The morning sun had just begun to peek over the horizon, casting a golden hue across the fields and forests surrounding Afloria. Iktomi woke early, as usual, and prepared herself for a day of herb gathering. She packed her small satchel with essential tools: a small knife, twine, and a few cloth bags for carrying her finds. With a final glance at her garden, she set off towards the forest.
The path through the woods was familiar to her, each step resonating with the sounds of nature waking up. Birds chirped, leaves rustled, and a gentle breeze carried the earthy scent of the forest. Iktomi felt at peace in this environment, her senses attuned to the subtle signs of the plants she sought.
She knelt beside a patch of wildflowers, carefully selecting the best specimens of St. John's wort and placing them into her satchel. As she moved deeper into the woods, she found a grove of trees where rare herbs like wolfsbane and nightshade grew in abundance. Her morning was productive, and she felt a sense of accomplishment as her satchel filled with the day's harvest.
Of course, after gathering some herbs, she always made sure, to leave some or plant some in their place for the sake of the forest.
Suddenly, the tranquil silence of the forest was shattered by the sound of heavy footsteps and guttural voices. Iktomi's heart raced as she looked up to see a group of orcs crashing through the underbrush, their eyes filled with malice. She barely had time to react before they were upon her.
Panic surged through her as she instinctively reached for the amulet around her neck, ready to transform if necessary. But before she could act, a group of adventurers burst onto the scene, weapons drawn. The adventurers, a diverse band of humans, elves, and dwarves, engaged the orcs in a fierce battle.
The clash of steel and the roars of the orcs filled the air. Iktomi took a step back, her eyes wide as she watched the battle unfold. She was relieved that she hadn't been forced to reveal her true form. The adventurers fought with skill and precision, quickly gaining the upper hand. Within minutes, the orcs were defeated, their bodies lying motionless on the forest floor.
As the dust settled, the leader of the adventurers approached Iktomi. He was a tall, muscular man with a confident swagger. His armor gleamed in the sunlight, and he gave her a roguish grin.
"Well, well, what have we here? A lovely maiden in need of rescue," he said, his tone dripping with charm.
Iktomi felt a pang of irritation... and disgust.
"Thank you for your help, but I was managing just fine," she replied, trying to keep her voice steady. "And orcs normally don't reach this deep into the forest and close to the village... unless being chased," her voice became a bit colder.
The man chuckled seemingly ignoring what she said.
"No need to be modest, my dear. How about you join us for a drink? We could use some relax time with a beauty like you."
"I appreciate the offer, but I prefer to get back to my work... alone," Iktomi said firmly.
The man's smile faded, replaced by a look of annoyance. He stepped closer, his hand reaching out to grasp her arm.
"I think you should reconsider." Seems he's one of 'those' who don't take it kindly to being declined.
Before Iktomi could respond, a dark figure stepped between them. It was one of the adventurers, a half-elf with jet-black hair tied in a loose ponytail that had a faint hint of purple. His forest-green eyes were cold and intimidating.
His whole posture seemed to yell 'That's enough'.
"Yes... She said no," a dwarf from the back said as if to say what the half-elf wanted.
The knight glared at the half-elf but released Iktomi's arm.
"Fine, have it your way... Ragon you're such a bore... and you too dwarf," he muttered, stepping back.
The rest of the adventurers approached, and the atmosphere softened slightly.
"We apologize for our leader's behaviour," one of the elven girls said. "We were wondering if you could point us to the nearest village."
Iktomi nodded, still feeling shaken.
"Follow me. I'll take you to Afloria."
The walk back to the village was tense but uneventful. Iktomi led the group through the forest, her thoughts racing. She couldn't help but glance at the silent half-elf who had intervened. His presence was unsettling yet oddly reassuring.
When they reached the village, Iktomi quickly bid the adventurers farewell.
"This is Afloria. The inn is just down the main street."
"Thank you," the dwarf from earlier spoke. "We appreciate your help."
The half-elf gave her a brief nod before turning away with the rest of the group. Iktomi watched them go, a sense of unease lingering. She then turned and hurried back into the forest, her mind on a different mission.
*
Iktomi returned to the site of the battle, carefully picking through the remnants. She found several useful items: pieces of orcish amulets or things like ears or other disgusting bodyparts needed in magic - monster body parts had lots of different magic types it seems. There were also various plants trampled during the fight and a few rare herbs she hadn't noticed before. She meticulously gathered these ingredients, knowing they would be valuable for her potions and elixirs.
As she worked, she noticed a slight movement in the bushes. Cautiously, she approached and saw a small figure huddled among the leaves. It was a young girl, no older than eight, with reddish hair and a mix of human and orc features. Her small, pointed ears and tiny tusks gave away her mixed heritage.
The girl looked up at Iktomi with wide, terrified eyes. She was trembling, clearly traumatized by the recent events. Iktomi's heart went out to her.
"It's okay, little one. You're safe now," she said softly, kneeling down to the child's level.
The girl didn't respond but didn't shy away either. Gently, Iktomi extended her hand.
"Come with me. I'll take care of you."
After a moment's hesitation, the girl reached out and took Iktomi's hand. Iktomi lifted her into her arms, feeling the child's slight weight and the warmth of her small body.
"I'm going to take you home," Iktomi whispered, turning back towards her house. As she walked, she could feel the girl's tension slowly easing. She held the child close, determined to protect and care for her.
Back at the house, Iktomi set the girl down on a soft chair and began to prepare a warm meal.
"You must be hungry," she said, trying to coax a response. The girl nodded slowly, her eyes following Iktomi's movements.
As the food cooked, Iktomi thought about the half-elf and the adventurers. Their sudden appearance had brought unexpected danger but also a new sense of purpose. She looked at the little girl, now cautiously eating the food she had prepared.
"We're going to be okay," Iktomi said softly, more to herself than to the child. "We'll find a way to get through this."
Because now the village of Alforia had not one... but two monsters as its habitants.