Victims

[[This chapter has focus on some the goblinoids' **** victims, and not all of them will react the same way. If you don't like that, read only the first two sections. I make no claims for this to be an accurate representation of a repeatedly **** victim's trauma. I am attempting to use my limited knowledge of psychology and trauma to try to provide a story that is at least somewhat entertaining. I apologize if this is insensitive to some readers, and if you have ideas on what to what to add/remove/change, please let me know. If you don't want the victims' perspectives, read the first two sections and then skip...]]

You land in Riverbend for the final time, delivering the last of a half-dozen breeding slaves from the Kormak tribe. Why did there have to be so many... You polymorph, almost forgetting to do so from the exhaustion of ferrying people miles and miles. Even with my speed buffed, it's been hours. You enter the church, assisting a man and a woman inside and into the back row of pews. "This is the last of them, Gilford."

"My goodness..." The middle-aged man lifts his head. "You...really came through for these people. On their behalf, you have my thanks."

"Where are they even from, anyway? It doesn't seem like they're from here." You lean against the pew in front of you, taking a moment to relax. "I mean, I don't see a bunch of family members coming in here to check on people."

"Correct, Hero." A feminine voice speaks up from a few pews ahead. Glancing to her, you're surprised to find Kristhyra the elf, seemingly recovered and tending to one of the victims. "It seems they from Port Kirn."

"Port Kirn is on the coast. If you take the river south, you'll reach it in a few days." Gilford fills in the knowledge gap for you. "They were traded and stolen up the river, eventually coming to us."

You sigh. Even more horrible circumstances... "Will they be okay?" You lower your voice to a whisper."And I'm including Kristhyra in that."

"I...am unsure. Most of them should be fine, but...like I said before, that is physically. For example, one of the women you brought in, she doesn't seem to even respond to speech."

"I...kinda noticed that. According to one of the Kormaks, she's been...around, the longest." You stare at the back of the unfortunate woman's head. Kristhyra was only there for a could weeks, I think. But how long does it take to go catatonic? You stand back up. "I'm going to head back out. Got a couple more people to ferry places. If I can help when I get back, let me know."

"Chief!" Eve runs up to you as you land outside the cave. If she were your size, you'd probably be on the ground after her tackle. "Is it time again?"

You chuckle, checking her with God's Eye. "You've still got some time left, Eve. Besides, you're able to relieve yourself, last I checked." You ruffle her hair.

She pouts before releasing and walking alongside you. "Well, everyone's at least kind of accepting of the situation, especially since you beat up a couple more orcs, but I doubt things will go smoothly for the next few days."

"I'd be surprised if it did. How many goblinoids do we have now?" You enter the cave and begin descending, what remains of sunlight illuminating the main room.

"Sixty-two, soon to be sixty-three." She pats her belly, which irks you.

You shake the anger from your head. "I'd say today's been quite productive, then. We rescued seven people, earned myself an evolution, and made sure the local tribes aren't going to raid Riverbend." And found out that the Empress is in town...

"I'd say you deserve a reward..." She lightly elbows your thigh.

"Don't get ahead of yourself, Eve." You chuckle, before quickly spotting the hobgoblin pair to the side, overlooking the cavern. "Torch, Shadow, ready to go?"

They share a look as Eve translates, nodding to each other. Within a minute, you're carrying them with Eve on your back as you head toward the barn.

When is the next feeding? I'm hungry... Cumdump stared straight ahead. The numbness in her loins was starting to recede slightly, which was an odd sensation. She vaguely remembered what it was like to have feeling down there, but hadn't done so in so long. It'd been a long time since she'd done anything other than eat, sleep, and be used. And why was it so bright in the cave? There wasn't a lot that Cumdump was aware of, but she knew it should be a lot darker by now. That was one of the few times she was alone with what thoughts she had left. She sits motionless as an elf crosses her vision. She must be trained. Cumdump couldn't remember the last time the goblins had let someone walk around freely.

