Thorin wiped the sweat from his brow and looked at the twelve new skeletons lined up in the cave. He thought he might as well raise them all while calling Cynar back. He decided to just kill the goblin that he experimented on. It was close to death anyways, and one more skeleton is always a benefit.

He sat down and meditated for a bit, so he could restore the mana he used while raising the skeletons. By the time he opened his eyes, Cynar and the other crimson skeletons were back.

“Before we make any plans, I need to know what you learned while you were gone Cynar.” Thorin said, starting the meeting.

“Yes, of course. While you were out of commission, Roland and Lauros, did a wonderful job harassing. They managed to slow the goblin group significantly, but we are still running out of time. They will reach the plains in seven days where we will be unable to continue our guerrilla warfare tactics. After that they would only have to march for two more days before reaching the town. They still have at least nine hundred goblins left. Definitely enough to destroy the town. Also I have noticed a strange clump of goblins usually in the middle of the camp. I went to investigate, but felt a magical presence. I am afraid they might have a couple of goblin hedge witches or shamans leading the army.” Cynar reported with a worried look.

“Alright that could be concerning, but we will deal with them when they show themselves. We are running out of time we need to move and move fast.” Thorin said.

‘How the hell am I going to deal with nine hundred goblins in a week?’ Thorin thought panicking slightly.

‘Even if I raised all of the skeletons I can, it would still only be a group of sixty eight.’ Thorin thought.

“So how are we going to accomplish this?” he said while looking at his three crimson skeletons and Cynar.

A couple of hours passed as Cynar and Thorin went back and forth on the best course of action, with the three skeletons occasionally giving an idea.

“Alright maybe we have a chance.” Thorin said.

Even if he didn't wipe out all of the goblins, he could still save the town by removing enough of them.

Satisfied they had come up with the best plan possible with what they had available, Thorin walked out of the cave along with the rest of his forces.

The sun was just about to set, perfect for him to start his first step.

Issuing out a command, Thorin and the rest of the skeletons started jogging towards the goblins main camp.

*Three hours later*

Thorin and Lauros were crouched inside a group of trees on the outskirts of the messy goblin camp. They were just laid out everywhere. Some were fortunate and were sleeping on animal furs, but the majority were either on the ground or up against trees. There was no order with their camp lay out. Some were clumped together while others were spaced apart.

A good amount of them were snoring creating a symphony of unpleasant sounds. The worst part about the camp though was the smell. He couldn't tell what was worse, sharing a cave with corpses, or the goblin camp.

Only a couple of goblins were awake as sentries, but even those were dowsing off now. You would think they’d be more cautious due to the attacks, but Thorin could only guess they found comfort in their numbers. Thorin and his skeletons never attacked the main camp before, why should they tonight? That's the reasoning they Goblins used to comfort themselves and avoid their duties. That just made Thorin and Lauros’ job easier though.

‘They should be starting soon.’ Thorin thought as he waited patiently. Another minute passed before a small alarm circled through the camp. It wasn’t loud enough to wake most of the goblins, but it did wake the hundred or so who were the napping sentries. Most of them got up before running in the direction of the alarm. They woke up a couple of their sleeping compatriots by stepping on them in their hurry.

‘Looks like Roland and Talon are making their move.’ Thorin thought. He let another moment pass before slowly moving towards the sleeping Goblins with Lauros.

*Pov Change Talon*

“Master has entrusted us this task, we must not fail.” Roland said to me as we got in position.

“We will not fail.” I said adamantly. We could not fail. Master's plan depended on today's success.

“It's time to move.” Roland said as he charged out of the bushes leading the twelve skeletons put under our control.

I started running also, only a couple of steps behind Roland. We were making quite a ruckus and instantly alerted one of the goblin sentries, who hit a drum making a thud to alert the other sentries around the camp.

The Goblins were idiotic. They lazily got up only to see our small force charging at them before almost dismissing us. They believed whole heartedly their numbers were unbeaten able.

We charged into these fools. Many of the creatures died within the first couple of seconds. It didn't matter though as more and more goblins got up to fight us. That and sentries from all around the camp started to converge on our position.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

I chopped down on a goblin that over extended in order to attack me, while bashing one with my shield that was attempting to get up. I quickly reversed my slash and disimboweled the stunned goblin. While I was delivering the blow I felt a blade bounce off of my back. I turned to see another three Goblins running to engage me.

At this point our charge has faltered and the fight was breaking down into two versus one fights. I broke away from the goblins fighting me before making my way to Roland. He was slaughtering Goblins and was single handedly maintaining the skeletons group. I stood at his back and turned to fight the three that followed me. I had to be more careful now, I end up blocking more than I could attack. Whenever I would kill or maim one of the goblins, another two would take its place. We had quickly turned from the attackers to the defenders.

