After the intense battle with the ogre, Adam and Jasem made their way towards the girl who had sought refuge in a safe spot during the fight. Concern etched on his face, Adam approached her first, gently inquiring, "Are you alright?"
The girl winced, clutching her feet in pain, but managed to respond, "I have some minor injuries on my body, but the pain in my feet is unbearable."
Jasem, eager to help, attempted to examine her leg. However, his well-intentioned gesture was met with a startled pushback from the girl. Startled by her reaction, Jasem quickly realized how his actions might have appeared to her.
"I apologize," Jasem rushed to explain, his voice filled with remorse. "I didn't mean any harm. I only wanted to examine your feet properly, and I couldn't do so through your robe and shoes."
Hesitant but willing to trust them, the girl sighed, deciding to remove her shoe. She winced in pain as she took it off, her foot throbbing with every movement. Leaning back on her hands, she waited for Jasem to proceed, while he, still unsure, spoke again to her.
"Can you take off your socks?" Jasem asked politely, hoping to get a better look at her injury. However, the girl's immediate response was a resolute "No!"
Jasem exchanged a glance with Adam, who nodded in understanding. Sighing, Jasem proceeded to examine her foot through the sock, applying gentle pressure and causing the girl to groan with discomfort.
Stepping back, Jasem spoke to Adam, sharing his initial assessment. "It appears to be a sprained ankle, but I'm not sure of the severity."
Adam smiled, relieved by the prognosis. He knew that with some rest and healing potions, the girl would be fine. Turning his attention back to her, he asked, "Don't worry. You'll be alright. Can you tell me your name and why you were here?"
Slowly putting her shoe back on, Amber Sophland introduced herself, explaining, "I'm Amber Sophland. I came here with my sisters, who were gathering herbs for our store. We were suddenly attacked by goblins, and I got separated from them."
Adam listened attentively, nodding as Amber finished speaking. He then introduced himself and his companions, pointing out Luna and Dean as well. Amber's gaze lingered on Luna for a moment, her expression filled with curiosity.
"Why isn't she wearing any shackles or a collar around her neck?" Amber asked, her confusion evident. "Aren't you afraid she might cause harm?"
Jasem scratched his cheek, unsure how to answer. However, Adam, understanding the underlying concern, responded with a warm smile. "I understand your apprehension, but we trust her implicitly. She has saved our lives multiple times before."
Still puzzled, Amber looked to Jasem, but before she could inquire further, he swiftly changed the subject. "By the way, do you know where your sisters went?"
Relieved, Jasem smiled as Amber's face brightened. "Yes, they returned to the village to seek help. They should have arrived by now."
Adam and Jasem exchanged pleased glances. However, their attention was diverted by noises coming from Dean's direction.
*Clang* *Clang*
Curiosity piqued, Adam called out to Dean, "Hey, what are you doing over there?"
The three of them, worried that an enemy might be lurking, quickly jumped onto the ogre's body for a better view. To their surprise, they found Dean and Luna busy stripping the goblins of their belongings and creating a large pile at the center.
"What are you doing?"
Jasem couldn't help but express his surprise as he confronted Dean about his actions. Dean, wearing a sheepish smile, replied, "We decided to gather everything in one place before storing it away."
Jasem's gaze fell upon the assortment of weapons, armor, and various other items, including clothes and shoes. Perplexed, he questioned, "What do we need all these things for? Most of them won't even fit us."
Dean's smile widened as he responded, his voice brimming with enthusiasm, "We can keep the items that fit us and sell the rest. We could make a substantial amount of money from them."
Jasem and Adam saw the logic in Dean's plan and were about to return their attention to Amber when they noticed something peculiar in Dean's hands. Jasem's eyebrows furrowed as he asked, "Are you planning to use that too?" His gaze fixed on the female goblin underwear that Dean was holding.
Dean's face flushed with embarrassment as he quickly clarified, "No, this is not for me!" Realizing his intentions, he swiftly stashed it away in his storage. Jasem and Adam shook their heads, laughter escaping their lips, as they walked away from the scene.
"That's a new low, even for you," Jasem jested, playfully teasing Dean as they distanced themselves. Dean, still standing there, feeling a tad embarrassed, responded with a faint voice, "At least I'm not a virgin like you two." He raised his head defiantly, reminding himself that he was the only one among them with real experience. He then refocused his attention on the task at hand, joining Luna on the other side to continue their work.
