Dawn heard a loud high pitched neigh as her carriage made a sudden stop. I was having such a nice dream too, Dawn thought as she let out a big yawn. She rubbed her eyes and asked, “Is everything okay up there?”

“Princess, it looks like there are some goblins trying to attack the carriage. Don’t worry, I can take care of them.” Replied a man's voice.

Dawn recognized the man’s voice as Leo, the man her mom sent to protect her on the road. Yeah like I am going to let him have all the fun, Dawn thought as she started putting on her leather armor. Dawn liked her armor, it fit well and made it so she could move around freely. She combed her hand through her hair, making sure to move her hair around her horns so they would show through her crimson red hair. She lastly strapped her scimitar to her leather belt.

Dawn stepped out of the carriage and onto the road. She could hear a river on the other side of the carriage. Wow, why is it so cold out here? She thought as she shivered. Dawn rubbed her eyes again and she looked around, there were five goblins. Leo was standing in front of her with his spear in both hands, fully clad in armor. He was a rather tall man about six foot, bright green hair, pointy ears and a rather fair face. His armor was silver thin platmail with blue accents to match his eyes. He was only a little older than her as he was 21 years old. Oh fuck, Dawn thought as she ducked as a fire ball went right over her head landing directly onto the carriage. The carriage ignited instantly.

“Oh come on, all my stuff is in there!” She screamed at the goblin who launched the flame. 

“Queen Julia was right.” Leo said, then he took a deep breath in. Wind started to surround Leo and he lunged forward, the wind pushing him forward and surrounding his spear. The wind pushed the spear deeper into the Goblin. 

The goblin squirmed and Leo looked to Dawn and said,  “demons are even attacking carriages on the road. Something has got to be making them this brave.” The goblin went limp on his spear and Leo swiped his spear to the side and the goblin slid off.

Dawn drew her sword in her right hand and focused on her left. Flames come to me so I can burn this goblin alive, she thought with anger. A powerful ball of flame gathered in her left hand. Dawn threw the ball of flame at the Goblin that set her stuff ablaze. It hit the goblin directly, liting it aflame and burning the goblin to ashes. Burn you stupid goblin, she thought as the smell hit her nostrils. She heard a high pitch neigh from behind, she quickly turned around only to see their carriage blitzing full speed the way they came. That's not good, Dawn thought as she turned around to the enemy at hand. What are we going to do now? Dawn could feel herself getting angry her skin started to turn slightly more red. She screamed change at the nearest goblin.

Dawn shouted, “all my stuff was in that carriage!” She slashed down at the goblin leaving a deep gash behind. For good measure she put her hand on his chest and ignited his chest point blank with as much flames as she could muster. “That's for my stuff!” The goblin burned to a crisp in seconds.

Gods these goblins smell so bad. Dawn thought after the smell of something akin to burning garbage hit her nostrils.

“That's not good, I do not think we are going to be able to catch up to the horses.” Leo threw his spear hitting another goblin in the forehead.  It fell to the ground as he walked towards it. “One left… You want it princess?”

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“Oh yeah I need to get my anger out somehow.” She said as she started to focus her flames into a sphere again. The Goblin turned around and started to run the other way. “I am not gonna let you get away after what you guys did!”  She yelled and launched the flame at the last goblin with a smile. The flame hit its square in the back and the last goblin fell to the ground burnt to a crisp. “Burn goblin burn! That was for my clothes!”

Leo looked at her and asked. “Now what, all our stuff is gone?”

“You are correct, not sure I needed to be reminded of that…” Dawn said, holding back her anger and looked around for a moment. “There has got to be an inn somewhere close to the river. We can follow that road and then figure out a plan.” 

Dawn pointed to a road that went along the river to the right of the bridge, the sun was setting and it was starting to get colder. Leo put his spear on his back and put his hand above his brow to see better. 

Leo said as he squinted, “I think I can see a building in the distance, did you manage to grab your gold before the carriage took off?”

Dawn stashed her sword in its sheath reaching for her coin pouch. Oh come on. Shrugging, she said, “I did not. How much money do you have on you?”

Leo took in a deep breath and then exhaled and said, “not much about 10 silver pieces. Wow, not the best way to start this journey.”

“Agreed, well that should be enough to get some food and stay the night… Right?” Dawn said as starting to walk towards the building in the distance, she walked with grace and a little speed. At least I hope so, Leo has taken care of paying people so far.

“It should be enough, yes,” Leo said as he walked next to her. 

As they walked along Leo looked to the fence to their right. “Oh wow look at that they must have built this wooden fence rather fast and recently from the looks of it. Probably to keep the goblins out.”

Dawn looked to her right, the fence did look like it was put together quickly and there were logs leaning up against it. “You are more than likely correct. Looks like it's not just in the Fire Empire that they are getting more aggressive.”

Leo nodded and rubbed his chin as he said, “looks like Queen Julia was right. We should try to get the word out as fast as possible and get everyone on the same page. The roads at least at the borders aren't as safe as I thought they would be. We are gonna have to find another route.”

Dawn looked around and thought out loud, “maybe a boat would be best. We could ask the inn if their town has a ferry service.”

“Good call we will have to ask when we get there.” He pointed down the road and said, “Looks like there is a town that way, wanna head there now?”

“Nah it's cold and getting dark, I think the inn is the best place to start. Maybe they will have some warmer clothes too.” She then cupped her hands and gathered flames in her palms holding it to her face, “Awe nice and warm.”

“It would not be a bad idea to buy some cloaks not only to stay warm but to hide a bit. If the boat idea falls through, we can always use them to stay a little bit more hidden on the road.” As he approached the door he grabbed the handle, twisting it. Opening it and bowing in one quick motion. He then put on his best butler impression and said “After you princess.”

“Thank you sir.” She then walked in and so did he, closing the door behind him.