Here it was Halloween day Zack was out working on the house setting up the last few Halloween decorations. The house looked amazing this year as Zack had set up the house with skeletons,cobwebs and made a graveyard in the front yard. Halloween was Zack's favorite time of year. The way the season was with all the leaves falling off the tree's and the way the nights got darker quicker and the coldness that came with the season. Zack was finishing up when his dog Hooey came over and started pestering him for attention can't yougive me a break for Two Seconds Hooey, Zack said laughing always have to be at the center of attention don't you. As he bent down to rub hooey's head. Hooey started to get all excited wagging his tail and barking. Ok, I know you want to get going before it gets too dark out.

 They had a usual ritual of going down the road and hiking on trails so far they had been on two of the trails. They were the ones generally used by visitors. Today Zack wanted to do something different and start exploring their own trail in the national Forest since it was about time to go so he headed inside the house and called Hooey with him. As they went into the house Zack grabbed his backpack with all of the hiking and first aid gear.just in case anything happened. as Zack got the keys and whistled for Hooey to go. As they went out to the car Zack opened the door for hooey alright buddy let's get going. Hooey hopped in the Passenger seat and then they were off it was about a twenty-minute drive down to the trailhead. As they were driving Zack had the windows down enjoying the nice cool crisp air as hooey had his head out the window with his tongue flapping in the wind. once there Zack got Hooey out of the car and put on his backpack, as they started down the trailhead to where the trail started to split off Hooey was running from tree to tree. 

 As they were walking down the trail Zack noticed that there was no one else today which was strange normally there was at least a few people but he didn't think much of it as it was Halloween and people were probably out getting ready with their kids for the night's events. Once they to the middle of the trail path Zack decided to take the Right side as usually they always took the left as they were walking down the trail the air was getting colder to the point they started seeing their breath. It was nice and refreshing chill it had not got to the point where it was uncomfortable. As they were walking they got up a little further Zack noticed a pathway that was not there before. Well looks like we have found our path Hooey. Hooey started wagging his tail and barked excitably they started down the trail path as they were going down the trail. there were no birds or any animal noise at all this was sort of strange. He thought as they normally would hear some kind of nature sound when they went out hiking as they continued down their path it was getting colder. Zack noticed that up further there was some light fog on the trail well look at that Zack said to hooey talk about some weirdness on Halloween day. 

As they were walking the fog grew thicker I think it's about time we turn around hooey. As Zack said this he noticed an orange glow up ahead through the fog hooey took off towards the glow and started barking. Damn you dog Zack called out to hooey with no response he started walking towards the orange glow calling out hooey's name at this point the fog was so thick all he could see was the bright orange all of a sudden the air got extremely Hot at this point. Zack thought maybe there was a fire but there was no smell of smoke in the air. Zack could hear hooey barking and all off sudden Zack got extremely light headed and nauseated with a burning sensation throughout his body. He closed his eyes and stopped walking for a moment when he opened his eyes the fog was thinning out and he could see hooey about a hundred yards away he called out to him. Hooey getover here. What the hell just happened why did I get so light headed and why was the air so hot Zack thought to himself. 

 I need something to drink as Zack took off his backpack except now it was no longer the same backpack he had on but now a Leather Bag what the hell is going on Zack opened up the sack and looked inside instead of all of the gear Zack had put into the bag all that was in there now was a wool blanket, Dagger and a folded parchmentpaper as Zack opened the piece of paper he saw it was a sheet with his name on it [Name] Zack, [Race] Human, [Profession] none  [skills] none.what the hell is this Zack pulled out the Dagger and examined it he ran his thumb over the blade he could feel it was razor sharp Zack whistled for Hooey, get over here you pain in the ass.

  Zack just stood there for a moment unable to even know what to think well hooey Zack said let's try and see what happens if we turn around and head back down the trail but as They continued to head down the trail they soon heard Grunting like sounds coming from up ahead. Hooey started to growl with the fur standing up on his back. Hooey be quite Zack said as they got closer. He could see the thing they heard grunting it was a goblin. A small humanoid looking creature standing about four feet tall with a flat face and pointed ears and sharp pointed teeth wearing what looked like rabbit skulls decorating its clothing. It was hunched over a rabbit cutting the skin off of it lets get out of here Hooey. As they started backing away. Hooey started growling louder and barking drawing the goblin's attention.It let out a shrieking scream. Good going you dumb dog. Zack was extremely nervous never before had he seen such a creature only read about them and played online games against them he tried to tell it that they didn't want any problems and didn't mean to disturb it but to no avail, it charged. Zack started back pedaling as the goblin advanced on them hooey started barking and snarling more menacingly the goblin did not slow down at all Zack fumbled with the bag trying to get the Dagger in the bag.

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 The goblin approached with a knife in its hand Zack's heart was racing he didn't know what to do he could smell the rancid breath as it got nearer Hooey launched himself at the Goblin the goblin was trying to shake the dog off Zack knew he had to do something to save his Dog with the goblin distracted Zack lunged with his Dagger sinking it to the handle right below the skull . the goblin let out a blood gurgled cry still trying to get to Zack before collapsing on the ground. Hooey would not stop biting at the goblin. Hooey that is enough get over here. Zack slumped against a nearby tree his heart still hammering in his chest he could not believe that this was happening.It all feels like a dream he knew goblins didn't exist the only place they existed were in his games and books but yet the blood on his hands was real this can't be real.i just don't get what is happening Hooey. There is nothing on that paper that gives us any information Zach unfolded the paper again.What the heck? under [Skills] it now showed level one-Knife Fighting. 

