Valen had been off on another bounty. This one for a couple bandits in the Shroud. Sounded like it should be easy enough. Especially since he knew the Shroud well from growing up there. Plenty of places to hide and shoot from safety. Dressed in his hunting blacks and his grabbing the composite bow instead this time, Valen went hunting.

Except things don’t always go as planned. The trees closest to the bandits’ camp weren’t exactly good for climbing. To make a way to climb them would make too much noise. Noise that he couldn’t afford. It was two bandits. If they were alerted then odds would be against him. He’d have to just use the thick trees for cover instead of perching in their branches. It made things a little more difficult.

Valen cautiously sighted an arrow for the neck of the first bandit. Letting it fly with deadly accuracy as he quickly reached for a second arrow. The man went down with a gurgled noise, clawing at the arrow through his throat. However he had missed one important detail. The second bandit could use aether for spells. Killing the man’s partner first, gave the man time to start casting.

Rolling to the left away from the tree. Just in time to avoid the rock that slammed into it. The maneuver left him with in the open though. Vulnerable. A small silent prayer to Oschon as Valen prepared for the coming pain of the next spell if he wasn’t faster.

The pain never came. Valen looked up in surprise as the spell smashed against a shimmering protective barrier. Wanting to find the source but instead taking the shot first. The bandit mage needed to be stopped. For his safety and whoever had just rescued him. The mage went down with a strangled cry, arrow protruding from the man’s chest. A shot to the heart, nice and clean.

Valen took a deep breath before looking for the source of the protective spell. Finding a smiling Rinoa with a gathering basket hanging from one arm. Putting on a charming smile as he gave her a deep bow.

“Miss Rinoa. What a delight to see a trusting face in a time of need. I hope you will forgive me for this display.” Gesturing towards the two dead bandits. “You surely protected me from injury this day.”