THE TRUMP CARD

A pristine landscape.

Snow-covered boughs, undisturbed fluffy snow, greeting unique snowflakes floating down from the clouds. A silent virgin forest touched and opened by your very own footsteps. The feeling of a pioneer as he steps into uncharted land filled with danger while seeking treasured fame. Incomparable to that routine trip to the Minimart.

Chu had one word to describe his three-night outdoor adventure under the trees.

Appalling.

Awful.

Repulsive.

Well, maybe a few words.

During the day they slogged and floundered around in the deep snow. Not only did they have to pull their own sled, but they had to help the soldiers and drafted adventurers push and lift the larger and heavier sled. The treacherous roots of the trees became hidden reefs within the sea of snow, snagging and impeding progress.

Drenched clothing from rivers of perspiration clung to their skin, like a cold clammy beast caressing them before a meal.

"What the heck man. Why do you guys keep pulling the sled close to the trees? Obviously, it's going to get stuck on a root."

Ming had complained.

The man from the adventuring party shrugged it off as bad luck. The darting eyes between the man and a soldier did not escape Chu's attentive gaze. That evening when they stopped to make camp, Chu witnessed the soldier handing over a few coppers to the man.

That soldier had previously been on the receiving end of some slaps back in the village, while the man acted blindly when pulling the sled into trees. It didn't take a qualified detective to figure out their intentions.

A winter night in a serene forest might seem romantic to some, but it proved hell for Chu. The leaders had the consideration to break the search for goblins in favor of setting up an early camp. They soon found a campsite close to some fallen trees.

"I don't think making camp in the open is wise."

"Somehow I have the feeling that nobody here has ever spent a night during the winter in this forest."

Ming answered Pick who doubted the experience of this large party. Chu remained silent while keeping an eye on the soldiers who he considered a threat. Twice he had to make excuses when they approached requesting the girls to travel with them at the center since it was deemed safer. As for these so-called scouts...

The Mayans had scouts roaming the jungle, the tribes in Asia had the same. The woodsmen also had a similar reputation when navigating the Black Forest. These roughnecks survived in the forest and claimed it as their own backyard.

The Great Western Forest did not have much-experienced conquerors. Even the inhabitants of this place treated it with respect and trepidation.

From the actions of the leaders, he knew these men lacked experience. They even used the typical camp arrangement found on the grasslands during the summer months. Looking at the flickering lights from the bonfires, Chu realized he had been spot on.

A heavy snowstorm dumped two feet of snow on them during the first night. If Chu did not scramble his party together and dig out a shelter near a hollow tree root they might have frozen to death. Using their swords, they chipped and hacked at the dry insides, soon creating the much-needed fire.

Outside the sounds of shouts and yells interrupted the screaming gale.

The quick role call in the morning found two soldiers and three adventurers frozen solid. A couple of men sprawled with their feet stretched near an open fire, trying to stymie the spread of frost-bitten toes. Not everyone had the luxury of wearing thick socks like Chu and his party.

"Now do you understand the importance of dry footwear?"

Chu chimed while pulling the curious Miki away who wanted to prod the blackened toes with a stick.

The snowfall grounded them in the morning but cleared up at midday. The party buried the dead popsicles under the snow and trudged deeper into the forest before camping. This time the scouts selected a place under a sheltered ridge. Chu searched nearby and found a shallow cave for their use.

The snow drizzled that evening, cheering up the somber mood. To brighten the atmosphere, the new captain removed a large frozen boar leg from the supply sled. Chu helped carry over a crate of rotting vegetables towards a large pot on the fire.

"Hot soup tonight boys, warm your bellies."

Chu took one look at the designated cook for the night. The boy could tell the time of day from the way the man scratched his body every five minutes. When Chu witnessed the foul-smelling vegetables joining the party in the pot without peeling or washing, he dragged Ming to the cave to chew on their rations.

"Ahhh!"

"Oooh!"

"Goddammit, where is the cook. Kill that bastard!"

For the latter half of the night, the sounds of men grumbling and cursing, while relieving themselves echoed out in the unpredictable forest.

Primetime for an ambush.

"To arms, a band of wildcats. Argh, my belly!"

A watchman yelled while clutching his roiling stomach.

"Dammit, why now, shoo you stupid beast, stop looking at me."

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A soldier waved his sword while in the midst of squatting behind a tree.

The camp descended into chaos.

Chu and his party kept a low profile during the attack from the wild beast, with only him and Ming venturing out. Together they parried and killed two wildcats by repeated slashes and stabs. When dawn came, a dozen beast lay dead, together with two men. Six soldiers slumped near the fire, tending to serious wounds.

Unfortunately, the nightly skirmish had claimed the soul of the cook. Cursing and wails rang out, complaining as to why the heavens unjustly seized the man's life.

The damn cook had escaped from vengeful hands.

Chu had Miki boil some fresh untouched snow and added a healing potion. He handed the hot brew out to the wounded men while bandaging them up. Although he liked seeing the frazzled look on old Rang, as he scampered ever so often behind a tree, it helped to have more men in this wild forest.

The scouts had lost the goblin trail, relying on their own tracking skills to find the elusive creatures.

"Good luck with that."

Ming snorted since he knew first hand how savvy the little tykes roamed the forest.

"I talked to one of the wounded adventurers. Apparently, Master Rang had started in the north but did not find any goblins. They planned to move in a zig-zag manner in the forest to cover a wider area."

Chu said.

