Casting Off Convention

"We'll reach another chamber soon," one of the men, who had shown some knowledge of caves on the walk, quietly suggested. While the light would reveal the group, the twisting nature of the caverns meant that sound would reach unfriendly ears long before the light reached their eyes. The company remained quiet to reduce the amount of warning enemies might have of their approach.

Raptor passed the word to be ready, and most of those with shields moved to the forefront again. Another chamber opened up, as the man had predicted, only a short while later. When the company moved into it, they found it empty, save for the corpse of an orc that had been injured in the original fight at the entrance.

Cordain raised his amulet to his forehead again, and when he dropped it back to his chest, he frowned. He pointed off to the right, where two passages that were nearly parallel led off in the direction where he sensed his sister.

"We'll take one and see if it starts going the wrong direction, and then come back to the other," Raptor decided.

Cordain shook his head and argued, "Time grows short. We split up. Send some of your men with me, and take the rest down the other, wider passage. Take that man, who seems to know caves, with you. If the path starts moving in that direction," he pointed to indicate the direction they had been moving through the original passage, "Backtrack and join us. We will do the same if I sense our path moves away from my sister."

Raptor rubbed his chin and said, "I don't like it. But, if you think we need to hurry?"

"I do," Cordain replied with obvious concern in his voice.

"Erris, Crimm, Rochelle, and you three," Raptor said, indicating three of the men who had shown great skill in the entrance battle, "Go with Cordain. We'll send someone back if we find anything."

"We will do the same," Cordain responded.

Raptor nodded, and the two groups split up, Christi and Rochelle at Cordain’s side, following the shield bearing men down the narrow passage.

After only a few minutes, Cordain approached the men at the front and whispered, "Go inform Raptor. My sister is near. This is the correct passage."

Erris nodded and pointed at one of the men, silently instructing him to return through the passage and seek out the rest of the company.

The group could hear faint sounds somewhere down the passageway, and so they moved back around another bend in the passage, trying to shield the light from revealing them until Raptor arrived with the rest of the men.

A distinct grunt sounded from ahead, prompting Cordain to immediately drop the amulet from his forehead, draw his sword, and run down the passage. Already on edge, Christi and Rochelle were on his heels a moment after he started moving. The other men hesitated for a moment, and thus were behind when Cordain hurtled into another chamber, just as the sound of a woman's scream split the air.

Cordain yelled a battle cry and raised his sword aloft, summoning a bright light to replace the one that was lagging behind with the Lieutenant. Christi saw a dozen or so orcs in the chamber that the light revealed, approaching two women who cowered in an alcove along the wall.

The sound of Cordain's scream caused the orcs to turn, and the sudden burst of light blinded them. Christi cursed when she saw how many of the monsters were in the chamber. Cordain ran at full speed toward the orcs closest to his relatives, Christi and Rochelle hot on his heels.

Cordain reached the first orc and lashed out; ducking a spear thrust, and stabbed the creature in the groin before it could even pull its weapon back from the strike. Rochelle and Christi both turned their backs to him and each other, facing the oncoming monsters. Half of the creatures turned toward them, while the other half charged the rest of the men.

Cordain shouted a word of command, and an aura of faint blue light shone about the three for a moment. He shouted, "You need not fear hurled spears or other missile weapons now. My magic will protect us from those. It will block no other strike, however."

Neither woman had time to reply, because the orcs were upon them. Christi grunted as she deflected a chop from an iron-shod club, wielded by the orc in front of her. Her strength in battle was in her speed, and this situation did not play to it. The ring of the club against her steel rattled her arm painfully, even though she had angled the blade to deflect, and not block the strike. Christi slashed, forcing the orc with the club and another approaching with an axe to both dodge the strike. When both orcs flinched away, she took the opportunity to draw a dagger with her free hand.

Rochelle blocked the strike of a rusty sword from the orc in front of her, shoving the creature backward and slashing it across the belly beneath its tattered armor as it stumbled back. The creature fell, trying desperately to put the coils of entrails boiling out of the wound back inside where they belonged. Another creature approached, shoved its wounded comrade out of the way, and attacked, having no more success in penetrating Rochelle's guard with the spear it carried than the previous attacker. Instead, it lost the tip of the spear, and a foot or so of the shaft, to Rochelle's parry.

