Cleanup (Minotaur)

With the monster dispatched, Helena had gone to fetch the Beemans. Together, they were able to free the two Stockman sisters and bring them back to the Beeman property to get cleaned up. While the three farmers who’d sent in the request handled that, Helena went to the nearby branch of the guild to report the job’s success and look into getting the Stockmans medical attention.

The amount of minotaur cum they’d been exposed to meant they’d need weeks of treatment, but it seemed they’d be able to recover.

Once that was handled, Nancy Beeman prepared a meal to thank Helena. “This is delicious, Mrs. Beeman,” the mercenary complemented.

“Please, just call me Nancy, Helena,” the older woman replied. “And this is the least I can do for you. After all, I heard one of the healers mention that you’d put the reward directly towards covering the Stockmans’ care.”

Helena blushed a bit. “It’s nothing special. It’s just…” Her expression changed, shifting to a mix of pride and grief as she thought back to old memories. “My mentor did the same for me when I was young, and it’s become a habit. If anyone deserves thanks, it’s her, she’s the reason I’m here and strong enough to accomplish this.”

“I’d be happy to thank her with a home cooked meal if you want to take it back with you, although you’re welcome to stay as long as you want before that,” Nancy said.

Helena nodded, but there was just the faintest shift in her expression. Nancy was an observant host, and caught sight of that, so she added, “I hope I didn’t overstep with my offer.”

Helena shook her head this time. “No, she’d have appreciated it if she were still here.”

Those words opened several questions, but Nancy decided it would be too nosey for her to inquire further. It seemed, for all of this young woman’s strength, she had her own burdens.

The meal continued in silence for some time, Nancy busying herself with more cooking as Helena was surprisingly hungry after the busy days she’d had and proceeded to wolf down seconds and thirds. As she was working her way through her fourth serving, Nancy remarked, “I’m sure you’ll be tired after all of this eating. The girls said you can share their room if you want to stay the night. They should be in soon, and they were excited to have you over. They even found an excuse for me to step out for the evening, so the three of you will have the place to yourselves.”

Helena nodded. Then she reconsidered the tone with which Nancy had said that last bit.

And she suddenly blushed bright red.

Upon realizing the sisters’ intentions, she found a way to swallow her remaining food in a few seconds, and stood up. “You know I’m very grateful for your generous offer, but I do have a lot of work to do so I should get going before it gets too dark out. Please tell the Stockmans I wish them the best in their recovery, but I should get going, thank you for your hospitality!” With that, although there was no magic involved, Helena managed to gather her belongings and leave in a whirlwind. She was barely out the front door before she began to fly off.

Nancy let out a disappointed sigh. “It seems I should have weighed her down with a bit more food before saying that. The girls seemed so set on giving me a daughter-in-law, but I’ll have to apologize to them this time.”

GOOD END