As we get ready to set out for our long journey back to civilization, I take a round through my camp looking for anything that I might have forgotten. This reminds me of my old life, checking that I have not forgotten to pack anything in my luggage. The main difference is the huge storage space I got, which means that nothing that can be picked up is left behind. Even the shelter I used for the front of the cave has been repurposed and stored in my soul space.
Three days later we set up camp on the same clearing once steeped in goblin blood. There are no longer any signs of the fight that took place. Setting up a fireplace in the middle of the clearing, I ask if everyone has been to take a leak. Not sure how to ask that in a nice way, but no one seems bothered. As everyone gather around the fireplace I deploy our mobile camp fortification.
I summon a large wooden structure from my storage. The largest by far I have been able to store. Around the group is fence of solid vertical timbers with enough gap in between the timber for a spear to stab out but no room large enough for anything to get in. The fence is kept together in a perfect circle by the multiple crossbeams above our heads A rudimentary roof is attached to the top. Outside sharp stakes are pointed outward in every direction making an approach to the centre almost impossible for large animals. The stakes are tied to the bottom of the circular fence and a series of diagonal downward sloping stabilizing beams going from the top of the fence. I call it my porcupine.
Inside the structure we cover the walls with pelts and cloth from the loot to keep the wind out. It was built for safety, not comfort. The few times we have been attacked at night, we stay inside stabbing any animals that come too close. Larger animals stay clear of the awkward looking structure. Combined with the basic training the girls had back at the hut, it has helped keep us safe during our journey.
Most of the fighting is done by me, but a small contribution from Kira. Lawra and Lynne guard the none combatants in the middle of our group, staying to either side of Mari, Mara and Naomi which forms the soft core of our formation. It has proved successful as Lynne and Lawra are able to keep animals that approach us from the side at bay until either my arrows or Kira's knifes take them down. With my skills we are avoiding larger animals. We should in theory experience less dangerous animals east of the pass as the area is frequented by hunters.
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Just east of the pass I was proven wrong. My alert picked up unknown danger just north of us heading in our direction at too high speed to avoid for our group. Turning south west we started to look for a suitable place to meet the half a dozen unknown opponents that had caught our scent. As they clearly know where we are going I find us a small plateau on the mountainside. The higher ground will give me the high ground advantage. I deploy the camp with me on the roof looking for enemies. This was always my plan if we encountered intelligent opponents.
Kira wanted to join me on the roof, but we would only make twice the target. I am planning to take down the opponents at a distance anyway. As our pursuers come into view Kira shouts up to me, "Kobolts". "Anything you can tell me about them?", I ask back. Her response does not give me a lot more information than I have already gleaned. More intelligent and stronger than goblins, but fight is smaller groups. Prefer to hunt weaker opponents than to engage in a suicidal attack. Their furry animal appearance is often mistaken for beast-kin, but while beastmen are classed as demi-humans, Kobolts are classed as magical monsters or beasts just like goblins.
Beast-kin, demi-humans, magical monsters; not sure what it all means. They are probably categories used by humans to class the different races. What I can tell is that this group of Kobolts are not friendly. As they advance up the sloop, I consider loosing an arrow, but reconsider. I might scare them from advancing up the hillside, but it might just mean they try to ambush us when we head down. I need to wipe them out completely to avoid any further encounter with their kind.
As they come closer I estimate my success rate of taking out all six before they run for cover. I wait until the closest one looses an arrow of his own. His shot is off mark and immediately followed by my own arrows. Their attack immediately turns into a route, but before any of them reach the bottom of the hill, they are all dead or dying on the hillside. When finished they all end up in my storage. Apparently their fur is highly sought after. They also have bigger mana stones than the goblins.
We proceed directly east without any further encounters. It seems the Kobolts chose the danger of hunters over the danger of the more fierce animals west of the mountain. At the moment it is all speculations as I don't actually know how many or how strong these hunters are.