Chapter 7: The Lioness Tested!

Tomoko groggily woke up. To her surprise Elhaym was not awake yet.

Maybe she will be awake soon? We fell asleep at the same time, I thought maybe we would be awake at the same time too.

She then noticed that Elhaym was indeed awake, just being very careful not to stir or disturb Minx, who was buried between her chest, snoring happily in a messy puddle of drool. Elhaym had a bit of a silly grin on her face looking at the goblin.

“Enjoying yourself Elhaym?” Tomoko couldn't help but grin too. From her short time with her, Tomoko knew Elhaym was a sweet person with a good heart.

“This is new to me nfufu~” Elhaym whispered gently, “I never had such a comfy teddybear~”

“Does this mean you two will date?” Tomoko couldn't keep the excitement from her voice.

“Date? You think she wants to date me?” Elhaym quizzically stroked the goblin's fluffy red hair.

“Well yeah duh! Did you not hear her confession?” Tomoko wanted to shake sense into Elhaym.

“Ara~ she is just thankful for us taking care of her~” Elhaym smiled sweetly while headpatting Minx.

How. Can. Someone. Be. So. DENSE?! Tomoko was more than exasperated at this point. Hopefully soon she realizes, Minx seems to be such a nice girl too.

Minx then mumbled unintelligibly from between Elhaym's chest. She blinked sleepily and squirmed crawling up to Elhaym's face. Her button nose pressed against Elhaym's nose before giving her a big long smooch on the lips.

LET'S GOOOOO!!!! Tomoko cheered. This was better than any romance anime she'd ever seen. She was absolutely loving it.

“Ara?” Elhaym blinked, her lips pursed. “Is this a goblin 'good morning' thing?” Elhaym shrugged and grabbed Minx's face by her cheeks, “Good morning to you to!” And she pulled her in for another smooch.

Uwooooh!!!!!! Elhaym get it!!!! Tomoko was hyped. Maybe this was the start!

Minx fully awoke then. Her ruby eyes grew wide in realization before her cheeks turned the same color as her eyes. She scrambled up and held her face.

“I'm so sorry!” Minx stammered more sounds before scrambling out of the tent.

“Ara? Did I do something wrong?” Elhaym shrugged, “Maybe I am a bad kisser?”

“I don't think that was the case Elhaym...” Tomoko facepalmed. Yep, Elhaym was just denser than a brick.

While the group packed up camp, Minx blushed into her ears every time her and Elhaym's eyes met. Fenix looked at the two, made a sly smirk, and did not question anything. After a few minutes they were packed up and geared up.

“Walking alright this morning?” Fenix asked Minx as she was adjusting something on her crossbow.

“Yes thank ya!” The little goblin smiled at the Elf, “Ready to catch these bandits and give em what for!”

“That's the spirit!” Fenix gave her a pat on the shoulder.

“Minx over here!” Called Elhaym from by her horse.

Minx shuffled over shyly to Elhaym, trying her best to keep cool.

“Here take this~” Elhaym bent down and tucked a small dagger into her overalls. “Papa always told me; (in an imitation of her father's voice) 'Keep a dagger hidden on you at all times, you never know if you have to stab someone!' nfufufu~” Elhaym patted the spot where she tucked the dagger away.

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

“Ah thank ya!!” Minx tried her best to stay calm, but was suddenly scooped up and placed on the horse's saddle.

Elhaym straddled in behind Minx before the group set off. The group rode in silence following Fenix. He seemed to be following signs and tracks Tomoko couldn't see. Apparently Elhaym saw them too as Fenix would look back to Elhaym often and she would either make a hand signal or nod in agreement.

After an hour or so, Fenix made a motion for them to stop. They dismounted and Fenix walked over to Elhaym.

“There is a cave about a hundred yards ahead. They are holed up there.” Fenix kept a watchful eye on their surroundings.

“So let's infiltrate and get rid of these bastards” Elhaym tied her horse off and adjusted a strap on her armor. “Minx we need you to watch the horses and make sure no one comes in after us, can I trust you with that?”

Minx nodded stoically, “Ya can count on me!” She gave a small salute before shouldering her crossbow. “I won't let ya down!”

“Good girl~” Elhaym gave her an affectionate headpat, “We won't be long.”

Tomoko gulped. She was nervous, she handled the first battle well but still, it was life and death happening soon. She had no idea what would be in store for them.

“Don't worry Tomoko,” Elhaym spoke reassuringly, “Fenix and I can take on an army if needed nfufu~”

Fenix flashed a confident grin at them as they approached the cave opening.

“No lookouts?” Elhaym sounded suspicious as they marched forward. She drew her sword and Fenix did the same.

“It is curious, but you did slay quite a number of them yesterday. They could be licking their wounds inside...” Fenix also was being cautious.

The group made their way inside. Sconces lined the cave walls into a long tunnel that continued on into darkness. The duo (trio) continued on slowly, paying attention to even the slightest noise of movement. They crept on for what seemed to be ages to Tomoko before they came to a sudden stop. Fenix made a motion for Elhaym to look ahead.

