Knocking on the door, like the sentry did earlier, got the result that he wanted. The door opens as the old man stuck his head out as a thorn smash through his eye, killing the old man before he even realizes what happens. Tex slams the door open while shoving the old man into two other two men that were sitting on some chairs around the table. Knocking the men down upon the dirt floor into an entanglement of arms and legs. Tex pulls his short sword out of it sheath and blocks a dagger that was come up at him as another man rush forward, trying to slam the dagger into his guts. The sword and dagger locks into a strength versus strength battle over who will break free from their deadlock of blades. The fourth man in the room rush toward him as Tex sends another thorn that slams into the man’s chest, knocking onto his butt. The man stares down at the blood staining his chest before falling over to his side dead.

Tex curses as he misses the man’s head and instead of hitting the chest. If the man had a breastplate on, he might have survived, and it would have been a different outcome. Tex grunted as the man with the dagger tries to kick him while their blades locked together. Tex sends another thorn dart to slam into the man’s manhood sending shockwaves threw out the man’s body as he collapses to the floor.

Tex stomps upon the man’s throat, ensuring the man’s death and hearing the tangle men cursing as they stagger to their feet. Tex glances down and seeing that there was only one thorn that was left. The man with the sword was more of a threat to him while the other man was still pinned somewhat by the old dead guy. He still needs to get him out of the way first. Casting the spell once more cause a feeling of tiredness to rush through his body as the thorn flew into the swordsman’s throat. Tex staggers forward, plunging his blade into the choking man’s chest, pushing him back onto the other man about to break free. The other man could only see someone rushing at him, so instinctively thrust his dagger at the person only to realize it was the back of one of his buddies. The dagger misses two ribs and went to the hilt into his friend’s back as they both fell back onto the ground. Unbeknownst to the man that his buddy was already dead before his dagger plunge into the body. Tex staggered over and killed the last man trapped under the bodies on the floor.

Shaking his head to shake the dizziness, he felt. He looks around and not seeing any more threats. He staggers over to a small table with a pitcher of water, feeling as if he about to pass out. Laying the sword onto the table, he lifts the pitcher and taking a long drink before pouring the rest of the water over his head to dispel the dizziness. Shaking his head flinging water all around, he stares at a door to the back of the room as he hears a woman screaming in pain. It must be the elf that is about to give birth. Gabbing the sword he laid on the table, he rushes and slams into the door knocking a woman to the floor that was trying to listen to see what was going on. Another woman ran at him, screaming with a dagger in her hand. Tex blocks the woman’s arm that was holding the dagger and pushed the dagger away from him as he punches the woman in the face sending her to the floor. Rolling several times and slam into the wall and falling unconscious. The sound of a baby crying grabs his attention as he sees an old woman backing away with a newly born baby in a blanket holding a knife.

“Get back! I will kill it if you do not let me go!” The old woman spatted out. If there is ever was a way of describing the woman before him. The word would be an old hag.

The woman is only two steps away from him. The old woman looks toward the door trying to decide if she can make it. Upon seeing the number of bodies in the other room, her eyes got wide for a moment. Tex stares behind her, using his eyes like he is trying to hint at someone to do something. She spun around, waving the dagger as Tex rush forward and grab the arm holding the knife from behind. He drops his sword to grab the baby in the blanket while spinning the woman back around while slamming a kick into her stomach, knocking her into the wall. The old woman rebound off the wall and fell face-first into the floor, moaning in pain from some broken ribs. Tex set the baby down on the table and grab the old woman by the hair and lifted her head to slam another punch into her face knocking her out. Breathing heavy Tex let the rage in him flow out as he regulated his breathing. Tex glare at the third girl that he knock to the floor, daring her to do something the young woman only whimper as she balls up on the floor crying in fear. Tex moves over to the bed, where the elven woman is lying in a pool of sweat and blood. He can see that the woman was tied to the bed with her legs apart. He was rubbing his hands together and the place one on the elven woman’s head and the other on her chest. The green light of healing energy flows out of him into the woman as if a flood gate opens up inside of him. A minute later, his knees buckle as he collapses onto the dirt floor. Breaking contact with the woman, he sat there panting as the baby continues to wail on the table. Staggering back to his feet, he checks on the baby while using the table to steadying himself. The baby looks cute as he gently picks up the bundle and wipes the blood off the baby’s face. Seeing long pointed ears on the baby, he turn and stare at the woman on the bed, seeing that she has long pointed ears sticking out of her pure white hair that lay in a mess around her as the woman lay there unconscious. Sitting the baby down, he glares down at the Three women in the room that is on the floor. In this world, he not found any laws. The only justice is what the nobles deems just and noble to them. These people are human trafficker that deal with slavery in this world. From Joseph’s memories, about over two-thirds of the population are slaves or serfs that are bought and forced to work the land or workshop for the nobles. Those that serve in the local military and survive for ten years can become freemen. They can rent land to grow plants or raise animals, at which point the nobles will take half or more for themselves. These slave traders use war and racism to justify kidnapping and selling people for their greed, dragging the three women out the building to one of the wagons. He pulls off some rope and bound them after searching them for any weapons or items on them, finding a bag around the old woman neck that was dangling between her sagging breasts. Tex pulls the bag off her neck and found several pieces of gold and silver inside along with two pieces of wood with a brand on them. Recognizing one of the brands, he pulls out the token he had and sees that they are the same crest, frowning he tosses women into the cage wagons and locks it. Looking at all three, the young woman look to be in her early teens with black hair, her face, and what skin showing in the rags she is wearing are black and blue marks all over her body. Shaking his head, he will have to figure that out in the morning.

