"Wakey wakey human!" Sven said, jumping on Malcolm's chest. "It's another beautiful day!"

"Uhhh!" Malcolm groaned. "Everything HURTS. Can't we just take today off? Just one day."

"No, no, no! If we hurry, we can reach our destination by sundown."

"Listen up Toesy. We have been walking for a WEEK and you still haven't told me where we are going! It's just DAY after DAY of hills!" Malcolm said angrily.

"Where we are headed is none of your concern HUMAN." Sven said, matching the man's tone. "This is Toe Goblin business. The only reason I brought you along is to make sure you don't run off. You still owe me the year, remember?"

"Fine. But once we arrive wherever you're taking us, I get to relax." Malcolm grumbled.

"Are we there yet?" Ask Malcolm, for the hundredth time that day.

"No." Sven simply replayed. "But we are close. Very close."

Suddenly one the Toe Goblins came running up from behind them, yelling something.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

Sven whipped around. "What are you DOING!?" He shouted. "You're the REAR guard! Now get back there!"

Once the Goblin had caught his breath, he blurted out. "Humans! Humans behind us!"

Panic swept through the group. If the soldiers in the village were right and the northern hills had fallen to the Northern tribes, then this was not good.

The tribesmen were notorious for their speed, stamina, and ruthlessness. If they found the Toe Goblins, they would kill first, and ask questions later.

"Hurry!" Sven ordered. "Our destination is just ahead!"

With Sven in the lead, the group ran for miles, taking a break periodically to catch their breath.

At last, Sven stopped. "We're here."

Malcolm looked around. "Here where?" The only thing for hundreds of feet was a large, flat rock half buried in the ground.

Sven turned to Malcolm. "Listen closely human. No man has ever seen what I am about to show you. So if you tell ANYONE." He poked his dagger into Malcolm's gut. "And I mean ANYONE; I will not hesitate to slit your throat."

"What exactly are you about to show me?" Quipped Malcolm. "The only thing here is a boring rock."

"Humans." Sven mumbled. "So impatient." Using his dagger, he tapped an intricate rhythm on the cold stone. "Come on... come on..." He muttered.

Then the rock began to move. Slowly, it swung upwards, revealing a dark ladder descending into the hill.

Once the hatch was fully opened, a little green Goblin head popped out and eyed Malcolm. "You have some audacity bringing a human here Sven! Yer sure he's trustworthy?"

Sven reached into his pouch, and pulled out one of Malcolm's toes. "He better be!"

The Goblin laughed. "Well then welcome home Sven! The plannin' has almost begun!"