The Wheels of the carriage rolled over the northern road, back to Helgria. However it wasn’t a carriage designed for people transport but rather for Wheat and other Groceries.

Cramped together the three sat on the back of the carriage, surrounded by labeled crates, filled with Apples, Cheese but also Salt from Skarv, looking over to the fields on the side of the path.

“We will reach Helgria in the Evening.”, Hannes explained but suddenly stopped to speak as he looked towards his passengers more closely.

“You two?”, he asks, surprised, resulting in Arkevh and Donovan looking at each other for a while unsure.

“My Name is Hannes, i was one of the farmers near Martins burned down Farm who helped to repair it for a while, nice to see you still alive.”, he explains.

“Glad we could help.”, Donovan announced and looked at Craftol, who sat next to Arkevh. He looked down and said nothing.

“You took care of the Goblin Problem?”, Hannes asked

“I see you got a Hostage there, why isn’t he blindfolded?”

Donovan looked over to Arkevh urging him to reply, justifying his actions at the Goblin camp.

Arkevh takes a while to respond, he was unsure what to say, would they understand? The Guards and also Donovan did not seem keen on the idea to spare the Goblin, but how would the farmers react?

Hannes saw what the Goblins did to their friends, burning down what they worked for their entire life, the ogre wanting to sell them as slaves, could they forgive Craftol if he showed them he was different. Arkevh needed to be honest.

“I think Craftol is different.”, Arkevh starts to explain, resulting in Hannes turning around. Readjusting his blond curly hair on the way.

“And you are sure about that?”, Hannes asks, impressed.

Arkevh couldn’t tell which impressive feeling it was. Was he Impressed by Arkevh's stupidity or how naive he was.

“I don’t believe that every Goblin is a bad being, we have Kobold's working for us right? Goblins did that too once, he can even speak the Human language.”, Arkevh explains.

“But those times are long over. Since the Orc Invasion many Goblin tribes sided with the Order of Mörk.”, Donovan interrupts the conversation.

“But not all.”, Arkevh tries.

Hannes just laughs as he turns back to his horses, commanding them to go further west, staying on the road.

“I do not care if I’m being honest. I saw that you can act appropriately as Martin told me. How you defeated the Ogres and the Goblin together for example. I don’t need to trust them, I don't even trust most Nobles and they are all Humans.”, Hannes laughs.

“I thank you Hannes.”, Arkevh's explains and smiles.

Donovan just rolled his eyes.

“How did you even get rid of the Goblin camp, did you use your Magic like in Darkingstone Arkevh?”, Hannes asks.

“Not really, Craftol did it.”, Arkevh answers and points to their new Companion, who turns red.

“I could have not done it without you, you killed the Shaman.”, Craftol reminds him and looks in the direction of the farms that started to appear at the Horizon once again.

“And you beat the Shadowhound and found a peaceful solution as well. I believe that we can continue working together.”, Arkevh counters and looks over to Donovan as Craftol takes his time to answer and just smiles.

He just sat there, supporting his head with his right arm looking west. Further down West was the Sea, one of the most dangerous places in the known World. The only notable Harbors were in the South and even then boats were not really used often. Why should they?

The only boats that existed were trading vessels used in the Rivers all across Ljus. Giant Boats for Exploration were not a thing. Every Expedition far out to the great Ocean failed. Besides one. Before the Orc Invasion, shortly after there were believable records of time there was said to be one expedition that reached the Dark continent of Mörk. The ship returned with a traumatized crew, telling tales of demon-like creatures that cursed them.

Not even one year after the expedition all of them died of a mysterious disease.

However Arkevh would be lying if he did not want to see Mörk for himself, even though an expedition to this place would mean instant death.

“Then I will trust that you teach that Goblin how to behave.”, Hannes rips Arkevh out of his considerations about the far off world.

“Someone with your god given magic will surely be able to do that.”, Hannes laughs.

“Indeed.”, Donovan ensures without looking at Arkevh and Craftol.

In the Evening they arrived back in Helgria, it was late and Arkevh decided to meet up with Nolan before he closed his tavern.

He joined Hannes after he stored his and Craftols Backpacks in his house, it was close to the Warehouse Hannes drove to.

“Good night you two, I will probably visit the tavern close by now.”, Hannes explains.

“You can come with us two if you want.”, Arkevh offers.

Hannes nods happy

“I sure will.”

“T-Tavern, with me?”, Craftol asks unsure.

“Isn’t that the place where all the Humans go at night to drink?”

“Not all but many. That is not the thing however, I know someone who I can borrow too, so you have a place to sleep.”, Arkevh explains.

Donovan answers with a growl.

“Do what you want. I'm going to bed. I don’t need the pay.”, Donovan says and starts to leave towards the inner circle.

“What is up with him?”, Hannes asks worried.

“He is probably way too tired.”, Arkevh answers and opens his mantle, revealing a large side pocket.

“We can be happy there aren’t many people outside right now, hop in you are small enough so i can hide you for now.”, Arkevh explains

“Aren’t Goblins technically allowed to walk outside like Kobold's with a Human caretaker?”, Hannes asks

“They are, but I am not authorized to do so and I also don’t want to make everyone alert.”, Arkevh explains and goes towards the Tavern, away from the Warehouse Hannes delivered his supplies too.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

He just shrugs and follows.

