"Derrek, just listen to me, all right, Filius*?" Helena kissed the top of the child's head and pointed to a low-limbed, almost bush-like tree, keeping her voice low. "Go behind that tree and stay there until I say 'ready'. Remember, no peeking." After the three year old had hitched himself up and hidden in some leaves, Helena turned, putting a hand to her middle. "Who's there?" she asked, keeping her voice light, for Derrek's sake. "What do you want?" she took a step back, placing her basket in front of herself in an attempt at a simple shield. A few red amets fell to the ground, rolling and bouncing away. "Gumlpoes*, if any of you can here me, please take my filius home."
She flinched when she heard Derrek whimper, but a small smile appeared when she heard him giggle, and she touched a pale hand to her forehead in relief when the giggle got farther away. "Thank you." She whispered, turning back to face the unnamed foe.
"There, there, Puella, ya didn't think we'd let you battle 'em alone, now did ya?" She jumped and turned to see three little Gumlpoes standing at attention, weapons ready.
"Oh, thank you, my friends. Is Derrek alright?" She pulled her translucent hair back and knotted it with one of her belts, then pulled a dagger from it's holder on her waist.
"Etium, Hera*, he be just fine. A tad worried about ya, but Larinte distracted him with some flowers. He be picking some for ya as we speak." The tallest Gumlpo, standing just above three feet, did his best to reassure her. "My name is Plinket, and these are my men, Plunkflor, Jordingle, and... um..." he tuned to Jordingle and whispered, "Where's Larinte, again?"
"With her boy, helping him get home." Jordingle replied, saluting smartly.
"Ah, etium*, of course, thank ya." He turned to Helena and continued, "Now if you'll excuse me, Puella, there be a Jancklemore behind you that I'll be battlin'." Waving his staff, he scrambled behind her and knocked the large beast on the head. Helena ducked and rolled, trying to be careful for her unborn child's sake.
"A what?" Her eyes widened, and she pulled her dagger to the front, waiting to see what the little man would do.
"Now, my amiculi, let me show you how a Gumlpo works." Plinket then proceeded to confuse the Jancklemore with strange holograms, hiding Helena behind one of them. The large, weasel-like beast paused in confusion before slashing blindly at the wavering scenes. Helena pulled her legs up and wrapped her arms as far around them as she could, making herself as small a target as possible. After a few minutes of failed attempts to find the people, the Jancklemore growled angrily and took off at a rapid pace, leaving behind a rather awful scent.
"I'm sorry, Puella." The little Gumlpo looked so pitiful Helena had to laugh.
"You saved my life, Sir. Thank you so much, you brave men. I owe each of you, most certainly." She said this with a smile, placing her dagger back in it's holder. "Now, I need to get home and care for Derrek." She blew a small, translucent strand of hair out of her face and tried to stand up.
"Oh, here, let us help, Puella." Plinket turned and signaled his jolly group of men. "Ready, set, pull!" he commanded, grabbing her arm and heaving with all his might.
"Oh dear. Plinket, stop." Helena paled and tried to breathe normally.
"No, no, we're okay, Puella, just let us get our grip," The determined little man tsked and started to pull again when Plunkflor tapped his shoulder.
"Sir, I think she means she ain't ready yet. Don't you think she looks a bit colorless?" Plunkflor pointed to her face.
"Oh my goodness, Puella, are you alright?" Plinket gasped and scurried up to check her pulse. She flinched, and he sighed in relief. "I think she be recovering that awful scare." He announced, only to be pulled aside by Jordingle.