Fredericka walked on the streets of Trestlebridge town and toward its namesake bridge. It amazed her how the bridge did not burn down, while many of the houses in town were now smoldering coals. The orcs did considerable damage to this settlement, and it was even more worrisome that their threat was not entirely eliminated. Fredericka had a couple of days free in town as her company was healing and gathering strength and resources to pursue their journey North. She resolved to help the town’s recovery in any way she could.
Everyone needed provisions: her company, orphaned children in Trestlebridge, The Wyld Hunt scouts. A small foraging trip would give her time to reflect, as well, so she decided to head out of town and to the North. Last time her company was after the orcs in that area, she spotted several good places for berries and mushrooms. Now, in light of the day and with her quiet movements, she was convinced to be out of harm’s way.
Sorrel grew abundant in the first place she headed to. With her dagger sharp, the leaves were easy to cut. She kept thinking about the orphaned children of Trestlebridge, worried for their fate. Why would Shemkel and others not care for them? Did they want more bandits on the roads in a decade? On the other hand, she knew that the Wyld Hunt’s resources would not allow an orphanage for every town burnt by the Orcs or sacked by bandits. Yet, there were lands available for farming right here, in the North Downs. Maybe, it was best for the children to work as farmhands and learn to grow crops, than to be sent to the orphanages where they did not know anyone at all? Now, however, farming seemed somewhat dangerous occupation after Orcs started roaming the hills…
With the sorrel tightly packed and several spectacular mushrooms along with it, she proceeded toward the sunbathed outcroppings dotted with colorful berry bushes. This would be a good treat for the everyone!
The land here was far from barren, it just needed to be safer. At some point during her foraging Freddie spotted Fornost ruins on the horizon. Her insides turned at the recollection of venturing to the outskirts of that dreaded place. Maybe, the history of this region indeed would make farming too dangerous. The woman thought about it for a moment and then stopped abruptly when she spotted a cart wheel on the ground. There was no cart anywhere in sight. A sense of presence and signs of recent activity made her even more cautious. Orcs were in the area, she could smell them. With her daggers out, she retreated and backtracked to a safer zone. This was close.
Freddie foraged for anything she could find and deliver to the town’s orphan caretakers. In the evening, she interviewed them and talked to the children, making sure they know how to protect and where to flee should the worst occur. How much more help could she provide? It was all painfully less than what she wanted to give. At night, her heart bled for them.