"You are safe. You are safe." The elf mutters, over and over.

Safe? What does that even mean?

[[Translated from goblish for reader's convenience]]

Torch walked away from her new chief, now feeling safer in her home terrain. Og the ogre looked confused as the quartet landed, but Shadow said he'd handle the oaf. The hobgoblin woman walks past the fledgling giant and into the barn. She ignored the orcs and big goblins that stared at her as she walked by, only stopping when she reached the stall she was **** in. It wasn't as if Borak wasn't allowed to **** her. That was his right as a member of the conquering tribe. But...the way the new chief had ripped him away, and even helped her out of the milker...

The mighty rule the weak. That's always been the rule of goblins. So why did he stop Borak? He didn't even take me for himself. He just... There was no word for his actions in goblish, except: why?

She snaps out of her stupor, climbing into the rafters, when something catches her eye. A blue spherical gem embedded on top of a white rod. Torch picks it up, sinking into thought once more. He even got rid of all the slaves... What kind of chief is he?

[[Excerpts translated from elvish for reader's convenience]]

Kristhyra was upset that she couldn't spend much time with her savior, but she understood. Heroes were always busy with something. She picked up the pail of water, gazing to the westward sky. It's fine. He'll be back. He even offered to help with the others. She trots back around the church, so focused on bringing more water that she runs into someone that had just entered the building as well, nearly spilling the bucket. "I am sorry!" She rushes past the brunette woman and delivers the water to Gilford, who immediately douses a towel in it.

"Captain, what brings you here?" Gilford gazes past Kristhyra, to the woman walking toward them both.

"I heard Dusk found some people out there and figured I could help." The captain stops, leaning against the pew as Kristhyra's ears perk up. She knows the hero?

"While I appreciate it, their physical injuries have already been healed. And Kristhyra, you are welcome to retire for the day. I should be able to handle things from here. Actually, Captain, why don't you take her to the inn so she can relax?"

Kristhyra falls into thought. I should probably rest...but if I do, then...the memories...I can't-

"Woah, Kristhyra, right?" She didn't know when it happened, but the woman had appeared by her side, hand on her shoulder. "Are you okay? You were shaking just now."

"I...will be fine."

"Let's get you some food, okay? When was the last time you ate?" The captain lifts the elf to her feet, before beginning to escort her out the door.

"I-I...not want think about it." She shudders. Her last meal wasn't exactly food, but it had definitely been some time.

"Then let's head to Garth's to get you some dinner. His wife makes a mean venison steak."

Kristhyra cocks her head. "How it mean? Did it fight before it died?"

The brunette glances to the elf's ears. "Ah, sorry. I mean it tastes delicious. I'm Camilla, by the way." She offers her hand.

"Nice to meet you." Should I ask about him now? "Do you...know the hero?"

"The Hero? You mean the Saintess? Why would I know her?"

"No." She shakes her head. Dumb humish, having the same word for two completely different things. "Dusk, I think his name."

"Oh, Dusk. We know each other a bit, but he only came into town a few days ago. Why do you ask?"

"I...want know more about him."

Camilla gulped, unsure why she was feeling a bit nervous now. "W-well, he's definitely shaken things up around here, that's for sure. He and I killed a Hornet Queen two days ago, and he did a lot of heavy lifting when fighting off a swarm of hornets last night. There's so much that's happened since he showed up that it's hard to believe it's only been a few days."

"What of his party?"

"Well, um...There's me, kind of. I'm the captain of the guard in this town. There's Eve, she's a ranger, but he seems to fight more alone than as part of a group. He's a knight and a sorcerer, and he even managed to learn a healing spell, so there's nothing in a normal party that he can't do himself."

"I see... So...how I repay him?" Kristhyra stops in the middle of the street.

"Repay him?"

"He saved me, Captain. I want repay him."

"Welcome to the club..." Camilla rubs the back of her head, her eyes closed as if she's annoyed by something. "Let's not worry about that right now. Just don't make his effort go to waste, alright?"