Arkevh watched Craftol from the same position he scouted the Camp out with Donovan a few hours before.

And Craftol kept his Promise.

Him delivering the Shadowhounds head but also the Shamans staff was the sign that he was the new Leader of this Goblin camp. Normally the Goblins could reject the new Leader with a fight to the death but the Goblins seemed to be too shocked and surprised to see the Shaman and the Shadowhound dead at the same time.

So they listened to their new leader, the Goblin tinkerer Craftol, the first time a Goblin Tinkerer ever overpowered a Magical Creature and a Shaman at the same time, prompting obedience by the Goblins. Leading them to the Mountain Camps without much preparation was an instant command.

Being too focused on the marsh of Goblins leaving their camp, Arkevh doesn’t notice who sneaks up to him. To its relief and surprise it was Craftol who rummaged through the Bushes to reach him. How did he even found him up here?

“Shouldn’t you be down there?”, Arkevh asks, confused and looks back to the Goblin camp that slowly empties itself.

“Not if I gave the lead to another Goblin Tinkerer I trust, in being a better leader then me.”, Craftol explains and leans back.

“Fine with me as long as I don't need to use my powers to get them to leave.” , Arkevh explains and stands up.

“They just let you leave?”, Arkevh ads and cleans his robe.

“Indeed I told them a story that I obtained the power of the Shadowhound and haunt them if they resist their leader. Even without that i know he is a pretty good fighter for a Tinker he should do fine,”, Craftol chuckles and turns back to Arkevh.

“I’m grateful to you Arkevh. There may be people like the Shaman you can’t change but in this camp there are a lot of Goblins whose lives you have possibly changed with getting rid of the old Leader. They will find their own way like me.”, Craftol explains

“And now, what is your Way?”, Arkevh questions the green goblin that got smaller by now, his potion effect didn’t seem to hold for that long.

Hearing this Question Craftol begins to get nervous not being able to say something that made sense for a while.

“I maybe wanted to ask if I, you know, could join you. But I'm not sure because of that Knight.”, Craftol explains.

“I'm sure we find a compromise, he is bound to me for a few days for now then he is gone for a while.”, Arkevh explains

“You can join the Adventurers Guild like me, pretty sure Nolan takes everyone that behaves.”

“I would love to.”, Craftols eyes lit up.

“Fine then let's return.”, Arkevh starts and faces to the direction of Farsen.

“Wait a moment.”, Craftol interrupts him.

“What is it?”, Arkevh asks, turning his head around.

“You don’t really seem to be best friends with that Knight right.”, Craftol asks carefully.

Arkevh sights and turns around fully.

“Maybe, I don't really have anyone else and he was the first one who really talked with me after they discovered my Talents. However he seems to focus on his goals trying to follow his Codex every time it gets difficult after a while.”, Arkevh explains.

“You really don’t have anyone else?”, Craftol asked

“No not really, i don’t know anything about my Parents and i wasn’t really playing with the other children in the orphanage. That all changed as soon as my magic got discovered, I suddenly was famous but only for that thing.”, Arkevh responded.

“I understand but what is an orphanage?”, Craftol asks, confused.

Arkevh just laughs.

“I'll tell you later but now it's my turn to ask, how did you find me up here?”

“It's hard to explain but I felt your presence somehow?”, Craftol explains unsure.

Arkevh closed his eyes.

The power to locate other peoples Magic energy was one of the basics of being a mage, hiding it as well. Every being excretes Mana. The more controlled the flow and the less powerful the easier it was to conceal it

With this deep meditation he was able to feel that something changed about Craftols Aura. It reminded Arkevh of himself.

“Since I touched the Shadowhounds head I had a connection to you in some way, but it slowly starts to get weaker ”, Craftol continues.

“Last night you mentioned that the Shadowhound has a similar Aura to yours. I don’t have much knowledge about magic, but do you know what causes this?”, Craftol asks interested.

“Not entirely sure but I assume it's because of our shared magic, the third eye seems to connect beings.”, Arkevh explains and looks back into the forest.

“So you coming with us now?”, Arkevh asks one more time.

“Yes I am.”, Craftol ensures and follows Arkevh back to Farsen.

Donovan's Sword swung through green and branches as he made his way towards Farsen.

He still didn’t trust the Goblin, however he admired Arkevh for his decisions.

He tried to find the best solution without spilling much blood, but how long would that go well?

He looked down at his hands, The Head of the Shaman dangled in Donovan's left arm. To his surprise the eye symbol had already fade away.

Out of nowhere Donovan hears a soft voice.

“Donovan, you seem unsure?”, Helland explains and touches his shoulder. The mist from his eye created a foggy silhouette in front of him, resembling his Master.

“I am, will the Plan to save Ljus from the order of Mörk work?”, Donovan asked.

