Liv and Ograch made their way down to the gate, discussing their new classes and the similarities. Not only had they both received a mounted class, which was rare in and of itself, but they had also both been offered those classes through the intervention of their gods.
“So, any ideas where I can find a bear?” Liv joked.
“I haven’t seen any in the forest, sadly. There are way too many things wandering these woods that I doubt bear cubs would last very long even with their mother protecting them. However, we did see signs of them closer to the mountains up north before we were driven south.”
“Really? Why are they safer up there?”
“The wildlife up there is much bigger than down here and are able to hold their own against most of the monsters in the area.”
“Sounds like I may need to take a trip in the near future. What about you? Any ideas for your mount? It didn’t sound like you are restricted like I am.”
“Yeah, it sounds like I can pick anything as long as it can support me. I would LOVE to find a huge wolf like Sanguineus just to see the look on Talwarg’s face.” Ograch and Liv laughed as the image of Talwarg sputtering in outrage flashed through their heads. “But, I’ve never seen a wolf large enough to support me. I should probably talk to Nerek and the shamans to see what we did in the past. As far as I know, we haven’t had a mounted class in generations and definitely not in my lifetime.”
“I don’t know about hobgoblins or goblins, but we would occasionally see orcs near my village on their way to the dungeon. I saw them riding giant boars once. I’ve also heard of spider riders.”
“Hmm, I’ve never seen a boar large enough, but that could be an option.” Ograch shuddered involuntarily. “As for the spider, that’s a hell no. I don’t mind spiders as long as they keep their distance, but having to sit on a giant one? Couldn’t do it.”
“Just thought I would mention it since we know where there is a nest of them.”
“Thanks, but still. Fuck that.”
Liv held up her hands and conceded. I can’t really blame him, I wouldn’t do it either. Glad he isn’t on board, I don’t know if I could handle living in the monastery with a spider large enough for him to ride roaming about.
When they reached the gate, Talwarg walked over and nodded approvingly. “The two of you are definitely stronger. What did you choose?”
The two shared the details of their class, causing Talwarg to arch an eyebrow. “Both of you got mounted classes offered by the gods? You made the right choice, even if you don’t have mounts currently. The gods must have had a reason to offer those classes. As for your friend, he’s been busy. Take a look.”
Turning to the gate, they saw the interior frame and the gate itself glowing brightly. Despite only being gone for their class upgrades for only a half hour, Ivan had been able to fortify the front gate and a substantial amount of the wall to either side of it.
As for the Night Arrows, non-combatants had been steadily stacking whatever they could before the gate and along the walls. The items stacked before the gate were clearly meant to be a barricade as the items were only about waist high. However, the barricade was not meant to actually brace the gate against a breach, it was meant as cover for the Night Arrow warriors to fight from once the gate the was breached. The barricade was somewhat rounded, creating a half circle that would pen the invaders in if they breached the gate and allow the defenders to strike from every side.
While the barricade would be useful, the Night Arrows knew that it would not hold too long as they did not have time to make it especially sturdy. No, the barricade was meant to bleed the enemy and buy time.
Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
Just as Liv was about to ask about any ranged fighters, she spotted them moving throughout the village. The majority of the archers were goblins, who promptly began climbing the large trees that had been left in the village. As they reached the upper boughs, she noticed hunting blinds and platforms hidden in the branches.
“Is that why you left trees in the village?” She asked Ograch.
“Partly. It was mostly so our lookouts could have a good field of view and the trees help keep the village hidden.”
“I see. So, what do you think our odds are?”
“Not great. There are too many gaunts and our numbers have not recovered from the last few years of being hunted and forced to move. Even if we win, the toll it will take on my people may be too much.”
“Did Nerek ever say why these bastards are coming this way?” Liv asked.
“Yes, the Hordefather said it was because of Lanek. Something about what is happening to him is driving them into a frenzy. Nerek said that the Hordefather was adamant that we protect Lanek. Not that we needed an order to do that, he is one of us and we would not abandon him.” Talwarg said as he joined them.
“It’s more than that, isn’t it?” Ivan asked as he stepped up to the group.
Talwarg sighed and nodded. “We’ve run for so long and the safe places we have found don’t last long enough to allow us to rebuild. At this rate, the tribe will die. But, if that human’s plan works and he truly will allow us to join him, then there may just be hope for us.”
“Why wouldn’t he allow you to join him? I thought he offered already?”
“He did and I trust Lanek, but my people don’t have the best of experiences with those of other races. Did Ograch tell you about our gods and the splitting of our race?” Ivan nodded. “Well, many of the other races could not or would not accept that we were not all like the ferals. So many peaceful tribes were slaughtered when they tried to make contact with the humans, elves, or dwarves.”
Seeing the aghast look on Ivan’s face, Liv stepped in. “I know, it is nonsense. Not all of the people of the world reacted that way. For example, my people never had an issue with the peaceful goblin tribes we encountered. I think it has to do with my people living near the Frozen Sea. The raider clans that roam those waters are little more than animals masquerading as humans. Even the dwarves and elves had their villainous kin out there committing atrocities. Bit of a massive double standard.”
“Sadly, that double standard and the slaughter of many peaceful tribes has made it so the Hordefather has far fewer followers than his siblings. The ferals outnumber us many times over and sometimes whole tribes will abandon our path and join with the ferals out of anger or simply to survive.” Ograch said somberly. “Even the Night Arrows have had a few of our number slip off and join the feral tribes we encountered.”
Before they could continue their conversation, one of the goblins shouted down from a tree. Talwarg glanced up and then turned to the gate. Without a word, he joined his hobgoblins at the gate. Meanwhile, the non-combatants began climbing the hill toward Talwarg’s home. It wasn’t much, but it was better than nothing if the warriors fell at the gate.
Ivan followed Ograch and Liv to the barricade, hefting a spear he had borrowed from a Night Arrow. When the two looked at him oddly, he explained that while it wasn’t his preferred weapon, he could still use it to help. Before they could object, a mist drifted around them. A moment later, Sanguineus emerged from the mist to stand next to Ivan and Kazuma reformed near Liv. Their message was clear, they would support the two.
Ograch gave the two animals a grateful scratch of the ears before sprinting to the nearest tree and climbing to one of the platforms. Drawing his bow, he scanned the forest for any sign of movement. Finally, he watched as the gaunts stepped from the forest, eerily silent as they stared at the village. He could hear confused voices calling down from the trees to Talwarg.
Suddenly, a roar sounded from the trees as a bulwark emerged, destroying the trees in its path with ease. However, there was something different about this bulwark, it was larger than the others Ograch and his tribe had seen. This monster looked tall enough to look over the palisade and into the village.
Even from up in the trees, Ograch could see Talwarg’s face pale as reports of the creature reached him. Grimly, the chieftain stood atop the barricade and turned to his people. He didn’t say a word, simply pointed to the top of the hill and the non-combatants before turning and hefting his massive axe. Talwarg didn’t need to say anything, the Night Arrows knew what he meant. They had to hold or their vulnerable kin would be slaughtered.
A roar of defiance tore from the throats of every Night Arrow present and the archers opened fire.