After hearing the commotion, Noburo dismounted from his borrowed horse and began walking next to the carriage, nodachi now in his hands and placed on his shoulder, ready to be used at the moment's notice. He also scanned the nearby surroundings for anything that was out of the ordinary. It has been a while since he had to deal with simple bandits, it was a task better left for young aspirants or the traveling Nobushi.

In any case, whatever happens next the Kensei would remain right next to the lady he swore an oath to protect. Noburo also allowed himself a slight smile underneath his demon mask - maybe it would be better if they actually were attacked. It's been a while since Shizukana Shirayuki feasted and the blade was getting hungrier by the hour.

Shaila had been following the carriage close by. The mention of bandits seemed to have everyone on edge. Shaila had offered to help watch over Gwyneth and so she did, keeping herself close for whatever comfort her presence might offer. She hoped this talk of bandits proved to be just that, but if it did turn out to be more than talk, she was ready.

With the feeling of unease thanks to the feeling of seeing or hearing that just seemed to be on the edge of her senses and one of the Elusine Knights talking about highway robbery, Elisa watched her surroundings with a much more cautious mood about her, even dismounting in preparation for combat should events turn in such a manner.

However, the Mage distanced herself from the rest of the group by taking a leading position ahead of them due to the fact that her most familiar spell for combat... Well, suffice to say she didn't want to catch anyone else in it other than the enemy that was meant to be within her spell's reach.

Gunther followed the carriage on foot due to a horse not being able to ride a horse. Once the carriage stopped Gunther was confused but this area of a forest seemed to be a perfect place for bandits to charge in attack Gunther light heartened mood soon changed to a focused mood gaze on potential attack points.

As the traveling continued through the forest, surprisingly the group was not ambushed. The overall tension around the group was silent and oppressing, the sense of being watched was always there, and the knights gripped their weapons at every noise and supposed movement they saw. The cook didn't sing anymore either.
The forest came to a pause when they arrived to find a village in a more open area in the middle of nature.
No one came to greet the group and no life seemed to be present judging from a distance.
"This feels wrong. Keep your guard up."
Ulrich warned the group. The squires exchanged nervous glances and Victor put on his helmet, as did Ulrich. The golden plume on the back of his helmet showed his rank as commander.

When they arrived to the center of the village if was clear why none came to greet or why they saw no one. The men were butchered, stripped and their dignity humiliated by mutilation and put on display at the village center. Women were nowhere in sight, except a few female corpses scattered around the village. No bodies of children were in sight and the village was deadly silent. The carnage was complete.

"By Elusine, who would in their right mind take part in this horror..."
A squire uttered in horror to what he witnessed. Victor pointed his spear at a wooden statue of Elusine that was surrounded by the bodies of men, also desecrated and partly burnt, smeared in blood and feces and parts of her form was missing.
"The enemy is here. Ludvig was right."
Victor came to the realization.
"Gwyneth, stay inside!"
Ulrich cursed and dismounted his horse, he went to inspect the corpses closer.

"So you do have her with you!"
A voice called out from one of the rooftops of the village huts. Everyone, even the cook wielded a frying pan, took up their weapons and turned to look toward the noise. A scarred lean man with face paint wielding a sword and an axe stood unafraid and proud on the roof on the village center's side.
"Before you fling your curses, yes this was my doing and yes I want your "saint." Hand her over peacefully and you wont die with the rest!"
Ulrich was in full battle stance, his greatsword ready. Victor and the squires were still on horseback, Victor ready and willing to charge with his spear. The blacksmith was cussing frantically and searched all his supplies for a weapon suited for him, eventually finding a mace. Through some miracle he didn't spot Benjamin, he was covered by a blanket or other supplies, the crate the ferret was staying in was left open.

"You have sinned against Elusine and Ostyakan people, deserving only death! Face me and die with what little dignity you have, heathen!"
Ulrich declared, pacing left and right, pointing his greatsword towards the bandit chieftain in challenge. Only reaction Ulrich got from him was a wicked mocking laughter.
"Last chance, cur!" He lifted his axe in the air. "Gwyneth, now, and you live!"
"To Hell with you, filth!"
Ulrich shouted back. The chieftain seemed to wait for the rest of the group to speak up, if he would get a lucky uprising within this little crusading group.

The squires and the blacksmith were busy cocking several crossbows they brought with them. The cook slowly got down from the carriage's reins and took up a proper weapon. Gwyneth was content in staying inside the carriage and hadn't made a sound.

@Shadhunter @Maleth @TuskatheDaemonKilla @Colapse @Vlayden @OgrynLord @Valonox @GrimFritz @BloodySoulStealer

As Elisa's eyes gazed upon the sight of the village, she felt her stomach turn at the sight of such death and desecration, only having her attention diverted by the man who claimed to be responsible for it all. Disgust turning to fury over the slaughter of the village, she locked her eyes onto his.

The Mage then spoke, with a slow burning fury over the atrocity that laid before her "If you want me to hand over Gwyneth, then you must be mad..." She then raised her hand, and called forth a small portion of magic, mind shaping it into a transient flame that danced around the raised hand before vanishing almost as soon as it came into existence.

Ferifan then coldly said to him "As I know magic as well, and can use beyond simple parlour tricks, something you'll know very well thanks to what you've done." With that said, she drew one of her swords, clearly ready for some fighting against someone (and any companions of his) that she wasn't exactly going to lose any sleep over killing.

Ferdinand gripped the reigns of his horse tightly as he saw the remains of the village, tighter still when he saw the bodies. Thanking the Aldenvater that there weren't any childeren among them he directed his attention(and burning rage) towards the heretic on the roof. Saying nothing he dismounted and grabbed his axe off the side of his horse while the magic woman talked. His religion obligated him to offer mercy to the wounded after battle, he'll need to make sure his strikes are all death blows. He grabbed his pole arm with two hands and assumed a battle a ready position. After the violence he'll have to preform proper burial rights for those they were too late for.

Ori laughed and pointed his spear at the man "Ha, so you threaten us with the dead bodies of peasants?" before planting the tip into the dirt. He tilted his head curiously at the man "Is that your great plan o smart one?" he said, voice dripping with sarcastic venom. He gestured with his shoulder over to the witch "I can't conjure up any flame like that, but I can shove my spear where the sun won't shine" he said chuckling. He knew one man couldn't kill all those men so the man was preparing an ambush. He grabbed his short bow and grabbed an arrow from his quiver, the bow was ornate, yew with bronze carvings. He knocked an arrow and aimed at the man.

Urghak roared and slammed his club against the ground before bellowing out some obscene profanity in his native tongue, beating his chest shortly after in barbarian challenge. Although seething with adrenaline he was also quickly taking in his surroundings and looking for anything to improvise as a weapon in case he was disarmed. It had been a habit that had saved his skin many times. He remained poised however, ready to spring into action as soon as the tension broke... quickly looking to Ferdinand for a gesture.

Noburo didn't have anything to say to a bandit, a common criminal would be dealt with accordingly in Qyris, but this wasn't his land and he had an oath to care about and a person to protect. Therefore the Kensei moved to the side of the carriage, right next to its door, positioning himself so he would have at least two meters empty in front of him to swing his sword. If..When the enemy attacks, he would leave the charging into them for others while he would simply stay right next to where Gwyneth was, preventing anyone from entering or leaving it.

He also didn't actually believe that these were just bandits, because no self-preserving highwayman would ambush an entire posse filled with soldiers and knights, so he kept his eyes and ears sharp for anything (more) out of the ordinary, fully expecting them to be attacked with an overwhelming force filled with more experienced troops or worse.