After a few days of helping the people of Grassborne, Gro's family showed up. Morda and five other Orcs, three males and two females. That really gave me an out from helping so I could train my magics. The boy, Rolf, was helpful after all. He helped me understand, along with the aid of the Anatomy knowledge, just how the joints of the bones moved. Its one thing to see images of things but completely different to see them actually moving.
Thanks to Cassa and her slightly twisted way of Goblin thinking, I had plenty of animal test subjects. She would kill rabbits, squirrels, rats and even managed to find a few bats and bring them to me for "study" as we called it. She thought I was a puppeteer who brought life to his marionets. She laughed and danced around as they twitched and struggled to move. I almost envied Rolf because he successfully deskinned a squirrel, drained of blood, and had it dancing around with Cassa in almost no time at all, while my rabbit had a seizure lying on the ground.
"The recently deceased make the best puppets. As long as they have most or all of their flesh still intact, Master. The more connected muscle the better. Because its less taxing on your mind and your magic." Rolf slumped over next to me in shear exhaustion as his puppet went limp at Cassas' feet and remained lifeless. Cassa came over and crawled in my lap and wrapped her arms around my waist as she kissed my cheek.
"We can have these for dinner." Gro came up and gathered the little animal bodies that we practiced with. They were still fresh kills and already cleaned of skin and guts so no one objected, not even Rolf because he had already fallen asleep. Cassa smiled at me with all her pointed little teeth showing and i chuckled at her, "I love you."
She clucked her tongue behind those teeth and gently ran her fingernail down my cheek. One of her little ways of showing affection. "Alright Rolf, time to get cleaned up. Will have dinner soon." Alru picked up Rolf from the ground and they left for the Inn. I am wondering if he sees her as a mother figure now or he is just happy to have friends who talk back to him. I put the black crystal in my bag and placed my arms under Cassa for support as I stood up.
I carried her back to the Inn where we were staying and got a few odd glances from the halfling villagers that were already there for evening meal. I didn't really mind seeing that as we had been there for a while now and I had gotten accustomed to them.
We took our normal places at the table we sort of claimed and after Gro and Fenta joined us his mother and the other Orcs came over. "Mother. Good to see you." Gro smiles as she sat down in the small chair an the other Orcs pulled the nearest table to us and they sat in the small chairs as well. They all looked like grownups sitting at the kids table. I bumped Cassa and gestured to them and she giggled.
Miss Brinda came over and stopped dead in her tracks when she saw all the Orcs. She let out a flustered sigh and went to Gro, "Ey. Your family 'etter not damage me Inn or you'll answer to me. Got it!" Gro just nodded to the halfling woman and the other Orcs started laughing at him. They all hushed when Fenta came out of his room wearing a white tunic with green trim and a matching green dress that flowed all the way to her high heeled boots. Her hair was left untied so it flowed around her as she glided over to Gro and plopped down in his lap.
"Mista Quickshot. I'll bring the special of the night and some ale for ya and ya friends. You lot will have to wait for us to cook more food. I've seen how you Orcs eat from watchin' him." Brinda looked to Morda and she held up her hands, "We can hunt for our food. We will not be a burden to you. I swear it." The others nodded at her words then Brinda curtly bowed and went back to the kitchen.
Alzi finally appeared next to me at the table and pulled up a chair for himself. "I already ate, Master. I just wish to enjoy the company." The evening turned into night as we ate and drank, just relaxing and enjoying ourselves for the last in this town of friends. Gro told his mother about what happened after we all got back. From slaying the Ogres to killing the necromancers in the cave to the south.
I think Gro gained a lot of respect from his Mother and his fellow Orcs. Fenta thanked his Mother for the new hammer and she absolutely loved it. "You don't have to worry about the handle in that one. It has a thin metal rod as its core and a hefty piece at the handle end for balance."
We carried on into the night talking and just being amongst friends and family. It was late so i carried Cassa to bed, bidding everyone fair dreams and we disappeared into our room.
"' My Son. You are beginning to figure out your true powers. The elements are strong on there own. But, to have power over life and death is the pinnacle of power in this world. You must begin learning about life now or the blackness of death will consume you.....'"
I sat straight up, wide awake at hearing my mothers' voice again. I quickly glanced around the room, searching for her but it was in vain as I realized she was in my dreams once again. I noticed Cassa still asleep, totally naked as her usual way of sleeping and pressed against me. I couldn't tell what time it was because the room was only lit by a single candle that had almost burnt itself out. I gently caressed her cheek and she nuzzled against my hand as I laid back down. I pulled her close and kissed her forehead before returning to my dreams.