With each passing day, the weather got colder and the trees more lifeless, winter was imminent. The goblins were gathering resources for the journey: food, charcoal, wood, our treasures, and so on. The issue of food was an ever-present one, I was worried that we were overestimating our current food supply, and that concern kept growing more dreadful with each passing day.

The hunters were always vigilant for prey and always checking their traps, which were always nearly empty. Most animals were either hibernating or migrating for the winter, thus we were not able to hunt anything. The few preys still active were evasive, too difficult for our small team to catch.

I was sat on my throne, contemplating our next course of action and stroking my beard. I had nothing to shave with, thus over months, I had grown a small beard. My thoughts were disrupted when a goblin came running in. “Great Chief! We found some strange tracks in the ground.”

The goblin, who I recognized as a member of the hunting team, led me to the strange trail and showed me what seemed like hoof tracks. I was no hunter, so I could not determine the animal they belonged to. I called Rugum over to inspect them. Rugum knelt, and pressed his hand into them, taking a whiff of the soil. “I think these are goat tracks,” he said confusedly.

I understood why he was confused, over months of hunting in this forest, we had never encountered any goats at all, boars and moose at most.

“Didn’t we find a goat in the stomach of the snake we gutted?” One goblin spoke up.

Indeed that was true, this meant that the snake had eaten goats earlier. Perhaps this was the same goat? There might be a herd of them hidden somewhere. The prospect of a herd of goats was far too enticing, it would be a great windfall for the tribe and boost our food stores greatly. The migration could wait. What would be the point of migrating with no food?

“Right, let’s follow the tracks, and see where they take us,” I said and Rugum nodded. He summoned his snake made of gemstone, and then he ordered it to track the scent. We slowly followed the stone snake as it slithered through the forest floor without pause.

Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author's preferred platform and support their work!

The snake led us a long distance, eventually taking us to an area with plenty of chopped trees, and flattened ground. “There are human tracks here.” One goblin pointed out.

I clicked my tongue in frustration, it was best to return home and explore this area once more with a stronger force. It was far too foolhardy to charge into an area with humans.

The following day, Zotnik, his frogs and Voglo accompanied us. Voglo's magic made him indispensable, now even more so due to his [Healing Glow Heliodor]. With great caution, we made our way back to the deforested area. Following the mixture of human and goat tracks led us into a small and narrow valley, which was blocked off by a wooden palisade. The humans had fortified the valley. We hid from a great distance away from it.

“Baah…” Echoed faintly through the area. We knew that this was the right spot. We camped out in the forest, observing any potential movement until our silence was disrupted by a small herd of goats, being guided by a fully armoured person. These goats were baaing innocently, and their appearance was incredibly unique. Their horns were transparent, almost as if they were made of crystals, and their fur was silvery, smooth and long. The gate was opened from the inside, and the goats followed the armoured man on their own into the camp without any qualms.

My heart raced upon seeing the animals, a whole herd of resources: fur, milk, cheese and meat. The value of the giant snake and its hoard paled in comparison to the opportunity presented by these goats. I regretfully admitted it was a foolish decision to have attacked that snake. But this... These goats were a true treasure.

Everyone agreed this was an important mission. This time we only brought experienced personnel, to avoid needless deaths like last time. Yet, I was perplexed by the reason as to why there were goats here in the first place. Judging by the defences, I doubt it had to do with starting a nice farm in the forest. Regardless, I would get my hands on those goats if it was the last thing I did.

A stealthy approach was the most appropriate, Zotnik’s frogs were too large for a stealthy infiltration, so they kept a lookout on the outside. We waited until it was dark, smoke was rising from the camp, and the valley walls was faintly illuminated by a campfire. We silently crept towards the wall. I used my [Disks of Stone] spell, conjuring all 3 slabs. I beckoned the goblins to stand on the stones, which I then levitated upwards all the way to the top of the wooden wall, functioning as a makeshift magical elevator. Once at the top, I gently lowered the goblins as to not make any sound. I repeated this with everyone, including myself. After that, I dispelled the stones.

On the other side of the palisade, the interior of the camp was revealed. Primitive barns were dug into the valley walls in which the goats were sleeping. Our small group hid behind a boulder and a couple of crates. Further into the camp was a campfire, around which some people were sitting down together. It was impossible to release the goats without alerting humans.

I equipped the bloody barbute and cast its spell silently. “Crimson Arrow,” I whispered. The arrow manifested at my fingertips, and I aimed it at a person who wasn’t wearing a helmet. The arrow quickly cut through the air, and nearly instantly the man fell over with the arrow in the back of his head.

“We are under attack!” Another man yelled. With that, the goblins sprang forward to combat the enemies.