I covered the ground back to the buildings quickly.

  As I approached, I could see smoke coming from the tannery. Flames began to lick up the sides of the wooden structure. I could see figures fighting. A group of men were carrying a struggling Cassana towards the woods and the tanner was backed against the wall trying to hold off three attackers with a small sword and a leather shield.

  I could see a man standing further back leveling a crossbow.

  I drew as I ran and just before the crossbow man fired I released. Luck was with me and the arrow struck his shoulder.

  ARROW HITS! 6 POINTS OF DAMAGE SHOULDER INCAPACITATED!

  He fired reflexively, and the shaft went wide striking one of the other men in the back. The tanner took advantage of the confusion to strike another one but then was backed up against the wall again as the man who still remained launched a flurry of blows with a longer sword. The tanner was forced back.

  I drew again and lined a clear shot at the back of the third man attacking the tanner. Again my arrow flew true, striking him cleanly. His arms went out, and he dropped without a sound.

  AIMED SHOT! LETHAL STRIKE! 20 POINTS DAMAGE! YOUR OPPONENT HAS DIED!

  Aimed shot! Lethal Strike! 20 points damage! You have killed a brigand! 25 experience points

  I looked around in time to see another man with a crossbow aiming at me. I flung myself to the side, and the bolt whipped past me. The first crossbowman was trying to reload but was struggling with his bad arm. Another two men were racing towards me, with shields raised and swords over their heads.

  I shifted position to put them between me and the crossbow man. There were a few moments before they could race up the hill to meet me. I looked over to see Casandra being dragged into the woods by at least six men. Then something else caught my attention.

  Standing at the edge of the woods I saw the bowman I had killed repeatedly in the glade. He had an arrow drawn and released as I watched. The arrow sped towards me and I swung my hand up and snatched the arrow from the air.

  The feat left me surprised, but the men racing towards me actually stopped in shock.

  “AGILITY FEAT! AGILITY INCREASED BY +1.”

  Without hesitation I nocked the arrow, drew and dropped the closer swordsman before he could take another step.

  Aimed shot! Lethal Strike! 20 points damage! You have killed a brigand! 25 experience points!

  The second swordsman took a step pack and then turned to run.

  I looked past him. The first crossbowman was still struggling to draw back his weapon. The second had turned his attention back to the tanner.

  The tanner had finished the other two wounded men, and he now charged the crossbowman. The man raised his weapon and fired before I could act. The bolt tore through the leather shield and I saw the tanner stagger. But, instead of falling, he gathered himself and fell on the man who had shot him. The man dropped his crossbow and reached for a dagger but even as he drew it the tanner’s sword fell and sliced between shoulder and neck. The man screamed, but it swiftly turned to a gurgle as blood flowed into his lungs and throat. He staggered back. But the tanner wasn’t done. He pulled his weapon free and plunged it straight into the other man’s chest.

  I drew an arrow and searched for a target.

  The injured crossbowman was retreating towards the woods as was the second swordsman. I could no longer see the bowman from the glade, or Cassana.

  I made my choice and sighted carefully. The arrow caught the second swordsman just as he reached the woods. He dropped soundlessly.

  “NEW SKILL DISCOVERED! RANGED SHOT! BOW RANGE ACCURACY INCREASED BY 50!”

  Extreme Range! Lethal Strike! 20 points damage! You have killed a brigand! 25 experience points!

  The last crossbowman started for the woods but looked back to see me drawing another arrow. Looking around, he realized he was alone. He dropped the crossbow and raised one hand. He tried but failed to lift the other.

  I made my way down the hill and motioned for him to turn and walk back towards the tanner. When he was close enough, I spoke.

  “Lay down on your face and spread your legs and arms wide so I can see them.” I moved the arrow showing that I was quite willing to shoot if he did not. The man dropped, cursing as his shoulder twisted into the position I demanded.

  I reached the tanner.

  “How are you doing?” I said.

  “Had better days,” he coughed. “Damned bolt ruined my shield.”

  “Looks like it ruined a bit more than that,” I said.

  He had taken a chest wound and was bleeding badly.

