"Eventually, when all of the hydra's necks had been snapped, the swordswoman retrieved the handsome young man from beneath the hydra. He was only a little squished, and should recover shortly.
'Thank you for helping me save my brother,' said the swordswoman. 'He's not normally this useless.'
The swordswoman's brother made a vague squashed mumble of protest.
'Well, you were,' the swordswoman pointed out. 'What brings you through these woods, traveler?'
'I am seeking companions on a quest to defeat the evil sorcerer and his king and make the land safe for innocents,' the boy told her. 'But I know that I can't do it by myself, so I'm looking for people to help me.'
'My brother and I are on a quest to overthrow our stepfather, the wicked count,' said the swordswoman. 'We'll help you with your quest if you'll help us with ours.'
'It's a deal,' said the boy, and they shook on it."