As the sun set Sulla set out and the adventurers from earlier began to trickle out. Five came on horseback and the others were to ride in the wagon.
“So, where exactly is this den of banditry.”
Sulla stretched his whiskers for a few seconds and responded, “You know the reports of recent lootings of houses?”
“I’m aware. That is why the baron is so pissed and is handing out such high rewards for the death or capture of thieves.”
“Well, it turns out it was a coordinated effort. The bandits used to have no leader, fending each one for himself. It turns out one of them came to dominate the rest. At night he’s constantly shifting where he lays to rest, but since he hasn’t been spotted outside of Abingdon, it can be safely assumed that his hideouts are not far from the city’s perimeter. I’ve managed to undercover one of these hideouts. Our goal for tonight is to ambush the hideout, take out the guards, and capture him alive so we can claim the reward.”
The long-bearded adventurer across from Sulla raised his eyebrows.
“Sounds promising. How’d you manage to figure out where it is. The army have been searching for months.”
Sulla put on a self-important face, “Those idiots in the army are corrupt and incompetent. If they would’ve hired me all this would’ve been over months ago.”
A sigh came over the man.
“Well, no matter the case, let’s finish this cleanly. They offer more for alive than dead.”
Sulla put on a big smile, “Yes, indeed they do.”
Some time passed and it had become completely dark. Only light were torches carried by the men on horse. Sulla made a motion to quiet them down. He pointed to a cave system.
“It’s down here. If you go down a ways it splits into two. From there you go right. After you go a bit the cave will become narrower and then you will see a stone that acts as the entrance for the hideout. To make sure we’re not detected we’re going to hide this wagon and horses in a place that’s not easily seen. Since this bandit doesn’t want to draw attention to himself he only brings with himself a couple of men.”
After doing as told, the men and Sulla began to descend into the cave. Hardly had they begun when they heard the neighing of a horse. Sulla motioned for them to stay quiet.
Whispering, “I’m a better swordsman than you morons combined. I’ll go check it out. Continue towards the bandits. There should be only three of them.”
With that they split up. Sulla made his way towards the surface. By the time he had got back to the opening he saw the sheriff and his men. The sheriff walked up to him.
“This the place?”
“Yes, sir. There should be ten bandits down there. This is one of the hideouts that bandits use so they can escape the authorities.”
“I wasn’t aware they had those. I assumed they’d camp in the forests.”
“If you weren’t so bad at your job you would know that.”
“Well, if you’re right, then you’ll make me be seen as a bit better at my job.”
“All right men, move in. Take them alive if possible, kill em if they resist.”
With that they began combing the cave. Eventually they came to the stone which Sulla had pointed out to them. A couple strong men came to remove the stone. Inside was found the “bandits” who