I wore my cape and hood and went out of the carriage. Leon heard and looked around with a serious face.
"Go back inside." Leon said with authority. If I were still the weak old Alicia, I would have listened obediently. But I know sothing that Leon does not know.
"Please believe in ." I calmly said to Leon. He looked at seriously then sighed.
"I understand." Leon said but he didn’t let his guard down.
I know that I will always be safe with Leon around. He might not know but I already knew about the n in the shadows working for him, thanks to Snow. The n working for him are strong and I am sure they are not far from us.
I haven’t told Leon of my knowledge about his n. I am sure he has his reasons for not telling . I just wish that he will explain it to soon.
"Oh, is this the beautiful sister?" The young man with red hair said. "Let us see your beautiful face."
"I am not here to fulfill your wish mister." I said. "I am here to negotiate."
"What will you negotiate about?" The young man laughed. "You are not in the position to negotiate. As you can see, you are surrounded."
"I am afraid you are mistaken." I said. "You are the ones that are surrounded."
Not long n in black suits with their face covered ca out from hiding. Arrows are all aid at the bandits.
"Jack, we are surrounded!" A young lad who looks like the youngest in the group shouted.
"Don’t you think I can see that?! Tsk!" The young man with red hair said.
"So your na is Jack." I said. "Now, Jack. Are you willing to negotiate?" I asked.
"You think I will let you win without a fight?" Jack said.
"Oh, I am sure you and the young n here are capable of fighting. But what about the old ones? They are not fighters as I look at it."
I have deduced this information the ti I saw the bandits. Half of the bandits are old and looked like farrs rather than bandits.
And Snow has confird my suspicion. Not far from here is a small village. As Snow has described, the village was of farrs but it was in a poor condition. Only won and children are on the village now, aning all the n they have are now here.
"How did you..." Jack was surprised with my deduction.
"It is not important how I knew. The important thing now is for you to hear out." I said. "I suspect that the old ones here ca from a farming village near by. I am not sure why you are resorting to thievery, but I would like to help. So please hear out. I am sure these n would also want to go back to their families."
"I guess we have no other choice." Jack said in defeat.
"Put your weapons down first." Leon ordered.
"Tsk." Jack gestured to his n to put down their weapons.
"Let’s et at the center." Leon said.
Jack brought the young lad with him and Leon accompanied .
When we were face to face I took my hood off to reveal my face. The two n in front of us were looking at in awe.
"Jas she’s really beautiful." I heard the young lad whisper to Jack.
"Shh." Jack whispered to him.
"I am Alicia and this here is Leon." I gestured.
"I am Jack and this here is Brad." Jack introduced.
"Then let us begin our negotiations." I started. "I know that these people are in a dire situation for them to engage in thievery. But as I can see you young people here are not farrs."
"You have good perception for a girl." Jack praised but with a sarcastic tone. "We are really bandits in these part of the forest, the ’Crimson Bandits’ to be precise. The old ones with us here are farrs raising crops and vegetables. They have been good to us Crimson Bandits, giving us food every after harvest. But then two years ago the dry season started. It has gone to be a minor drought that can still be redied if the officials did the proper action. We don’t know what has happened these past two years that led them to forget the people who are waiting for their help. The farrs had poor harvest these past two years that led them to get hungry and starve. Without crops and vegetables to sell of eat there will be no inco for them and they can starve to death."
"So these farrs asked you for help?" I asked. "And you thought them what you knew best." I said sarcastically.
"Hey lady, we might be bandits but we also have our own ethics." Jas said.
"Jack’s right." Brad seconded. "We only steal from those filthy reach nobles that are always having feasts in their mansions while we common folks suffer from the drought and hunger."
"And as much as possible we don’t like violence." Jack added. "We just scare people to get their money with no harm done."
"Then let’s make a deal then." I offered. "I will help the villagers so that they can get what they need from the officials. I will see to it that they can make it through out this drought."
"You sure you can do that lady?" Jack asked. "I an, no offense but you are just a young girl."
"Looks can be deceiving Mr. Jack. I give you my word." I said. "And please don’t call lady. I have a na."
"Okay, if you say so Alicia. But what do you want in return?" Jack asked. "As I can see, we are the ones with the short straw here." He gestured to the n in black that are still aiming their arrows at his n.
"I would like to form a partnership, or rather a friendship with you." I smiled wittingly.
"Hah?!" Jack looked confused and Brad surprised.
"What?!" Leon was looking at questioningly.
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