*****
"What have you gathered all the supplies we need?" Adam inquired of Dean, who nodded in affirmation. The group set off towards the village where they planned to drop off Amber, who was being carried on Jasem's back.
As they walked, Jasem turned to Amber and asked, "Do you know the way from here?" Amber pointed towards the West, indicating the direction of her village. With her guidance, they continued their journey.
After about thirty minutes of walking, they arrived at the village that Amber had directed them to. Two girls, dressed in everyday clothes, spotted Amber being carried by the towering figure at the front of the group and rushed towards them.
"Amber, are you alright? Why can't you walk?" one of the girls exclaimed, concern etched on her face.
Amber smiled at them and gently patted their heads. "Don't worry, Tally. I just landed awkwardly on my feet and hurt myself a little."
The girls who had accompanied them expressed their remorse for leaving Amber alone earlier, explaining that their grandfather was currently assembling a rescue team at the village center. Amber reassured them, saying, "It's alright, Sally. We should head there before they start searching for me."
Amber proceeded to give Jasem precise directions to the village center, which he followed diligently. The girls walking alongside them cast curious glances back at Dean and Luna, who were strolling casually, exchanging laughter.
"Why is Luna so at ease with her master?" Tally asked her sister, who simply shrugged. They continued their walk, occasionally stealing glances at Luna, until they reached the bustling village center. There, they found an elderly man standing amidst a crowd, his voice carrying over the buzz of conversation.
"Is anyone else willing to join this mission?" he called out, scanning the crowd. When no one responded, he began to leave with those who were already behind him. Suddenly, Amber's voice rang out, catching his attention.
"I will go with you, Grandfather," she declared. The old man's face lit up with relief as he hurried towards them.
"Amber! Thank the goddess you're safe!" Jasem knelt down, allowing the villagers to take her into their arms. The old man turned to Adam and Jasem, thanking them profusely for rescuing his granddaughter.
"Thank you for saving my granddaughter, young men. We must show our gratitude. Please, come with me..." The old man's expression abruptly changed as he noticed Luna standing beside Dean, his voice now laced with anger. "Bow your head now, slave, or I'll cut it off!"
Luna, overcome with painful memories of her past as a slave, immediately dropped to all fours, pressing her head against the ground. The old man continued his tirade, searching the crowd for Luna's owner. However, Dean, standing beside Luna, couldn't tolerate the mistreatment.
"She belongs to no one. She is free, just like you!" Dean proclaimed, kneeling down to help Luna rise to her feet. Luna trembled uncontrollably, but Dean's support gave her strength.
The three heroes felt their anger ignite, particularly Dean, not because of the old man's threat, but because of his initial derogatory remarks. Dean slowly approached the old man, his voice seething with determination. "Call her 'filth' once more, and you'll regret it!"
The old man, who had previously expressed gratitude towards the heroes, spat on the ground and unsheathed his sword. Several men behind him followed suit, ready to engage in a confrontation. "What are you going to do about it, you insolent brat? Leave our village this instant, you monsters lover!"
Dean and the old man locked eyes, their fury palpable. Just as the tension escalated, Amber, being carried by a muscular man from the village, attempted to diffuse the situation. "Grandfather, these men saved me. We cannot treat them this way."
The old man sighed, his anger fading as he remembered the heroic act performed by the group. He sheathed his sword and addressed the three heroes, bowing his head in apology. "I apologize for my outburst. My anger clouded my judgment. Please, come inside so we can show our gratitude for your heroic deeds."
Relieved that the situation did not escalate further, Dean and the others followed the old man's lead, walking towards the village. However, as they proceeded, the old man's gaze fell upon Luna, his intolerance resurfacing.
"The three of you may enter, but that 'filth' must remain with her kind in the stable," he declared. Dean, incensed by the derogatory remark, swiftly opened his storage and retrieved a sword. With one swift strike, he cleanly severed the old man's head, blood splattering across Dean's face.
"I warned you not to call her that!" Dean shouted, his gaze fixed on the lifeless body. The onlookers stood in stunned silence, unable to comprehend the shocking turn of events. The old man's head rolled between their legs, a macabre reminder of the consequences of his bigotry.