"I have been checking the compass in secret. We have been traveling towards the north-west since the first day we joined. The goblin cave is most likely somewhere south. These scouts have been chipping bark and using the moving sun. One wrong step and they would end up lost"

Rose scoffed. These men paled in comparison to her and Miki. As for trekking in the forest, nobody had better skills than the little Boss.

They made camp early that evening, so the wounded could earn a well-deserved rest.

After three nights of torture, Chu understood the reasoning behind the hunkering down for the winter. Until he perfected a suitable means of transport, he would not engage in long-distance traveling during winter. Besides the cold, the unpredictable weather caused the most discomfort.

On the morning of the fourth day, the group of dehydrated explorers finally sighted their first goblin. A scout had returned with haste from the front, indicating that a goblin hunting party lay ahead. Scholar Rang perked up on the news, having spent the past few days cursing the inabilities of these scouts.

Chu finally witnessed the fruit of the centuries of research, and the secret weapon of Scholar Rang. The haggard looking ancient, excitedly walked to the nearby covered sled while pulling out a key. Unlike the sled loaded with supplies, this one had always been pulled and guarded by the acting captain and his cronies.

The boy now knew why, as the door of an iron cage opened.

A goblin, clad in a robe and boots stepped out.

"The time has come, Zubyia Rang, to lead your uncivilized brothers towards the true path. Go, your Master awaits only success."

"Yes, milord. This low one will have them bow towards a true king."

The goblin puffed its chest as it stomped off. A short time later, Master Rang and the Captain rescued it from drowning in the sea of snow.

In the end, they all waded behind the scout towards the location of the goblins. Chu glanced at the faces of the escorting soldiers and adventurers before following behind like everyone else out of curiosity.

"Go from here, we wait for your success."

Scholar Rang said while pushing the robed bundle forward. He waited with a group of curious onlookers as the garbed goblin swam forward. Chu looked at the faces who wanted to create history.

Unlike the others, his mind churned on a bigger picture.

How often had this scene played out in history? More importantly what about the outcome?

Conversion, whether through religion, politics, or display of might never ended well. The meeting between tribes in Asia, Columbus in the new world, pilgrims on the shores of North America.

The arrogant attitude of the goblin because he lived a better life than his kin and the way in which Scholar Rang chose to commence his first meeting.

It bothered him. A goblin brainwashed against his own race left no room for negotiation. Bad for business, especially for a first meeting. A successful meeting always allowed some room for compromises, since the thrill of a win-win ending provided both participants with the comfort of achievement.

Something else bothered him considerably.

This damn goblin had a title to his name.

How unreasonable was that?

Zubyia Rang my ass...

Zubyia Rang had once been an ignorant raider living in the south. Through a series of events, he landed in the hands of Scholar Rang and learned the ways of a true civilization the hard way. The barbaric culture of the goblins could never compare to the riches and lavish lifestyles of the humans.

Over the years he had accumulated the wealth of true living.

"Brothers, I bring tidings from a great country..."

Chu burrowed inside the snow, looking on at the display. Soon, the ugly-looking doll beckoned towards them. Scholar Rang flaunted his steps while pushing his way through the snow. The captain and three others accompanied him, wary of their surroundings.

In the small clearing, a goblin scout climbed down a tree and stood on a tree stump above the deep snow. On nearby trees, about ten others gazed down with snarling faces at the newcomers. The thin long fingers had already found the deadly arrows for their bows.

"Crap!"

Chu turned towards the interrupting voice, only for his eyes to notice the cause. He alone understood that the goblin migration northwards had probably peaked in this region. Most likely it may even halt around here until spring arrived since the goblins had a guaranteed source of food.

It still shocked him on seeing the little figures popping out from behind those buttress roots and crawling around the surrounding branches.

"Captain, they surrounded us. How did this happen?"

The Captain turned back towards the speaker as if looking at an idiot.

"What the hell are you asking me for? Ain't you the hired scout?"

Out in front, it seemed that Scholar Rang did not get the memo, nor pay attention to the threatening developments.

"Tell them you want to meet the goblin Elders since you bring tidings from the mighty Empire."

Scholar Rang waved his sleeves, peering down at the opposing goblin scout. His haughty appearance stifled the excitement with his beating heart. He was on the verge of creating history.

"Why you dress like scarecrow? Why we not kill you now?"

Asked the menacing goblin warrior to this little idiot floundering before him.

"Brothers, I bear no ill will."

"Stop spitting out your words and talk proper goblin. Did you bring these humans for lunch? We should butcher your traitorous ass and pull your entrails from here to your tribe."

The goblin scout chattered. This idiot turncoat standing in front of him seemed like he chewed on some mighty serious mushrooms. Worse yet, he seemed to represent some strange humans. The goblin scout contemplated burying an arrow in this traitor, before retreating, when his beady eyes fell on the human nearby.

"Tell them we bring gifts for Elders. We come in peace not war."

Scholar Rang whispered. From the menacing faces of the goblins nocking their bows and the one in front who seemed to itch for a fight, this first meeting looked like it would end in a bloodbath. The old man might be a stout intellect, but he was no fool. Reading the deteriorating mood, he slowly shuffled back.

The hate in the goblin's eyes dissipated, however, as it ignored the stupid goblin, the cowardly bag of bones and focused instead on the small human standing behind the robed prick. A weird smile plastered the human's face. The goblin's eyes switched from the unnatural grin to the yellow armband worn over the thick cloak.

Chu could not see the grin, but he recognized the back of the idiot standing alongside the Captain.

"How, when and why did that idiot arrive there?"