Orcs 1 and 2 were similarly equipped. They had hide covered shields, scale armour and used curved swords. Seeing orcs for the first time is quite an experience. They are green skinned and wide bodied. 2 people could stand side by side and match the width an orc would take. From their mouths protruded boar-like tusks. The most terrifying thing about them was that they are organized. The orcs stood beside each other and advanced at the same speed, taunting in their language. Brewary and Demit advanced and met them. Roland fired an arrow that was easily stopped by Orc 2. A few strides away, the orcs charged with a yell.

Demit used Guard Stance + Counter-strike and Brewary Rage Blow. Orc 2 chopped savagely but the staff caught it and redirected the force, which was taken by the shield. Demit used Smash but her staff thudded against the shield again. She barely managed to catch the incoming slash with Counter-strike. Without Guard Stance activated, the sword slash would have hit. Still, the orc raised its shield in time to stop it again. Orc 1 took Rage Blow with both sword and shield, redirecting Brewary's weapon. Thankfully it wasn't the overly heavy and slow Bastard Sword or Giant Cleaver types because he managed to steady his Zweihander and used Wind to catch the incoming orc sword. Choosing to trust its armour, the tip of the Zweihander bounced off the orc's helmet. It drove its shield into Brewary's mid section but he stepped back and used Forward Thrust. The orc moved its shoulder, protecting its face with the pauldrons. Along with that shoulder came the arm and its sword. Brewary barely managed to catch it with his sword's crossguard. The following Rage Blow was only half stopped by the orc shield and the scale armour jingled as the Zweihander bit into it. First hit; Brewary.

Orc 1 was having none of that. It shoved Brewary, sending him 6 feet away. That gave enough of a gap for Roland. It raised its shield but Penetrator hit the orc, punching through the scales that protected its knee. Defiant, it remained standing but there was no more walking or tackling for it. Reaching into its belt, it threw a small throwing axe, missing Roland by the sleeve of his Gambeson. Still, that sent Roland sprawling. It roared, arms spread out as Brewary picked himself up and approached. Death in battle, thought Roland. The Veterans did mention Orcs loved their fights.

Jakson was helping Demit. She had yet to land a hit, and had taken a slice that was stopped by her Gambeson. Still, the matter was clear. The orc was outperforming her. Jakson had tried to Backstab Orc 2 but Demit gave it away by looking. Orc 2 turned to slash behind itself, missing Jakson's torso. He had just sucked in his gut and jumped back. Demit finally landed a Smash, which it took in the helmet. Unfazed, it ignored Demit for a bit and attacked Jakson. Pushed, he used Swat to parry, holding it reversed and in both hands. The Thief issued dagger would have failed after 2 or 3 Swat against the heavy orc sword but Jakson had a Baselard with a broad hilt and a hefty tang. Smash came in again, this time at the left humerus (if Orcs named the section that way). It turned and slashed, caught by a double-handed Counter-strike and was hit in the head. The helmet dented. Seeing the orc turn, Jakson had latched on to the shield, letting go and jumping back to avoid the retaliatory sword. Smash came in again. The orc decided to shove Demit. Jakson charged and managed to stick his dagger in slightly, buying Demit time to stand again.

Orc 1 changed its stance. It held its shield close and narrowed its profile. With the arrow in its knee, it could hobble. Using the reach of Forward Thrust and the length of the Zweihander, Brewary kept up the pressure at a distance. Its defence was almost perfect from the front and sides. Brewary was almost stalemated, drawn into a match of stamina and bleeding out. Roland relocated to shoot it in the back. Penetrator embedded itself in the lower back and it roared in pain. Brewary closed and used Rage Blow, which it still managed to stand and absorb with its shield and sword. A broadhead somehow managed to stick in the scale armour with minimal penetration, but enough distraction. Holding his Zweihander like a spear, Brewary yelled and shoved. It was enough to topple and off-balance the Orc, but only because of the arrow in its knee. It fell on that one knee and with one last roar of defiance that was more of a laugh, it's head was taken off by Rage Blow.

Brewary turned for Orc 2 who roared to the sky as it fended off Demit and Jakson. Was that for its friend? Its arm was slowed down as Demit aimed at the same spot multiple times. The 2 made sure to stay in front and behind, never beside. If it turned to Jakson, a Smash would hit that same spot on the arm. If it turned to Demit, Jakson would grab an arm or move in for a Backstab. Now with the risk of being cornered, Orc 2 abandoned defence. Turning to Demit, it swung its sword. Counter-strike caught it and it took the hit at the shield. At the same time, it stabbed. Jakson stabbed it from the back but it kept on. Demit's staff thudded against the shield a split second before the sword cut Demit in the neck. It kicked and laughed, sending Demit sprawling. The gap gave enough time for Penetrator which it caught in the shoulder, disabling the shield arm. Brewary closed in, Jakson from behind and it laughed, expertly using only the sword arm to fight.

"Honey! Get on Paprika now!". Demit was gurgling from the open wound in her neck. She tried saying the prayer but spurted blood. She then fumbled with her carrying bag one-handed, the other on her throat. Roland yanked out his bandage. Demit grabbed his arm and tried saying something, spitting blood on both of them.

