The afternoon sun broke through the thick trees and dappled the forest floor with thin patches of light. These pale streaks appeared strikingly bright, contrasted with the darkness that surrounded them. But to the seasoned eyes of the bandits that lived in those woods… the sunlight meant nothing but the hour of the day.

It was a large forest, deep and wild. Nestled in the shadow of a neighboring coastal town, it was the perfect concealment for a den of thieves. Led by the notorious "Big Bruno", this gang of robbers ruled the roads that traversed their wooded domain. Many a traveler met with misfortune before leaving that dangerous forest. And all the attempts made to capture the thieves seemed only to increase their skill and speed. By now, not a soul knew the whearabouts of their secret lair.

It was at this hidden camp, that most of the bandits lay waiting. Several outposts were located throughout the forest. And it was from one of these watchmen that a sudden "bird call" echoed through the trees. The men lounging back at the camp sat straight. The signal was a long one. There was a traveler - more than one, in fact!

Everyone snapped to action. Within seconds, all were masked and armed with bow and arrows. The youngest of the group grumbled loudly as he filled his quiver,

"What's the point? We never kill anyone!"

"You want the army after us?"

Everyone froze at Big Bruno's hard voice. It was a bad day if he ever got angry.

The tense moment passed as he dismissed the young fool with a wave of his hand. This was also the signal for everyone to head to the rendesvous. The band of theives followed their leader with unnerving silence and speed. They arrived at the checkpoint, and the watchman promptly gave the report on the travellers.

There were four of them, apparently a married couple with their two children. They were on foot, laden like pack-animals with bulging sacks, and the father had no weapon to speak of. Bruno smirked beneath his mask. Winning loot was never this easy!

Just then, they heard the family approaching. At Bruno's signal, the men scattered behind the trees. He ducked behind the nearest one, and peered out cautiously.

In a few minutes, the group came into view. They were simple country folk. A man and woman, with a girl about sixteen years old, and a boy not more than fourteen.

Just as the four reached the clearing, the bandits emerged! To their horror, the poor family found themselves surrounded on all sides. The father held out an arm infront of his family. He straightened as the tallest of the bandits stepped forward. Bruno spoke in a cold, commanding tone.

"There's no need for things to get ugly. Just drop your belongings and be on your way."

The peasants hesitated. Eyeing her husband, the woman whispered anxiously,

"But, Peter? Must we really turn back?"

Peter cast a glance at his wife and daughter, whose wide eyes begged him for an answer. With a soft sigh, he stepped forward, and addressed the leader as calmly as he could.

"Please, you don't understand. We've come such a long way and it's extremely important that we reach the city."

"What’s that to us? Just be glad you leave with your lives."

Arrows poised, eyes flashing, the bandits were more menacing than ever. Clearly there was no reasoning with these heartless men. Subduing his own violent emotion, Peter looked helplessly to his family. He gave a slight, heavy nod, and began setting his large sacks on the ground. Heartbroken but resigned, his wife did the same. Their daughter, half-choked with silent tears, trembled so severely that her father had to help her in the difficult task.

The mother set a gentle hand on her son’s shoulder. She murmered in his ear and began helping him remove the heavy bundles.

This boy had caught Bruno’s attention from the start. The young fellow was so rigid with fear that he barely moved. After the initial scare, he stood motionless, not even turning to look at what happened around him. His only movement was to jerk his head a little when someone spoke.

The hardened thief had never been so intrigued by anyone. Almost in spite of himself, he called out curiously,

"You, lad!"

The boy abruptly cocked his head but didn’t turn his face. The youngest bandit, eager for a fight, jeered at their victim.

"What's the matter, boy? You deaf?"

Bruno indignantly snapped at him.

"No, you fool! He’s blind."

The obnoxious young robber looked strangely at his leader. There was a queer softness in Bruno’s iritated voice.

The boy’s mother spoke tearfully.

"Damian has been blind since birth. That’s why we’re on a pilgrimage to Our Lady’s Shrine, to pray before Her miraculous image for his cure."

Her husband added with earnest haste.

"We’ve set aside everything for this one purpose. It’s taken many long years of hard work to finally get us here."

One of the robbers barked in a threatening tone.

"Just finish with the sacks and be off with you!"

The gruff command was accompanied by a jerk on the daughter’s baggage. The girl had barely cried out when, to everyone’s surprise, Bruno suddenly and firmly raised his hand. The pilgrims stood with baited breath. The robbers, stunned at this odd behavior, curiously awaited his order.

Though he stood with a resolute air, Bruno’s mind was far from certain. To his annoyance, he didn’t even know why he was hesitating. He’d lived long years as a highway robber, with no compunction at weeping women or trembling children. And yet, to prey on a blind child… was that somehow beneath him? But to return their belongings - to deprive himself and his men of their supplies - was simply unthinkable.

Bruno’s masked eyes turned again to the parents. Yes, it was just as well to force these pilgrims to turn back, for these roads were treacherous to travel. His were not the only bandits between the village and the city. And if one did not first get lost in the winding shadows of the woods, they would fall prey to the mercilous cliffs and rugged terrain beyond. Without carriage, horses or skilled guides, these simple peasants had no chance. They should have known better. The journey was ill-fated from the start.

Or was it…? Falling prey to these bandits, the poor family had unknowingly come upon the very people who knew this forest better than anyone. These men had evaded the king’s soldiers many times. They sprung out from the shadows and slipped away with frightful ease. Bruno himself was confident he could never lose his way, even if he chose to return to the very city that he’d avoided for so long.

He blinked in startled amazement. What was he thinking? Lead the way to the city? It was his crimes there which had driven him to these woods in the first place! He couldn’t risk being seen at all, even at a distance. With or without his mask, he was sure to be recognised. To end his days in a dark, filthy dungeon…

Bruno shook his head, as if to dismiss the mad notion. He looked back at the pilgrims, ready to send them away helpless, as he did to every traveler. But now…?

He stared all the harder at the blind boy who, breathing heavily, stood waiting for some signal from his family. Bruno grunted through clenched teeth. It was just as unthinkable to help young Damian as it was to harm him. But there was no middle road.

This silent hesitation tested even the most obedient of his men. What on earth was the matter? Were they just to stand there forever? They stared at their leader, always so sure of himself, now agonizing in inexplicable indecision.

But he had to make a choice…