A BENEVOLENT ADVENTURER

Doug stood on the side of the large table, pondering over the wooden blocks. Singh and Chong leaned over from the opposite end, muttering between themselves. Mr. Thomas walked into the room of the dormitory, barring the door behind him.

"Finn just completed it, so we can place it accordingly. If I remember, it should be placed opposite the west gate."

Mr. Thomas said as he placed the newly whittled block inside the wooden walls. Stepping away he surveyed his work. The large model, comprised of numerous buildings and labeled wooden blocks. With endless help from his wife, he had recreated most of the important buildings and landmarks for the ancient city.

Frost City.

"The Military offices are located inside the west gate, while the training grounds and barracks are located on the outside. The north gate and south gates serve as merchant quarters for everything, from slaves, to iron, to grains. On the east gate lies the nobles, and titled military mansions, while the southeast consists of the red light district and slums."

Mr. Thomas explained while pointing out certain landmarks with his one hand.

"You will mostly concentrate your business in the southeast, but knowing the ways of the city, you may have to enter the other areas. Remember Frost City is even larger than the Capital, and also much older. The city has a history of having been destroyed and rebuilt, so the secret passages and tunnels are too numerous to count."

"I take it that's the reason for orphanage idea?"

Singh asked. For the past few nights, they had familiarized themselves with this behemoth of a city, that remained an enigma for all humans. Mrs. Thomas informed them during one of her recollections that its history dated before the birth of the Empire. Even after a thousand years, the Tower Mages had yet to uncover all its secrets.

To the ancient Houses and Clans revered by others throughout the Empire, the weathered stones probably considered them babies struggling to walk. The city housed the headquarters and the command center of the Military, the headquarters of the Tower Mages and the battle palace of the Emperor himself.

"The Boss wants to launch a blitz type attack, along with a future spy network, that would eliminate backstabbing for power. The orphanage idea is the first of its kind and will gather all the slum children towards you. With free food, shelter, and coin, you will soon map out every inch of the slums and city."

Mr. Thomas sighed while secretly praising the idea. The brat had dropped the idea of using beggars and paupers as spies since they could easily betray the cause for a coin. Children, on the other hand, could infiltrate anywhere without notice.

"One year, Elder. Give us one year, and we will complete this task without fail. Only idiots would fall after this much preparation."

Doug said. Their experience in the Capital and journey through other cities provided them an advantage that separated them from noobs. The Boss had grand ideas, that fighters like them could never unravel.

Mr. Thomas sat on a chair while browsing through the documents and instructions Chu left. He bent his back and exhaled a long sigh. Woe be it to those who landed up in the eyesight of that brat. A flood of memories assailed him, some wonderful, others, terrible.

Frost City.

Soon, he would return.

***

"Wow, what the heck, Pug. How famous are you?"

Ming said waving his hands while glancing all around like a villager visiting a city for the first time. On both sides of the brown path, goblins lined the edge chattering and yelling. Ming swore he saw a couple of goblin looking girls, swoon when they passed by. Pointing around at the overwhelming numbers, the teen praised his companion strutting along side him.

Pug simply smirked and signed away, with his slender fingers. Of the humans, he considered Ming a true compatriot. They communicated easily, held themselves in high status, and could both seize an open opportunity. Most importantly, they had both sat in filth together. Nothing spelled a truer bond between mighty warriors.

Behind both of them, Chu walked together with Lucy as he glanced around. The goblin families in the huts all wore thick clothes to ward off the cold. He glanced at goblins sweeping away the snow between the huts. The earth had been stripped clean of vegetation, leaving only the island of natural brown.

"Smell that Lucy?"

"U-huh. The stories are false. The goblins here have well-built huts and live in cleanliness."

Stolen story; please report.

Chu nodded.

"Good observation. This place is even more sanitary than the village. See the little drains to remove the water? They have even disposed of their waste. Even their dress code is different."

Chu stated. A barren earthy smell emanated from this large camp of thousands. He recalled the stink and rags of the goblins raiders and those who visited from the cave. The stark contrast was unbelievable.

"War. War and refugee migration can change a race while dropping their culture. No wonder the goblin raiders fell short of their previous conquest when they beat on the walls of the towns. If we had to face goblins armed and armored like Pug, the fight might have been different."

Lucy soaked in his words, while she narrowed her eyes at Pug strutting at the front.

"Elder said the best armor in the city is made of high-quality leather, but I have never seen a kind like that. It seems special since no one else wears anything similar. The only form of iron armor I know is the piece of plate that is strapped before the heart."

"Yes that breastplate is good, but it's very cumbersome. My guess is that it is a type of chainmail. Don't worry, we will have a closer look at it in private. Hey, stop being a wuss, and leave my shadow."

