One of the red knights rode in front of the brigade. "Townspeople, gather around. We are here on official Matildan business. Everyone, come out of your houses!" The knight shouted.

The poor farmers of Highway Village started to scuffle out of their houses, so see what the commotion was all about.

"Can I have your attention, please?" The red knight spoke loudly, trying to keep his horse calm. "We have reports of a bandit or bandits may have traveled through this village. These bandits have thoroughly savaged our traveling citizens and murdered innocent civilians." The townspeople started to murmur.

Koyu looked out the window of the inn. "Sons of bitches!" He cursed. "They're lying their asses off!"

"There is a five-thousand potch reward for the bringing in of this culprit." The knight continued.

The townspeople murmured again. It was only a matter of time before Koyu got caught. He had to come up with a plan, and fast.

"One knight take the west entrance, another take the east. Let no one escape. That bandit is here. Start searching at the west, work your way east." The knight got off his horse. He brushed himself off, and walked to the first house. Most of the knights did the same.

A lone rider galloped to the other side of the village, as ordered. He kicked the horse to a stop. Koyu started at the knight. He was a little older than Koyu, but about the same stature. Height, weight, build; probably just made the physical requirements as a knight.

Koyu grabbed the bag in the corner (graciously provided at the innkeeper's request), grabbed his axe, and jumped out of the window of the inn. He crept along the side of the inn ever so quietly. He was unnoticed, as most of the townspeople were in a flurry, as well as at the other end of the village.

"Target spotted." Koyu licked his lips. He crept over right behind the horse. Turning the axe handle side out, Koyu took two steps to the left of the knight. In a rush, Koyu jumped up and knocked the knight on the back of the head. He fell off the horse in front of Koyu and landed square on his head.

"Perfect." Koyu said, dragging the now limp body away from the road and behind the barrier surrounding Highway Village. He grabbed the reigns of the horse and tied them to the post.

He leaned the body against the wall. "I'm going to need to borrow that for a sec." Koyu told the unconscious knight and pointed at him. He studied the knight. He unbuckled the two straps off the armor off the knight and started to pull the entire piece off of him.

Koyu placed the armor off to the side. "Dammit, I'm gonna need to borrow that whole damn thing." He grumbled. With that, Koyu unbuttoned the knight's outer and inner shirt, pulled off his boots, and his pants; leaving him only in his underwear.

"Stupid skanky knight." He mumbled underneath his breath. "This stuff reeks of sweat." He took off his vest and shoved it in the bag. He took the knight's shirt and pulled it over his head. Koyu fumbled with the buttons. "Damn lying knights." He continued to mutter.

"Excuse me."

Koyu almost jumped out of the knight's shirt. He turned around instantly and saw the innkeeper he had paid. He sat there, wearing the knights shirt and his underwear.

"You're the bandit those Matildan knights were talking about, weren't they?" The innkeeper asked him.

He stopped and sighed. "Yeah. That's me."

"Okay, let me help you get dressed."

Koyu looked confused. "Why are you going to help me?"

"Well, you overpaid your bill for the inn." She started to explain as she picked up the knight's pants and dusted them off. "I was curious where such a person got such money, so I started to spy on you. I saw you give that poor family that money." She handed Koyu the pants.

Koyu started to put the pants on as she continued. "You're a very nice young boy. I'd hate for something to happen to you. Tuck your shirt in."

"Huh?" Koyu asked with a clueless look.

"Tuck your shirt in. That'll hang out over the out coat, and a knight would never be caught dead with his shirt untucked."

"Oh yeah! Thanks." Koyu tucked his shirt in.

The innkeeper picked up the outer shirt. Koyu stuck out his arms as she pulled it over him. Koyu fiddled with the shirt as the innkeeper went over to the body and took of the gloves. "You'll need his entire costume. Otherwise, you'll never get away with it."

"Right. Thanks." Koyu said, picking up the armor plate. Pulling the armor plate over his shoulder, he fiddled around with it until it seemed in place. He pulled the two buckles around and snapped him in., He took the gloves from the woman and placed them on his hands. She tied the sword belt around his waist.

"And lastly, the boots." Koyu sat down on the ground and pulled on the knee-boots. He pulled the pants over them.

"They wear their boots outside the pants."

Koyu looked up at the innkeeper. "Really?"

"Yep."

Koyu mumbled under his breath as he pulled the pants up and into the boots. He stood up. "How do I look?"

"Like a red Matildan knight." She said, examining him. "Turn around and let me check the back."

Koyu did so. "I can't thank you enough for this."

"Please. The pleasure is mine. You helped out a few people in this village who needed it. Come back anytime. What do they call you?"

"Koyu, of the Lampdragon Bandits."

"Sir Koyu, thank you very much. Now, go back before they notice the guard is missing. I'll take care of this knight for now." She placed his clothes in the bag and handed it to him.

"Sir Koyu." He thought to himself. "It almost has a nice right to it." Koyu put a foot in the stirrup and mounted the horse.

Koyu was not a moment too soon. As soon as he turned the horse around, he noticed the guard coming towards him. "Any suspicious activity here?" He asked Koyu.

"None, sir." Koyu said.

The guard lowered his eyes and started to examine Koyu. "What's a boy like you doing with a haircut like that?"

"I'm new, sir. I don't know the policies regarding haircuts." Koyu told him.

"Yes. We'll have to get you to the barber when you get back. That hair will never do." The guard continued to eye Koyu.

"Sir! We've found something!" The shout came from the other end of the village.

"Excellent. Keep guard here. We're almost done." He turned around and galloped down the road.

Koyu nudged the horse to follow him slowly behind. As he traveled down the path, he saw the mother he had given the money too. "We found this one with enormous amounts of potch. She cannot justify where she got it. She must be the bandit."

"Excellent. Take the child into custody. Bring them back to Rockaxe for judgment pending." The guard said.

"Dammit!" Koyu cursed. He galloped to the rest of the red knight. "Hey! You guys looking for a bandit!" He shouted at them. "I'm your bandit! I just stole the other knights armor!" Koyu pointed to his hair. "Look!"

"I knew there was something suspicious about you!" The guard snarled at Koyu. "Men, forget about them! There's the bandit!"

Koyu turned the horse around and kicked him on the side. The horse whinnied and started to sprint out of the village.

"After him, men!" The red knights followed after Koyu.