The four guardians traveled down the mountainside and onto the rocky plains. Their path took them to a large rubble-filled ruin. The remnants of a powerful and ancient civilization that has long ago collapsed and been forgotten. Even time was not able to diminish fully the greatness of this empire. The walls, the ones that were still standing, were finely chiseled. Some buildings showed evidence of being massive and rose many meters up into the air. The four picked their way carefully and cautiously through the rubble.

"Be careful here. There is a trap," Raine said and motioned to a thin wire.

"Ain't this a beauty?" Shaymus asked as she inspected the trap. She tugged on the string.

"What are you doing?!?" Gilreg exclaimed.

"Traps are supposed to have some slack, knucklehead. Otherwise, they would be triggered by the elements. If I pushed more as if I was walking through it, then I would trigger it," Shaymus said and eyed the string as it rose slightly off the dirt floor. She followed the path.

"It would trigger this mechanism which in turn will destabilize that wall and cause it to collapse on the unfortunate soul that stepped through this wire," Shaymus continued with admiration.

"Just step around it. We didn't ask for a lesson," Raine growled and moved onwards ahead of the group with her bow at the ready.

Shaymus stuck out her tongue at the retreating chieftain's daughter and made to follow. Raine was in the lead, Shaymus and Nulrok took up the middle, and Gilreg held the rear. The warrior had his shield out, and his sword and axe were within easy reach. They picked their way through the rubble-strewn streets and alleys. Nulrok eyed the walls with curiosity. Every now and then, the mage would run his hands along the surfaces.

"I wonder about the people who lived here," the mage asked.

Raine was conflicted. She did not want to waste any more time. But a talk about history, one of her passions, was hard for her to pass up. She stopped and looked around to make sure they were in a safe spot. She turned to the mage.

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"From what I was able to find and read. I think this was a goblin city," she said with a slight rise in her voice which indicated that she was excited to share her hypothesis.

"Goblins?" The mage asked. His pure black eyes were raised in surprise.

"Yes, have you noticed the doors and layout are good for goblin-sized people? Slightly smaller for humans," the chieftain's daughter replied.

"Could fit for dwarves or elves," Shaymus said.

"A little too narrow for Dwarves," Gilreg joked. Dwarves were known to be thick.

"I say Goblins. Look at these sketchings," Raine said and motioned to a wall with faded markings. The images looked like people. To Gilreg's astonishment, they looked goblinoid! They had sharp features, but there were also images of the softer-looking high races. He showed that to Raine.

"I think that either this was a Goblin kingdom or a city where all the races lived together. I would guess in harmony based upon the magnificence of these structures, even now. They must have been a wonder to behold when they were still standing," she answered dreamily.

"It is a curiosity to me. What had happened to our people and this kingdom," Nulrok said.

"Yea, how did we end up living here and the High Races have the good land," Shaymus growled.

"You like living in the mountains," Gilreg teased.

"That's right! Keeps me strong," the pale-eyed little goblin said.

"A war? A magical battle that destroyed this place?" Raine attempted to answer Nulrok as she rubbed her calloused green hand along a pile of rubble that still showed scorch marks.

"But why?" Queried the mage. At this, the other simply shrugged, and they continued to walk on.

Nulrok closed his eyes and breathed deeply. After a moment, he reopened them. "I sense a lot of mana here. It feels unsettled, more active."

"Mana?" Shaymus asked.

"Yes, it is the force I can draw upon to power my spells."

"Some places have more mana than others?" The petite goblin asked, her pale eyes curious.

"Yes, some places can have no mana, and then I will have to draw more upon my own energy, which is very limiting," the mage explained.

"Why you should learn blades. I can use them anywhere," Shaymus said, and she twirled her dagger through her dexterous fingers.

"Hush!" Raine exclaimed. The four quieted, and they heard what she heard. The sounds of battle.