  “I got him though.” He smiled and then coughed and a bit of blood came out.

  The tanner looked up the hill at the man fallen at the edge of the wood.

  "Hell of a shot." Then he coughed again and I saw a bit more blood at the edge of his mouth.

  The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

  "Thanks," I said, and I rapidly reached into my inventory and pulled out a red bottle.

  “Here drink this.” I uncorked the bottle and handed it to him.

  His eyes went wide. Then he took the bottle and drank. The blood flow stopped, and the skin knitted. I pulled out another. He eyes got wider.

  “When I pull out the bolt drink the other one.”

  He grimaced and nodded.

  I uncorked the bottle and handed it to him. He put his thumb over the top to keep it from spilling. Then he nodded.

  I glanced over at the crossbowman. He lay face down unable to get up quickly or reach any weapon.

  I looked at the bolt. It had passed completely through and was protruding out from the other side. I could see a couple wicked barbs sticking out. I would have to pull it all the way through.

  “It’s barbed. It’ll have to be out the back,” I said.

  The tanner nodded.

  “Try not to drop the bottle,” I said.

  He chuckled, and I took advantage of the distraction to pull the bolt completely through in one swift motion. I dropped the bolt and grabbed his arm, guiding the potion to his open mouth.

  He was made of stern stuff. He didn’t drop the bottle although it shook in his hand. I helped him position it and he moved his thumb and the potion went down his throat. A few moments later his color changed, and he took a deep breath. His shoulders drew back. He flexed his shoulders and arms gingerly. Feeling no pain he held out a hand, and I pulled him to his feet.

  We turned back to the bandit on the ground.

  “Roll over,” I commanded.

  He did, letting out a small whimper as his shoulder hit the ground. I could see he had broken off the arrow, but it was still lodged in his shoulder. I had probably punctured a lung. He was clearly having trouble breathing.

  “All this trouble for one lousy half-elf woman,” he muttered. Then he coughed up some blood.

  “Where are they taking her?”

  “The cleric said he wanted her for a sacrifice to his god. Said it would bring power to the group when we stormed the hamlet.”

  The tanner had retrieved his sword and was slowly approaching the man on the ground with killing intent. I held up a hand to stop him.

  “I want more,” I said. “Where exactly are they taking her?”

  “Why should I tell you? You are just going to kill me, anyway.”

  “Yes but there are many kinds of death. I know. I’ve experienced several. And I know ways to die that can take a very, very long time.”

  “You wouldn’t do that…”

  “Yes, I would. And even if I didn’t, I know that the tanner here could take you back to town. They will hang you there.”

  His eyes got wide.

  “There’s two kinds of hanging.” I continued. “One way they drop you fast and your neck snaps. Your body jerks around for a while trying to talk to your brain. Then you can’t feel the air anymore and your brain shuts down. That’s the fast way.”

  He was shaking his head.

  “Then there’s the slow way. They wrap the noose around your neck and they raise you slowly so your neck doesn’t break. You can’t breathe, your lungs fight for air. Your eyes bulge and sides of your neck burn from the rope and your struggles. You kick and you try to scream but you can’t. It takes a long time.”

  I glanced over at the tanner then back down at the bandit.

  “Guess which way the town will choose.”

  I reached into my storage and pulled out a green bottle. The bandit’s eyes bulged

  “This is death too. You drink it and your limbs become numb and you feel sleepy. The sleepy feeling comes over you quickly so you aren’t scared, just tired. You close your eyes. Then you are gone. No pain.”

  I paused and let him think for a moment.

  “I want information and I’ll trade you for it. Tell me where exactly they have taken her and you can have the bottle.”

  I looked over to the tanner. His face was unreadable.

  The bandit coughed. I looked back.

  “I’d never make it back to the hamlet,” he said.

  “I took out another red bottle, it was smaller than the ones I gave the tanner.

  “This will guarantee you make it back. You won’t feel good enough to do more than stumble but you’ll make it all the way. I promise.”

  I schooled away any sympathy for the man. My face was a cold as the ice on a mountain ridge.

  NEW SKILL DISCOVERED! INTIMIDATION!

  “Now make your choice.”