About a hundred feet down the tunnel was a wooden door with two bandits guarding it. They did not seem to be on alert as they were leaned against the wooden door frame, talking among themselves.

Fenix leaned into Elhaym's ear and barely breathed a whisper,

“We need to be quick, I take right, you go left, you first through the door and we go from there.”

Elhaym nodded as she gripped her sword tighter. Tomoko held her breath (or at least she thought she was, it felt that way anyway) frozen in anticipation. With a nod, the two warriors charged swiftly down the tunnel. The two bandits did not know what hit them as they were stabbed in tandem through their chests. 'Sprink' sprayed a sparkling mist through the air as the bandits fell dead.

Elhaym kicked with her armored boot at the door, crumpling it as if it were made of paper. It exploded into the room in splinters. The two warriors charged in, Elhaym at the lead. In the room were another half dozen bandits. Elhaym moved first, sword flashing in the torchlight. Fenix and Elhaym were a deadly pair, covering each other's backs. Swords working like a steely tornado of destruction.

In just a few moments five of the bandits were down, and as the two turned to the last they froze. The bandit stood, holding a woman as a shield, a dagger pressed against her neck.

“One more step and I'll spill her blood!” The bandit twisted the blade, drawing a blob of 'sprink' at the tip.

The woman whimpered, eyes shut tight in fear, visibly trembling.

“Now drop the swords! Drop them!” The bandit looked back and forth between the two warriors.

Tomoko was in full panic mode. What would happen now? To her horror Elhaym and Fenix set their swords down and raised their hands.

“Let the girl go, there's no need to hurt her” Elhaym's voice went stone cold.

The bandit sneered, yellowed teeth flashing in the torchlight.

“You're right, I only need to hurt you!” He threw the girl forward at Fenix before charging Elhaym.

The war-hardened knight just kicked forward with her armored boot. Her foot connected with the bandit's mouth. Armored heel smashing teeth, and the bandit fell with a sickening thump and he moved no more.

“Are there any other hostages?” Fenix asked the girl who shook her head. Her eyes wide with fear.

“Let's get her out of here and regroup with Minx,” Elhaym's voice softened. The bandits were defeated and they had saved a hostage. Tomoko breathed a sigh of relief. They quickly made their way out, Elhaym keeping alert.

Tomoko grew easy as they finally left the cave and started walking back to Minx and the horses. Tomoko's heart fell as they approached though. Minx was being held from behind by a bandit at daggerpoint. Another was dead at their feet, crossbow bolt in his chest. Another bandit was standing by the horses, Minx's crossbow trained on the group.

“So our heroes return,” The bandit holding Minx hissed. “So drop your weapons or this little goblin loses her head.”

Tomoko felt a hot rage bubble up in Elhaym. Minx's red eyes trembled as she looked at them.

“I'm sorry Elly...” She croaked, tears welling up in her eyes. She closed her eyes and reached inside of her overalls. With grim determination she drew the dagger Elly gave her and before the bandit realized what was happening, she thrust backwards into his stomach. The bandit roared in pain, stabbing into the goblin's back before throwing her to the ground.

Tomoko screamed. Elhaym roared. Everything was a blur to Tomoko as Elhaym charged the wounded bandit. A crossbow bolt slashed her forehead as she pounced the bandit. Armored fists rained blow after blow on the bandit's face. Even with the 'sprink' filter, Tomoko shut her vision off. She could feel Elhaym's pure rage and could feel her fists destroying the bandit beneath her. Tomoko heard Fenix yell something but couldn't make out what. Everything sounded like they were underwater. Tomoko felt Elhaym's horror as she leapt up and ran to Minx, who wasn't moving.

She turned over and picked up the goblin, and leaned her ear over to her mouth to check her breathing.

“I'm...so...sorry Elly...” Minx's breathing was labored and shallow

“Shush now, save your strength Minx,” Elhaym's voice shook. She put pressure on the wound, trying to stop the bleeding. “I'll get you fixed up, I'll give you all the kisses, you'll be better soon! Just stay with me now.”

Tomoko couldn't speak. She wish she could sob into her hands. Please don't die. She pleaded to whatever powers that be for Minx to be okay.

Elhaym pulled the top of Minx's overalls down and gently lifted her shirt. She then pulled out a clean cloth from her beltpouch and covered the bleeding wound with it. Minx winced to Elhaym's relief. She was still with them. Elhaym pulled out the same herbs from before and applied it the same way. She finished dressing the wound and turned Minx back over.

“Minx are you still there?” Elhaym stroked the goblin's cheek. Her eyes were closed, her mouth lolled open. “Minx?” Elhaym's voice had a tone of panic in it.

Tomoko was sobbing silently. This had to be a nightmare now. There's no way this was happening. She could feel Elhaym grasping Minx's hand. She could feel Minx still had a pulse.

“She's still alive Elly!” Tomoko choked back tears. “She has a pulse!”

Elhaym held a hand to Minx's chest to feel. Indeed there was a pulse. A couple tears flowed down Elhaym's cheeks as she held her forehead to Minx's.

“Thank the gods...” Elhaym whispered before giving Minx a kiss on her nose.