One of the children visibly injured while the other one not, the older one was a little girl, I think her age is between seven and eight, while the other one looked younger than her, I believe they are brother and sister, they both shared same the auburn hair and blue eyes. The clothing they had on seemed to be on the poorer side, looking at it makes my skin itch, they looked quite malnourished. They didn't strike me as street kids, maybe someone was taking care of them? Their parents or most likely an orphanage.
I took off my ski mask and I flashed the friendliest and innocent smile I could make given my state of mind, and their faces brightened up considerably. If I looked like henry, they would have thrown rocks at me while screaming their way to the forest.
I signaled to the little girl to come closer to me while I went down on my knees, she reluctantly obliged. I then proceeded to see to her injuries, and it was painful to look at.
Her hands looked like she was forcibly dragged away while she was holding unto a tree, it was full of splinters and scars, she had three lines of what I assumed to be a wolf slash on her back, and a bite mark at her calves, thankfully nothing too severe so far.
I assumed she tried to help her brother up the tree and the gnoll attacked her and dragged her from behind, her brother was standing next to me with a stick in his hands just in case I do something funny.
I got up and headed to the truck to grab some pliers, bandages, and phantom pain spray. When I opened the truck, they let out audible gasps and expressed their amazement. The girl tried to talk to me, presumably asking if I owned this iron box. All I could do was nod and smile, despite my efforts to communicate, I only received confused looks.
I asked her to show me her hands, then proceeded to spray the phantom pain spray. The reaction from patients is always glorious, they typically roll their eyes back and let out a cartoonish, satisfied groan. I then carefully plucked the splinters without causing further tearing of the skin and wrapped each finger neatly with bandages. Thankfully, none of the fingernails were pulled off
Next, I moved on to her back, I asked her to take off her dress so I can stitch her back but she got defensive about it, she was raised right. I went back to the truck to bring some scissors then I carefully cut a square from her dress, then after the phantom spray I checked if she had some dead tissue that needs to be removed but there wasn't any, so all I did was clean and stitch the slash, same with the calves.
I checked on her brother, all he had was a small laceration on his back so i cleaned it and put it back together using medical tape.
After treating them they warmed up to me considerably, they talked all the time and played around me like I can understand what they were saying. I went back to the truck and decided to cook up some child friendly cuisine, cheeseburgers and ice creams!
I oiled up my pan to caramelize some onions before I smash multiple seasoned beef patties against them, as the onions were being caramelized i decided to use the time to make the sauce, using ketchup, mayo, Worcester sauce, black pepper and finally mustard and garlic powder. I was going to use relish but refrained from doing so, I do not trust a Childs taste buds, as I was cooking the children were drawn in by the smell and spectated me with drooling mouths and rumbling stomachs.
I smashed the beef patties against the onions, toasted the buns separately, soon after the beef patties cooked through I added cheddar cheese, and covered the whole thing up so it can melt nicely. I made 6 burgers each had double layers of smashed beef patties and cheese, with some baked potatoes on the side, and a serocola since they just went through a traumatic experience
I called them in and started plating the food in front of them, at first they were stiff for some reason? Is it because they were not familiar with the food? I proceeded to take one of the burgers and bite into it, I made a satisfied expression as if I can taste anything… they soon decided to copy me and their reaction caught me off guard
At first, they were shaking, after that, they let out a large overdramatic groan, and then they turned super serious? Two children in front of me turned into old people all of a sudden, not a lick of childlike innocence in their expressions. They inspected the food while carefully taking a medium sized bites out of it.
After ten minutes of carefully consuming the food I realized I did not open the tropical flavored serocola and when I opened it for them, they were startled a little bit because of the fizzing soda but calmed down immediately and started drinking from it, they returned to their childlike almost immediately after that.
They chugged it down almost too fast and after that, the girl let out a burp, and her face went cherry red, her brother laughed at her then in the middle of the laugh, he let out a burp himself. I did not want to miss out on the fun and decided to let out a burp as well, All of them laughed hysterically.
My appetite was really low ever since I came to this world so I handed my barely eaten plate to them and they were a little bit sad for some reason, I assured them that I already ate and that I cannot eat anymore and they reluctantly took the plate from me. I got up, patted them on the head and went back to the truck to bring a drawing board with some coloring markers and most importantly, desert.
