“Spider,” a voice hissed in the dark as footsteps could be heard entering the encampment. “What did you find out? It had better be something we can actually use this time.”

From the darkness, the footsteps shifted, and then a man appeared at the side of the first voice, a smile what little of his eyes was visible by the reflected moonlight. The woman who had first spoken did not return the expression, instead waiting for her spy to reveal what his expedition into the castle had uncovered. She was not one to be easily impressed, far less than the others in the band were. This aloofness and lack of affective attachment to the band had earned her the respect of the outlaws who lived in the encampment. She was their leader.

“Of course, Duchess. The baron, as any man his age, has a fondness for women, but it seems this desire has extended further.” The voice of the man was not like listening to any normal person speak, but more like hearing the echo of the words, long after the speaker was dead. “The serving staff say there is a girl in the Grove who has caught his fancy.”

Though Spider’s eyes searched for a hint that the information was useful, that he had done well, the Duchess showed so pride or encouragement. All that could be seen was the thought process inside her head as she worked out a plan that would make the most use of the gathered information. She was silent, and Spider was silent, so the only sounds were from the breathing of the pair and the sleeping band of bandits in the small glade.

Nearby, a candle flickered to life and three faces came into view: both speakers and a moon-faced woman who held the light. Woken by the information, Rhino rolled to her feet and lumbered over. Build more like a bear than the petite Duchess, or lanking skeletal Spider, Rhino made much more noise on the twigs and leaves underfoot than the boy had when he’d returned from his mission. But Rhino wasn’t a spy.

Through the rest of the night, plans were hatched and plots were schemed, and by first light, the band was ready to spring into action. Not everyone would be traveling, there was always the chance that the hideaway would be rooted out by the king’s men, and some protection needed to be left behind to defend their little clearing. Those chosen for the mission, however, mounted up and headed for the Grove, well before the sun had touched the horizon.

They actually reached within the hour, with far more light than they were comfortable with. This was a delicate operation and being seen would cause some serious issues. Spider, who kept some on him at all times, threw a vial of instant darkness powder into the sleeping area, covering the outlaws from any waking witnesses. He then guided the Duchess over to the sleeping girl and her dragon as Rhino held the lookout position from outside the darkness.

Quick fingers, masters of pickpocketing, deftly wrapped blindfolds, gags and restraints around the girl, who was now struggling against them in her fatigued, but awoken state. With a single touch from the Duchess, the stirring dragon was sent into a deep slumber that would last several hours, and a smile finally played on the lips of the bandit leader.

A whistle called out from the darkness, summoning the bulky girl to pick the hostage up and hoist her onto one of the horses before the group returned to the kingswood.

Splitting from the group, Spider rode hard to the castle instead, with a note. He had the gift of not being noticed by many. He was not handsome, nor was he strong enough to draw the eyes of the majority of the people in the castle. Though he had no magical gift for it, he could make himself as unnoticeable as he desired, and it was for that reason he was being sent to leave the note for the royal family.

“We have the pretty lady. If you wish to see her alive, leave one-hundred thousand doubloons in the boughs of the great oak of the Robins Orchard. Once we collect, she will be returned to you.”