Xander nods. "Yes, about half the goblins are pressed through coercion regarding the safety of their spouses. But if hearing serves me well, i heard vaguely a lot of angry women from the direction of the keep. Hostage party is over."
He rubs the last bit of numbness from his wrists. "Since you did so for me, i'd like to return the favor, occupy some of your own enemies."
What did you have in mind?
"I tag along, if you need to urgently go somewhere and would otherwise be delayed, i introduce my boot or fist to the obstruction, buy you time otherwise spent on your own."
Are you looking to join our group permanently, or just looking to do a favor out of a sense of obligation?
Xander shrugs slightly. "Depends on the circumstances. I wouldn´t mind beating up as many of them as i can. By Gralkor, many of the others share the sentiment. Let's say i'd offer to tag along until the fort is safe. Is that fine with you?"
Yep. Just want to make sure you don't feel like you have to. That always builds resentment. We didn't save you so you would do something for us, so you are free to come with us, but also free to go your own way. Whichever path you choose.
Xander nods. [b]"Alright then. Let's proceed with ending this plunderous reign of terror."
With Xander in tow, the team makes their way past more fighting, distracting some enemies with a sound sometimes, giving the 'unchained' opportunity to get a few strikes in. With the 'unchained' fiercely fighting for life and reunions with their spouses, said spouses are making quite a racket up ahead, as they surround a handful of guards.
Whatever of the women are injured by weapons, are healed by the few clerics among the rest of the woman. The guards are beaten, stabbed, and clubbed into submission. The women hold knives, sticks, chair legs, and an assortment of improvised weapons.
They make their way towards the next part of the fort, a mob of angry women out for reunion and retribution.
You make your way to the infiltration team, who sit in hiding behind a small wall. The guy you spoke with earlier motions you to come over.
[b]"Glad you could make it. So here's the situation, in order to avoid either of their leader's lieutenants from joining on his side in a fight, we've got to take them out both at a time. Out there is his hound master, a brute of very sadistic caliber. Inside the keep is a shaman or mage of sorts, rumored to be the torturer of the two. Take a pick which one you want to take care of, we'll handle the other one."
Seska nods in agreement with ending the plunderous reign of terror.
As they offer the choice of which lieutenant to take on, Seska frowns. "'Hound master' sounds like we'd likely also be fighting his hounds. We'd all need to be able to handle a close fight and some of us are better at a distance. The mage we'd need both close and far strikers... maybe better for our group? I can support Daniel and close in on him while Astella hits it from far away and Severa counters his magic. Does that make sense?"
Sounds like a reasonable suggestion. Let's do it.