The bandit leaned on his axe like a cane and shrugged as he looked at his nails, turning them this way and that. "Have it your way." With a sharp whistle, a flight of arrows was released. This time, Jax was prepared for it and crouched under the shafts, hoping Kae was smart enough to do the same as he drew his sword, the metal sliding from the leather with no more than a quiet murmur. 

He dove for the leader, but just as Jax got within striking range, the bandit leader looked up from his nails only briefly before a shining blade sprung like a coiled snake from the underbrush, the dull metal aimed directly for Jax's heart. With barely any time to react, Jax ungracefully tumbled to the side, quickly coming to his feet as he faced his assailant. Studying them, he saw that it was a woman and though her grip on her blade was firm, she was shaking. He looked at her face and saw the the gauntness of her cheeks, the desperation in her eyes. Jax grimaced.

The woman slashed forward again, snarling, but Jax stepped to the side and saw the arrow that pierced her face, dropping her instantly like a stone. The other arrow whistled by, far off its intended mark. Jax turned his focus back on the leader and got into a ready stance, distinctly aware that Kae was fighting her own battle. Still, he knew she could hold her weight in a fight, and she would need him to keep the two archers to the side of them focused on him assuming there were no other surprises waiting.

And focused on them they were as two more bandits sidled out of the woods, bows slung over their backs as they both held daggers. Jax looked at the two archers like he did the woman and saw that they were far younger than him, twins, their beards scraggly and sad like a boy who had just reached pubescence. The knuckles of their hands were deathly white. Their faces a mix of utter fear and grim determination. The bandit leader, looking extremely annoyed, picked up his axe and stood in the middle of them.

Jax tightened his grip on his sword and shield and banged them together in a challenge, face impassive as he stared at his opponents. The trio charged.