Keldrin, his keen eyes scanning the forest, led the way. Flora, the dryad woman, accompanied them, her slender form moving gracefully through the undergrowth. The journey was long, a two-hour trek from the hill where they had left the slaves.

The village, hidden deep within the heart of the Satyr Woods, was a marvel of nature and human ingenuity. Nestled beneath the looming Croyhill mountains, it was a sanctuary shielded from the dangers of the outside world. The goblins had established their camp, Drakthar, nearby, hoping to enslave the wanderers of Eire and the village's inhabitants to mine ore.

Treetop Town was a bustling community, home to a diverse array of demi-humans. Centaurs, horsemen, deerfolk, satyrs, wood elves, and nymphs all lived in harmony within its walls. The village was surrounded by small fortifications, their wooden structures blending seamlessly with the towering trees. Houses were built within the trees themselves, their entrances hidden among the branches.

Treetop Town was just one of many such villages scattered throughout the vast kingdoms of the Rising Realms. These woodland communities served as vital trading stations, providing game, fur, and timber to the wider world. They were safe havens for travelers, offering respite and hospitality.

In addition to their trade goods, these villages were renowned for their production of rare fruits and medicinal herbs. The demi-beasts of the Rising Realms trained Ferivia, bird-like horses that were both swift and expensive. Moreover, the region was famous for its direboars, prized for their strength and ferocity. Azalea and dawn herbs, essential ingredients for alchemy, were also cultivated in abundance in these woodland villages.

As the group approached Treetop Town, Jacques exclaimed in wonder. "This looks more magical than any place I've ever seen!"

Jesse nodded, a wistful smile playing on his lips. "It reminds me of Willowdale," he said. "We used to build our houses under mounds or hills."

Rhys turned to Keldrin. "Are there any woodland elves here?" he asked.

Keldrin nodded. "There are a few," he replied. "They serve as rangers and emissaries for Sylvanvale, a forest kingdom in the Celestial Woods. But those elves are racist, and their journey would take them far west of Serendus. I doubt they'll go there."

"I suspect Odarin is heading north, towards Blackrock," Keldrin continued. "Blackscar, a region near the alchemical city of Dunholm, is far to the west, within the Badlands. I doubt the orcs would march here without a dark lord like Voldrath to command them."

Rhys frowned. "The greenskins are chaotic and evil," he said. "They're bound to serve a dark lord. And it's not just them. The denizens of the Badlands, the Scorched Elves, who ride giant worms and desert dragons, are also a threat."

Jesse's eyes widened. "Are we going to fight them all?" he asked, his voice filled with dread.

Keldrin shook his head. "No," he replied. "But we can expect other forces to mobilize in their area. For now, we must help Treetop Town."

Meryl, carrying the young direwolf, Mel-Gaur, approached Flora. "It's been months since I visited," she said. "How fares the druzes?"

Flora smiled. "They are well, but the goblin threat looms large," she replied.

Rhys nodded. "We should talk to Olm, my cousin," he said. "Once we've spoken to the emissary from Treetop Town, we should also inform Serendus. There's a mining town east of it that connects to the mountain."

Jacques agreed. "Let's do it," he said. "But we can't linger in Serendus. The king is depressed after losing a fight for succession, killing his own son. We must hurry to Muse before Odarin arrives."

Meryl sighed. "It might be inevitable," she said. "They may have already sent people to look for the sword."

Jesse shook his head. "Why do humans kill each other?" he asked, his voice filled with sadness. "I can't understand it. If the race of men fails..."

Keldrin's expression darkened. "Most races of Upsurgeth are like that," he replied. "Even in the face of terror, they squabble and commit evil acts amongst themselves."

Flora interrupted the conversation, her voice filled with gratitude. "Master Keldrin, it was thanks to you that we were freed from those evil goblin and human slavers," she said. "You have saved our lives."

"Male dryads are rare," she continued. "Most of us perform clerical work within the village. Only the horsemen, centaurs, and demi-beasts fight. The nymphs and satyrs make up the bulk of our village's defense."

Tears welled up in her eyes. "We are not used to fighting," she confessed. "But the war for the blades must be true. Even slavers from the south are now colluding with goblins."

She paused, her brow furrowed. "I suspect they must be the cause of the missing caravans and travelers."

Jesse nodded. "Has King Bertram done anything about this?" he asked.

Flora replied, "Yes, but they are busy investigating who these slavers from the Badlands are and how they entered our territory."

Stolen story; please report.

Jacques turned to Keldrin. "Who lays claim to the Croyhill mountains?" he inquired.

Keldrin answered, "The Golden Confederation does, but Serendus guards them. However, their guards might be lax due to the recent usurpation."

Flora shook her head. "I don't know," she replied. "Our village is ruled by three people: Fionne, a deerman; Naex, an elf I consider my grandmother; and Nympha, a dryad, my kin."

The villagers, their faces filled with gratitude, approached the heroes. "Thank you for saving our kin from the attack of the goblins," they said in unison.

Flora led them to the longhouse, where the elders resided. Nympha, an ancient dryad, greeted them warmly. "Thank you for saving our kin from the attack of the goblins," she said.

Naex, an old elf with white hair, stepped forward. "Let me tell you what has happened," she began.

After the defeat of the Dark Lord, the kingdoms of Men, Elves, and Dwarves, led by Serendus, enslaved the goblins. These creatures, once feared and reviled, were now forced to toil in the mountains, quarrying precious stones and metals. Their labor fueled the rise of Serendus, transforming it into a powerful kingdom with an inexhaustible army.

