THE GOBLIN CAMP

Chu sat on a waterproof sheet, stoking the campfire. He added another log they had gathered earlier to raise the flames. On both sides of him on the flattened snow, waterproof tents ensured the warmth and kept the inhabitants protected from the cold.

"Something on your mind?

Asked Lucy.

Unbeknownst when, she had arrived and joined him.

"I should be whipped since I didn't even hear you. I make a poor watchman."

"U-huh."

She answered, reaching to place two chopped logs near the blaze to dry. The two sat in silence, listening to the crackle of the wood, and watching the lighter embers flutter away like fireflies on a warm summer night.

"I feel sorry for those adventurers. We jealous their freedom and strange, exciting stories but have no idea how cruel their world turns. For a bond of friendship and family, forged on the road, these guys are willing to throw away their lives to achieve a desire of revenge."

"Hmm. I think we would do the same."

Lucy answered while gazing into the fire.

"Then we have those soldiers, not the idiots with their stupid captain, but the ones who simply follow orders. Noble born or not, I have chatted with a few over the days. Some, like the other adventurers, have no idea what will happen, simply here to make money in the end."

He said poking the fire with a stick. He continued his soliloquy

"We've had some vicious fights with the goblins, and I don't deny that some might harbor grudges. Yet here we are, trading and bartering with them. Tomorrow if things don't work out, we might even test this relation we have with them. It would not take much for them to settle their scores with us then."

A few minutes passed by, in this quiet forest.

"Hey, Chu. Why do you worry so much."

Lucy asked. She pulled her feet up hugging her knees around her chest within the warm cloak. Looking up at the sky she continued

"You worry too much Chu. None of us expects you to save everyone, otherwise, the slums wouldn't exist. So what if people hate you, you will always be our devil."

She bumped her shoulder on him.

Chu looked at this girl who had been with him from the very beginning. Seeing her stare at the stars with those blue eyes and blond straight hair flowing down her back, made his heart skip a beat.

But she was right.

Why should he walk a path to please others? From the first day he entered this world, Chu never believed he came to save every inhabitant. He had spent too much time trying to save himself from a simple thing like starvation. Chu chucked another log in the fire, glancing around at the other nearby camps.

The group started moving at first light, following the new guide.

"Were heading north."

Rose said.

They trudged through the snow for the morning, while the goblins nimbly used the trees to avoid the tiresome trek in the snow. Just after midday, the tired party climbed a ridge to gasp at the sight laid before them.

In a shallow valley, the goblins had cleared away a large swath of the forest, converting it into a massive fenced camp capable of housing thousands. Over five miles away, numerous small round huts of wood and vine littered the inside of a wooden palisade.

"There must be thousands of them living here."

Miki muttered while gawking at the incredible sight.

"If this horde moves, then our farm could only wait to be swallowed."

Pick added. He shifted uncomfortably on his wobbling knees on the scene. The worth of the previous large order of corn turned into crumbs. No wonder the goblins had such a large number of fighters out in the winter forest hunting for prey. Pick secretly praised the heavens for what he once believed was his harsh life.

The forest had one rule-- Kill to live.

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The goblins had swept the entire camp clean of snow. The brown earth littered with stones stood out in stark contrast, like a welcome island in the ocean of snow. A variation of green vegetation covered this island, as the goblins hustled about their business.

"What is that thing?"

The camp extended up the far slope, before an intimidating, ruined structure that had huge stones and rubble piled and scattered around it. The remnants of the remaining building resembled a massive fortress type castle, with two of its four towers still intact after perhaps centuries of neglect.

"It seems like the goblins had another reason to make camp in this region besides trading with us. This castle is not something that matches the style of a goblin."

Chu muttered while glancing at the cabana-styled enclosed houses.

"Ah, you're right Boss. Come to think of it, that design is mighty familiar. It looks like the towers of the Mages in Limerock. I saw it from behind the bars of the slave caravan when we passed through the city from a distance. But why is something like that way out here?"

Pick said glancing around as if on edge. It had to be said that the Tower Mages possessed an invincible reputation in the minds of the populace. What force could cause them to retreat and abandon such a well-defended and massive fortress?

Silence fell on the entire expedition team, as soldiers and adventurers weighted in the scene before them. A large castle such as this would have numerous treasures ready for the taking. All that stood between them was a massive goblin horde.

