INFERENCES FROM NOTHING

Chu searched for signs of footprints, broken branches and other indicators to no avail. Besides the obvious disturbance on the forest floor caused by Singh's previous curiosity, the ground remained undisturbed. If not for the compelling evidence in Jim's hand, he might have doubted the young man.

"How about you guys?"

Jim and Mr Thomas both shook their heads. These two trackers scoured the site along with him. Singh and the others, stood under a tree on the forest edge, so as not to disturb the ground.

Chu gazed out from between the trees on the forest edge, onto the grasslands stretching beyond. About a mile away on a little bump, Clod had built the watchtower for his Inyoni revenge plan. From up there, the intermittent glint and reflection of metal in the sunlight had piqued Singh's attention.

On their experiences on the road, and from conversing with mercenaries and guards during their overnight at inns and taverns, they had learned plenty. A convoy guard who could not recognize the sun-god's omen, which heralded an attack from hidden bandits, deserved to die.

"I saw it and remembered the sun-god tale about bandits, but then it came out..."

Singh pointed out where he witness the small figure moving out from under the shadows of the trees, towards a small hedge.

"It sneaked out, then hid behind here. After some time, it moved under the trees, heading that way. I noticed the shadow moving only because I looked for it. I first thought about little Boss, but then she would not act that way. Only when I saw it come out from the shadows, sneaking towards the bush, did I remember the story Elder once told us."

He pointed out the place and walked along the trees to the south, indicating the creature's actions.

"I searched the area since I felt my mind played tricks on me, but then I found that thing. My hands are still sweating since I realized how foolish and dangerous I acted."

Everyone followed his gaze to the knife.

On receiving this sobering message from Singh, Chu rode out from the farm with eleven others on six horses. With the mood of the party dampened, Mrs Thomas moved the majority to the workshop as safety, while Miki took charge of the defense team. This did not affect the celebrations of the younger children, whom they did not wish to worry.

When they arrived on the scene, Chu had three members from Doug's team remain in the tower, scanning the surroundings, while protecting the horses in the small corral built near it. The rest followed them armed with crossbows. The investigation had led up to this point.

Chu sat down on a huge tree root that would put a mature Sequoia to shame.

"I believe we need to reevaluate the Goblin race. The information from books and rumors are sorely lacking and outdated."

His brows scrunched up in a frown while he scratches his face, his mind clicking.

"Let's wait at the outpost, when Lucy and Ming return, we'll hold a meeting at the farm. Doug, remember to tell your team to gather and return the weapon supplies that we stored previously in the outpost. Until we get more information, I don't want you guys out here alone."

Chu said as he dusted his pants. The group made their way to the short tower on the hill.

***

"Lucy, I'm tired. Can't we stop and rest."

"Stop making noise and keep walking. Who wanted to show off with the men by drinking ale. Serves you right."

"Man, I swear you and Chu really treat me bad, and you are talking louder than me in this forest."

Ming mumbled.

Currently, his drenched body tagged along with a girl who seemed to be out on an evening stroll, in the sweltering summer forest. His mumbles only caused him to earn a chop on the head. They both stopped, taking out and drinking water from some large skin pouches. This they carried inside small backpacks filled with essential supplies.

Lucy removed the bulky compass and checked it. The trail continued to the south, hugging the edge of the forest, but never venturing deeper. They had followed it for nearly two hours, sometimes skirting around it to avoid predators, yet she still found no sign of her quarry.

Picking the way over small hills and dry stony riverbeds, the trail passed through some sparse undergrowth that grew in clumps within the forest, making use of the rare sunlight that filtered through the canopy. Lucy paused in thought, something did not feel right, even though her senses confirmed the presence of no predators.

"It's through here, isn't it, Lucy. Hahaha, do you think only you and Chu could track?"

Ming grinned as he moved forward. He had walked about two steps between the shrub before the delicate fingers grabbed the back of the cloak and flung him flying backward. A split second later, a limber branch swatted the ground where he just reached.

Ming sprawled on the ground looking on with eyes that could pop out of their sockets at any time. The sapling had been decorated with a number of crude wooden spikes, attached using strips of bark and vine. Most of those had punctured the hard earth he once trod mere moments ago. His mouth dropped after Lucy made a quick scan and investigation.

"A crude but effective trap, suitable on trails used by dumb animals."

She held the branch firm in her hands, frowning as she moved closer and wrinkled her nose.

"Poison of some kind, and not the type to catch wild animals for dinner."

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Lucy turned with a wry smile to Ming still propping himself off the ground.

She carefully reset the trap, before they ventured forward. Soon after the trail ventured deeper into the forest, without any sign of the foreign smell becoming stronger. An hour later, she stopped and sat down. Holding the compass, and looking at the changeless forest, she frowned.

"Ming..."

The teen held up his hand to stop her, while he chewed and swallowed a piece of jerky.

"I know, we have been walking northwards for some time. I looked at my shadow when we passed through a patch of sunlight. If I didn't have faith in your scouting, I would think this creature doubled back on the trail. Having two trails run side by side? I have an uneasy feeling our quarry this time is much smarter than the usual beast."

Ming said. Ever since the trap he had been trying to understand the planning and thoughts of their target.

The next hour, had them avoiding and navigating around similar traps and even decoy trails. If wasn't for Lucy and her ability, other trackers would have long been injured or lost by following false trails.

"Son of a bit*h! I am going to wring its neck."

Ming cursed as he removed a leather boot and began prying a sharp wooden stake out from the sole. Fortunately, the point came out between the toes, leaving him uninjured. By sheer luck, Lucy had avoided passing over the same spot. She kneeled down, using her dagger to brush aside the leaves on the forest floor.

