Neve and Popi got to the main cave and their jaw dropped.
Neve had thought someone had broken in and attacked the kids. He had imagined the worst possible scenario. His heart was pounding as he prepared himself for violence.
It was something similar, but not quite what he had feared.
The stranger, the bastard guard from yesterday, had almost attacked the kids. But when he tried to grab one of them, Aldric had stepped in to protect them. The shy bear beastman had thrown himself between the guard and the children without hesitation.
The guard had hit Aldric hard. Once. A single punch that had sent the bear beastman flying backward. Blood was now pouring from Aldric's mouth where his teeth had cut into his lip.
Popi rushed over to check on Aldric immediately, her hands fluttering over his face as she tried to assess the damage.
Neve walked toward the stranger with cold determination.
He looked at the man and a grin crept up his face as realization hit him.
