Charlotte POV:

If you were to ask me what was the most defining moment of my life was, a few moments ago, I would say that it was the day my father told me that I was going to be working for my uncle.  I had never truly liked my uncle, at face value you he was your average Innkeeper.

Take nothing at face value.

He was always particular on what kinds of workers he would have.  Always either girls who had come to the city in hopes of having a life even a little better then the squalor they had grown in at their villages;  Or younger widows that had lost their husbands to the unblessed.  At face value you would think him as a man that would hire people in an effort to give them a chance at their dreams.

Take nothing at face value

He was good friends and drinking buddies with the local alchemist who would often exchange a certain type of potion with him at the end of business transactions.  At face value it was the secret ingredient that always manage to strengthen his drink, completely harmless.

Take NOTHING at face value.

The man was a lech.  The women he hired would strangely grow pregnant, though they never had any memory of doing the act themselves; and not long after enter a comatose state.  The local alchemist had deep connections to the black market, so much so that common herbalists and have merchants never even heard of him.  Most people who consumed the drink entered delirious states that went above and beyond what most would call a drunken stupor.

And it only got worse.

My uncles close friends, at first, payed me no heed; treating me with the utmost disrespect and sometime going so far as to attack me should the drink have slowed in it’s constant flow.  That was when I was but a girl yet to become a maiden.  Once the maturity of my body began to grow, I learned to curse that which most would covet.  

In the words of one bard, slightly drunk, who had come to our Inn but a few months ago,

“Your eyes are as a blue more precious than sapphire.  Your face so beautiful that the Dryads would call you sister.  A figure which can be used as model for the most perfect of hourglasses…” Random Bard

He said, much, much more…

But most was so indecent I gave him a punch the Five would be proud of.

I had caught the attentions of everyone of literally every man in the city, including the Grand Duke.  I would be honored, but he was a lech who rivaled even my uncle in his tendencies.  My uncle had even changed the uniform which I was to use for work to something uncomfortable and tight, making me look indecent and tantamount to a cheap whore.

It was then that I began formulating different plans of escape.  I couldn’t go back to the village, I had been telling my parents for years about what my uncle had been doing, though my father had not once believed me.  I couldn’t stay in the city because that would be painting a target on my back, like it or not the only reason I hadn’t been turned into the cities most favorited whore was probably because my uncle wanted the first round; disgusting as it is.  I couldn’t go to the lord and ask for work because that would lead me to the same fate I desired to escape from, just more comfortable.  And finally I couldn’t go with a band of adventuring mercenaries, too many chances that they could do as my uncle then return me to him.  I couldn’t even go to the guard because he was one of those that wanted me the most!

I was at a loss.  There was no way that I knew for getting out of this, other than horribly disfiguring myself.  And honestly, I had come to terms with that.  

I had considered doing it this morning, but had then decided to go out grocery shopping.  It was always uncomfortable with the shop owner undressing me with her eyes.  It was more uncomfortable seeing how it was a dwarf doing the undressing.  Nothing is weirder than seeing a beardless, beady eyed dwarf with breasts undressing you with their eyes.

Call me Blessedist, but I prefer my uncle over her, which speaks volumes.

I am within earshot of The Drunk Dragon when I see a large exodus of people leaving it, one of them dragging my uncle by a chain and collar around his neck.  He was unconcious and bloody faced as though someone had beat him unconcious.  They are screaming bloody murder and look as though they’re going to lynch him.  I see one man with a cowl veil that covers his entire head looking at the crowd.  I go over to him, seeking answers.

“What are they going to do to him?” Charlotte

“Kill him, most likely.  That or castrate him.  I vote for death by Castration, but that’s just personal preference.” Mysterious Stranger

I looked at him both appalled and relieved.  I mean I was glad that someone had finally saw fit to kill him, but the method he had proposed was simply savage!

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“Why?” Charlotte

“Asshole essentially tried to rob me and then to keep me from telling everyone about his scam he said that he would give me his niece’s virginity.  Also said that he would drug her so that she never even remembered it.  I told the crowd, and we get to our current predicament.  The only problem is that I’m pretty sure that the other Innkeepers won’t let me close to them and I have also attracted the attention of the city.  Why the do you ask?” Mysterious Stranger

I couldn’t contain my rage.

“HE USED ME AS A BARGAINING CHIP!?!” Charlotte

“Ooohhh, so that’s why.” Mysterious Stranger

I then run over to my unconscious uncle and kick his manhood into oblivion.  After I’m satisfied I look around me just to see everyone looking at me with a mix of approval and fear.  

Approval from the women, fear from the men;  they were clutchy in their genitalia in fear.

I clear my throat, regain my composure, and start going back to the Mysterious Stranger.  One of the people in the crowd just shrugs and compels his companions to get back to their bloody business.

The Mysterious Stranger is chuckling and shaking his head.

“Welp, I guess it’s death and Castration then.  So, my names John, you?” John

“Charlotte.  In a notion of curiosity, after seeing me, would you have still have made the same choice?” Charlotte

He gives me a once over from my shoes to my face to my shoes again.  He then just shrugs and continues to look at space.

“Yup.” John

I feel a slight pang of annoyance at his evaluation, but in all honesty, I’ve been waiting for someone with more tact than to simply try and claim me simply after looking at me once.  Then it dawns on me, he might be my way out of here.

“Are you by chance an adventurer?” Charlotte

He nods.

“More of a Bard than a mercenary.  Although I am working with a pair of adventurers.  Why?  Simple curiosity or are you looking to skip town?” Charlotte

I was surprised that he managed to surmise my intentions so easily.

“How did you know?” Charlotte

He shrugs.

“You uncle was probably a rapist, the guards hadn’t caught him yet, and you’re anyone's type.  So, he had friends in the guard, and probably beyond, who were willing to help cover up his nightlife.  However, who works with a rapist?  The answer, rapists.  I bet that he probably wanted to save you for himself, but now that he’s gone, you need an escape route; and preferably one that didn’t end with you being used and abused by the roadside in the wilderness.  Am I right?” John

“*sigh* yes.  So, will you help me?” Charlotte

“Probably, just need to ask the others.  Speaking of others, why are they riding towards us at top speed on horses?” John

‘What?’

I turn to look where he’s looking but am simply met with a hand grabbing my shoulder and pulling me onto the horse.

When I land, I notice an arrow jutting out of the animal’s back that was right next to me.  John yells first.

“What did you do?!  Shoot their boss’s horse with lighting?!” John

I look up and see that John is riding with a rather large man to my right, a brown haired elvish woman is in front of me, and a young mage is to my left.  She seems aggravated at what I assume to be a jab made by John

“That was one time, alright!  And no, they’re pissed off at the meat head!  Speaking of which, why are we helping him?!” Mage Girl

“Because I’m your brother?!” Big Human Male

“Still looking for a reason!” Mage Girl

“Shut up and RIDE!” Elvish Woman

‘What have I gotten myself into!?!’