A week later. The four were at Zaploc’s compound high in the mountains. It was early afternoon. The young goblin warriors in training were sparring with blunted weapons in the compound. Gilreg and Shaymus were doing solo drills and occasionally would enter a sparring bout with the younger warriors. This always resulted in a trainee limping off with an injury whenever they went up against Shaymus. Gilreg was more gentle with them. He switched between sword and axe and always used his shield.

On this day, Raine and Nulrok were also at the compound. Raine was alternating between archery and swordplay. She was currently going through sword drills with Zaploc. Nulrok was now ready to use fire magic offensively and was practicing shooting fiery darts at boulders. He still needed to use the wand for focus and could now shoot off ten spells before needing to break and meditate to keep his mind intact.

Throughout the courtyard, the sounds of wood hitting on wood echoed and mixed in with grunts. The occasional “whoosh” was heard as Nulrok launched fire missiles at boulders lined with scorch marks. The sound of a horn was faintly heard from the direction of the town. Everyone paused what they were doing and looked over the ridge to their tribe. Zaploc’s face became gravely serious, and he immediately gathered the four guardians together.

“We are under attack,” he rasped.

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“What?!?” Gilreg asked.

“The horn, our village is under attack!” The old warrior repeated.

The four went over the ledge and looked down into the distance to their village. Smoke was coming from the entrance, where the Board of the Fallen was. With her keen eyes, Raine could make out their attackers.

“Adventurers,” she said and made to run off, but Gilreg grabbed her arm. Her blue eyes flashed dangerously at him.

The warrior scanned the scene below him. His mind was calculating. He felt Raine begin to break from his grip. Gilreg looked and saw that his squad was with him. He had an idea.

“Let’s not forget who we are,” he said, looking Raine directly in the eyes.

“We are guardians, and we ambush adventurers,” he added.

Raine relaxed, but her eyes still had a dangerous edge to them. The tribe had a small number of defenders. She was the chieftain’s daughter, and the safety of the village was of paramount importance to her.

“Zaploc, care for the children. You three follow me. I have a plan,” Gilreg said and ran off.

Raine, Nulrok, and Shaymus followed him. He did not take the mountain path they took to come to Zaploc’s compound. He took a back route. A path that was not intended to be a path. It was a treacherous climb down, and the guardians traversed it rapidly. A small slip could be fatal. But they were goblins. They were guardians. They lived in the mountains their entire life. Running was in their blood. Ambushing adventurers were what they were good at.