The skeleton's orders had them bunch up with us creating small a group of white skeletons, fighting off a small wave of green goblins. We had some advantages over these green savages, we could see in the dark and receive much more punishment before falling. Where as they struggled to see each other and could be slain easily.

I fought with all of my might, blocking blows, and returning them. Eventually, the battle just got rougher and rougher as more goblins arrived. We were getting pushed back, and every now and then, a skeleton would crumble due to a unlucky blow to the spine or head. Other injuries would recover slowly while we fought, due to our master’s mana being slowly provided over a distance. I began to struggle, the Goblins were throwing themselves at us, being stirred up by those behind them. We wouldn't last long.

I cast aside these thoughts and fought with a renewed energy. Even if I die today for my Lord it would be worth it. All we need to do was hold the goblins attention for as long as possible. My Lord just need time.

*Pov Change Thorin*

Due to the goblins being used to Lauros’ and Roland's previous raids, they calmed down quickly. Most just grumbled in annoyance and went back to sleep after hearing the alarm. This group was probably ten minutes away from the fighting, and this caused the Goblins to just go back to sleep unconcerned. It wasn't their problem. Thorin said plan hinged on their lack of alertness. Due to Cynars reports, Thorin knew that even if they were attacked somewhere else in camp most of the goblins would go back to sleeping.

By attacking one side of the camp it got rid of the sentries near Thorin and let him have free reign in the camp. Everyone awake would be headed to the fight, or would be looking that way.

Thorin and Lauros were able to just creep into the camp by staying quiet enough, and staying away from the more restless goblins. They started to make their way over to sleeping Goblins that were alone.

They found one that was sleeping face up and snoring like a truck. It had a large nose full of boils and was a rather disgusting goblin. Thorin sent a mental signal to Lauros and began to make his way over to the goblin. Thorin kneeled down next to it and waited for Lauros to pull out its dagger. When both of them were ready, Lauros plunged the dagger into the goblin's throat. Thorin clamped his hand down onto the creature's mouth to prevent it from making any sounds and leaned on the goblin's body to keep it still.

It's eyes flashed open and attempted struggle, but under Thorin's weight, it could only sit there and die.

It all happened very quickly and quietly. With a flick of the hand the Goblin’s corpse was thrown into his dimensional storage. Signaling, they moved on to the next goblin. They were extremely efficient, and killed a goblin every thirty seconds.

Thorin continued to do so until they were noticed. They were just finishing killing one more goblin that was sleeping at the base of a tree when they heard a rustle in the tree above them. When Thorin looked up he saw a goblin looking back at him. Making eye contact the goblin realized what was happening and started to yell in alarm.

Thorin quickly swept up the last goblin corpse into his storage, and sent a mental command to all of his crimson skeletons.

‘Retreat,’ Thorin sent out.

Their distraction serves no purpose now, besides losing more skeletons. He quickly pulled out his sword, and started to escape with Lauros. At every chance he got he swung his sword at Goblins who were scrambling to get to their feet. Occasionally he would score a killing blow, and be able to store the corpse quickly. Eventually more and more goblins were up on their feet and moving to confront them. A pair of goblins stood up and block their path out, but Thorin didn't have time to stop an exchange blows. He lowers his shoulder, grit his teeth and prayed his armour did its job.

The goblin he hit went down and the other goblin was knocked to the side, but not before one of them stabbed out and left a dagger planted in his arm. Using his adrenaline Thorin tried to ignore the pain, and just keep on running. Lauros handled the other couple of goblins that got up by either throwing his daggers, or cutting their leg tendons as he rolled past them.

Eventually they broke free, and just had to make it far enough that the goblins couldn't chase them.

Thorin's every step was a jarring pain due to the dagger moving slightly in his arm. He didn’t want to take it out before being able to treat it, so he left it in and willed his blood magic to help slow the bleeding.

Luckily Thorin and Lauros’ agility was far above the short legged goblins and they managed to escape after a half an hour chase.

After losing their pursuers they headed back to the cave.

Name:  Thorin Black      Class: Necromancer Lv 9 79/90 XP Health  260/260 Mana 65/1580 Stats:       Strength: 28 Vitality: 26 Stamina: 18 Endurance: 11 Intelligence: 58 Willpower: 68 Agility: 13 Dexterity: 12

Skills   Summon Familiar Rank S Skeletal Fusion Rank C Energy Siphon Rank D+ Summon Skeleton Rank D Blood Lust Rank D

    Talents   Affinity with Death Dimensional Storage Head Start Magic Reserves Strong Soul Blood Lord

Thorin's Forces   Skeleton 12 Crimson Skeleton 3