After a little bit, I managed to calm down enough to listen to the conversation.
Rirki gestured to the 2 guards that set off the flair "They explained to me that you were here looking for survivors. Are you from the Rondo House?" he asked.
"Yes I am Erik and this is my daughter, Terra. My wife is Miranda Rondo the head of the Rondo Family."
"When Jackson arrived at our house and informed us about the attack we sent guards immediately to assist but the Orcs were gone before they got here. we arrived with Jack yesterday to assist where we can." Erik explained
"Now if you don't mind me asking, who are you?"
Rirki smiled, stood up leaning on his spear due to his injured leg, placed a closed fist on his chest and said "I am Rirki. A B-Rank Adventurer and member of the Blackvine Lizardman Tribe." he said with a slight bow but almost lost his balance.
"It is good to meet you, Rirki. Are you aware of any other survivors around here?" Erik asked
"Yes, I have about 50 hiding in the cellar of a house not far from here. I have gathered all the survivors I could find there."
"Some are injured and others are hungry, i was searching for food and fresh medical supplies when I bumped into them." he pointed to the guards again.
Everyone let out a sigh of relief and I asked "Can you lead us there?"
"Of course, follow me," he said and started to move down the streets and we left the guards to continue the search like normal.
As we walked we made sure to grab some food and water for them, Erik already had medical supplies on him so we didn't need to grab more.
After a few minutes we came to one of the few still intact houses... well besides the missing front door and broken windows but still.
Rirki led us to a hatch hidden under a carpet and knocked on it a few times.
*Click* *Slide* the hatch opened.
"Rirki did something happen, why are you back so soon?" someone asked
"Good news everyone knights from the Rondo family have arrived and are here to help. We have food, water and medical supplies. it is safe now, come on out."
we heard many sighs of relief and cheers, happy they didn't have to hide in the cellar for much longer. We helped the people climb out of the basement into the house and to the streets.
Thankfully no bodies were around here so it didn't cause any problems yet.
As we got people out Erik started to help those who were injured while Rirki, Terra and I started handing out food and water.
As I did so I asked everyone their names and wrote them down in the book.
When asked why I said "I am also from Thronbranch. My parents are Alex and Draven."
Everyone in the village knew who my parents were so I wasn't surprised when they showed shocked expressions or asked if they were ok.
In response to the latter, I only lowered my head and they got the idea.
"I may be young but I want to help. We need to know who survived and who didn't so I am creating a list of everyone." I said trying to keep on a brave face but sadness was obviously there.
They thanked me and gave me the names of other people in the village and agreed to identify others when the time came. When I finished I had 1384 names in the book and had the status of 66 of them. Counting the ones I got earlier.
After some time more guards arrived and started to lead the survivors to the makeshift camp to get washed and rested while the rest of us continued the search.
We sadly didn't find any more survivors.
I did manage to find a ledger containing the names of all the village residents.
We finished searching the village by noon and we all gathered back at the camp to rest and plan out our next moves.
Seeing everyone tired from searching brought back some memories about my parents when they came home from Quests completely wiped out and almost instantly passed out on the couch, on their bed or even on his bed.
It was nice to remember simple things like that but sad about what caused it when we got back to camp it all seemed worth it when we saw the relieved and happy faces of the people we did manage to find.
It was also nice to see the princess helping the people however she could. Bringing them food and water while also getting to talk to them and understand what happened here and how life as a commoner was.
Sophia was very careful to stay nearby to jump in if something happened and clearly was not very ok with the princess' lack of danger awareness. Even if this wasn't a time to worry it was still possible that the survivors wanted the princess dead.
After resting for a while me, Erik, Terra, Rirki, Ronan Sophia and the Princess all gathered together in a tent.
"Things aren't looking too bleak now that we found some people. I want to thank you for helping them." Ronan said to Rirki.
"An adventurer's job is to protect people from monsters and attackers. I just did what I was supposed to."
"Well regardless it was a massive help to us. If you are willing can you assist us with the rest of the search? We can pay you if needed."
"Helping the son of my friends is something I will never walk away from, although I won't turn down the money if you're offering." Rirki joked.
I was happy Rirki didn't reveal anything, Mom didn't like people knowing she was a noble. Rirki was one of the very few who knew and agreed to keep it a secret. We agreed to talk about it later when we got the chance.
"Now as we finished the village ahead of schedule we can begin searching outside the village today. Jack has told us about the Mine to the northeast, the ruins to the south and the possibility of a druid in the west. Does anyone else know of a place people would go in an emergency?"
Rirki stepped forward and said "The 'possible Druid' is real. I was with them before the attack."
Everyone turned to Rirki in surprise.
"There is a Druid in the went?" Sophia asked
Rirki nodded
The princess, who had never seen a lizardman before, was fascinated by Rirki and didn't stop staring at him until she asked "What is a Druid?"
Everyone turned to her confused. Druids aren't some secret or lost practice, they are just rare to meet.
"Druids are Nature mages," Ronan said,
"Like Terra?"
I slapped my face.
Terra sighed and decided to explain "No I am a Plant mage, I can cause plants to grow faster and do certain things but that's it."
"Druids can use more advanced forms of plant magic, shapeshift into and talk to animals, use Primal Magic, forge contracts with spirits and are tasked with protecting ancient sites of magic. They are very rare and very powerful."
The Princess's eyes opened and said "Oh like Titania!"
Everyone looked confused as they didn't know that name, everyone other than me and Erik that is.
"How the hell do you know about Titania?!" we both said at the same time.
"Isn't she a Queen? Shouldn't she be known everywhere?" she said clearly not knowing what she just did.
In Primus, Oberon and Titania are the King and Queen of the Fae [1]. Their power is comparable to fully awakened Primogenitors, being able to destroy kingdoms with ease. Despite them being noteworthy beings in the world, Titania and Oberon like to remain hidden.
Only the Elves know about them and by extension Erik does as he is a half-elf.
I know because the book I read in The Library about Spirits had a passage explaining their roles.
The reason why me and Erik are freaking out is because the princess shouldn't have known about Titania and if the Queen of the Seelie Court found out the princess revealed it like this who knows what would happen.
Erik quickly covered the princess's mouth and whispered into her ear. I couldn't hear what he said but I was obviously effective in scaring the princess and she didn't say anything again.
Seeing Erik being serious, no one else questioned it either.
I did wonder what she heard about Titania but I didn't ask as it would cause problems with her that I don't want.
*Eh-hem* Ronan got everyone's attention "Now back to the plan. Led by Rirki, me and my men will head to the Druid's home. Erik you Jack and your men will go to the ruins. And finally Sohpia and Princess Elisabeth, you will head to the mine. Are we agreed?"
Everyone nodded except for me and Rirki.
"I think it would be best if you went else. the Druid doesn't like..." Rirki looked Ronan up and down "Soldiers."
Ronan raised an eyebrow.
"It's not to disrespect you but they don't people who 'wear the earth, stripped from its roots' as they put it."
Ronan tilted his head in confusion "Huh?"
"he means your armour will make him angry," I said
Ronan nodded and said "I guess that does line up with their rumours.... who would you recommend bringing? I'm not going to send you by yourself."
Rirki smiled turn and said, "Jack, Terra and Erik will you come with me?"
~~~~~~~~
[1] The Fae are what happens if an Etherial has a child with a different type of Etherial (Demon + Spirit, Sprit + Angel, Angel + Demon) though typically it is with a spirit and all Fae are classified as Minor Spirits.
They function the same as their parents but are known to be much more mischievous and tricky with their words.