"Stop struggling!", said Roland as he handed Demit a bandage to keep her hands busy. She grabbed it and pressed against the wound and began sobbing slightly. Pulling out another bandage, Roland looked around for danger. Brewary was scoring hits on Orc 2, but its armour held. His Zweihander didn't retain enough cutting edge. Problem is, we blew our coin on the last skill. He replaced Demit's soaked bandage. She was still bleeding out. C'mon. We spent coin on you. Seal the wound now. His medicated bandages gone, he searched Demit's bag. He pulled Demit to sit up and she placed one hand on her head. Replacing the second soaked bandage, he tied the ends under her arm. He found the last of the old linen strip bandages at the bottom of her bag and tied it over the third bandage. She coughed up blood to clear her airways and took painful and loud breaths. She was crying from the pain. He checked the earlier cut on her Gambeson and saw it was almost cut through. He checked elsewhere for bleeding. In that short time, she had bled out enough to become pale. She was losing consciousness so he slapped her and yelled in her ear;

"Ay! Stay awake until your bleeding stops!". It startled her but the order registered and she nodded. He placed her hand on the bandage.

"You have to keep the pressure on! I can't wrap it too tight or I'll choke you! Stay awake!". She nodded.

"They're dealing with it. Calm down and save yourself. It's an hour away to Alterna and we can't have you bleeding out here. Do you understand?". She nodded again. Roland looked around again. Luck smiled on them that day. Fighting had always attracted more enemies. It happened in the Forest. It happened in Damrow. He expected it to happen again today but it didn't. If 2 more orcs were to show up, they'd eventually win again with more wounds and time but then Demit might just die and they'd bleed out on the way home. Fireteam Alpha would be wiped.

Orc 2 died from Backstab. Brewary and Jakson had injuries. They limped close. Jakson got cut in his midriff. Brewary had a very bad thigh injury and several other small ones. Orc 2 had decided Brewary was the bigger threat.

"Bandage up. We're leaving now before any more show up"

"How's Paprika?"

"Bleeding's stopped, I think. Last change". Roland took out a small knife from his boot and cut the soaked bandages. The bleeding had almost stopped. He wrapped the last of Demit's bandages, which stopped the bleeding. Jakson had only one deep wound. While Brewary bandaged himself, Jakson took the orc money bags and the 2 shields. Demit's staff and Brewary's Zweihander were used to support the shields, making a makeshift stretcher.

Jakson was shorter so he stood in front, holding the sword handle. Brewary wrapped his glove with leather he cut from the orcs and held the blade. The staff was problematic. It was a short staff, meaning Demit had to be placed spread legged on the stretcher because there was not enough length. Still, it proved workable if a bit frustrating.

"I can cut some long branches, tie 'em up", offered Roland, pulling out his hatchet.

"No time. Keep an eye out, Honey. You pull that fancy arrow out, now. Let's go, Sugar. To the Temple."

Roland took point, his elemental bodkin nocked. Thankfully there were no more orcs. Frustratingly, there were no Volunteers along the way to ask for Cure. Demit passed out on the stretcher. Exhausted, with Brewary still bleeding, they made it to the Temple.

Priests took Demit away for treatment while other Priests casted Sacrament on Brewary and Jakson. It was far more potent than Demit's Cure, covering the whole body.

A loud, angry voice startled the three. The priests treating them took off.

"What have you done, you fools?!". 'Drill Sergeant Honen' had arrived. The three said nothing, bowing slightly in reverence to the Head Priest.

"Well? Answer me, boys. First poor Manato, and now Demit almost dies. Explain this tomfoolery."

"The orc was surrounded but it charged for Demit", Roland tried to explain.

"What do you think it would've done, boy? It's an orc!". Nobody answered.

"Did you not know that the Priest is one of the 2 essential classes for a party?". Since Roland answered first, it was directed at him. He nodded. Damn this guy is loud.

"And I suppose after that it went for your Warrior here?", said Honen, gesturing to Brewary with his staff. Roland was surprised. Then he groaned internally and hung his head. The orc targeted the Priest first, then Warrior. Knocking those out would open the party for a wipeout.

"I expected more sense from a Pimpernel, even if I don't approve of your organization". Brewary did not answer.

"Were you not taught that the Warrior and Priest are the 2 essential classes?", Honen repeated the question to Brewary. He nodded.

"Then explain why your Priest was standing beside you -", he pointed with his staff to Brewary "- and not beside him?", he pointed to Roland. His staff made a ringing sound when he thumped it on the stone floor in the temple.

"Were you not taught your roles in a battle? Oh, Lumiaris. Spare us from this idiocy. We told the girl to be a Paladin but she insisted she was going to be a Priest. Now she ignores her Light Magic so she can do staff fighting. Idiot girl". He massaged his temple.

"Demit will be returned to you when she recovers. No magic can replace blood. As for you fools, out. OUT!". He followed them to the temple stairs and rebuked them as they went down the steps.

"- and may Lumiaris grace you so Grimgar will be rid of your stupidity!". That turned a lot of heads.

That evening, 3 filthy, moody, raggedy and bloodied men sat at Ruai to drink and eat, ignoring the disapproving looks from the owner. They said nothing for an hour, letting the alcohol seep in and loosen tense muscles.

"I'm worried about Demit", said Roland.

"So am I, Honey."

"Is not problem. Tonight I go see."

"Sweet, sweet Sugar."

"Brewary… what's a Pimpernel?"

"Why, the Scarlet Pimpernels are the finest men in Grimgar." Jakson and Roland chuckled weakly as they made the connection between the red flower on his cuirass and the red feather in his helmet. So that's what it was. Jakson took a drink and shook his head.

"Is very loud old man.". Later they waited at the bottom of the temple steps while Jakson used Sneaking and snuck in. He took an indirect route where he first climbed a neighbouring building and then used the rooftops to enter the Temple. He returned to say that Demit was sleeping. It was then that the men calmed down and returned to their rooms.