Soon everyone cast their eyes on the wizened old man and his caged sidekick. It only took one crack for the dam to burst.

"Scholar Rang possesses the aura of a general with the mind of a mage. Soon he will have all these goblins at his beck and call. With the mighty hand of the Scholar, sweeping through the ruins would be like child's play."

"No wonder Scholar Rang has pursued the goblins. He has brought us here to help reclaim the property of the Mages. Rest assured, my party is willing to scout the castle for him."

"My soldiers stand ready at your command, Scholar Rang. We will scour the castle for any remaining riches so that you can have the goblins carry it on our return journey."

In the midst of all the flattering, Scholar Rang snapped out of his daze. Like the others, he had spent some quality time gawking with his open mouth at the sight. The sheer numbers of the goblins frightened him, such that his knees turned to jelly.

If the initial contact had progressed with the submission and fawning of the goblins like he dreamed, then his courage might not have faltered. The scars from the hostility of that meeting lingered, turning this dream of domination into a veritable joke.

How could he not recognize the hate and temperament of these vile creatures who wanted to swallow him whole? During the journey, he noticed the sneers and glimpses of some of the goblins as if drooling over a hunk of seasoned meat. A tribe of ten, maybe twenty he had the backing to flaunt his power, but this?

He made a stiff smile and nodded to accept the praises. His heart inside, however, was fluttering while his stomach churned. Forget the ideas on that castle, Scholar Rang mind reeled on thinking how to save himself from death.

"Let's see if the scholar can convince the goblins to gain access to that ruin. The money from the artifacts, scrolls, and potions found there can earn a fortune."

"Spread the word, we will reap the wealth from it and leave. After spending some of that gold, we can hire a large mercenary party to join us in returning and killing these vile green-skins."

Two adventurers whispered. Though barely audible, the contents could not escape the sharp ears of the girl walking nearby.

Chu swept his eyes over the faces of the men a short time later. He made a hollow laugh, thinking the words every man had a price befitted this world really well. Even those cold faces that had prepared to reap vengeance, had turned completely, pushing revenge to second place.

As they shuffled through the snow while walking down the long but gentle incline, Chu noticed some activity taking place near the goblin gate in the distance. Soon a small party of goblins exited the walls while making their way towards them.

The two groups met halfway in the blanketed clearing. This time the exploring party had bunched up together with the two Rangs and the Captain standing about two paces at the head. To have a good view of the proceedings, the children had squeezed their way at the front.

The greeting party consisting of ten or so goblins also halted a few paces away. Although seemingly at a disadvantage in the face of this armed human party, they held a hidden advantage. The humans knew that within the snow around them, countless pairs of wary eyes lurked for an opportunity to strum their cruel bows.

An old goblin hobbled with difficulty over the hastily cleared path between the races. One look from the accompanying goblins and one could tell he held a position of power. Raising that wrinkled head he scanned the crowd until his faded pupils fell on some familiar faces.

"Greetings, Masters. I hope you came with a sacrifice for this unexpected meeting."

The toothed mouth said while drawing a small rectangle in the air and then smacking his lips. A casket of pick-pickles would do them nicely since the rest were confiscated by the Shaman.

Zubyia Rang tottered in the front, before clutching his master's robe. The Elder had made a slight bow and then rattled some mighty careless words while taking the time to wave his hands. The little goblin palpitated before stuttering the translation.

"Master, he says we need to offer a sacrifice to proceed."

"Eh?"

"He says we NEED A SACRIFICE! Master, we have to hand over some people."

The goblin said while scanning the crowd for suitable candidates.

The sound of gasps came from the men as they reached for their weapons. Nobody wanted this journey to be their last. One human though, could not believe his luck. Who could imagine that some wars really started on a simple miscommunication?

Obviously Zubyia Rang had departed from the goblin circle some time ago. This translator seemed to still be running on outdated knowledge. Modern goblins did not feast on all humans since there were exceptions.

If Chu did not jump on this opportunity, then he would not be Chu. He signaled the others to follow.

Unknowingly the expedition party had split into two groups. Amidst this brewing chaos as the adventurers and soldiers warily eyed each other, a calm voice offered respite. Like the welcome warm fire in the heart of winter, it relaxed their hands from the cold iron weapons.

"Let them take us. Scholar Rang, we will sacrifice ourselves for the greater good of the party."

Before anyone could agree or object, five children and an old man stepped out bravely.