Underneath it, a patch of pointed stakes stared menacingly back at them. All had their tips coated in a very faint smelling poison. Further investigation revealed even more of these little clumps of deadly traps. She pulled out one of them and wrapped it carefully before placing it in her backpack.

"Hey Lucy, why can't we walk on the outside of the trail, so as to avoid these traps?"

Ming asked. He had enough of these near-death experiences, if he saw another snare, he might just scream and run away in the forest.

"We have. We have been walking away from the trail, since some time ago."

Lucy answered with a grim smile. These traps slowed their pace and progress considerably.

The sun had gone down when Lucy decided to turn back. In the darkness, she did not feel confident enough to avoid the plethora of different ambuscades. She possessed the Wolf Demon's keen sense of danger, but not its impregnable defense. She used the compass to plot the quickest path out of the forest--east.

Over an hour later, the two burst out from under the covers onto the moonlit grasslands. Walking northwards, they soon arrived at the outpost. Chu allowed a little time for them to rest before they all rode towards the farm. Under the faces of relief from the defenders, they soon soaked their sweaty bodies in a hot bath, before assembling.

Chu looked around the workshop at the faces of the people standing or sitting on the benches. Some had been with him from the beginning, others he met last winter, or even more recently in this summer. He had all of them gather, with the exception of Yin and the baby.

"This evening, we found signs of a Goblin scout. Though it's too soon to say, we might have to face a raid from the creatures soon."

He stopped as he allowed the brief periods of sighs, gasps, and chatter to subside before continuing.

"This place has always offered everyone a choice. A battle will certainly lead to death. You all have one night until tomorrow's meeting. Decide if you want to stay and place your life on the line, or leave and save yourselves."

Chu answered some questions before finishing the meeting. Most retired to the dormitory for this sleepless night, while only the core members remained in the workshop building.

"I'll let Sing talk first, then Lucy, this way we can all hear the same reports."

Singh stood in front, holding the table with some sweaty hands. This crowd gathered here, operated far differently from the ones in the taverns. One look near the table and his nerves calmed, as he gave his report. He nodded with a face of gratitude towards his little Boss, before moving to the corner.

Lucy, got up and told her tale, and then sat down. Chu moved to the head of the table and drummed his fingers.

"Well, there you all heard it. That's it. I am fairly certain that not only this farm will face bullying by those great houses we can only dream about, but now we have a life and death battle with a race from the same forest we depend on."

Chu took a deep breath as he spoke the next sentence.

"Whoever decides to leave now, are free to do so. Just remember, when we survive, there will be no place for you."

He looked around intently at the faces in the dim lighting.

"I can't leave, me and the girls are close to a breakthrough... I feel it in my bones."

"Like hell, I can leave, I probably own the biggest blacksmith in the whole empire. If I die, I will die a legend."

"I just helped Finn carve and polish the perfect housing, The first complete run was amazing, after that calibration thing, everyone in the Empire will know our names."

The three Artisans spoke first.

"I don't mind staying, but I am worried about my wife."

Finn said. His wife, on the other hand, scowled and pinched his arm. She certainly did not have any intention of leaving.

Silence ensued.

"I still need you guys to give me a ride back to the Capital whenever you're finished here."

Jill said. Breaking the peace.

Chu nodded. Deep inside the feeling of having done enough to actually keep these people here, facing danger instead of fleeing in fear, provided a sense of accomplishment. He knew he made the right decision when choosing these individuals.

"Ahaha... I can't hold it in any longer. Did you hear that one Rugol--This place has always offered everyone a choice. Haha, my belly."

Ming rested his head on the table, laughing and pounding it with his hands. Rugol couldn't keep it in and laughed till tears, streaming down his eyes. Toll stood behind them both, repeating the words in a gruff manner slapping them on their backs.

"You bastards! You're making fun of me. Am I that much of a dictator?"

Chu slapped his hands on the table, gazing all around. Some smiled, some turned their heads, pretending to discover a new button or smoothing their sleeves. Doug berated his squad for not guarding around the workshop. Even Lucy and the girls focused on the table in front of them.

"Very well, Let's continue."

He said while storing this event in his memory. When the time came he would deal with these suckers.

"From the rumors I had Rugol and the others gather from villages to the books with information of these creatures, I now think our previous thoughts of this race is flawed. Goblins don't just appear and raid on a whim."

Chu continued

"Our search ended up futile, but we gained great benefits from it. The enemy is well adapted to the forest, cunning enough to cover its tracks while having enough foresight to scout its targets."

Chu placed a plate onto the table, in it lay the poisoned stake Lucy retrieved. He pushed it towards Jim, who held it gently as Mr Thomas brought the oil lamp closer. Jim sniffed it, as he checked the bottom of the stake.

"Black scorpion venom, see the color. During Spring they come out when their nest becomes flooded with melting snow. Trappers in the forest have been killed in the past when bitten. This thing also has the smell of Redberry. Watch this."

Jim said as he held the tip close to the flame. Soon a green and purple light burned fueled from the poison. He removed and extinguished the flame on the tip.

"Redberry to make a sticky paste, something to induce paralysis, while the deadly poison kills. Look at this... "

He pointed at the bottom of the stake, showing that it had already begun to decay.

"This trap has some age in the ground. I think the Boss is right, this enemy has some skill in the forest. Attacking or being lured into the forest will not bode well."

Jim ended.

"That's why we are going to stick with the places we frequent in the forest. As for the raids on the farm, we can handle it."

Chu moved a finger on the table.

"We are going to control the actions of our adversaries, dictating the way the move. First, we will deal with our guest from the Capital, while keeping our friends in the forest busy. Then when the opportunist leaves, we will help the Goblins in the forest."

Chu smiled.

"Help them do what?"

Stavia inquired, asking the question on everyone's mind.

"Attack us of course, what else."