None of the other girls look as eager to fight as the redhead. They are all looking at me with mixed expressions. Should I just say that I am a good guy? Too cheesy, and why would they believe me. Still, a bit of gratitude would be nice. Do I really look that dodgy? Try smiling. "Hi, are any of you hurt?" Most of their faces seem relieved. Guess I said the right thing.

"I think everyone is okay, your timely arrival stopped any of us from being those monsters playthings." I expected the redhead to speak up for the group, but instead it is this talkative and confident girl. She introduces herself as Lawra, the redhead is Kira, and the third member of their group is a petite brunette named Lynne. The mother and daughter seem to be unrelated to the other three.

Lawra continues to do the talking, adding quite a bit of flattery to the introduction. I am not sure if she is trying to make me more positively disposed towards her, or if she is trying to influence me for another agenda. I feel like I am getting worked over by a sales woman. When Kira interrupts the flow with her own more direct and honest enquires about me, I am actually relieved. Initially I was worried Kira would be the type to stab me in my sleep, but maybe I should be more worried about Lawra?

Lynne on the other hand is a perfectly pleasant and calm young woman. The fourth daughter of a butcher, she tried to gain independence by getting work through the guild. Not sure what the guild is yet, but I am getting too many questions to ask my own at the moment. I simplify my back story a bit. I have been living in the wilderness on my own for a while, but I originate far from here, so I am not familiar with the local customs. I make it seem like I spent most of my life in the wilderness, to avoid too many questions about my past. They seem to be more interested in how I survived out here on my own.

Having had some basic introductions with the trio, I approach the mother and daughter. Neither seem as optimistic as the three. They must have suffered more before coming here. I suspect it involves the father of the young girl. The mother introduces herself as Mara, and immediately follows with a question. "What are your plans for us?" I am a bit surprised by the question. It sounds as if she thinks I am going to take advantage of them. "I just wanted to kill some goblins, but you are welcome to come back to my home."

They all seem to be ready to head back with me, but none of them are ready for a long walk. They have been marching for days since their capture, including all night last night. I find a small plateau on side the mountain to set up camp. I check for risks of any falling rocks in particular. From the higher vantage point keeping watch will be a lot easier. I can't expect them all to climb trees with me. I explain that we will rest until the next morning before setting out.

Looking through the goblins loot, personal objects are returned to the girls, including a substantial set of knives for Kira. She looks to be the only one with any combat knowledge. I still got a lot of questions. I sit alone in the first watch, but before noon I am joined by Kira, who has recovered her strength quickest. Good, I was hoping to have a chat with her without being interrupted by Lawra. "Could you tell me a bit about how you and the others ended up captured?"

Kira doesn't seem at all bothered talking about something that can't have been a nice experience. The three girls were part of a foraging party. They are all members of the guild. "So it is a hunters guild?" I ask to clarify what this guild is. Kira seem a bit confused that I don't know about the guild but does ask any questions. "The guild is the biggest guild in the continent, which is why everyone just call it The Guild." "It was originally just a hunters guild, but it has expanded to include members from all walks of life with useful skills."

I express an interest in knowing more about The Guild, as I have not come across it before. Kira continues her factual explanation: "The Guild acts as a mediator between businesses in need of certain skills for a short period of time, or any party with a particular task that needs doing. The core of The Guild is still the hunters who are some of the strongest individual who can be found. Some eventually seek service with a lord, but most love their independence too much to serve anyone."

The Guild seems a bit like a job centre to me. Independent contractors with valuable skill who seek short term employment for maximum gain. I will have to see this for myself. It could be a good fit for my skills. Though she hasn't even gotten to the part where they get attacked by goblins, Kira suddenly offers to stay guard on her own to let me have some sleep. I guess I could do with some sleep. Though I can keep going for quite a bit longer, I need to see this girls safely escorted back to my little hut in the next coming days.

I sleep until I am woken up by the trio of girls trying to make dinner. Looks like late afternoon. I have had more than enough sleep for now. I help the girls make dinner, with great assistance from my extensive storage of food. They all seem shocked for some reason. Is a man cooking that big a deal? "How much do you have in your soul storage?" The question is from Lawra, the least quiet of them. "A lot." I am not sure how to answer her question. Kira interrupts by explaining that most people's soul storage is only big enough to fit money and personal valuables.

I guess none of them saw me stuffing 33 goblin corpses into my storage. Should I tell them? I summon and un-summon a large boulder right in front of them. "I can store just about anything I need in my storage." The girls seem stunned. Lawra bursts out; "Do you know magic?". What has that got to do with it? Seeing my surprised look, Lawra tries to show off her knowledge before Kira can interrupt. "It is commonly believed that anyone with a large soul storage has a greater potential for magic." Well that is interesting. I explain that as of yet I don't know any magic, but I would love to learn.