Prisoner Girl: Pl-... Please... Help... Me...
Cashew heard the girls call for help and looked at her, she flinched when his eyes landed on her, showing how traumatized she was.
Cashew: You want me to walk you home?
The Girl nodded.
Cashew: I see... Can you tell me your name?
The girl hesitated, pausing for almost a full minute before sharing her name.
Girl: Alice...
Cashew: I see... Hi, Alice. Can you give me a minute? I need to do something first.
Cashew didn't wait for her response and put the new Damaged Orb on the ground, next to the body of its owner. Cashew then went down the stairs and headed to the storage room, going inside and closing the door behind him.
"After getting arrested, I never had the time to change out of these old clothes and into the new ones. Well, I've had the time, but the thought never crossed my mind when I had the time" Cashew thought to himself, heading into the storage room to change out of his old clothes and into new ones.
The new clothes he bought were wonens clothes, but they were the smallest that store owner had. Removing his old clothes and putting on the new ones, Cashew was now wearing a pair of black pants that had to be folded upwards in order to not be socks, and a white button up shirt that was also obviously too big for him, but he could hide it with his cloak.
Cashew: Is rather wear clothes that are too big for me over too small. Too big means I can feow into them.
Cashew walked out of the storage room, his new shirts sleeves were folded upwards to hide the length with the shirt being tucked in. His cloak was held closed as he walked.
Cashew ordered his Wood Golems to keep cleaning the place and walked past Alice, Gesturing for her to follow him. Which she reluctantly did, she obviously wanted to be saved and go home, but didn't wanna trust Cashew in case he turns out bad.
Cashew lead her outside the Fortress and ordered Billie Nelson to follow, Alice followed closely behind Cashew, but also far behind him. Wanting to be close, but also not wanting to be close.
Cashew Casually said,
Cashew: If I had a Copper Coins for Everytime I ended up saving a young girl from bad people, id have 2 Copper Coins, 3 Copper coins if I include you. 3 Copper Coins isn't a lot, but it's odd that it's happened 3 times.
Cashew turned and looked at Alice, who had her head down, not looking at Cashew or watvhing where shes walking. Billie Nelson walked behind her.
Turning his attention back to what's in front, Cashew continued talking.
The first woman was kidnapped by Goblins. I was too young, so I didn't personally save her, but I did point someone who could save her in her direction. The Second one was pretty similar to you. Bandits kidnapped her, I came, killed them, and I got her sent back to her remaining family.
Cashew turned around again and saw that Alice was looking at him, but she lowered her head whrn he turned. Cashew also noticed that she was much taller than him despite being malnourished.
Cashew Sighed after realizing the height difference and continued talking.
Cashew: The second one, she was more traumatized than you, she wouldn't even get near me and from what I heard, she was absolutely terrified of men from now on. I ended up telling the guards of a nearby village about the location, and the guards knew where I lived now. Some more stuff happened and I was blamed for the death of someone. I recently left that home and found a new one, the new one would be the fortress you were in.
At this point in talking, Cashew finally reached the road. There was a really worn path from the Fortress that Cashew was following and it eventually reached a real road, much faster than when Cashew cut through the forest earlier.
Cashew: Do you know where we are?
Alice shook her head, indicating she didn't recognize the area.
Cashew: I see .. what kind of place did you live at before? Please don't tell me it was Clorilwood...
Alice quickly shook her head, indicating she didn't live at Clorilwood.
Cashew: Good. Was the place a big village or city like Clorilwood?
Alice nodded her head, indicating it was a big village or city.
Cashew: Ok, I have a feeling Clorilwood is down the road in that direction. Something like a 15 hour walk. Does that help you at all realize where we are?
Cashew pointed to his left, indicating that he thought going left would land them back in Clorilwood.
After listening to him talk, Alice shook her head, indicating that this information does not help her.
Cashew: I see... Well, I'll just lead you down this road to the right until we land in a village or City. I doubt the kidnappers took you too far from your home.
With that, Cashew started to lead Alice and Billie Nelson down the road, in the opposite direction of Clorilwood.
Cashew: When I get there, I need to buy a map... I should also buy her some food if her home isn't the first city they come across...
The 3 of them kept walking for about a half hour, at this point, Alice seemed like she was gonna pass out from exhaustion. Cashew Noticed and stopped walking.
Cashew: You're tired, I'm impatient. I'll Carry you.
Cashew said this and immediately walked up and Bridal Carried Alice. Alice was a bit taller than Cashew, but not to the point that it looks awkward. Cashew has also been maintaining his exercise for the past 7 years, add the fact that Alice is not far from skin and bones, Carrying her is no problem.
Alice backed away a few steps, but aside from that, she didn't resist too much from being picked up.