Cordain opened the throat of the creature he had stabbed in the groin when it dropped its weapon and reached down to clutch the wound. Having no other enemy in front of him, he glanced to the side and saw the orc with the broken spear within his range. Slashing out, he opened a wide wound in the creature's shoulder, causing the spear to fall from its lifeless fingers.

One of the creatures facing Christi looked down when the dying orc with the belly wound bumped against it. Christi didn't waste the opportunity, and hacked down at the creature's spear, forcing the weapon toward the floor while the orc was distracted. She then immediately stabbed upward into the creature's chest, the rapidly spreading dark stain on the creature's filthy tunic evidence that her blow had hit deep.

A scream echoed through the chamber, and Christi saw one of the orcs approaching the two women in the alcove. Raising her dagger, she hurled it through the air. She hit her mark in the neck of the creature stalking the women. It gurgled and grabbed its throat, fountains of blood spurting from between its fingers with each beat of the monster's heart. She turned just in time to grab her sword with both hands and block an overhand swing from the club wielding orc. The strength of the blow forced her into Cordain's back and rattled her teeth. Cordain stood firm behind her, and she was able to regain her balance almost immediately.

Christi only just caught the end of some chanted words when bolts of light streaked from the alcove and sizzled into the flesh of the orc that had just attacked her. It let out a scream and took a pair of stumbling steps backwards, smoke rising from its clothing where the magical missiles had struck. Christi wasted no time stepping forward to slash it in the weapon arm, forcing the creature to drop the club. She followed with a stab into the creature's heart.

Rochelle stabbed the final creature facing her, and the three defenders looked up to see the men approaching, all their foes having been dispatched as well. The sounds of fast-running feet also greeted them, and the clamor was immediately followed by the rest of the company bursting into the chamber with weapons drawn. They lowered their weapons when they saw the carnage.

Cordain immediately dropped his bloody blade, and hurried to his sisters. The older of the two was sitting against the wall, unconscious. The younger quietly wept and held her leg.

Kneeling down, Cordain asked, "Are you all right, Corrine?" He then reached over to check the other sister, finding her pulse strong and her breathing regular.

The young woman sniffled and replied, "My leg is broken. Is Celeste okay?"

He smiled and said, "She will be fine. That last spell must have drained her strength."

Raptor approached the three siblings from across the chamber, and Christi picked up Cordain's sword to wipe the blood from the blade, having already cleaned hers and slid it back into its sheathe.

"You certainly do know how to use that sword. I'm assuming that is your dagger sticking out of that one's throat," Rochelle commented, nodding toward the orc lying near the alcove. "Nice throw."

"This fight didn't exactly suit me. I'm a lot better when I've got room to move. Having to stand my ground against enemies stronger than me isn't my idea of fun," Christi replied, holding up the sword she was cleaning to the light to examine it.

"Can't wait to see you in a fight where you're having fun then." Rochelle chuckled.

Raptor called out, "Cartan! Take a couple of men and go fetch Alaster. Have him bring some food with him too. Watch your ass, but hurry. I want the two ladies here healed and able to get out of these caves as soon as possible. Anybody else injured?"

The members of the company all answered in the negative, any wounds they had sustained being minor. Already merging into a cohesive unit, some kept watch on the tunnels leading into the chamber, others made sure all the monsters were dead, and the rest cared for their equipment.

"Okay, keep your eyes and ears open, we may not have gotten them all. Damn fine work, you dogs, but no relaxing until we're out of here!"

The healing prayers of the cleric, and a little food, soon had the two sisters feeling well enough to walk. Raptor formed up the men with the former captives and Cordain in the center, flanked by Rochelle and Christi. A shouted order started the group moving back toward the cave exit.

