Chapter 10
by 
Yelawolf
You...
Wake up to a lot of noises
The camp stirs to life, the events of the night before lingering in the air like a shared secret. Karlach is her usual boisterous self, though she shoots you the occasional grin that makes your heart skip a beat. Shadowheart is quiet but seems more at ease, while Lae’zel maintains her usual stoic demeanor, though her sharp glances in your direction suggest she hasn’t forgotten the night’s… activities.
As you pack up camp, the distant sound of shouting and clashing steel reaches your ears. You exchange glances with the group, your instincts on high alert.
“That doesn’t sound good,” Shadowheart says, her hand drifting to her mace.
Lae’zel draws her sword, her golden eyes narrowing. “We should investigate. If there is a fight, we may find allies—or enemies to crush.”
Karlach hefts her greataxe, her grin widening. “Orcs and goblins, if I had to guess. Sounds like my kind of party.”
You nod, leading the way as the group moves toward the source of the noise. The path winds through rocky terrain, the shouts growing louder with every step. As you crest a hill, the scene below comes into view.
The Grove—a fortified settlement nestled in a lush valley—is under attack. A horde of orcs and goblins swarms the outer walls, their crude weapons hacking at the gates. Archers line the walls, firing arrows into the fray, while defenders on the ground struggle to hold the line.
“Looks like we’ve got our work cut out for us,” you say, drawing your weapon.
Shadowheart nods, her expression grim. “We need to help them. If the Grove falls, we lose any chance of finding the healer.”
Lae’zel smirks, her sword gleaming in the sunlight. “Finally, a worthy challenge.”
Karlach cracks her knuckles, her fiery eyes blazing. “Let’s show these bastards what happens when they mess with the wrong group.”
You charge down the hill, the group following close behind. The orcs and goblins turn to face you, their snarls turning to shouts of alarm as they realize they’re outmatched.
The fight is chaos. Lae’zel cuts through the enemy ranks with brutal efficiency, her sword a blur of steel. Shadowheart weaves through the battlefield, her magic healing allies and smiting foes. Karlach is a **** of nature, her greataxe cleaving through orcs and goblins alike, her laughter ringing out with every strike.
You fight alongside them, your weapon striking true as you push toward the gates. The defenders of the Grove rally at the sight of reinforcements, their spirits lifting as the tide begins to turn.
An orc chieftain emerges from the fray, his massive axe gleaming as he roars a challenge. Karlach grins, stepping forward. “This one’s mine!”
The two clash in a whirlwind of steel and fire, their blows shaking the ground. You and the others focus on clearing the remaining enemies, your movements synchronized after weeks of fighting together.
Finally, the orc chieftain falls, his axe slipping from his grasp as Karlach delivers the final blow. The remaining goblins scatter, their morale broken.
The defenders of the Grove cheer as the last of the enemy forces retreat. A tall, broad-shouldered man with a commanding presence approaches, his armor dented but his expression grateful.
“You have our thanks,” he says, his voice deep and resonant. “We wouldn’t have held them off without your help.”
You nod, catching your breath. “Glad we could help. We’re looking for a healer—someone who might know about mind flayer parasites.”
The man’s expression darkens. “You’re not the only ones. Come inside. We’ll talk.”
As you follow him into the Grove, Karlach claps you on the shoulder, her grin wide. “Not bad, soldier. Not bad at all.”
You smirk, your heart still racing from the fight. “Just another day with you lot.”
The road ahead is still uncertain, but for now, you’ve earned a moment of respite—and the gratitude of the Grove’s defenders.