A group of local... peasants?

A wagon comes bounding around the bend, being pulled by several donkeys (why has that one been painted white?). Four women are riding in it, laughing and shouting something about a 'big score.'

"I say! Help me please!" Hilda calls out as the wagon approaches. It comes to a stop, and all four women get off.

Three are human, one appears to be a half-elf. A scrawny human woman with shoulder-length red hair steps forward.

She must be the leader.

She's dressed in rags but has very nice boots, and couldn't be more than 20.

Behind her is a taller, chubby woman with sandy brown hair done up in a bun, an average-looking woman with black hair tied back in a ponytail, and a slim half-elf with pale skin and platinum blonde hair. The three appear to be dressed in simple rags and peasants' clothing, but upon closer inspection, Hilda notices they are all wearing a few things of noticeably better quality.

They must be merchants traveling in disguise.

"Thank goodness you arrived," says Hilda. "I was attacked and robbed by a troll. She took my sword, boots, and armor and then left me here tied me up and alone."

The group smiles to each other, and then the leader speaks. "So you're all alone out here? The troll's gone?"

"I.. I think so. I've been tied to this tree for a while now, and no one but you four has come through here. Can you untie me? We probably shouldn't stay here long, in case the troll does come back," says Hilda, worried for these women's safety.

"It's a pretty isolated road. Not too many people travel to Pilla these days," says the chubby woman.

The half-elf walks up to Hilda and starts examining her intently, occasionally touching Hilda's arm or the rope, but never saying anything.

"Oh! Uh... hello," Hilda says nervously as the half-elf continues to paw at her. "Can she understand me?" Hilda asks the others.

"Yeah, she's just not much of a conversationalist," chuckles the average-looking one.