The noblewoman seemed reluctant to speak of her ordeal. However, under the threat of death, she unwillingly opened her mouth.
"I... I got lost. Originally, I was fleeing north with my parents and brother. We were trying to escape from the orcs and reach Lordaeron—you must have heard of those terrifying green-skinned monsters.
They have been relentlessly hunting us. But during our escape, they caught up to us.
Our brave guards held them off for us, but in the chaos, we were all scattered… I fled alone into the mountains, but… but I didn't know the way, so…"
By the end, she was sobbing.
Yet, perhaps out of fear of the female bandit's threat, her crying quickly ceased. Her tear-streaked, sorrowful face, hesitant to weep but unable to stop, could evoke sympathy in anyone, regardless of gender.
At the very least, Kurdran, standing beside Alaric, and Vereesa, hidden in the treetops, seemed eager to act.
However, under Alaric's imposing presence, they refrained from showing themselves prematurely.
The interrogation continued.
"Where are you from?"
"Storm… Stormwind Kingdom," the noblewoman choked through her tears. "My family was originally nobility in Stormwind. I am Countess Katrana Prestor. But the orc invasion destroyed our lands… and Stormwind Kingdom itself.
When the kingdom fell, my family did not return to Stormwind in time to escape by sea with the others. So… so we had no choice but to flee overland, trying to escape the orcs' grasp…"
Before the female bandit could respond, the Countess hurriedly continued, "You… you see, ever since I was separated from my family, I have been wandering this forest alone. I have nothing on me… nothing worth robbing. So… can you let me go?
If… if you take me to Lordaeron, I… I will reward you greatly, truly…
The Prestor family is a great noble house of Stormwind. My father… he is a duke. We know many other nobles who would gladly reward you on my behalf…"
The female bandit seemed swayed by her words, hesitating.
However, after a moment of consideration, she ultimately refused the request.
"...Sorry, I can't do that for now."
Yet, perhaps because she had confirmed that the noblewoman posed no resistance, the cold blade at the back of the Countess's neck was withdrawn.
She sensed that the person behind her had stepped back a couple of paces.
Seizing her newfound freedom, the Countess immediately turned around, eager to see the face of this rare fellow human in the wilderness.
And then, she saw it—a beautiful yet entirely green face, complete with a pair of small, slightly protruding tusks.
It was the half-orc assassin, Garona.
The sight of her orc-like features made the Countess's expression change drastically. She let out a sharp scream.
"O-o-orc?! How can this be?" The Countess stumbled and fell to the ground. "No… don't kill me! Don't eat me!"
Her exaggerated reaction left Garona speechless. She wanted to explain, but someone beat her to it.
"Calm down, my lady," a young, pleasant male voice came from behind Countess Katrana. "Strictly speaking, Garona is not a true orc. She is a half-orc. And I can vouch with my honor—she is on our side."
Panicked, the Countess turned around and saw a young mage in a well-fitted robe, staff in hand. Most importantly, he was human.
Beside him stood a red-bearded dwarf with blue tattoos on his forehead. A female high elf ranger, armed with an ornate longbow, gracefully leapt down from a tree to stand by his side.
The Countess immediately latched onto the man, as if clinging to a life-saving straw. She hurriedly got up, rushed behind him, and gripped his robe tightly.
"Rest assured, my lady, Garona is our ally. She acted as she did out of caution—she won't harm us." Alaric spoke soothingly, looking at the frightened noblewoman.
Garona also sheathed her daggers and spread her hands, showing no hostility.
Only after much coaxing did the Countess hesitantly believe that this half-orc woman was not part of the Horde, but had defected to the human side.
Finally, realizing she was no longer in danger, she collapsed into Alaric's arms, sobbing uncontrollably.
The warmth of a soft, fragrant woman in his embrace—though she was weary and disheveled from her long ordeal—made Alaric feel somewhat awkward, especially under the displeased gazes of Vereesa and Garona.
Yet, the woman in his arms had been lost in the wilderness for too long, tormented by solitude and fear. On top of that, Garona's earlier intimidation had pushed her already taut nerves to the breaking point. Now that she had found a pillar of support, her instincts took over, allowing her emotions to burst forth.
At a time like this, how could Alaric push her away?
All he could do was gently pat her back and comfort her until she calmed down.
"It's alright, it's alright," Alaric murmured softly into her ear. "You are safe now. We are powerful adventurers—we will protect you. We will take you to Lordaeron. So don't worry, you are safe."
"Really…? Am I really safe?" The Countess, as if in a dream, asked for reassurance.
"Of course. With us here, you are truly safe. The orcs can no longer harm you." Alaric's warm voice gave her a sense of security.
"Besides, as a black dragon, what orc could possibly harm you?"
Alaric's next words made Katrana pause.
"What are you talking about?" The Countess looked at the mage in confusion. "I don't understand."
Not only was the Countess puzzled, but Garona and the others also gave Alaric strange looks.
"Enough with the pretense," Alaric abruptly let go of the noblewoman, his tone turning cold. "Your acting skills are quite impressive, but I would never mistake the scent of a dragon."
"You must be mistaken," the Countess protested, maintaining her innocent, pitiful expression. "I am no dragon. How could I be one of those legendary creatures? I… I am just a poor noblewoman fleeing for my life."
"There's no need to argue any further, my lady," Alaric shook his head and spoke with a mocking tone. "This is not a mere test. Since I dared to say it aloud, I am certain of your identity. Or… must I say your name outright, Onyxia?"
The moment that name left the human mage's lips, the Countess's expression changed drastically.
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