Three years later

Shari had almost forgotten about her prior life.

She petted Queiss as she watched her little boy running amok with the other children. The warriors were out, and after the prior night's reverie, most of the harem women were exhausted. Shari included. She knew they were supposed to put up another tent for the new girls, there were always new girls after they went raiding, but it was still before midday, and they wouldn't return before dusk. They had time.

"That diadem is gorgeous, Shari" Tayla, a fellow harem girl, commented. She had birthed an orc at about the same time as Shari did, so the two became close, exchanged experiences and otherwise supported each other.

"This? Oh, yes. Urj gave it to me last night." it was an intricate piece, mostly made in silver, with a single blue gem in the center. it was probably worth a fortune, but it wasn't particularly showy, and most of the others didn't even notice it enough to be jealous. Shari learnt early that she didn't want to keep the exuberant stuff.

"The scavenger? Gods, I cant stand his smell" he did have a very thick odor. Many suspected he would on occasion enter disguised into the human cities, to steal. It would take alot of cunning for an Orc to pull that off, but it wasn't one of the most admired traits for the other orcs.

"His cock is this big" Shari exaggerated, and they both laughed. Suddenly Queiss hissed, and warned "Run!" before she bolted away.

Years before maybe Shari would have had the reflex to just obey, but instead she picked up a large wooden spoon and scanned for this threat, and went to her son's side. Her friends asked what was wrong, and the answer came soon.

A crossbow quarrel flew past them, and struck one of the few works left to guard them. Then three more, to make sure it was dead. Someone screamed, and panic took over.

Shari held her son in her arms, and Layla did the same. Some women ran away. Others even attacked. These joined the orcs in afterlife. It was all over fairly soon.

When Shari dared to look up, she saw silver armored figures entering the village. Tall, proud, she recognized the symbol of Imian paladins. And they were coming to her direction. She was about to scream when one of the knights took off her helmet, revealing a gorgeous blonde woman with the bluest eyes she had ever seen. The half elf was awed at her beauty, but her next words were even more astonishing

"Princess. We finally found you. You are safe now" and she knelt. Shari was confused. She knew she had noble blood from her mother, but her family had disowned her. There wasnt a chance in hell that they would send knights to save her, and even less chance that they would send human knights.

"... Thank you, Lady Mira. I knew you would come to my rescue" Shari slowly turned her face, and saw Layla. She was aghast. Her friend was the princess? Then the paladin turned her eyes to Shari, and she was extremely angry. "Thief. You will..."

"She didn't do anything, Lady Mira. An Orc gave my crown to her." Shari gasped again. She was growing tired of doing it. She took the diadem off, but Layla said "It is fine. You can keep it."

"What will happen to us now?" Another harem woman asked. The few who didn't run away yet. "And our children?"

"You are free to go back home, or come with us. I will do my best to accommodate you all. And as for your children... there will be space in the Church's orphanage. They will grow strong and proud, and serve the crown when they come to age" Shari felt a pang in her heart. She didn't doubt this woman that she though was her friend Layla had only the best intentions. What should she do? Should she come back to the human city, and try her luck there?