He picked up his pace. The shadows concealed just within the outer edges of the forest kept pace with him easily, moving silently through clearings and underbrush with equal ease. The former king saw no way to lose them. Entering the forest would put him nearer their reach, and continuing to follow the road would keep him in their sight. If his stalkers decided to leave the woods and confront him, he would have no recourse but to fight, for fleeing would only delay his attackers and put him in a less ideal position for defending.
The road broke into a crossroads several miles further ahead, continuing straight toward the large town of Emindale after being bisected by a road that led to the predictably named River Crossing to the south and the border of the Averil Kingdom to the north. It was usually a well guarded place. Perhaps he could lose them there, assuming things remained unchanged that long.
That assumption could quickly be disregarded as inapplicable.
The shadows converged onto the road, revealing themselves to be a ragtag band of outlaws, armed with the reasonably expected bows and swords and dressed in patchwork green and brown clothing. The masked man who was clearly their leader took position a few paces in front of, and leveled his sword at, the former king.
"Now, this is quite simple," the masked man said. The mask muffled his voice, giving it a slight echo as he talked. "This is robbery. You give us this money, this moment, or this is your last of all this moments. This is your choice. Think this well."
The former king blinked. "So, you are saying that if I don't give you my money, you'll kill me?"
The masked man groaned. As he spoke, he waved his sword around, prompting some of the men around him to scramble out of the way. "Yes! This words are this meaning. You make this choice. Now!"
The former king took in the gathered brigands. They seemed inexperienced, and wary of their eccentric leader. It could be possible for him to turn them against each other, but their desperation for whatever riches he might have might well outweigh their doubts.
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