It had been four hours since the trials with abyss, and no one was up for going any further.

Luckily, they were all rather adept at pitching camp, the only true struggle having to go find water. Usually not everyone needed to go along, but since the group wanted to clean up some of their gear after trudging for miles through a mud pit to get back to Leiken and Aehwyn they'd all decided to follow the sound of water. It turned out to be a blessing of some sorts, the fact that they'd kept all their gear on them, considering that as they drew closer they started to notice signs that all hinted at what lay ahead at their campsite.

Leiken bit his tongue, fighting the urge to blame Aehwyn for this. When he glared over at them, he was surprised to see they looked frustrated, and even concerned. So perhaps, unlike the other bandit attack, this wasn't their fault? He heaved a sigh, tromping along the familiarly heavily wooded path, eyes lulling from one plant to another, knowing the campsite would be coming up soon. If they were lucky, the bandits would've realized that they didn't have anything at the camp and would've left by now, but Leiken didn't have much hope.

With everything that had happened during this dive into the dungeon, it was hard for them to believe that luck would want to have anything to do with them.

Unfortunately, and much to his and the others disgust, the bandits were still in the camp as they marched up through the heavily overgrown forest and up into the tiny alcove that made up a rather popular campsite. Two of the four tents had been knocked over, their kettle tossed to one side, the fire pit stirred up, all the fire wood that had been carefully placed was now scattered about haphazardly. It was a mess. And even worse than that, this wasn't a small group of bandits, either. Leiken easily counted five or even six of them.

"Ah there they are!" The bandit's leader, presumably, stepped forwards, wide plate sized hooves stomping into the earth with each stride. His voice was rich and deep, and strangely enough, he sounded very happy to see Leiken, Euele, Solace and Aehwyn walking up. "We are delighted you could make it. Now, if you'll be so kind, we'd love it if you could take off your gear and hand it over, along with any weapons you might be carrying." His voice was like cherry wood and sweet cream, charming enough Leiken was half tempted just to give in.

They were out numbered after all, and- Leiken didn't get to finish the thought, watching as Solace stepped up to meet the bandit leader.

"We won't be doing anything of the sort. We are tired, and simply want to lay down and rest and have some good food and tea. I do not have the energy to speak for long, but I will say this, leave now or there will be bloodshed." The rich smokiness of Solace's voice filled the air, xir eyes echoing the quiet smolder of too bright cinders. When xey stopped speaking, the sound still echoed for a bit as xey reached for the poleaxe at xir side.

Euele let out a sigh, the sound so gusty and soft, Leiken half wondered at the fact it had not left her breathless. "Xey're right. We are tired, but we're not going to stand back and let ourselves be robbed quietly without a fight." She reached for her staff, and leveled it at one of the bandits who had started to gather round the group of four. "We may not be many, but we have faced challenges worse than the likes of you." 

The bandit captain laughed, the sound causing Que to start growling, all the fur along her spine standing on end. "Oh, but we were simply trying to be kind. If you won't do what we ask of you, we're more than happy to let the earth gorge herself on your blood."

Leiken almost flinched as the sound of Aehwyn's sword cleaving into the dirt filled his ears. "Good then. I have been longing to taste your blood ever since you spoke." Aehwyn's silver tongue lashed like knives. "I want nothing more than a good cup of tea, but if you will not stand down, then I'll take a pound of flesh instead."

Leiken heard himself heave a sigh as he stepped forwards, wand drawn. He couldn't even muster any words as he stared groggily at the rather fine looking leader of these bandits. He knew that at any minute, fighting was going to break out, and it was going to be difficult. Four against six wasn't a fair fight. But alas, the sparks had been flung in the air so of course there was bound to be fire.

"Get em and bring their goods to me." The sound of the bandit's voice once again filled the air, only to very quickly be drowned out by the sound of battle filling the air.

Well...
At least they had tried diplomacy.