Their reaction to the ice cream was nothing short of glorious, it was as if they were experiencing the best thing they had ever eaten. The brother was even crying, I let them enjoy their treat in peace, and afterward, I gave them a whiteboard and invited them to draw whatever they pleased. Meanwhile, I was curious about the names they used for everyday items, I wanted to know what they called a cow, a bed, or even money.
First thing first, I drew the siblings in the forest with a basket in their hands and a question mark, I wanted to know what were they doing in the woods. I brought the attention of the older one and gave her my white board, she stared at it for a little bit and started talking in a language I didn't understand, in the middle of her speech I gently flicked her forehead and pointed at the white board in her lap. She understood my gesture and drew some mushrooms and what looked like an onion.
I pointed at the mushroom and made a hand gesture as if I wanted to know the name of it, she finally understood what I wanted, her brother who seemed to be on the slower side nodded his head aggressively.
We spent the next two hours communicating through drawings, apparently they live in an orphanage, but because the local lord was replaced with a new one that stated that everyone should fend for themselves, the funds of the orphanage were cut off entirely.
Seeing the state of her brothers and sisters, she sneaked out of the orphanage without her caretaker's attention to forage in the forest, I learned the names of many things and almost got down the grammar and structures of sentences, it would take me a month if I wanted to converse with someone somewhat coherently.
Apparently, the girl's name was Sasha and her little brother name is called Masha, I told them my name is Claudio, since I really was a Claudio… a cripple who cannot use magic. I honestly wanted to laugh at her luck, imagine your first time foraging a goblin tamed forest and end up getting attacked by a runaway gnoll. It sounds like something that could happen to me
Gnoll: *GRRRRRRRRRRR*
Claudio: you have to be fucking kidding me
I immediately got up and pulled my handgun and aimed at the hyena like creature behind me, the kids were obviously scared to death, I really did not anyone to find out about my firearms but I had no choice, I promised to bring them home
Wait a minute… why is the gnoll staring at them and completely ignoring me?
Is the effect of Zerka's anti monster thing still in effect even though I bathed?
I took a step forward away from the kids, his attention is still on them, I told Sasha in a broken horrendous sounding accent "I take care, stay". She laughed at my face like I am an idiot, this girl... any way I quickly ran to the truck and unsheathed Doradorans sword, the I proceeded to behead the gnoll who kept eyeing the kids like a free meal.
The kids were chanting "BUHLAAA BUHLLAAA" as they celebrated their narrow escape from death. It really was not safe in this forest, and with Sasha's and my luck, we would somehow end up facing a giant here. It was getting late afternoon so I told them
Claudio: We, go, town
Sasha: PFFTTTTTT AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAA
Her witch like laugh echoed throughout the forest as I shot a glare her way, I went to the truck with a visible vein on my forehead, I opened the safe and smuggled multiple ounces of .9999 fine silver and gold bars and smuggled them in my groin area. I wanted to help the caretakers fight off the unjust noble's decision as much as I can. I still had many large gold and silver bars in the safe but I did not want to go overboard and screw myself in the future when I needed it eventually.
I dressed in a somewhat basic attire that it would be hard to tell that I am not from this world, i asked for Sasha's opinion and she said, "Not good, not bad, you look like a foreigner". I packed up with some medicine, spices, supplements and a first aid it, my dissembled handgun, and most importantly, 20 pounds of raw beef over ice. I wanted to enter the city with the plan that I was a foreign merchant who was attacked by a gnoll and lost his identification in the forest.
When we was traveling through the forest it got a little too dark for my liking, but I could not just bring a flashlight with me. Sasha gathered some magic around her core and focused it on her hands lighting the surrounding considerably, I let out an audible "wow" and patted her on the head, and she let out a "tehehe" laugh while taking the lead in front of us. She really is a brave good kid
While walking through the forest the elder goblin greeted us on our way and he had his grandchild Abrar besides him. Sasha and Masha were frightened and I assured them that they were friends.
Claudio: Sasha, they are friend, they told me to you
Instead of a laugh, Sasha understood what I was trying to convey and thanked the goblins with the signature otherworldly bow.