Cashew: I know it would be easier to have the Golem carry you, but the Golem is my shield, it can't be a shield if it's carrying you.
Cashew said this and didn't look at Alice, she was too busy looking at Cashew with wide fear filled eyes.
Cashew Carried her for an hour before they finally reached a city. The Fear left Alices Eyes and she eventually fell asleep.
"hm. Thinking about it now, what I did ran the risk of making her hate me, trauma, and what-not. But thinking about it now, I'm surprised she didn't fight back." Cashew wondered as he cut in line, Carrying the unconscious Alice with a 3 meter Tall stone Golem following him, some of the people he cut wanted to say something, but decided against after seeing Billie Nelson the Stone Golem.
Approaching the Gate, one of the guards approached to make him go to the back of the line, but the stopped when they saw unconscious Alice in his arms.
Guard #1: Lady Alice?!
The other Guards heard this, Guard #1 Drew his sword and rushed to block Cashew, while the other 3 Guards also ran over and soon drew their swords.
Cashew: Who are you-... Wait? "Lady" Alice?...
Guard #2: Shut the Fuck up, Criminal Scum! Unhand the lady and surrender yourself peacefully, then we will make sure your death is Quick!
Cashew Looked at the guards with a bored stare, not taking them seriously at all, but he gently shook Alice, trying to wake her.
The slight shaking made Alice wake up screaming, Practically jumping out of Cashews arms and crawling a few feet away, Looking at Cashew as she tried to remember everything. That was the first time she got any decent sleep.
Cashew saw this with surprise on his face, then looked down and Sighed.
Cashew: Yeah... That reaction is definitely not gonna help my case...
Cashew started rubbing the bridge of his nose with his eyes closed, trying to run the headache away that he feels getting worse and worst by the second.
One of the guards quickly rushed to Alice's side and put a hand on her shoulder, holding her close as he looked at Cashew with disgust in his eyes, Alice screamed again and pushed herself away from the Guard in question, which caught him off guard.
While Cashew was still trying to massage his headache away, A different guard approached with his sword drawn.
Guard #4: Die, Scum!
The guard shouted as he swung his sword down on Cashew, what he didn't expect was for the Stone Golem to catch his sword and crush the blade in its hand.
Cashew heard Alice scream again and looked at her, "Huh... Why didn't she scream when I picked her up? Maybe me being so young makes Traumatized women feel less afraid than they would of adult men?..." Cashew thought to himself.
Cashew: So, uh... Alice. Hearing that guard call you "Lady Alice" makes me feel like your identity is a lot more grand than I originally thought. So I'm gonna assume this city is your home and run away, hoping your family doesn't come after me. So, uh...bye! Remember what I told you earlier!
As Cashew said that, he turned and bolted back the way he came, Billie Nelson following closely behind. 2 Guards chased after him while the one stayed near Alice, Protecting her and the 4th guard going back into the city to presumably get Alice's parents.
Cashew could tell at a glance that this city was much more advanced than Clorilwood. One of the tells would be that these guards actually had ranged weapons. Crossbows, with a hand crank, no less. The swords also seem to be enchanted, but Cashew can't tell.
Cashew kept running, Afraid the same thing as last time will happen and a horse gets involved, he didn't bring his makeshift staff either, Cashew suddenly turned to Billie Nelson while running.
Cashew: Billie Nelson! hold them off! No killing, just stop them from passing! If and when they give up, you know where our new home is!
With Zero hesitation, Billie Belson stopped moving and turned around, blocking the path while Cashew kept running.
One of the guards shot a Crossbow bolt at Billie Nelson, but it hit its head and thebolt broke, not even chipping the stone, the other guards raised his sword with a scream and swung it down on Billie Nelson as well, but he caught that sword and crushed it in its palm. Billie Nelson also pushed the Sword Wielding guard away violently, his body did a few rolls as he was forced away.
The other guards loaded a new Crossbow bolt, firing it at the Golem again, but this one was just as useless as the first.
After about 20 minutes of trying to get past the Golem only for their attacks to be useless and their path blocked.
One of the guards was about to shoot his last crossbow bolt at Billie Nelson only to be stopped by a hand on his shoulder. He turned to see who the hand belonged to and instantly dropped to his knee, kneeling before the figure, the other guard did the same.
Guard: City Lord! Might I ask why you grace us with your presence?
The man turned out to be the City Lord, he had neatly combed back Black hair with grey strips, he was wearing a black long coat that looked expensive. He had a very dignified expression.
City Lord: I spoke to Alice about the Young Man, she said that he saved her and was simply escorting her home. There is no need to pursue him.
As he said that, he approached the Golem while taking a paper out of his jacket, holding it up it up for the Golem to take.
City Lord: I take it the Young Man is your master? Please give that note to him.