Either the company had managed to kill or drive off all the orcs, or the creatures simply decided that a fight with the effective company of mercenaries was not conducive to a long life. The journey through the underground passages was uneventful, and the group soon smelled the change in the air that signaled that they were close to the entrance.

Stepping out into the sunlight a little later, Christi smiled, knowing that she had performed well in the caves. Rochelle had already complimented her, and so she knew she had proven the trust that the woman had shown in her. Raptor came to a halt once everyone exited the cave, drinking in the smell of the outside world and raising his face toward the sun.

Turning back to the assembled sellswords, he laughed and confessed, "I'm glad to be out of there. Truth to tell, I don't like close spaces. Now, you all can relax a bit. Everyone performed well, and unless I see something that changes my mind, I'm inclined to take on the lot of you into the Hawks."

Shouts and whoops of pleasure greeted that announcement.

Cordain talked quietly with his sisters, and after a nod, turned to Christi and Rochelle. "I am inclined to offer the two of you my gratitude, specifically. You reacted quickly, and fought well, even when I made a rash and foolish decision to charge into battle unannounced. Rest assured that you will receive additional compensation from me for what you have done, and I thank you. And now, I must go speak with Raptor."

With a respectful nod that bordered on a bow, Cordain turned and walked toward the Captain. At the same time, the sisters approached.

The older sister, Celeste, spoke first. "We would like to thank you as well — not only for saving us, but for protecting our dear brother, whom we love."

Christi nodded, getting a good look at the women for the first time. While the magical lights were bright, the color was somewhat unnatural. Both women had long, sandy-blonde hair, and they were well blessed with ample chests and full hips. The sisters were soft, obviously unused to physical labor or strenuous exercise. Christi assumed that they certainly turned heads with their curvaceous figures and ready smiles.

Rochelle returned those smiles and replied, "Just doing our job."

"Thanks for that magic spell. It gave me the break I needed to get out of a tough two-on-one situation," Christi responded.

"You might not have been in such a difficult situation, had you not thrown that knife and prevented that monster from reaching us. So, the thanks still belongs to you," Celeste countered.

Christi laughed and relented. "Fair enough, then."

The younger sister, who Christi guessed was about sixteen, and just starting to flower into full womanhood, spoke then. "I wanted to thank you, too. I thought my broken leg was going to bring us both to disaster. Will you please offer our thanks to the rest as well? I'm a little frightened to, because..."

"They're men?" Rochelle supplied, guessing where the young woman was going.

Corrine nodded, her face flushing with color.

"Smart girl," Rochelle chuckled.

A shout from Raptor broke up the conversation. "Gather 'round!"

The company moved close, and Raptor announced, "It looks like we're not quite done yet. Our employer wants us to escort him and his sisters back home. You'll all get your pay when we get there. It should take about two days to get him home, so that's two more crowns when you get there, plus your bonus. Try not to drink it all up the first night.” He laughed, and then continued, “Should be a nice lazy walk with no trouble, but I expect you all to be on guard, anyway. Let's get back to camp, strike it, then hit the road. Move out!"

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The march proved to be exactly what they expected — a long lazy walk. Raptor set a slow pace, because he knew that the weakened sisters would have a hard time keeping up with the fit mercenaries, if they moved out at full walking speed.

The company followed a small stream — the water crystal clear and only a couple of feet deep. The shallow brook flowed from a tract of woods that steadily loomed larger in the eyes of the company as they approached. A cooler breeze stirred the hot summer air, making the journey far from an unpleasant one. Since they were earning pay as they traveled, it only buoyed their spirits more.

Corrine whispered to her sister for a moment once the woods was within a few more minutes of walking. When Corrine finished, Celeste nodded before turning to her brother and whispering in his ear as well. Cordain in turn, gave a short nod and said, "I will go speak with Raptor."

When he increased his pace to catch up with the Captain of the company, Christi asked Celeste, "Something wrong?"

Celeste shook her head and answered, "Nothing. We simply hope to bathe in the pool that feeds this stream before we continue on. I wish we had been able to retrieve our baggage, because we will be forced to put back on these soiled garments."

