The rest of the walk to the cave was uneventful, it also seemed that Tristan anger cooled as they approached the cave. The cave looked exactly like it did yesterday, the only thing that changed was that the corpses were gone. Only two spots of dried blood, Tristan stopped at the opening and spoke to everyone.

“Since it’s just a goblin cave we won’t be doing anything special. I will lead with Phil on my flank and Steve in the back providing light and support. Miss Thorn, you can follow or wait out here, the choice is yours. Everyone ready?”

Receiving nods from his team, he unslung his shield and pulled his sword then proceeded into the cave entrance. Phillip had both swords in his hands, and Steven slightly lifted his staff. The staff begin to glow in a steady blue light.

Once they were out of ear shot Abigail asked, “So Thomas, how would you handle this? Also are you coming as well?”

Nodding he stepped beside her, they waited until the light of Stevens staff disappeared around the bend. As they were waiting Thomas fished out his rune light and held it in his off hand, his sword already in his other. Checking to see if Abigail was ready, he was surprised but also not surprised to see she still had the stick from before in her hand.

When she saw him eyeing it, she just smiled in return. When Stevens’ light disappeared, they started down the tunnel as well.

Once Thomas got his thoughts in order he answered. “I would have sent Phillip to scout since he seems silent and light on his feet. Once he confirmed they were there I would have made a big fire in the entrance to smoke them out. We don’t know what is deeper in the cave, but we do know there isn’t another exit to the cave. Why risk going in and getting hurt if you don’t have to?”

‘hmmm’ sound escaped her as they descended in as well. She only responded by saying “That along the line of what I would do. Maybe not smoke them out but definitely scout it out first.”

Before he could ask why not, the sounds of fighting downed out any chance of further conversations. The screams and yells of the goblins were almost deafening in the confined space of the cave. When they entered the large chamber, it was chaos.

Tristan was blocking with his shield as he was cutting his way through goblins as if wheat in a field. Phillip was moving even faster, both his blades cleaving through them like they were pests. He stayed on the flanks of Tristan killing any that passed his blades. Steven was standing out of the way, a blue spear shooting out of the tip of his staff. Protecting the team’s blind spot as the other two dove into the mass of green bodies.

It was clear to Thomas that they worked smoothly together and had for a while. It didn’t look like there was anything to be concerned about or that he would even need to do anything.

Until a bolt of fire came flying out from the back of the cave from the opening that led deeper into the cave system. It was heading straight for Tristan, who was currently engaging the last few goblins. Thomas didn’t know if Tristan would be able to react fast enough.

Before he could even shout a warning, Steven was the first to react. Before it could hit Tristan a blue wave of water shot out of Steven staff forming a wall between Tristan and the bolt of fire. The wall of water completely cancelled out the bolt of fire.

From the opening in the back a figure stepped out, it was tall, green, and muscular. Unlike its goblin or hobgoblin companions this monster seemed bigger and more intelligent. As it stepped out it seemed to survey the situation. It was wearing mismatched pieces of metal and leather that could only be its attempt at armor. In one of its hands it held a sword, its other hand was empty besides the sputtering flame it held.

“What in the nine hells is that?” Thomas blurted out, the answer came from beside him “Evolved hobgoblin, normally called a shaman. How they got the name is an interesting piece of history actually. I can tell you about that later if you are interested.” Abigail informed him.

How calm Abigail was didn’t help him calm down at all. Thomas got himself ready just in case he needed help or even defend himself. Not even knowing if he could be much help with how Dawns Horizon reacted.

Phillip blitzed towards it, low to the ground he was coming from one side, Steven sent three quick crescent water blades directly at it. As the shaman jumped to dodge Phillip, he was met with Tristan who came at it from its other side. It was a clean pincer move by Dawns Horizon.

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Tristan stomped his foot and spikes of earth came out of the ground. As the earthen spikes came from below, he swung sword down in a chop from above.

The shaman made a sound like a growl and a yell combined; a red haze covered it. The stone spikes broke against the haze, some still managed to break through and connect. The shaman stopped the swing of Tristan with its own sword. Slamming its shoulder into Tristan shield he used to block, the force of the hit still sent Tristan flying backwards.

The Phillip came from behind stabbing both swords into its back, with a twist and a pull he retreated. The shaman twisted, slashing at its attacker but only hitting air. That’s when a large blade of water caught it in the side sending it tumbling. The red haze was flickering, it was clear the shaman was completely outmatched.

