The camp was a rather eclectic mix of races, only two of which Freja recognized. The first was the small goblin woman in the group. Her green skin, tail and a beauty that would make a super model jealous was a dead give away for the lesser elf. There were also three male goblins, one older and two younger, who unlike the female were some of the ugliest creatures Freja had ever seen. However, that is what goblin females like so there is no judgment from Freja.
The second was a tall gnoll male that was roasting meat at the fire which made Freja’s mouth water. His spotted fur was largely covered by fine robes. He was slouched while he watched her, his ears up and at attention. Despite sitting down Freja could tell he was the tallest out of the group. His pseudo-canine face reminded Freja of the wolves and it made her uncomfortable.
The last person was a race Freja had never seen before. He looked like a humanoid tiger and was built like a strong man. What threw her off on pinpointing his race was the four horns that grew from his head. He was the only one standing but he hadn’t made any moves towards her. Instead he casually smoked with a long metal pipe and wore the finest multicolored robes she had seen on a foreigner. In fact all of them were dressed like merchants which is the reason Freja decided to reveal herself.
“Sabec thinks that is a child.” The gnoll said.
“Oh, I think you are right, Sabec.” The horned tiger man said, he then smelled the air. “I smell blood. Hey, are you alright?” He was a bit more apprehensive. “Come-come.”
Freja approached slowly. “My name is…” She froze for a second thinking if she should give them her real name. “My name is Sif. I was lost and injured in the woods with my familiar. I don’t mean to intrude. I heard someone talking and I…” She started crying.
The wind hand spells dispersed as she lost focus and the combat knife and alchemy case fell to the ground. Everyone visibly relaxed after they saw her breaking down. A tension in the air was cut and suspicion of the mysterious blood covered wendigo girl subsided a bit. Everyone got up but only the goblin woman walked towards Freja. The others stayed back after the small woman waved them down.
“Oh-oh, geez.” The goblin woman said. “My name is Helina, are you hurt anywhere? Let's get you cleaned up and some food in you.” As she approached she looked at Bjorn. “That is your familiar, right? They're not going to bite, right?”
“His name is Bjorn.” Freja said between sniffles. “He is sweet and wouldn't hurt anyone.”
“Sabec, do you have any more meat besides what you're cooking there?” Helina asked as she led Freja by the hand over to the group.
The large gnoll produced several steaks from a bag way too small for the amount he pulled out.
“Sabec has plenty of meat. How does the girl want it cooked?” The gnoll asked.
Freja was silent for a long moment. “Seasoned raw.”
“Ah. Yes, Sabec also likes it that way.” He chuckled. “But let me show you a little trick. This is good meat when you come back you will see.”
“Owen, get the tub.” Helina said to the oldest looking of the male goblins.
“Of course dear.” The goblin responded. “Wyatt, Caleb let's get the bath ready. Poor girl looks like she’s been through alot.”
“But pa, that thing is heavy. Can’t she just go down to the river.” The younger goblin wearing a brown fur hat said.
“Boy, if you don’t stop complaining we are going to throw you in the river.” Owen responded.
The three goblins males all vanished into the back of a large wooden wagon; the sound of things being shifted around soon followed.
Freja started to say. “They don’t need to do that…”
“Foolishness, I won’t have you bathing in the river. Don’t mind my sons, they get that laziness from their grandfather, rest his bones.” Helina stated as they settled in a small clearing separate from the group. “You don’t have to talk about anything you don’t want to but I do have a few questions. How old are you, Sif, right?”
“Yes, and sixteen.” Freja responded.
“So young, are you from a village around here?” Helina asked.
Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.
“No.” Freja stated.
“Family we can drop you off with? Or anyone looking for you?” Helina asked and Freja shook her head. “Don’t tell me you’ve been disowned. What is it called charingur, shag-serigant?”
“Shiagaunt.” Freja said in a whisper.
Freja avoided eye contact after that which all but confirmed that the goblin woman’s guess was right. The woman shook her head and put a hand on her hip. Shortly after Owen and his sons were rolling down a wooden tub about four feet and diameter. They placed it down and left to retrieve a curtain which they hung up with a rope and stakes they drove into the ground.
When they were done Helina spoke words of power and held her hands over the tub. A single droplet of water appeared floating in the air above the center of the tub. It quickly grew in size and started steaming as it heated up. The now hot water rained into the tub filling it enough so Freja could bathe. Helina rolled up her dress and sleeves and told Freja to strip down.