The dresses that the women wore were indeed filthy, and certainly smelled none too sweet. Only some creative pinning prevented Corrine's from becoming indecent. The sleeve had torn at the seam and would have almost revealed the swell of her breast, were the material not pinned closed.

Rochelle looked at Christi for a moment, and then said, "Some of your things might fit them, Christi, if you have anything to spare."

Christi shrugged, and then turned to the other pair of women. "I should have enough for you to get by, but it's not going to be anything you're accustomed to, I'll tell you that."

"If it is clean and not falling off of me, it will be an improvement," Corrine disputed. "The pins holding my dress together are pricking my bosom."

Celeste smiled and admitted, "We only dress as we do because of our caste. In this situation, I believe it will be acceptable for us to be a bit more daring. The two of you and our brother will protect us from unwanted advances, I'm sure."

Christi winked and teased, "What about wanted advances?"

Both sisters giggled and their cheeks flooded with color. Corrine exclaimed, "Don't talk so when Cordain can hear. I would die of embarrassment."

"I promise," Christi agreed, coming to a halt with the rest of the company just short of the trees. She could barely see sparkling hints of the pool that the sisters had mentioned through the thick foliage and undergrowth.

Raptor called out, "Our guests wish to bathe, and this spot is as good as any to make camp. You lot of stinking dogs could probably do with a good washing as well. You men follow me, and we'll start setting camp. Crimm, Rochelle — take the ladies to the pool."

The two mercenary women waved in acknowledgment of the order, and then led their wealthy counterparts toward the wood. The rest of the company moved a short distance away to set camp.

A barely visible, winding trail snaked from the entrance of the woods to the pool, which was spring fed, and just as clear as the stream the company had followed here. The pool was shallow on one end, gently sloping into a deeper spot. In the deep end of the pool, the water churned from the source beneath the surface. It looked like a perfect place for bathing.

Rochelle knelt down and dipped a hand into the water, but she immediately snatched it back. "Damn — that's cold!"

Already removing her dress, Celeste explained, "We have bathed here before. It is quite shocking at first, but if you stay in the shallows near the edge, it is actually quite invigorating."

"If my smell wasn't turning my own nose, I'd skip a bath until we found a nice warm lake out in the sun, or a tub somewhere," Rochelle remarked as she loosened the straps on her armor.

Christi laughed as she took clothing out of her pack that she and the sisters could put on once they had bathed. She chose the most modest tops and longest skirts she had — things she didn't often wear anyway — for the sisters. "I'd rather have a nice warm lake in the sun too, but I'll take what I can get."

Having needed to remove only their dresses and underclothes, Celeste and her younger sibling were nude long before the two mercenaries could get out of their armor and the clothes beneath. Celeste held her dress at arm's length, wrinkling her nose. "If mother would not be cross with me, I would burn this." Tossing the garment over a rock, she turned to the two mercenaries. "You would bathe in the open, with so many men about?"

Rochelle shrugged and replied, "You normally don't get much allowance for modesty in our line of work. You just get used to it."

She then pulled off her blouse and revealed her breasts, which despite their size, sat high and proud, thanks to her musculature. Dark nipples and areoles blended with her tanned skin, the firm globes obviously having seen their share of sun. Christi finished removing her armor and turned to look when her comrade-in-arms spoke. The sight caused Christi to wonder just what had prompted the woman to be topless beneath the sun.

"I fear I would have to endure my smell, were I forced to bathe in full view of any prying eyes," Corrine admitted.

Christi turned toward Corrine and her sister, both of whom were stepping into the pool now, and said, "Well, you're lucky you knew about this place. You won't have to worry about that here."

Both sisters had small nipples and large areolas on their large, somewhat pendulous breasts. It was obvious that Corrine's breasts would match her sister's in time, as she was not much smaller up top, even at her younger age. Both women's labia were puffy, hiding the pink middles between them, with carefully manicured, closely cropped hair surrounding their sex.

"Let's get this over with. I'm already shivering," Rochelle declared as she stepped out of her skirt. Her mound was shaven bare, save for a thin strip leading from her hood to just below her navel.