She is alright, she has to be alright was the only thought echoing through my head. That scene refused to leave my mind, as I watched her get taken from me again and again and again. They had left me there. They robbed, and razed, and slaughtered the rest of the village. My home, gone in a single morning. Yet I was left, unable to stop them. Why didn’t they take me? I knew the answer, and was never able to do anything about it.

Looking around, the room I was in was painfully nice. Everything seemed to have a sheen to it, like I shouldn’t touch anything or I’d be punished. The bed had plush, thick bedding. Ornate tapestry lined the walls. A wooden dresser carved to match the designs on the tapestry sat flush to one wall, with a crest of what must be the local lord sitting above it. When I finally looked through the windows, the sun was already set. I didn’t know how I even got here, or how long it had been. All I knew was that I felt totally exhausted. Yet, when I glanced back towards the head of the bed, the tears almost began again. I only managed to go quiet by shoving my face into the pillow. After some time, I accepted that despite how late it was I wouldn’t be getting any respite from this restless reality.

I set out to leave through the only door, hoping to see someone, preferably the person who brought me here. As the door carefully opened, I got exactly what I asked for. 

Seeing the woman slumped over in a chair across the hall from the doorway of the room, I could only guess that she was the one responsible for bringing me here, but I didn’t recognize her. It appeared like she had been trying to keep herself awake. She stayed in what must be her lightly worn metal and leather armour, dressed the same way she must have found me in earlier, arms crossed and legs sat flush to the legs of the chair, as if she were ready to jump up at a moment's notice. Her deep bronze skin was ablaze in the light of the nearby candles, making her entire face have a warm glow to it. Her hair was tied up in a high ponytail, but it didn’t seem to bother her much as she slept, her head rested forward rather than on the wall. Only after staring at her for far too long did I notice the weapons she had at her side. The sword had clearly seen better days, but wasn’t recently used, and the metal shield was in need of polishing.

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As I began to approach, my hairs stood on end. I looked around, yet couldn’t spot anyone else, but as I got closer, the air got more and more tense, as if I was making the wrong choice. Finally, just before making it to her, someone cleared his throat just down the hall. He stepped just out of the shadows, showing off his own armour, which was clearly much bulkier than the woman’s. He was also much taller than I was, and his imposing figure was likely accentuated with his armor. As the light finally caught his face, I could see his earthy green skin and slight underbite, allowing two small fangs to point up, framing his face with their shadows. Another person I didn’t recognize.

“Step away from her. Right now.” Despite not raising his voice, there was an obvious threat behind those words. All ice, when my world was already so cold. This orc was clearly intent on making sure I wouldn’t approach her, so I raised my hands and backed away very slowly until I was against the door to the bedroom.

“I..I’m Sorry.” My voice was so broken trying to get that little statement out, that realization almost had me make it so much worse. “I just wanted to tell her she could go back to...her room…” My words trailed off towards the end, not quite able to make everything loud enough that I knew he would hear it. Each crack and break echoing in my head until I got out the next syllable.  I stole a glance back at the sleeping woman, but the conversation didn’t wake her.

“It’s alright.” He began to motion towards the sleeping warrior. “She wanted to help you, and I can only imagine what must have happened to cause you to...breakdown like that." Each word was measured in his delivery. “She wanted to make sure you were going to be alright. When you finally stopped sobbing she was already asleep, otherwise she would have gone right into your room.”

“Okay, but... who are you people?” My voice was still trembling, but it seemed to at least be getting better, if a little raspy. “And why did you save me?”

“She has her reasons, but she doesn’t tend to leave people in need. All I can say for certain is that she’ll be willing to explain things in the morning. Just go back to your room for now, I’ll get her to a room.”

I could tell after that he wasn’t going to give up any more information, his actions speaking for him as he picked up the girl and slung her over his shoulder. I let myself believe his words as I slinked back into the bedroom, and buried my face again, without much choice otherwise. This time I actually managed to sleep, whatever that’s worth.