Ivy had kept looking at the graveyard as she answered Gru. "I had an issue with one not too long ago. A man thoguht to take my friend and make her his pet after trying to kill us with dead men." she turned to look at Gru once she figured the man with the womans skull wasnt going to be popping up. She neary fell when she saw the pitchfork and heard the voice, and she came to a halt, staring ahead. "Uh, yes? Can we help you?" her arm was twitching, the need to grab her bow was overwhelming, but she kept her arm down.
Gru stepped infront of Ivy, protectively, using his tall wolven stature to his advantage. He made no threatening moves despite being faced with the pointy end of a pitchfork. Instead, Gru tried to sound as amicable as possible.
Ivy hid her scowl as Gru stepped in front of her and she sidestepped so she could see the man. "Just travelling. We heard some stories around here about orcs. Is there anything you can tell us?" as much as she hated when people thought to protect her, as she knew how to take care of herself, she found it...sweet of Gru to do that. Not that she would admit it to anyone, least of all herself. She didnt like the thought of being weak, and thats how she felt now, until she moved and stood in front of the pitchfork herself.
The wolf should have known that Ivy wouldn't like being pushed to the back of the action, so he said nothing about it when she moved in front of him. In any case, he could still see over her short frame.
"Why don't you lower the pitchfork, friend? We mean you no harm."
Unless there was an orc beneath that hood. But even then things would not have to get too ugly. All they were after was Orc coins.
::The picthfork waivered again before lowering cautiously to the ground. An aged hand emerged from the cloak to pull the hood down and reveal the face of an old woman, once dark hair well gone to gray. Her face was a mixture of fear and relief.::
"They finally sent someone to help?
Gods be praised! Come inside, quick."
::The old woman moved, using the pitchfork like a cane as she went to knock on the door to the Inn.::
"Who... Who's there?" came a voice from within.
"It's Margaret, you lout. You think the Orcs are going to KNOCK if they come raiding again?"
"S..Sorry."
::The sound of latches being undone can be heard from the other side of the door before it is finally pulled open to reveal the form of an old man. Not waiting for him to step out of the way, the woman pushes her way inside without a look back to see if Ivy and Gru follow.::
Ivy's cheeks tinged pink, just the tiniest bit, after thinking the figure was a man. She watched the woman, Margaret, go up to the door, and she breathed a sigh of relief. She had done something right for once, not reaching for her bow. She still felt the urge to fight, but ignored it as she gave Gru a small smile and followed the woman. It seemed it went from them collecting coins to getting rid of a bunch of orcs. Ivy shrugged to herself, as she didnt mind much at all. Especially if the Orcs were tormenting these people..that was something she wouldnt stand for. She followed the woman inside, guessing Gru would go too, and spoke up. "Will you tell us about the orcs?"
::The Old woman walks over to a table and leans the pitchfork against its edge before sitting down with a weary sigh. The old man moves to join her before catching a look from Margaret and heading back behind the counter instead to pour a drink and bring it to her.
There are others gathered about in the Inn, but all are either older folks like Margaret and the man, or really young. Infants and toddlers can be seen being tended to. A few of the older people appear to still be recovering from wounds weeks old.
Looking about the Inn, the interior is sparsly decorated with mostly newmade furniture. Even some of the beams and wall sections appear newly made. The rest bears signs of fire having licked at the wood.::
"You want to know about the Orcs?" Margaret says...
"They came just before dawn a few weeks back and burned all the buildings. They killed anyone that fought back, and ran off with our horses and anyone of an age to be worth selling or using as slaves.
That morning some folks from town came and tended to some of the injured and dying. T'was a Cathain, an Elf, an a Healer. Though you wouldn't have known it by the looks of him."
"T'wern't no Cathian like I had ever seen!" The old man piped in, only to be shot down with another look from Margaret before she continued.
"They took care of a young boy, but did not search for those responsible. We've been waiting weeks now for more word. Rebuilding as best we can during the day, and locking ourselves in here at night. I'm glad to see that Wistvale has finally sent some help to track those flarbin' slavers down."
Grugard frowned as he looked at the old and young folks gathered around the room, brought together as a broken community after the recent orc raid. Friends and family taken, their homes burned to the ground. It was so unfair and unjust. The Summerwolf tightened his grip on his wooden staff, directing his anger in a way that those in the inn would not have to bear witness to. Why had nothing been done about this before? Where was the law in this part of the land?
Gru took a deep breath and calmed his rage, seeking balance inside himself once again. Something had to be done about this orc problem and the wolf being who he was felt the need to be the one to act. He sought not for fame or fortune, but to see families reunited, homes rebuilt, and threats eliminated.
"We will help you and your people deal with the orcs." The wolf said, including Ivy in his proclamation. "But it is late. We have been travelling all day and would be very grateful if you would be willing to provide us with shelter for the night. I will also take the burden of sentry duty for a while so you may find some rest."
Ivy was fuming, and it wasnt at Gru for speaking for her. She was mad at the ocrs for raiding and hurting people. And to take people as a slave...Ivys hands clentched into fists and she looked around at the children that made her remember when she and Sera were little. She HAD to protect these children, and all the others too. "We will get rid of every single orc who has harmed someone here, and get back the people they took." Ivy promised, agreeing with Gru. "But we do need to rest, Gru is right." she flexed her hand, trying to get rid of her fist.
::Margaret nodded with a smile, and looking about the room the pair could see similar responses from those old enough to understand what was said.::
"We will be glad to give you a room for the night, friends. And for the rest you give our tired bones."
::She stood, using the table edge to help herself rise, and stepped closer to Gru and Ivy before extending her hand.::
"Thank you. You have no idea how fear has gripped us that they will return. You will find your room upstairs. The last door on the left. I am afraid you will have to share, as we need the rest for the children and those too old to keep watch.
There is also some simple stew on the fire if you need to eat before bed."
Grugard moved over to the fire, giving a friendly smile to those who happened to watch him pass. The thought and smell of hot food set the wolf's stomach to rumbling. Although the old woman said the stew was simple the sight of it was a welcome end to the day.
Resting his staff against the wall, Gru picked up a bowl and ladled a few scoops of stew into it. He held this one out for Ivy, certain she was as hungry as he had become, before doing the same for himself.
Ivy took a deep breath to calm herself and went to follow Gru, a startled look on her face when he passed her a bowl of stew. She reached out and took it, giving him a tight smile. "Thanks." she told him, moving to the side so she could eat. She hoped the morning would come quickly, she wanted to deal with the orcs immediently.
::The stew consisted mostly of various roots and mushrooms found within the surrounding woods along with a few vegetables from the meager bits of the garden that survived the raid. There may be one or two pieces of meat, but they were few and far between as those capable of hunting had either been killed or taken.
As Gru and Ivy moved through the people gathered about, they could feel eyes upon them as everyone was watching them with something akin to wonder and more than a faint bit of hope. Everything they had, everything they were, rested on these two adventurers...::
"Leave them be now! You're going to make them nervous! Bah! You act like you never seen people before."
::Margaret shuffled forward waving her hands in a shooing motion at the people around the Worgen and the girl. ::
"Off to bed with you two now. You need your rest to take care of those Orcs."
::As she takes Ivy by the arm to lead her towards the stairs, the pair can see that despite her rough words, a hint of that same look of hope and wonder was in her eyes too...::