Badraa

She kept her visor down most days, despite the heat. The exception was here, a small shrine to Pelor a few platforms away from Brevin's store. Sister Marlot knew her better than anyone, and was one of the few who could look at her and fully see beyond the green skin, flattened nose, and pointed tusks.   Badraa snapped her head up from prayer to look to the South, to the new sound of an alarm horn. Probably kobolds, and probably something that the Bastions on duty could handle. Those truths did not enter Badraa's mind as she rushed toward the door, gathering her greatsword and reaching for her helmet.   A hand stopped her. Frail old Sister Marlot, with a clear voice that sounded more used to issuing orders on a battlefield than issuing prayers, "leave it, girl. It needs polish. You've been slacking."   Badraa held back the argument, knowing the real reason Marlot wanted to keep the helmet. She just nodded. She rarely talked if she could avoid it - she hated the sound of her voice, the distortion caused by the tusks bending her lips.   With a sigh she let go of the helmet, nodded and raced to the south, toward the alarm horn.   The battle was over before she arrived. It was kobolds again, attacking in the mines. Lasras was there leading a patrol of rank-and-file Bastions. Some minor injuries, but everyone seemed otherwise in good health and spirits.   As she approached, Lasras gave her a gap-toothed grin and leaned on her blood-stained warhammer. "Bout time ye showed up! I was afraid we finally might see ye take a day to rest!" Lasras stood and scratche at her blonde beard, rolling her eyes at the beating sun. "Bloody heat, it's nearly enough to make a dwarf shave. Nearly!" she quickly finished, holding a warning finger up toward the Captain of the Bastions.   Badraa grunted a laugh- how many times had she threatened to cut off that beard. Kept Lasras motivated.   Another Bastion, a mousy woman with short brown hair, approached from the mine tunnel and gave a start when she noticed Badraa's imposing form standing above Lasras. "Oh! s-Sorry Captain, I was just coming to report to Lieutenant Lasras but ... but I can report to you instead if you prefer..."   The woman averted her gaze and Badraa sighed. Nothing new, and nothing unexpected. Hardly anyone in the town knew how to deal with a half-orc, especially with the nearly monthly raids from the tribe roaming the northern hills. Badraa knew that the town trusted her. Respected her, even.   "It's fine - I don't think I'm needed. You all did fine work." Badraa turned to walk away.   "Don't let that go to your head - soon ye'll be thinkin ye can take a day off!" teased Lasras. Looking back, Badraa caught the sincere look in Lasras' eyes. "Suren ye know ye're indispensible to this town?" She said it in jest, but she meant the last part all the same, Badraa knew.   On the way back to the temple, eyes followed. They trusted her and they needed her, Badraa knew. She walked faster to gather her helmet.