Before it could recover Tristan’s blade slid into the shaman’s heart and Phillip did a cross slash at its neck, killing it. The three members of Dawns Horizon didn’t seem to be injured, just a bit tired.

Abigail’s voice cut through the quiet. “Well, it was a young shaman without any real experience in combat or using mana. Good thing it was killed now in six months or so it would have been a harder fight.”

Turning towards me “Want to go with me to check the back chamber?”

Tristan spoke up “Any treasure found belongs to us, we were the ones that receive the quest.”

Abigail just waved him off letting him know she would tell them of anything worthwhile. As they headed past the goblin bodies, he had to guess there was probably close to fifty Dawns horizon killed. More than he saw yesterday, making a mental note to mention it later, he followed Abigail into the back chamber.

The back chamber was smaller than the first, the only other difference was the items. In the back of the room there was a mishmash of items. It looked like things there were picked from adventurer corpses. Broken armor, torn clothes and other various items. On one side is what looked like a bed for the shaman, it was made of animal skins. What really caught his attention was the cord with a symbol hanging from it dangling from a protrusion on the wall.

Abigail walked over and with her stick she still had in her hand. With an audible sigh and a barely audible “well shit” she hooked a cord of leather with her stick lifting it. Hanging off the cord was a piece metal of some sort. It didn’t look like any letter or runic shape he had seen before. It was hard to even describe it looked, like a twisted shape but it clearly had a meaning.

“What is that?” Thomas asked as he walked closer to get a better view of it.

Shaking her stick, making what Thomas guessed was a neckless sway, she answered. “This little guy means you and Dawns Horizon have a choice to make. Let’s go regroup.”

Without even getting a chance to look at anything else Thomas followed as she left. Walking back to the main chamber the members of Dawns Horizon were in a huddle discussing something. When they approached, they stopped speaking and turned towards them.

“Was there anything interesting in the back chamber Miss Thorn.” Tristan’s voice was more subdued compared to how he talked to Abigail before.

“This was about it.” holding up the symbol still hanging on her stick. “This symbol means that all of you have a choice. This means there is a ringleader behind this shaman, I plan on hunting it down. I already have an idea of where it could be, and it should only take at most four days and that’s if I’m wrong about where to go. If you accompany me, I guarantee the guild will compensate you for it. This is a threat that needs to be taken care of.” When she finished, she waited for a response.

Thomas already knew this was above his rank and level of experience but before he could voice his concerns Tristan spoke. “I get why you would ask us, but would you want to bring a D-ranked? He would only get in the way; he got injured dealing with this lot. Also, how can you guarantee the guild will pay and even if they would, how much would it be?” As he spoke about Thomas, Tristan gestured towards the hoard of dead around them. Phillip walked over from one side of the chamber. It looked like he was cleaning his blades. Steven also came and joined his team leader.

“You wouldn’t have to worry about Thomas he would be my responsibility. How do I know the guild will pay? Simple, this is part of my investigation and I have enough rank and authority to back it up. So let me introduce myself again, I am Abigail Thorn B-ranked adventurer.”

She pulled out her guild card unlike his copper colored one. Hers was a silver in color, much like Dawns Horizon, but it had a clear B as well as golden boarder around it. All of that indicates she really is B-ranked. Thomas was literally stunned into silence. He wasn’t the only one.

Even Tristan seemed to fumble over his words for a second, he looked to his teammates. Phillip didn’t do anything other than just shrug, leaving it up to Tristan. The look between Steven and Tristan seemed to hold a different meaning. Steven ultimately nodded as well.

“Very well we should accompany you. Luckily, we have everything we need for a weeks’ worth of travel.” Tristan had a smile on his face, but it looked different than the one he was showing Abigail this morning.

Abigail nodded then turned to Thomas “You seem like the cautious type, but also someone who is always looking to improve. So, I will make you a deal, I will coach you on proper swordplay every evening or whenever possible and give you other useful information. I will make sure to handle anything that is beyond your ability to deal with. So, what do you say?”

Pausing, weighing the pros and cons of this entire situation. Just being able to observe high ranking adventurers’ work he could learn a lot. Plus, the promise of actual lessons sweetens the deal. Maybe he could get some tips about mana control from Steven as well. This was a gamble, a pure gamble, but he felt like he could trust Abigail to some extent. Coming to a conclusion Thomas hesitantly nodded “Okay I will go.”

The predatory smile on Abigail’s face made him almost shiver. Thomas was already questioning his decision.