Modrar: ahaha, she is such a good kid, thank you human for keeping your promise of keeping them safe
He nudged his shy granddaughter forward, she was holding a basket filled to the brim with various fruits, vegetables, and edible mushrooms. Sasha and Masha were quite astonished by the goblin's deed and promised to scold anyone who talked bad about them. I honestly was sickened when I learned that they were being hunted and harvested by a group of thugs that call themselves "adventurers"
The green goblins simply hunt the unintelligent pests and keeps the forest moderately safe for apothecaries and children who try to secure some food and medicine for themselves.
Modrar: my Abrar here gathered these while you was searching for the lost children, she is such a skilled forager if you ask me, she takes after her mother khakhahka
Abrar scratched the back of her neck in embarrassment, and then donned a sad pained expression, I believe her mother was a victim of these thugs. Sasha pulled out a cheeseburger from her bag and decided to give it to Abrar, Abrar was surprised by the sudden gift and let out a small giggle before taking it and running behind her grandpa.
The scene was honestly heartwarming, after a little silence I talked to the elder
Claudio: Elder, we encountered another gnoll when I found the children
Modrar was startled by my Intel
Modrar: how could this be?! This forest is usually tame and under control. What caused them to possibly migrate to here all of a sudden? Are they fleeing from something?
Then I remembered the giant that was killed a few hours ago. Was he the cause?
Claudio: elder, on my way here I witnessed a giant that was attacking a carriage on the road, does this relate to the increase in the gnolls appearances?
Modrar eyebrows went up significantly, and he stroked his long beard and let out an anxious groan
Modrar: i am afraid that is the case human, giants are moving in closer to the human civilization for a reason not known to us. I am afraid we have to relocate our tribe soon, thank you human for your kindness and thoughtfulness
Sasha and Masha were confused, they could not understand our conversation. Sasha pulled down my shirt and asked what seem to be the problem but I did not know the word for giant in Voratrae, I said "big human, scare gnoll" with an overdramatic pose.
Everyone present laughed at me hysterically, i really was not having it, I'm done communicating for a while. I walked to the town's direction while Sasha and Masha and Abrar were laughing on their knees. Seeing that I was not stopping they decided to say goodbye to Abrar before they followed me
Sasha was trying to talk to me but I completely ignored her.
After walking for a while we finally arrived at the town before the sunset, the town had a three story high wall that covered every direction, with people guarding every entrance. When I arrived at the gate, everyone turned around to look at me for some reason. Sasha was getting scolded by the guards while another guard was tossing Masha in the air and roughing his auburn hair
When the guards finally took notice of me they too stared weirdly for a while, can they immediately tell that I cannot use magic? Or was something wrong with my face?
Sasha: ahem, this is Claudio, he is a foreign merchant who was attacked by gnolls and lost his identification in the forest, we found him on our way back here.
Guard 1: that is an interesting story, I am afraid we have to search him down before we let him enter the city
Guard 2: yeah what he said
They made the most disgusting faces imaginable as my evil bastard radar was going off the charts, they did not search my bags or anything most of the time they were touching on my buttocks, perhaps they were impressed with my glutes? Sigh
After a minute of constant molestation, Sasha shouted at them and threatened to tell captain Aerov about their obvious aggression, her face turned red and her blue eyes were on the verge of bursting into tears, seeing the commotion that they caused, they finally let me enter into the town.
Personally, I was glad they did not find the fortune that was besides my family Jewels, i turned around to see Sasha and Masha running towards me and hugging my stomach while crying their eyes out, Masha was on the slower side so I am sure he was crying because his sister was crying. I calmed them down and told them that I was okay, and that they looked ugly when they cried, they laughed at my joke while wiping their tears away.
I asked them to take me to their orphanage and they nodded in approval, I knew deep down that poor Sasha went through what just happened to me and captain Aerov scolded the guards, her face back then spoke a thousand words. While on our way to the orphanage, I got weird looks from everyone, I noticed that my appearance really stood out from everyone. Almost everyone had tanned skin and looked like Sicilian Italians.
When I arrived at the orphanage, the lights were dimmed and Sasha and Masha rushed through while I walked at a normal pace.
