It took a few moments for the Fishhook gate to open for me. The guardians had thoroughly routed the remaining bandits.

  I entered the town to find them tending their wounded and gathering those who had fallen in defense of the hamlet.

  It was sad to see the bodies of farmers whose wives would have to carry on without their husbands, and husbands crying over their lost wives. I once again wished I had waited longer and perhaps killed off the bowman a few more times so he would not have returned.

  I knew that I had created an enemy and one I would constantly have to guard against in the future. He and the cleric had fled well before the guardians’ arrival so I had little doubt that they had returned to their encampment to plan new mischief.

  I looked around for Cassana and Caspar. I found them at the wall overlooking the fields. The smoke was finally dissipating, and the fires had burned themselves out. He had his arm around her, and she looked happy and content.

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  I waved, and they descended. When they got close, I smiled at Cassana.

  “I see you managed to climb over the wall,” I said.

  “Caspar saw me coming and was there to protect me. As soon as I got over the wall I tossed the stone to the priest. He took it into the chapel and restored it. Then Caspar held off the bandit chief and cut off his head!”

  She leaned over and gave him a big kiss on the cheek.

  “He’s a regular hero!”

  Caspar looked over at me. There was a small smile on his face, but I could see the concern in his eyes. I smiled a huge grin.

  “Bet that scared the crap out of the rest of those bandits!”

  Cassana laughed.

  “They practically fell off the ladder trying to get away.”

  Caspar smiled and nodded.

  “Well, it seems to me that I should be laying out plans to continue on my way.”

  I looked down at my clothes.

  “And I have some gear to return and some I will need to pay for.”

  Cassana just smiled.

  “I’m afraid I ruined another pair of pants. Got a couple arrow holes through them… and my leg... and my back.”

  Caspar let go of Cassana and walked over and patted my back.

  “Let’s go over to the tavern and we can discuss it over a couple of ales. I’m buying the first round.”