It took multiple tubs of water and rounds of scrubbing to get all of the dried blood and dirt off of Freja and her dirtied uniform. They also took the time to wash Bjorn which was far easier since everything just slipped off his scales. Helina washed the staff cleaning it of blood caked on to it while Freja put on her second to last clean uniform. Helina brushed out her hair and tied it back into a short ponytail.
The goblin woman guided her back to the other members of the caravan. As soon as Owen saw the women were done he slapped one of his sons on the back of his head and pointed towards the bath. The two sons quickly got up and started packing everything away.
“Ah, so there is a girl under all that mud.” The tiger man’s deep voice bellowed. “I didn’t introduce myself earlier. My name is Joha. I took the liberty of grabbing the things you dropped. They are over there.” He pointed to a chair around the fire with her alchemy case, a cup of water and the combat knife beside it. “Join us and please eat.”
“Sabec has finished cooking your meal.” The gnoll stated as he presented Freja with skewered meat. “Seasoned meat for a new friend. Eat, eat, yes?”
Freja hesitated to take the skewer for a second but she did so with a slight bow and thanks. The meat smelt amazing, lightly seared over the fire and spiced with seasonings Freja had never seen before. She sat down next to her things and Sabec presented Bjorn with a wooden plate of unseasoned meat.
Freja could not help but be a little disappointed that the gnoll seared the meat. She never really liked her meat cooked, but when she took a bite of the skewer her eyes opened wide at the flavor. The smoky flavor only touched the outside and combined with the spices and raw middle she was in heaven. She looked up to the gnoll who gave her a thumbs up and she returned the gesture.
“So, is he your pet?” Joha asked in between puffs of his pipe.
“He’s a familiar.” Helina responded seeing that Freja’s mouth was full. “They are different from pets.”
“Ah, how so? They do not have familiars in my country.” Joha asked.
“It’s like a wendigo and druid connection to nature thing.” Helina continued. “Their magic casters connect to animals making them more powerful.”
Freja didn’t feel like correcting her on how familiar contracts work and that any magic caster could perform the summoning and contracting if they knew the ritual. She was right in that wendigo and druids had a higher success rate of the contract succeeding. It is so easy for wendigo and druids that most people believe it is an innate ability for their peoples. However, it is because of their connection to the Forest Father not to nature which is a major difference. She was no more connected to nature than any of them. Probably less so because they traveled around while she spent her days mostly inside buildings. Well up until recent events.
Freja drank some of her water. “Where are you from? I have never seen someone of your species before.”
“I am from a land very far from here.” Joha said in response after a hardy puff of his pipe. “Hashvenel which lies across the sea. The land of the rakshasa, the demon shapeshifters.”
The smoke he breathed out seemed to grow thicker until his entire form was obscured. The smoke opened for a second and he was a young human boy with black hair and eyes. The smoke closed and opened and he was a beautiful female wendigo with bleach white antlers. The smoke closed again and he appeared as a monkey man with four arms. Then the smoke dissipated and he was again in his normal tiger form with his four horns.
The weird part of it all was Freja didn’t feel any magic from Joha as he transformed. Leaving her to wonder if it was magic or something else. The tiger man laughed at her bemusement as he sat down next to the fire. Sabec handed him a meat skewer and in return Joha filled his cup with a glass of ale that appeared in his hands from the air.
“So where are you headed, young one?” Joha asked.
“I-I don’t know.” Freja responded with a soft voice. “Just headed west for now.”
“Well, each of us are also going west.” Joha stated with his arms wide indicating the whole group. “You are welcome to tag along.”
“I don’t want to be a burden.” Freja responded with both hands up as if to stop him.
“It wouldn’t be any more of a burden than my lazy sons.” Helina said with a smile. “We aren’t just going to leave a girl out in the wilderness and we can put you to work if you don’t just want a ride. The next city is the fort town of Lavi and it is about a four day journey. We will be making some stops in nearby villages along the way and sell some of our wares.”
“If any of those villages suits your fancy you’re free to leave the caravan.” Joha adds with another puff of his pipe. “How does that sound?”
Freja looked over the group around the fire. They were doing a lot to help her already and she felt like she should return the favor. Work off the food and bath and transportation. She looked at Bjorn as his two heads tore into his meal. A small smile graced her lip and she looked back up at the group and took a deep breath.
“I will be in all of your care.” She said with a bow. “I have never worked in a caravan so please be patient with me.”