his weapons, working at a pace equal to his, though his entire demeanor seemed different. There was bloodlust dripping from his movements and something dangerous and feral in his eyes.

Soran brought his blade to the last bandit's throat. "Lead us to the treasure room," he said in a low, businesslike voice to the trembling man.

The man's hand shook as he pointed toward the cave, not daring to speak. Soran looked at Jhaptal as they regrouped, then half-dragged his unwilling guide with them into the cave.

Jhaptal nodded and followed the two into the cave. The three stuck to the shadows and whenever a bandit walked by, Jhaptal took him out with swift and brutal precision.

Soran focused on maintaining control of the hostage while Jhaptal cleared those who got in their way. The cave system was rather complex and extremely dark, so the hostage's trembling directions were vital. Up ahead, a soft fiery glow indicated they were approaching some sort of large room.

The three edged closer and closer to the large room until they were able to peak in. Had Soran and Jhaptal been expecting treasure, they would be mistaken, apparently the hostage had led them to the room where all the other bandits were.

Soran looked at the hostage in annoyance and slammed him sideways into the stone wall, letting his unconscious body drop to the floor. The noise attracted the attention of several men in the room, who had apparently been holding some kind of meeting. Already, several bandits jumped up from their seats and began unsheathing their weapons. Soran looked over to Jhaptal and gave the signal to invade, and the battle was on. It all felt eerily familiar as he launched into the room and began cutting down their opponents.

Figuring that he should rid them of the man, Jhaptal drove a kodachi into the unconscious man's chest before joining Soran in the charge. Quickly and effortlessly Jhaptal cleaved through arms, spilt bandits' guts, and slit throats. He didn't waste any time with power shots, finding no openings to do so.

Soran moved closer to Jhaptal as the bandits began to finally organize themselves and circle in around them. He tore into them, his blades difficult to follow as they flew into the men, striking many in the shoulders or sides to incapacitate them from further attacks. A man wearing a leather tunic and pants with a gold and maroon robe over it was standing in the corner of the room, arms crossed as he watched the other bandits fight. He occasionally barked impatient orders at the men who were fighting, but otherwise did nothing. Soran knew of the man already; he was their leader, Rustef.

There was little time to think about this for the moment, though. Soran spun and threw a sidekick to the jaw of an enemy coming up behind him, immediately following up with a slice across his thigh before spinning to face others who kept coming at him.