Are you kidding me? Bandits again? Even cliché stories don't repeat this kind of shit.
The leader stepped forward. He looked at us like we were livestock at market, assessing value, calculating profit.
"Well, well," he said, his voice rough with amusement. "Academy students. Rich little brats traveling without proper escort." His smile was all teeth, predatory. "This'll be a good haul, boys."
The driver raised his hands slowly, his weathered face pale. "Take the carriage. Take whatever you want. Just let the passengers go."
"Oh, we'll take the carriage." The leader's smile didn't reach his eyes. "And the bags. And anything else valuable you're carrying." His gaze swept across us, lingering on the noble students. "Might even take a few of you for ransom. Noble families pay well to get their children back."
One of the other students, a girl with blonde hair, made a small sound of fear.
The leader's smile widened. "Smart girl. You understand how this works."