***
Nola: god dammit where did these little shits go?! I swear they always find ways to stress my heart
Nola is the orphanage caretaker, she grew up an orphan herself and vowed to help other orphans like her if she ever made it past the age of 16, and she did keep her promise through and through. The local lord saw her conviction and decided to help her build an orphanage for the poor young angels, but not everything goes to plan, after eight years of peace, the local lord got replaced by another corrupt family of nobles, and they brought their dog eat dog religion alongside them.
Nola was given a week before the funds were cutoff and she had to find a job so that she can feed the children.
Nola: please let there be some miracle where I do not have to turn to prostitution
She prayed in the silence of her room, unaware that Sasha was at the door listening to her horrid worries, Sasha, being the oldest one in the orphanage at age 12 soon to be 13, felt an immense guilt and decided to go forage in the forest so that her brethren could eat tonight. She gave away her breakfast saying that she was not hungry, and went out without nola's knowledge, and her brother followed her, ironically without her knowledge
Nola searched the whole town fearing the worst, the sun is about to set soon and the kids were visibly worried as well. After a moment, Sasha and Masha entered the orphanage with a basket full of goods, Sasha had some bandages on her fingers, back, and legs, Masha had some transparent material on his back that seemed to be closing his wound.
Nola embraced them warmly as they cried on her chest, she obviously was furious with them but this moment is more important than any wrath. Soon after she pulled them back and inquired
Nola: where were you? Do you know how worried I was about you?
Sasha: we got really lucky sister Nola, we found someone amazing!!!
Nola started fearing the worst. She knew how vulnerable and innocent kids could be, which made them susceptible to manipulation and abuse. She feared that someone had given them spoiled food in order to curry favors or something worse.
Soon after, the door opened and she saw what she believed to be an angel, he was one of the most beautiful humans that she had seen in her 25 years of life, he had dark hair and dark eyes and a pale skin.
His eyebrows were thick and straight, he had a slight protrusion of hair at the end his right eyebrow that went it separate way upwards. He had thick eyelashes, and a perfectly symmetrical face, what breaks the symmetry is a beauty mark under his left eye. When the man in front of her smiled and waved, no one in the orphanage could breathe for a moment.
The man in front of her was magicless, a cripple, there was no line of magic that covered his body, and that left his soul exposed for everyone to see. The man had an absolute pure motive, with no flaw, she could also sense the sadness and emptiness that crowded him.
The man went to the backdoor while everyone was staring at him and signaled for the stunlocked Nola to follow him
Nola: S.s.Sasha, who was that?! How did you find him?!
Sasha: his name is Claudio and he is a foreigner, he helped us get out of the woods and fed us some strange food that tasted like heaven, I don't think my taste buds will ever accept anything else, sorry Nola
Masha: yeh I rather starve sis
Nola: I have a lot of questions to you two but for now I will follow the gentlemen to see what he wants with me
I proceeded to walk to the backrooms and see what that… angel wanted from me
When I opened the door, I found him sitting and reading some children books that I gathered around all day to sell them for food, he noticed my presence and waved at me, my heart skipped a beat again
He stood up and started undoing his pants?! No way my dream is going to come true right now! Am I dreaming?!
Nola: but mister… I haven't bathed… but if you don't mind…
He stared at me with a confused look and then pulled out a sack from his pants, he then proceeded to hand me the sack
Nola: what is that?
Claudio: Money
I calmed myself down and took the sack from the man and honestly, I could not tell if this was dream or reality, I felt lightheaded and almost fell on my head if not for the gentlemen's help
I saw 4 small silver bars and two more gold bars with such high quality that it could possibly crash the market upside down, after calming down for a little bit I asked him why is he helping an orphanage in a backwater town. He stared at my face like an idiot for a minute then I remembered that he is a foreigner that barely spoke the language, I apologized for calling him an idiot in my head and said a simple "why?"
He simply shrugged and answered "No reason", I was quite shocked by his answer, but no matter how much I try to find some corruption in his exposed soul, I really cannot find any fault in his motives, it is like he simply does it out of his own volition.
Sasha opened the door and let out a Whistle when she saw me and Claudio sitting so close together, I took of my shoe and threw it as hard as I can towards Sasha's head, she closed the door while rubbing her head viciously.
Claudio looked me in the eyes with a vindictive look and said "thank you". What the hell did Sasha do to this angel to make him this mad?!