Arthen, the wise and benevolent gold dragon, sought to intervene. He had always championed the cause of the oppressed, and the enslavement of the goblins troubled him deeply. However, King Althred, a staunch ally of Arthen, defended the practice. He believed that the goblins could redeem themselves through servitude.

For months, the goblins endured their harsh captivity. But then, news reached them of the Blade Darkheart, a legendary artifact that could grant its wielder immense power. Inspired by hope, the goblins began to rebel. Led by Aamon, a prince who had once sought to usurp the throne, they rose up against their oppressors.

Althred, devastated by the rebellion, slew his own son, Aamon, in a tragic act of vengeance. Overwhelmed by grief and despair, he crowned his granddaughter, Jenna, as his successor. Yet, remnants of the goblin rebellion persisted, their spirits unbroken.

Croyhill Mountains, once a thriving dwarven settlement in the First Age, held untold riches. The desire for these treasures drove many to seek control of the region. Bertram, a wise and noble leader, opposed the exploitation of the mountains, recognizing the ecological and cultural significance of the area.

The goblins, their freedom and dignity trampled upon, sought refuge in the mountains. They had found a hidden entrance to a vast network of underground tunnels, remnants of the ancient dwarven civilization. There, they plotted their revenge, their hearts filled with a burning desire for liberation.

"Did humans truly believe they could tame them?" Jesse asked, his voice filled with disbelief.

Rhys nodded. "It's not a bad thing to redeem others," he replied. "But the practice of servitude is wrong."

Keldrin sighed. "Althred was blinded by his power," he said. "He thought the goblins were no longer a threat."

Meryl shook her head. "Goblins are cruel creatures," she said. "They are corrupted beings, made by the dark god Vexaroth."

Jacques frowned. "Are they truly beyond redemption?" he asked.

Keldrin replied, "We don't have the means to change them. And with their plans to rise with the Dark Lord, we must end them before it's too late."

Jacques turned to the elders. "We will need a two-pronged attack," he said. "We must clear the stragglers from both sides of the mountains."

"We must also talk to Bertram and Althred," he continued. "We need to convince them to meet us here, in Treetop Town, with their forces."

Nympha, the dryad, nodded. "It would be difficult, but it's possible," she said. "We must return to Eire first, and then travel to Serendus."

Fionne, the deerman, looked at Jesse with a knowing smile. "I see young Bertram in you," he said. "We fought side by side when we were younger. Restore hope to Serendus."

The elders nodded in agreement. "We will send scouts to locate the slavers' hideout," they said.

"So, we have our objectives," Rhys said, his voice filled with determination. "Find the slavers' hideout, attack Drakthar from both sides of the mountains, save Treetop Town and Serendus."

Meryl nodded. "We can do it," she said.

Jesse grinned. "You can count on us," he replied. "We'll do what we can."

With that, Keldrin announced, "We should head to the Flying Marlin now to meet up with King Bertram and Queen Zephyr."

Keldrin mounted Bal-Gog, the direwolf he had tamed. Rhys was given a direboar, and Jesse and the others rode Ferivias, the swift and agile bird-like horses. As they rode away from Treetop Town, they looked back at the village, a beacon of hope in a world shrouded in darkness.

As the dawn painted the sky in hues of pink and orange, the heroes arrived at the stables of Eire. The air was thick with anticipation, and the looming threat of battle cast a shadow over the peaceful morning.

Bertram, clad in his gleaming armor, greeted them. "I know where the slavers are," he said, his voice filled with determination.

Jesse, his eyes wide with excitement, questioned him. "Why didn't you act immediately?"

Bertram smiled. "I was waiting for the right moment," he replied. "I wanted to gather them all in one place, to make a decisive strike."

"Where are they?" Jesse asked.

"In the sewers connecting to the ports of Eire," Bertram answered.

Rhys, his heart pounding, stepped forward. "Will you fight with us, milord?" he asked.

Bertram nodded. "Yes," he replied. "There are twenty human slavers in total. Jesse and I, with our guards, will serve as the vanguard. I want to teach Jesse how to fight multiple foes."

Jesse's eyes lit up. "I would be honored," he said.

Jacques, his mind racing, spoke. "I won't be able to cast large spells this time," he said. "I'll show you another type of magic."

Meryl nodded. "I'll support you from the sidelines, with Bal-Gog guiding me," she replied.

Bertram smiled. "My aides, Arthos and Captain Madeleine, will attack the ships used by the slavers," he said. "They will show them the might of Eire's navy and mariners."

Rhys, eager to join the fight, protested. "I want to fight as well!"

Keldrin raised a hand. "You and I will be blocking the escape route to the sea," he said. "We are the most seasoned warriors."

Bertram nodded. "Are there any concerns?" he asked.

Jesse hesitated. "Are there any slavers in the mountains as well?" he inquired.

Bertram replied, "My friend Althred, though saddened, has dealt with them. Let's focus on this first, and we can discuss the goblins of Drakthar later."

Jacques spoke up. "What about the ones in the Satyr Forest?" he asked.

Bertram smiled. "My general, Antonius, will deal with them," he replied. "He will also accompany you to Serendus. I think it would be beneficial for Rhys to join him."

Rhys frowned. "Is he still as timid and calculating as ever?" he asked.

Bertram chuckled. "Yes," he replied. "But he is a loyal friend. I hope you can learn from him."

Keldrin turned to Bertram. "Why are you so eager to fight?" he asked. "How will you prevent..."

Bertram interrupted him. "I haven't fought in years," he said. "My queen and her mages are also my eyes and ears. This is the perfect time to strike."

He turned to Jesse. "Don't worry," he said. "Everything will be alright."

With that, the stage was set for the first objective. The heroes were ready to face the slavers and liberate Eire from their evil grip.