Thankfully Yes

Helena woke close to mid day, still tired, but not as exhausted as she had been after the rescue mission. After dressing, she came down stairs to find Beatrice looking over the maps and giving orders to a some soldiers. The knight commander looked up at her for a moment before giving the last of her orders. The soldiers saluted both of them and then left the two women alone.

"I heard what happened to your friend's mother. She's resting in a medical tent that we got set up this morning. I'm sorry I wasn't there to help."

"We managed well enough with the six of us. They didn't take her far, and we were able to clear the nest before it could really expand."

"Vaas sent a squad right after you got back and they confirmed that there were no other women trapped there. The holes were sealed up, so hopefully that's one less entry point that we have to worry about. I've put a pin in the map just to be safe so that we know to watch that area."

"We're going to be stretched thin unless we can get soldiers from some of the nearby cities or forts. Surely father sent for someone."

"I would like to believe that as well, but word from Arthur is that he has closed up the castle and is basically leaving the city to fend for itself. I'll reach out to the Adventurers guild to send their fastest messengers for aid. For now, we have soup and bread ready for you. Get some rest. You've been pushing harder than anyone since this all started."

Helena would have loved to argue, but she was feeling the fatigue of everything that she had been through. She wasn't in top shape, and her breasts were hurting and full of milk. As fun as it was for Gorban to nurse from her, she hoped that her breasts would stop producing soon. Rest would help with the physical fatigue, but she also needed to clear her head. She went to the kitchen and got some soup and fresh tea, then sat at the dining area to eat. Beatrix called out that she was off to make her rounds and left the princess alone with her thoughts.

What she needed, Helena decided after a few moments, was some fun. It had been a few days since she and Gorban had been alone in his shack, and she was in need of some attention that wasn't driven by tentacle venom. Beatrix would have been a good person to ask. Just thinking of their brief encounter in the catacombs had Helena blushing. She hadn't considered being with a woman could be so pleasing. Unfortunately, the knight commander was clearly busy. She had a few options around the fort that she could consider. Vaas was likely resting nearby as well after their rescue mission. Brintley had likely returned from finding her dad and could probably use a distraction.

As Helena was contemplating who she should spend time with, two familiar figures walked through the door and headed her way. The cute little cat beastkin Chima, with her "Not boyfriend" trailing behind. They made their way over to her and gave her a warm greeting.

"What brings you two here? And while we're at it, I don't think I've ever got your name, sir."

"O-oh! I'm Romar, ma'am. Me and Chima have been partners forever."

"Just partners," Helena asked teasingly, and watched as both of them blushed. She knew that they were both of age, but they were both on the smaller side. Chima being a cat beastkin explained her shortness, but Helena suspected that Romar was a half breed, likely human mixed with either Gnome or Dwarf.

"T-that's not important," Chima quickly cut in. "We were asked to deliver a message to you. Liam and Guild master Veritas wanted to meet with you tonight if you were available."

"Oh? Did they say what this was about?"

"I overheard Liam saying something about a brothel," Romar said, trying to be helpful.

"I wish that surprised me," Helena said, knowing all to well that he had a fondness for visiting such places. Romar and Chima must have noticed that her mood was starting to sour, because they passed a worried look between them.

"Thank you for letting me know. I'll try to meet with them soon."

"Ok. Well, now that we've finished up our job, we'll get out of your hair."

Chima and Romar started to head off, and Helena couldn't help but smile as the girl's tail playfully rubbed against her friend's side with every step. Still feeling her itch from earlier, she began to consider if the perfect pair had fallen into her lap. Asking wouldn't hurt, right?