The Story of a Protoss

In an all too familiar clearing, near the middle of the clearing, under the shade of a massive tree, stretching its limbs towards the sun. Our acquaintances, the adventurer's rest. At least some of them.

Jack is currently trying to explain the appearance of the small girl to Daniel and Lar'ge. While Lar'ge does look interested, Daniel is somehow apathetic to his talk.

"What's with you, boss? Normally you'd be the first one to throw something like: Don't let her appearance fool you! around. Now you're sitting here like you couldn't care less."

"You see," taking a sip from the water skin, Daniel moistens his throat, "Emma is a smart woman. A single kid wouldn't make her lower her guard. Furthermore, the girl was allowed to sleep on the Eternal Tree. If she wanted to kill us we would have to obediently surrender our life. In a conflict, the tree would choose the girl. So no reason to get agitated."

"That's a shit ton to get agitated about!" Jack doesn't seem to share Daniel's sentiment but in the end, he flops to the ground and agrees,

"Such bullshit!"

Lar'ge opens his mouth causing Jack and Daniel to chuckle,

"What's with the girl, she ok?"

"I knew you would ask! You and your obsession for kids. But well, while she did look a bit malnourished she had some muscles and she seemed to be in full control of her body. No signs of staggering, scratches or wounds of any kind. She looked too well to be living here in the forest."

"I'm relieved! I hope we can help her! Can we, boss?"

An eager 2-meter giant was using the puppy-eye technique on Daniel.

Barely effective.

"Let's wait for Emma to tell us the situation. We can decide afterward. But rest assured: If we can, we help. You know how we do things."

Silence settled on the clearing. Daniel closed his eyes and lays on the grass, refining the energy in the fruits while also recovering his strength. Lar'ge was sitting upright, polishing his armor while occasionally glancing in Emma's direction.

Jake was munching on fruits and packed the leftover in pouches. Later they would keep them in Emma's storage ring. In his head, the sound of gold coins rang and rang. He knew they could not finish the fruits by themselves. They would sell some to the lady boss and net a good profit.

Food with neutral energy is always a good merchandise.

A few minutes passed in which only the sound of a breeze hitting the leaves, and the scraping of a sword and whetstone could be heard.

After a few seconds, Lar'ge raised his voice,

"There they are."

Daniel and Jack turned around, seeing how Emma walked around the tree carrying a kid in her arms with the squirrel on her shoulder.

"That's the child," Jack confirmed.

"Wow, how did you think of that (Sherlock)? I think she picked up a second."

You should not think that Lar'ge does not like to talk. He does. He is just very bad with people. Offer him an opportunity and he'll retort.

Laughing at Lar'ge's comment, Daniel proceeded to stand up and walk towards Emma. Upon nearing her he notices how the girl was hiding her face in Emma's chest. While thinking that she is cute, he simultaneously lowered his hand to his dagger. Emma, noticing his movement, shook her head, signaling that the girl was ok and she checked.

While being slightly suspicious, Daniel stooped his hand and stood in front of Emma.

Seeing the girl look up he asked for her name.

What he received is a cautious and suspicious look, which ended in the girl burying her head in Emma's chest.

Trying to suppress her laughter Emma recounts on how she found the girl and what she found out about her situation at this point.

Being abandoned. Being picked up by her "Grandpa". Training and studying with him. Him dying and her living alone for three years. As well as the girls promise to leave once she turns ten.

"I think we should take her back with us. It is not safe for her to stay in the forest and we want to return anyway."

"I cannot go!" the girl suddenly screams.

"I can only go when I'm ten!" struggling out of Emma's embrace the girl distances herself from the group.

Emma has a sad expression while Daniel is closely observing the girls actions.

"Look. How long do we need to wait for you to turn 10?" Daniels question was unexpected.

The Protoss expected them to leave but she underestimated the protective instinct of humans.

"I'll be ten in...a weeks time and a bit. I will wait. Grandpa said I can leave when I'm ten."

Turning to Emma, Daniel has to break her hope.

"We cannot wait that long. She will have to stay here. If she stays near the Eternal Tree she will be safe. The other option would be to force her to come with us, but I doubt you'd like that."

Naturally, she did not want to do this. First of it would be a blatant disrespect to her promise with her Grandpa as well as the fact that it would destroy all further interactions. Forcing her would make her angry. Perhaps to the extent where she would hate them for breaking her promise.

Noticing the ever-changing expressions in Emma's face, our protagonist enters the second stage of her plan.

"I know you want to help me. How about this: I will wait here until the week is over and then I will go towards that town you talked about. I will not break my promise with Grandpa!"

Seeing no other option Emma reluctantly agrees. Upon seeing her agree, Lar'ge stands up and walks towards the girl. Standing in front and towering over the small child, he lowers his massive body and pets her head.

Closing her eyes the girl is genuinely surprised by his actions. Looking up at Lar'ge she can see a small smile and his caring gaze.

"Now, little one. I know you want to keep your promise. At the same time I want to help you, so promise me that you will stay near the Eternal Tree until the week is over. At the end of the week, I will come to pick you up. Promise?"

Stretching his pinky towards the girl she looks at his hand. Pondering a bit she extends her own pinky. Linking both she says,

"Promise! I'll definitely wait here for you!"

Satisfied with their promise, Lar'ge stands up and turns towards Daniel.

"We should get a move on. You wanted to check the surroundings a bit and then return to report to Miss Madelyn."

"Well, you heard the man. Emma, please store the bags with the fruits. Jack help her and store the campfire. Lar'ge you and I will check the other equipment."

Seeing the group pack, Idan and the girl couldn't wait. After this, they could finally return to the cave and get those flowers. The week she told them about was for her to get comfortable with her abilities and to explore some of her inheritance. A lot of that stuff was untouched.

"Now, my little beauty, be careful ok? Don't you dare go outside the trees protection! Lar'ge will come to fetch you and perhaps I'll have the time to come as well. Be obedient, ok?"

Emma reluctantly said her goodbyes and followed Daniel who was currently waiting at the clearings border.

Lar'ge finished his goodbyes with a nod and Jack simply followed him.

Waiting for all of them to pass the border. Our girl immediately picked up Idan and run to the tree. When she went down earlier to meet Emma, she noticed the mass of bones below the tree. Once she saw those she knew she should see whether or not she could find something useful.

For two to three hours she unceasingly plowed through the dirt she collected whatever she could find not bothering to check. She'll take inventory once she found what she needs.

"Yes! Found it! I knew one would be here!"