Cleanup (Orc Brothers)

“Whispered Testement,” Helena whispered, casting a spell on the body of Grot. “Where is the cave you hid your captives in?” she asked aloud.

The orc may have been dead, but Helena’s spell made a whisper come from his lips, revealing the location of the orc brothers’ lair. While Dav and Van dealt with the tree that blocked their path, trying to move it enough that the wagon could pass through, Helena went to the location the orc’s corpse had described.

It took a bit of searching, but Helena discovered the cave. Inside were three women, two showing signs of pregnancy. They all cowered in the back of the cave, shackled to a wall. “It’s okay,” Helena said softly. “I’m here to free you. Your captors are dead and can’t hurt you anymore.”

Fortunately, Helena had thought to search the orcs’ bodies before heading here and found the key to the shackles. The liberated women wept with relief as Helena gave them cloaks to cover themselves with and led them back to the wagon.

Although the wagon was a bit crowded with six people, the trip from there proceeded uneventfully.

***

After arriving in Garethia, the liberated women were taken to a hospital by the guards to receive care. Their loved ones would be contacted and their fates were now out of Helena’s hands.

Van handed the shorter woman a small purse of coins, the 30 gold promised for the job. “You really deserve way more than this, Helena,” she said.

“I don’t need it, I’d just give the rest away anyways,” Helena replied.

“It’s a good thing you aren’t a merchant then,” Dav chimed in. “You don’t have the instinct for it.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment,” Helena replied.

“It was,” Dav said with a gentle smile. “You’d have no hope as a merchant, but I think you have the makings of a hero.”

Van whistled. “You said it bro! Helena the Hero!”

But Helena shook her head. “I just do what I think I should.”

“Your skill is impressive, but that attitude is the real reason we see you as a hero,” Van said.

Helena blushed a bit. “Thanks for saying so.”

“What will you do now?” Dav asked.

“Well, I’ll see if there’s work in the area. Otherwise I’ll head back to Arthuron.”

“The grind never stops, huh?” Van asked. “Well good luck to you.”

“Same to you!” Helena said with a smile, waving farewell to the merchant siblings.

GOOD END