Going back inside and check on the baby and seeing that it is sleeping. He then checks on the elven woman and senses that she is not doing well. Checking her pulse and realizing her pulse is low, he stares at the elven face. The woman is gorgeous far beyond any supermodel he ever saw. The woman had long white hair that goes to her small waist, the fact her hair was dirty, and sweaty still did not take away from her beauty. She looks to be just under five feet in height and petite to the point he could wrap both hands around her waist and touch. Small breast that he can see under the flimsy blanket fits her small frame. Looking over at the baby and then the woman, shaking his head, knowing he was going to have to uncover the woman to feed the baby soon if she doesn’t wake up soon.

“The elf is dying if you want to save her come to me in the woods.” A female voice spoke in his head as if two women were speaking at the same time.

“She only has a few hours to live, giving birth she transfer most of her mana into the child. As weak as she was before birth, the transfer has caused her to weaken to the point that she will die soon. If you try to heal her again, she will suck out your mana and kill you. If she does that, you will force her onto a path of a dark elf.” once again, the voice fills his head.

“Who are you! Show yourself,” Looking around the room, drawing the sword.

“I am called Ella. I am a nature fairy trap in the woods. I can heal her, but I need your help. Come and find me I am not far. I know you can sense me!” A woman’s voice spoke in his head. At that moment, he heard a noise from a door at the back of the room. He grabbed the sword off the floor and walked over to the door while ignoring the voice in his head.

Tex leaned against the door and heard some more noises rustling in the room beyond the door. Looking down at the door and seeing that it is latch from this side. Pulling the latch open, he shouldered his way into the room. He was hearing screams and cries of frightening children, letting his eyes adjust as the smell of urine, feces, and death assault his nose. In the far corner of the room, several dozens of children are huddle together on the dirt floor. On the floor, itself were several bodies of dead children. Anger flares up for a moment before he put away the sword.

Shaken by the scene before him, he found his voice, “I’m here to rescue you. The bad people are gone. Anyone here older enough to help me?” Looking over the group of children that range in age from two to ten years of age, over two-thirds are girls. Several minutes past as both sides stare at each other. Finally, Tex spotted two girls and a boy that looks about ten years of age. Pointing at the three of them, he waves them over to him.

“Can you three, step forward? Please,” he asked softly.

A boy steps forward, placing himself in front of the two girls. All three are cover in filth.

“I have a woman that needs help. She is an elf in the next room that had a baby. I need to help her and save the baby. If you help me, I find a way to get you all home or find you a good family.” Pausing for a moment, looking at all the children. “I promise not to hurt you or sell you. I need your help,” seeing them still staring at him. Reaching into a pouch and grab a handful of copper coins and toss them to the ground in front. A dozen kids leap on the coins as the older boy tried to get everyone back behind him.

“There more if you all help me. Does anyone know those children’s names pointing at the dead children.” Everyone in the room shakes there head, indicating that they don’t know.

“I do,” the little boy about ten years old spoke up. “They are my brothers Roy and Kirk and my cousin Sissy.” The little boy stares at the ground, wearing a bag like a shirt with holes cut for his arms and neck, blood and mud cover all of them, and the smell in the room still makes him want to gag. Seeing the children make his heartache.

Crouching down, he looks at the boy. “We will bury them and make sure to leave a marker.” Tex pulls out a dagger from his boot. All the children scream as he flips the dagger around in his hand; he held out hilt first to the boy.

“This is your to help protect them.” Handing him the knife. If you find any more knives, give them to the older children.”

The feeling from the woods behind the house is getting stronger. Checking on the woman and the baby, Tex waves one of the girls over, “When the baby wake makes sure to baby feed.”

The girl look puzzle. He points at the woman’s breasts until the girl’s eyes widen in understand as she nods. Tex turns and walks over to the boy.

“I’m going to go out and make sure no one is around. Keep the door lock, and don’t open it unless it is me. If anyone shows up, I will take care of them. Get together food and anything of use so we can leave.” Watching the boy nodded his head, he turned to leave and stop to look back at the boy. “Have everyone decide what they want to do after we get you all to safety.”

“You are going to free us?” the boy asked.

“Why do you think I gave you a knife? If I wanted to kill you or sell you, I would have locked the door and left you in that room.” Staring at the boy, “What your name?”

“Timmy, I mean, Tim.” Puffing out his chest as he straightens up, trying to look bigger.

Smiling to himself, Tex rubs the ten-year-old boy’s head, “By the way, my name is Tex, watch over everyone while I am scouting the area, so I am counting on you. I will be back by daylight.” as he walks out of the building and stopping to look back. “Have everyone decide what they want to do when I get back.” pulling the door shut.

Hearing the latch on the door drop into place, he headed toward the woods.