“Of course it will, I worked for this since my birth and you and Arkevh are the base for that.”, Helland explains

Donovan takes a while and remembers the symbol on the Goblins, the Shadowhound but also on Arkevh. There was a relation to it Helland never revealed to his trusted student, so he decided to ask.

“What is going on with the third eye, I see it everywhere by now.”, Donovan asks unsure.

“The Presence of Yasoma is getting stronger, don't worry about it, I will explain everything as soon as you return to the church. You are tainted with Arkevh's magic thanks to your contact but also the Gods, it's time for your last step when you return to me.”, Helland explains.

"How open your hand."

“I am Honored to help you.”, Donovan explains and opens his hand. After some time something crystallized in his hand, a purple Gem in which mist circled around.

“I don’t have enough power to communicate with you further, if you are committed to the cause you need to give Arkevh the gem in the right moment, when he least expects it.”, with those words he fades away.

Arkevh could not decide his fate.

Donovan stands still for a while, however he turns around and raises his sword as he hears steps coming from his back. Something rummaged through the bushes. Ready to plunge his sword into the enemies he focuses on the sounds.

To his surprise it was Arkevh.

“How did you catch up so fast?”, Donovan asks confused.

“Thanks to Craftol.”, Arkevh explains.

Like someone summoned him the Goblin appears in a Bush next to Arkevh getting hit by some thorns on the bushes, acting like nothing happened.

“We Goblins know some shortcuts, through the Woods. We are close to Farsen we got you on the last stretch.”, Craftol smiles.

Donovan looks at Arkevh annoyed, did he want to bring him back to Helgria? In addition, why did he dare to carry the Goblins belongings with him.

“What are you up to Arkevh, do you want to take him back to the Adventures Guild?”, Donovan speaks up again.

“I will talk with Nolan about it.”, Arkevh answers convinced.

Donovan growls again.

“If he steps out of the Line once I'm gonna kill him, understand?” Donovan explains and continues up north.

“Farsen is further east.”, Craftol says after him.

“Shut up!”

After a few minutes of walking they finally reach Farsen, a small Village north of Helgria, close to the main road.

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The Main entrance was guarded by two guards who looked rather damaged. Protecting a little Palisade that gave the Village some protection.

The Guards themselves were covered in bruises and scratches. The Armor they wore was damaged and covered in dirt, their pants were poorly repaired with some quick stitches.

As the three stepped outside of the forest the Guards raised their lances at them until they realized that a Holy Knight was with them.

They lowered the Weapons a bit but still looked at Craftol in hostility, who got grabbed on the Neck by Arkevh and risen into the air.

“We got a hostage and took care of your Goblin problem.”, Arkevh explains and looks at Donovan demanding, who growls and raises the Head of the Shaman for everyone to see.

The guards freeze in surprise, until the one on the left starts to speak up.

“You really got rid of them?”, the guard asks unsure at first.

Arkevh just nods and puts Craftol down.

“How and who are you?”, the other guard joined.

“With some tricks we were able to get rid of them, you can take the Weapons they left off.”, Arkevh explains.

“Give me the head and the Goblin you left alive. I will take care of them after I lead you to our mayor.”, the guard on the right explains.

Arkevh nods but only gives him the head.

“The Goblin is under my lead for now, he won’t cause any harm.”, Arkevh explains.

“Who do you think you are?”, the Guard yells at him.

“Do you know how many people they have killed?”, he exclaims further.

“They did it, not this Goblin though, he is under my protection.", Arkevh explains.

“Are you insane kid, do they teach you to forget our history? The Followers of Mörk also include Goblin tribes now. Did you forgot what happened in Darkingstone? After the Orc Shaman was defeated the Orcs collapsed the Tunnels on purpose!”, the Guard tells Arkevh enraged and grabs him by the shoulder.

“That is false, Arkevh's Magic collapsed the Tunnels.”, He answers.

“How are you so sure boy?”, the Guard questions enraged.

“Cause he is Arkevh.”, Donovan answers annoyed and goes closer towards his companion, slowly drawing the gem from his pocket, Craftol was too focused on the left guard, who still pointed the lance towards him.

“And I am the Son of Yasoma.”, The Guard jokes.

“I know you don’t like your magic but show it to them this one time. The people in Farsen need to trust you.”, Donovan explains.

Arkevh just nods and reveals his third eye, as he gets engulfed in a violet Aura, the guards turn back in shock. Before Craftol could look back, Donovan inserts the Gem in Arkevh's shoulder and keeps his hand onto it. The Gem combines with his body instantly, creating the Connection. Arkevh would not feel the gem in this form, he was too focused to not unleash an attack.

After a while the glow dies out and Donovan lifts the hand from his companion.

Arkevh takes a while to speak up again and washes away the blood from his nose.

