A woman in distress

You and your companions walk down the hill, to the small hamlet. After some time, you reach the small wooden gate and the guard there barely look at you as you walk past him. Ella and you give him a nod in greeting, to which he responds by taking a big drag of his pipe and blowing out the smoke in your direction.

He takes the pipe out of his mouth and points the end towards Gibbi. "Now you be sure to keep your pet in check, you here me boy!" He says in a commanding tone, his voice sounding like a man in his older years.

"She is not my pet, sir! But my friend Gibbi here, will surely not be of any harm to anyone here. Have a... good day." You say, trying to hide the annoyance in your voice. You look down at Gibbi, and roll your eyes, signalling to her that you don't agree with his tone of voice directed at her.

Gibbi responds by giving you a tootchy smile for standing up for her and then looks at the guard to blow raspberries at him, before you all walk through the gate.

You walk down the main road, looking at the different buildings and the people living here. Almost everyone are giving you and your companions odd looks. You figure they have never seen a person travel with a goblin and an elf, so you shrug it off.

Something grabs your attention as you walk a bit further into the hamlet.

Sitting on the lower step of the stairway of the church, is a middleaged woman. She is wearing dusty and torn village clothes and is sobbing into her hands.

You look at your two companions, then points towards the woman. They both nod, like they know what you are suggesting. You walk up to her and clear your throat.

"Ehem... Excuse me ma'am, are yoiu perhaps in need of some assistance?" You say in your most heroic voice while taking a confident pose, waiting for her to look up.

She looks up at you, her face looking weary and tired. "Wh-What?" Is all she mutters in a raspy voice.

"Something seems to be bothering you, perhaps me and my companions can give you a hand?"

She just looks at you dumbfounded by your sudden approach and says nothing, leaving you in an akward silence.

You once again clear your throat before speaking. "Erm... Allow me to introduce myself, my name is Edgar, and I am an adventurer of sorts, looking for a way to help whereever I go."

She gives you a full bodyscan before looking you in the eyes again. "But... You look like a hobo. Did you already meet the bandits?"

"Bandits? Is it that which troubles you?" You ask her, trying to pry the information out of her.

"I guess beggers can't be choosers, and it's not like anyone else is offering help, so I guess you'll do." She mutters before standing up slowly while groaning. "It is indeed the bandits who trouble me. I live in the forrester's hut in the woods east of here. I live there..." She halt, obviously trying to hold back oncoming tears. "...I used to live there with my husband, son and my daughter, before the bandits came. They wanted to rob us for everything we had. We of course gave them everything they wanted, so they would leave us alone, however, their leader wanted to take my daughter too. So when my husband and son tried to stop him, they were both killed by his men..." Tears start to run down her face. "Please... bring my daughter back to me... she is all I have left! I will give you whatever you want, just bring her back to me..."

She falls down to her knees, putting her face into her hands and start to sob uncontrollably.

You put you hand on her shoulder and speak softly to her. "Worry not, we will find your daughter and we WILL bring her back to you. You have my word."

You turn around, walking past your companions in the direction of the east woods. "Let's go, we have a girl to find..." Your voice sounds full of conviction and anger.

Gibbi and Ella follows behind you, whispering nervously to eachother about your mood. You ignore their whispers and double your pace.