I am going to wake up at any point and, this will all be a bad dream as he got up from sitting down against the tree he slowly approached the goblin.I hope this thing is dead he watched for any signs of movement as he looked at the body he cautiously moved forward and prodded the goblin with his boot nothing happened. He noticed a pouch that was tied to the goblins clothing, he removed the pouch and opened it to find that there was a single flat white gem in the shape of a coin He took it out of the pouch and opened his own bag putting it inside seeing the goblin knife on the ground Zack picked it up it was a little longer than the dagger that he had it reminded him of a Dirk that he had seen while playing video games on his computer. It still had bits of rabbit blood and gore on it he wiped it clean with some with some grass from the ground it still had bits of grass stuck to it but he placed it in his bag anyways.

Well let's hurry up and see if by any chance we can get out of here Hooey before any more of those goblins show up since between you and that goblin I'm sure half the forest has heard us. Hooey tilted his head and huffed like he understood the whole conversation.as they approached the main fork in the trail Zack let out a sigh of relief thinking that they were going to be able to return home and this was all just a nightmare as they continued walking Zack looked down at the ground and started seeing horse hoof prints that's weird I don't remember seeing these before as they got back to where the car was originally parked it was no longer there well Hooey I think we are long ways from home lets head back to the main road and see what we see.

They soon started their journey to where the road should have been Zack could hear something Hooey's ears perked up too. It sounded like something jingling and creaking. Hurry let's try to see what that is as they moved towards the sound they saw a wide dirt road and a horse drawn cart full of sacks in the back. And two people sitting up in front of it. They were some ways down the road in front of them. "Hey", Zack yelled running after them "help us, please! we need help" the horse drawn cart came to a stop the person on the right side hopped off leveling a crossbow at them, halt! Zack came to an immediate stop we don't mean any harm. He yelled out to The stranger with the crossbow. "then why did you wait for us to pass and chase behind us screaming for help? how many more of you are out in the woods waiting to try and rob us". After the Stranger had spoken,Zack noticed the person holding the crossbow was a women medium height in Leather Armor with a hooded cloak on. "I did not mean to frighten you or to make you think I was out to steal your wagon load.Me and my dog got lost in the woods and are just trying to figure out where we are".

"How do you get lost in the woods this far from town and not know where you are at"? "I don't know me and my dog were in the woods walking when all of sudden it got foggy and there was a bright orange light.We turned around and went back the way we came from but nothing is the same this all just feels like a bad dream". "What type of clothing do you wear I have never seen such clothing? Zack was wearing his normal blue jeans and a black sweatshirt with hiking boots. "They are made from where I am from please could you help us get back to the nearest town or city."? The man that was still sitting up front "it's OK Zelania let them come forward"? Zelania told Zack to slowly come forward never completely lowering her crossbow "I don't know if I trust them, Theo". "Nonsense Zelania, Theo said how many raiders do you see running out of the Forrest at us look at how he is dressed ,he does not even have any weapons or armor on. Boy, what is your name"? "my name is Zack this is my dog Hooey well boy hop in the back your dog can ride up there too".As Zack got closer he noticed Theo was a gray- haired man who looked to be in his fifties with a crutch next to him. "Well, its going be a few hours until we reach town my name is Theo I am a farmer out of Ravarra it's a small town to the south of here mostly farmers and fisherman. Zelania here is my hired escort into the city".Zack asked How far are we from the City? Oh, we are about a two-hour ride to the city Theo told him. What's the name of the city? It is called Elmont it is a small Garrison city this side of the border. "You mentioned raiders do they attack often on travelers headed to the city". Not so much as we are getting closer there are patrols from the city that keep a lot of the Bandits and Creatures in the forest back. But when your travel farther it is always good to hire an escort. "Zelania grew up in Ravarra before she went off she was visiting her folks when I was getting ready to bring the spring harvest into the city to sell otherwise there would have been a couple of the other men from the farms with me but since I am not hauling anything too valuable. Zelania was plenty of escort besides Bandits normally target wagons with more valuables than just food." At the mention of valuables.It started to worry Zack he had no money anything that was going to work here anyways.

Theo is it hard to find work in the city? Depends on what you can do there are a variety of shops and artisans that sometimes take apprentices even though you are a little older than when most start their apprenticeships.Do you have any skills? Theo asked I am a pretty good tracker and hunter Zack told him. There is always money to made by hunting and trading in skins and meat but it is dangerous between the Goblins and Orcs. and the wildlife at that. most people that hunt go out in hunting parties I am surprised you made it out of the woods as you did without becoming something's meal. Well, it was a close one as Zack recounted his story about running into the goblin.Theo sat there rubbing his chin deep in thought what do you think Zelania it does not make sense that the goblin was by itself normally they travel in groups lets see this coin that you said you found.Zack opened up his bag and took it out of where he put it.He pulled out the coin and handed it over to Theo I don't believe it Zelania this here is a Frostwhard coin how that goblin ended up with it this far south? I have no idea.What is a Frostwhard coin? Zack asked its the Currency of the northerners Which can only mean that the goblin must have run across a group or scouting party that was slain.The northerners only come out for one thing and that's to raid, rape and pillage. Theo, we have to hurry and let the garrison know about this as soon as we can Zelania Said.The cart seemed to move at such a crawling pace as Zack was used to much faster travel as he was watching the road as they came up over the hill he could see the city in the distance.