“If someone asks, I don't know who you are.”

The Tavern at night was surprisingly filled with a lot of different people. Arkevh could recognize a few armored knights from earlier but also the two Warriors that he met on the first day. There was some music playing by a little band of musicians that were located on the right side of the Tavern. Letting their relaxing Tunes fill the room. Nolan was assisted by the Guilds smith they saw on the first day, who gave the customers their ordered beverages.

He looked rather clumsy balancing all these drinks but Nolan seemed to be fine with that.

The old Man laughed and smiled, probably thanks to the fact that the Tavern was visited by a lot of people once again. As he saw Arkevh approach the counter, Nolan's Smile got even brighter.

“Good to meet you here, did you get rid of the Goblins?”, Nolan asks, smiles and taps another beer to offer it to Arkevh instantly. He declines and shoves it towards Hannes who takes it gratefully and sits down at a free seat.

“Why are there suddenly so many people?”, Arkevh asks and lets his view ponder through the Tavern, almost every seat was occupied by someone.

“Bryan that Devil, told people that Arkevh and Donovan joined the Guild.”, he laughs.

“And now people come here in hopes to see them, look, the first people are looking at you, a bit more time and they know who you are.”, Nolan smiles.

Nolan was right, as Arkevh turned around once again, a good chunk of people close to the Counter turned around seemingly listening to their conversion. It wasn’t a good place to talk with Nolan about Craftol.

“I will do it later. Nolan we need to talk about something important.”, Arkevh tries to lead the conversation onto a more important topic.

“What do you want?”, he asks and stacks the next couple of beer mugs on to a plate that Bork delivers towards the next table.

“Not here, can we go into a side room.”,

“Sure if that is what you want.”, Nolan replies and opens the swing gate for him.

Arkevh enters and follows him to a side room he was not able to see before, it was built next to the Kitchen.

Nolan opened an old looking thick spruce door and led him into a small inconspicuous dining room.

Inside the room there was a small bronze chandelier hanging from the ceiling, packed with fire spirit lamps. On both the Southern and the Northern wall were multiple Bookshelves that were filled with various tomes that looked older than Helgria itself.

“This is the room I often go into when I need a pause from all the customer interactions.”, Nolan explains and points towards a table inside the middle of the room.

Four wooden chairs were placed around the oval shaped spruce table on which glasses and a bottle of wine was located. The Glasses were decorated with extraordinary forms reminding Arkevh of repeating arrow heads. Arkevh remembered what Nolan told them on their first visit. The expensive Wine from the South of Ljus and the carefully crafted glasses were a sign of Nolan's past as a rich noble.

“Sit down and take a seat my friend.”, Nolan offers to Arkevh and begins to pour some drinks.

Before sitting down Arkevh opens his Mantle and grabs Craftol, holding him towards Nolan before setting him back to the Ground.

“If you grab me on the neck to carry me one more time I will bite you.”, Craftol explains and shows his sharp teeth.

“Also that Mantle smells weird.”

“It smells different because of you now”, Arkevh answers annoyed and smells on his mantle, a stench he will never forget.

“You should thank me.”, Craftol smiles and looks towards Nolan who seemed Rather surprised then angry.

“A Goblin able to speak the Human Language?”, he asks incredulously.

“I haven't’ seen someone like him for over 30 years.”, Nolan explains, sits down and shoves one of the glasses towards Arkevh, filled with Wine. Craftol climbs up one of the other chairs as well.

“Have you seen some of them?”, Arkevh asks and takes a sip from the glass, warming his throat.

“I did, some Dwarf Clans in the north still work with Goblins like him.”, Nolan says and points to Craftol.

“Did you find him on your mission?”, Nolan asks.

Arkevh nods.

“Yes we did and we helped him to become the new Leader of the Camp for a while.”

“For a while?”Nolan asks, surprised and empties his glass.

“I gave the lead to a Tinkerer I trust. He led the Goblins away from the village.”, Craftol explains for Arkevh.

Nolan starts to chuckle before he switches to a hearty laugh.

“I need to admit, you are different then I thought Arkevh, you are not a weapon of the King's army, like some people say. So do you and your Goblin friend want to stay?”, he asks both of them and leans back, almost falling.

“You really want to take me in?” Craftol asks and looks around like something was off.

“Right now yes, so I would apply before I change my opinion. The alcohol doesn’t hold forever.”, he chuckles.

Craftol nods hasty

“Understood i will join.”, he speaks out rapidly.

“Good you stay here I'm getting something.”, Nolan explains and leaves the room, returning with an envelope and to Bronze Badges, resembling a bronze spear a bit later.

“That is your payment and the Badges, I guess Donovan won’t join?”, He asks and gives Arkevh the envelope.

“How much is a room at the Tavern.”, Arkevh asks.

“One Silver why?”

“I want to buy a room so Craftol can stay, 100 Nights to sleep. We share the other 400”, Arkevh explains.

“Understood.” Nolan explains and cuts the paycheck, while Arkevh and Craftol put their badges on.

Now they were part of the Adventurer's Guild. Tasks with helping those in need and discovering the vast world of Ljus.

Kalliope wished for the same.