“I’m sorry what happened in Darkingstone but please trust me.”, Arkevh asks.

The guard gulps but nods, afterwards.

“I understand Arkevh, please follow me.”, The Guard goes ahead and leads them inside of Farsen. He only heard about this power. Feeling it was something else, the eye of Yasoma that saved them in Darkingstone was real, holding immense powers that collapsed the halls of Skull Mountain.

Wandering through the Village Arkevh realized why the inhabitants hated the Goblins. On the wet dirt paths sat multiple injured and burned down houses that did not seem to be a rarity in the western side littered the surroundings.

The more they looked around the village the more destruction seemed to show itself until they reached the almost unharmed northern side, which had paved stone streets again, leading out further to the northwestern road.

Craftol looked down the entire way, even though he wasn’t responsible for it he knew that his kind caused so much suffering to the people of a small village. He wanted to redeem himself with the Help of Arkevh. He could feel the same emotions in him.

As they entered the market square right in front of the mayor's houses they saw a crowd of people gathering around a pedestal on which a man stood. Covered in a garb revealing the Carwitz blazon.

Three crows that all rose up to the sky. Each of them carried a different object, a sword, a feather and a coin, symbolizing strength, innovation and wealth.

“People of Farsen! King Alexander abandoned you, look at what happened to the Village. He can’t even Protect his people from the Goblins, he won't protect you from the Orcs either. After he dies without a follower it is the time for Carwitz, we will protect you and continue to send food supplies!”, the Man on the pedestal screams out.

“The Followers of Mörk must pay for this. It can’t be that the King lets them inside Helgria, like Echsanos or even heretics like the Dragonborn that worship the Dragons more than Yasoma, Ljus is in danger!”, He yells out once again.

“Should we give him the Goblin's Head so he stops screaming. Carwitz did nothing for the people over here for years”, Arkevh asks.

“Let him be, the Mayor will take care of him after we are done here.”, Donovan answers and looks back at the man on the pedestal, who yelled out once again.

“As soon as we get to power we punish the orcs, the Goblins, the ogres and all the other scum for their sins towards Yasoma!”.

Escaping from the market square they entered the mayor's house, a pretty sizable wooden hut, which was reached by climbing some stone stairs towards it, that also directly led to a well in the middle of the market square. The guard from the entrance brought them to two of his companions who guarded the house's entrance.

“I’m here to bring those people towards the mayor, they are Arkevh and Donovan, they got a Goblin hostage and killed the Goblin Shaman.”, he explains and points at the Goblin head in his hand.

“Good work, we take over from here.”, the Guards explain and look towards Craftol.

“Either we kill the Goblin or someone takes care of them, while we visit the mayor.”, one of the guards explains and grabs the scabbard of his sword.

To Arkevh's surprise Donovan speaks up, waving to the guards that they should lower the hands from their weapons.

“Let me do it Arkevh, you accepted this task and you will speak with the mayor.”, Donovan explains, giving Arkevh an assuring smile.

“You can also talk with-”, Arkevh starts to explain but gets cut off by the guards.

“Then it's settled, follow us inside, you are the Arkevh right?”, One of the guards asks and opens the door.

Arkevh just sighs

“Yes that's me.”, he explains and follows them inside.

As they vanished Donovan looked at Craftol once again.

“You listened in the forest right, i will be gone soon, you behave understood?”, he says menacingly resulting in Craftol nodding dejected.

“You are really the Arkevh.”, the Mayor asks, eying Arkevh who set across the desk on a padded stool.

Arkevh just nodded.

“I thank you, you saved the people of Farsen i don’t know how i can show myself grateful. What animated you to help us.”, The Mayor asks and eyes Arkevh once again with his brown eyes.

“Thanks to Nolan, he had the letters put on display in the Adventurers Guild in Helgria.”, Arkevh answers.

“I understand.”, the mayor explains and rummages through the Drawers on his desk.

The mayor of Farsen was more nondescript than Arkevh thought. He was two heads smaller than Arkevh and wore a basic tunic, the only thing that stuck out was his braided brown hair and the golden Necklace he wore around his chest.

After some time the mayor finds what he was looking for, a sealed envelope Containing Silver Coins. He puts it on the desk and shoves it to Arkevh who just declines.

“Use it for the rebuilding of the village now that the Goblins are gone.”, Arkevh explains.

“Nolan will pay us the rest.”, he ensures.

“You really want nothing from us?”, the Mayor asks unsure.

Arkevh considers for a while.

“There is maybe one thing, is there space on the next carriage to Helgria. I forgot to take horses, and I don't want to take the way on foot again.”, Arkevh explains shy.

The Mayor just smiles.

“I see what I can do for you. How many people do you need to transport?”

“two Humans and a Goblin. ”, Arkevh answers.