Chu muttered to Lucy, but then cast a stare at the little goblin, riding his shadow. He sent a kick at the goblin who squealed but skittled even closer.

"As I said, you should have never interfered with those two. This is the price you pay for trying to undermine a good thing."

He scolded the goblin trying to move closer to him without touching. The goblin fighters cast menacing gazes, their slender fingers rubbing over wicked daggers gleaming behind leather belts. Only waiting for a word...

Zubyia Rang now knew the gravity of his actions. He witness the admiration and cheers, directed towards the Champion which turned to hostile gazes, that bit into him from all sides. At the moment, he survived on a path thinner than a knife-edge. If he strayed too far from this human titled the Devil, he would certainly be ripped to shreds, for attacking the Champion.

Behind him, the menacing stares from goblin warriors and the Elders bore into his brain. One misstep and if he so much as bump into the Devil, the warriors would seize him under the pretense of disrespect and flay him. Word had apparently spread of the incident before the gate, since even the smallest goblin pickney, snarled at him.

The well-received guest arrived in a clearing before a large hut. Beyond it, a host of rectangular huts housed the majority of the goblin warriors and scouts. Before it on both sides, slightly smaller huts belonged to the Elders of the respective tribes.

About a mile away, loomed the massive ruins of the suspected Tower Mages.

Goblin warriors appeared carrying long logs. Soon a crude circle of horizontal logs covered the clearing. Pug turned towards them and gestured for them to be seated. He himself sat on this makeshift bench while patting the space next to him for Ming. Chu and the others joined them along with the Elders.

"A council of Elders. A Shaman led Council of Elders."

Zubyia whispered in shock. Seeing the palanquin emerge from the large hut and come closer, caused his words to stutter and his body to shiver. He wanted to sit down, but a rough goblin hand slapped him away. Only the worthy could rest their laurels on the logs. He considered himself fortunate for being allowed to stand behind Chu.

A wizened old goblin who probably held the position of Chief Elder, hobbled near the palanquin that rested closest to the large hut.

"Champion, welcome the Devil and ask why he seeks us out with a group of killers."

The Chief Elder repeated the words of the Shaman. Pug rose from his seat to begin the translation, but Chu raised his hand to stop. He turned to Zubyia and beckoned him forward.

"Tell me what the Elder goblin says."

"Ah, he tells Champion to welcome you and asks why you come here."

"I see."

Chu looked at Pug and waved for him to continue. Soon the consensus ended up as to why he walked with goblin killers. Chu nodded while turning to Zubyia. Grabbing the goblin by the throat, he then dragged the flaying fibber outside the circle.

Pah, Pah, Pah!

Crisp slaps echoed in the clearing.

"Next time you decide to lie while using your brain, I will toss you into the middle of the goblin camp. Tell the Elders you will explain to me so that the great Champion can rest."

With the subdued Zubyia forced to translate for this dangerous Devil, the conversations proceeded smoothly. Chu had Pug sign at irregular intervals causing Zubydia to tremble in fear. Twice Zubyia felt the roughness of a human hand, simply because he praised himself while replying to the Goblin Elders. With word of his previous act spreading to all corners, the Elders and surrounding fighters cast menacing glares.

Chu raised an eyebrow while watching the enclosed palanquin. The Goblin Shaman conversed with words easily translated into sign language. The short informative sentences also left little room for misinterpretation.

'The Goblin Shaman is sharper than expected.'

He handed the small black opal he borrowed from Tye.

"Ask if they have any like this. I need it."

Before he could talk, Pug held the stone and then chattered continuously. He looked to Ming and waved his hands.

"The Champion says he has seen a cave filled with this type of stone. A few days walk from here. He can have the goblins mine the cave for you."

Chu smiled while giving Pug a thumbs up. It did not take him long to iron out a deal with the Shaman, consisting of only grain. He expected that soon he would have more than enough grain to spare. What better way to earn something coveted by the Tower themselves.

This much easier method of conversation drifted to the humans resting outside the camp.

"Tell them the humans outside are dangerous, and must be kept under watch. Don't even think of trying to change my words."

Chu said.

"Why did you bring them here then?"

"A long tale, but first I want to know about that."

Chu said while pointing towards the looming structure.

"A remnant from ancient times, filled with traps and dangerous creatures. Goblins once used it as a punishment for betrayers and killers. There are two entrances but they are filled with either traps or beast. It is a landmark for the gathering of goblins or the separation of the tribes."

Chu nodded on the explanation, understanding that the goblins plan on scattering after the winter. The ruins had been passed down through rumors from the older generations.

"Hey, ask the Elders if humans are allowed to enter."

Chu questioned.

He considered himself a benevolent adventurer. What better way to act like one by handing the waiting humans a lifeline. Follow their greed or heed his warnings.

The choice would be theirs.