To the closest town, Targlis

As the first streaks of light spilled out across the dark sky Rein and Skavel looked out at the rising sun, and did their best to ignore the pile of goblin bodies in the field for the scavengers and carrion to feast on.

"It is different here, this land is soft." Skavel stated, leaning against a parapet while Rein stood beside her.

"Then we will put it to the test, harden and survive the north or burn." Rein replied with a smirk,"And the first to be judged sits beyond that horizon, the town of Targlis is close, if we go through the forest then we will arrive at noon."

The pair made quick their pace from the castle, crossing the open plains to the treeline and disappeared into the brush. It took a little longer then anticipated but the pair had torn through the forest, only pausing to quench their thirst at a bubbling creek before pressing on.

When they finally broke through the trees and saw open ground once more they saw a sprawling farmland laid out before them, a larger house that stood beside a mill and lush crops, and beyond stood the town of Targlis, a small wooden wall and some rudimentary watchtowers stood proud against the landscape.

"These lands are rich, a promising sign." Rein muttered hunching down in some shrubbery with Skavel, overlooking the fields where a few people shifted through the more distant crops.

"What are you scheming?" Skavel asked quietly briefly casting her eyes at Rein.

"The lass walking between the crops closest to us, she is no farmhand." Rein began, pointing to a woman wandering through the field, looking over the crops.

"Bit early for that don't you think?" Skavel muttered eyeing the woman.

"Stop thinking with your second sword, she looks like someone who might run the mill, maybe a daughter, we pull some sort of lost act, play along and see what we can learn from them." Rein quietly continued as the woman drew closer.

"You lead the talking then." Skavel replied before they both stood and pushed through the brush into the field and were almost immediately spotted by the woman who let out a small shriek and took several steps back despite being a few dozen feet from them.

"Greetings lass, we mean you no harm, we're a bit lost at the moment, might we come closer so I don't have to shout!" Rein called out, coming to halt just beyond the treeline with Skavel behind her.

The woman looked behind her and saw no one else and seemed to consider running for a moment before replying in a smoother voice then either of the northerners had expected, "Only one of you!" Came the woman's reply.

Rein looked up at Skavel who gave a small nod and Rein started forward and finally got a good look at the woman, her skin was lightly sun-kissed and she stood a little taller than Rein with soft blond hair that flowed down her shoulders and came to end just above her ample chest, with sharp blue eyes that judged Reins approach cautiously.

Rein stopped a few feet in front of the woman and spoke, "I apologies for the scare, my companion and I got lost in the woodlands and ended up here, wherever here is." Rein lied meeting the woman's gaze, "I am Rein and the other back there is Skavel."

"I am Halla, you are in the town of Targlis, Just what are two soldiers doing in the woods?" Halla shot back carefully, eyeing Rein with poorly concealed suspicion.

"Soldiers, no-no we're more like... sell-swords, we were set upon by a group of goblins a few days back, killed plenty but the numbers got us and we had to fell with what we had, been lost in the woods since since." Rein replied politely.

Halla seemed taken aback for a moment before speaking, "Goblins... we've been losing livestock for a few weeks now, every few days some chickens or sheep would disappear... umm... Bring your companion, mother will want to hear this." Halla spoke seeming to be more afraid of the idea of goblins then the two armed women.

Rein nodded before gesturing for Skavel to join them, when she arrived Rein spoke, "Skavel, this is Halla, told her about the goblins we met a few days ago, want us to tell her mother."

Skavel nodded to Halla, "Happily, lead the way little one." Skavel replied and Halla seemed taken aback by the womans size.

"A pleasure, r-right this way." And Halla turned and lead them towards the large house with Rein and Skavel following just a little behind, the pair could not help but notice the strained fabric that hugged the Hallas backside, displaying her plump rear to the women to both their delight and frustration.

It took a few minutes and a little bit of awkward silence but soon enough they arrived at the house and Halla lead them inside and shouted, "Mother, we have guests!"

"Coming darling!" Came a woman's voice from upstairs and soon and soon from stairs to their left came footsteps and down came a woman who looked like Halla, only with more waves through her hair, and one of the largest sets of tits either of the northerners had ever laid eyes upon that bounced with every step the woman took.

The woman paused at the bottom of the stairs with a small 'oh' at the sight of her daughter standing before two armed women, "Mother, these women have something that you may wish to hear." Halla spoke up.

"Thank you dear, please go tend to your chores, I'll talk with our umm, guests." The woman spoke and gestured for her daughter to go who did so swiftly, giving the women a passing glance as the door shut behind them, leaving Rein and Skavel alone with her mother.

"So what brings two such as yourselves to my humble farm?" The woman spoke, stepping forward and stopping just before the pair.

Rein quickly spoke up, "Bad luck and a poor lack of direction, were sell-swords for a lack of a better term, we were camped over in the woodlands a few days ago and got hit by a band of goblins in the night, killed our share but there were to many and we fled with what little we had, been bumbiling around in the woods for a few days now and came out across your fields and met your daughter." Rein recited to the woman who remained silent for a brief moment before speaking again.

"That would explain the recent events..." She trailed off and Rein spoke up, "Your daughter mentioned missing livestock going missing, you think it's the goblins?"

The woman nodded, "Indeed, not many a brave enough or have cause in Targlis to try and do something so brazen as pilfering a few livestock... doubt the town guard will do much still."

That seemed to perk Skavel up a bit, "Well ma'am, we will be here for a little bit while we resupply and decide on our next course of action, maybe a few days, could we perhaps make an exchange?"

The woman looked at the hulking warrior a moment before replying, "It's Lousa, and just what are you suggesting?"

"Well if you offer us shelter we can keep watch at night, either catch your livestock thieves or perhaps the sight of armed guards will send them elsewhere, what do you say?" Skavel offered glancing at Rein who nodded lightly in agreement.

Lousa seemed to mull over the idea for a moment before speaking, "I have the room, you will actually help right, I don't need freeloading louts on my farm." Lousa stated firmly.

"If we say we will do something then we do it." Rein started, "If you house us for the few days we're around we will see about your problem."

Lousa looked between them for a moment before sighing in resignation, "I can't say I like the idea of letting strangers under my roof but the guards won't help and if it is these goblins taking my livelihood then I don't have much choice... fine you can stay but I have three daughters to chase after and I expect you both to help a little in the day."

Skavel and Rein looked at each other briefly before nodding in agreement and Skavel offered Lousa her hand and shook on the deal.

"Well then, I'll show you where you will be staying." Lousa began and lead them up the stairs.