Adversity (Ephraim | Innes)
Ephraim knew well how dangerous the stretch of road he was traveling was known to be. Bandit attacks were alarmingly common, and the quagmire of Carcinese politics did little to improve the situation. It was far enough south that they liked to spin it as a "Gradan problem" -- and thus, of course, Ephraim's problem.
Dressed somewhat plainly -- armored, but not in his full regalia, with a lighter spear than usual at his back -- he had taken pains to look like a simple traveler and see this highway for himself.
The road seemed clear enough as he walked for most of the way. Other travelers paid him little mind, though most were also armed. The first unusual thing he spotted was a woman sitting at the side of the road. She had some sort of scarf over her face, but more important than that, she looked as if she was distraught. When she saw him, she called out, "Traveler! Please, you must help me!"
Ephraim, of course, was there in a moment. He knelt by her side, searching her face and body for visible wounds.
Before he could even say all right, there was a knife pressed up against his throat and a firm hand jerking his hand behind his back, rubbing at his bracelet.
"This will fetch a pretty penny," the woman cooed. "And you might, too -- some fancy noble, strutting this way? I'm sure your father will pay a nice ransom, at least."