Hector sat by the fire lost in thought as if he forgot they were there. If there was a horrible beast in these woods. Why is he here then? uneasy sitting next to the fire trying to get warm as the rain poured outside of the little cave

“What does this beast look like?” Jezebel asked. He looked at me then shook his head

“I don’t know”

“Then how do you know?” Safiya asked

“I’ve seen tracks, big ones”

“How long have you been out here?” Jezebel asked “a year” he kept looking at me weird like I might hurt him maybe he thinks I’m a full demon. He could be a thief or even a murderer. but he can last out here this long and I have no idea what we're doing and I’m stronger and taller than him but how to prevent him from killing us in our sleep?. We can sleep in trees while he can sleep on the ground.

“Do you want to travel with us, no one else will” Safiya turned her head swiftly towards her. She got up and pulled her aside.

“We will be right back” Safiya said over her shoulder before he could reply as we went back into the rain

“thanks for this” Jezebel said soaking wet again “I was just starting to dry off”

“never mind that we don’t know him he could be a criminal I saw the way he looked at you”

“I know that but he’s also been living in these woods for who knows how long and we've only made it this far due to luck and you know it” Safiya tilted her head

“fine but you are staying close to him in case he gets violent,”

“agreed” sitting as close to the fire as she could. Hector had a blank face

“We would love the help you could offer” Safiya said dryly “very well I will help you live here for a time” Hector said still catching glances at Jezebel. trying to get warmth into her hands again the rain was begging to let up to a drizzle

“we should move” picking up a wood chopping ax from behind a rock she felt like a fool for not seeing that.

“Now? it’s still raining” Safiya said

“We need to move soon” Hector persisted as the rain slowed to a trickle. The three of them headed out northwest because Hector didn't complain so it must be a good Idea.

Walking northwest we have to reach a village soon and be out of these woods eventually.

Finally they made camp in a tree. as Hector made camp on the ground and made a small campfire afternoon was almost over time they searched for food Safiya found a large oak with plenty of nuts and Jezebel got lucky and found a family of possums with the help of Hector back on the tree after we had eaten

“see I knew this was a good idea”

“It’s only been a few hours” Safiya said

“I know but we need to at least try In case where wrong and besides we have a full stomach”

“So. we need to be on our gourd” Hector was off gathering dry firewood so he could burn his food “you know the way he looks at you that guilty look” Safiya said maybe but she could not pass as full demon maybe he’s sorry for halfbreeds carving at the tree with my claws making lines

“we don’t know that for sure and he accepts us as halfbreeds he can’t be that bad” Safiya didn't look convicted but she didn't reply so she must begrudgingly agree

Hector came running back dropping his firewood “we need to move now” he called

“why?”

“ I saw a goblin heading this way” goblins! Climbing down if there's one there’s two hundred nearby

“He's a little ways away still if we move silently and quickly we should be fine” grabbing his small pack of tools but leaving the possums “hurry!” walking swiftly with no choice but to follow. trying not to make noise while searching for goblins feeling anxious

“We are moving away from the goblins right?” Safiya asked

“of course” Hector replied she could not see his reaction to that with his back to her. They wandered for a while until Jezebel and Safiya stopped a goblin! two goblins! Green humanoids with apelike faces each with flint spears and axes warning furs. They are violent and unstable for civilization, one male and the other clearly female. To the right of me she gestured to Safiya to stop and stared at it. Hector looked back to see why we stopped. she pointed towards the goblin pare. Hector crouched almost to his knees and we followed him. We met each other behind a large oak tree

“scouting party” Hector whispered

“there's only two” Jezebel whispered back

“We can take them” Hector replied drawing out his ax “I’ll separate them then we jump them at the same time” he went left Jezebel went right and Saifya stayed where she was crouching further. trying to move quickly around trees trying not to be caught by the goblins had their backs to her but that doesn't mean much. silently she crept. She didn't see Hector anywhere one started to turn her head; she went flat as she could smell the dirt. slowly she got up heart pounding In her chest. they were farther towards Safiya creeping towards them again ever closer. Suddenly Hector leapt out of the bushes out of nowhere ax swinging he cut them off guard both trying to defend themselves running as fast as possible the male turned in surprise trying to raise his spear but was too slow she tackled him to the ground he try to fend me off with his spear but I was too close claws ripping at his throat very dark blood almost black came out in a gush she held his shoulders until he went limp Hector grab her shoulder his ax stained with blood and the female didn’t move “let’s go the rest will know about this soon and we can’t out run timberwolves hurry!” we spirited away with Safiya trying to keep up “hurry!” Hector cried picking up speed and she passed Hector easily. Safiya can’t keep up seeing this. she halted then hefted her over her shoulders. surprised how light she was then ran again easily keeping up with Hector even with the extra weight. They ran for what seemed like forever before Hector took a break at some tree setting Safiya down then collapsed against the trunk breathing heavily only Safiya didn’t

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“Do you think we lost them?” Safiya said looking around as if goblins would jump out any second

“for a time I believe” Hector replied the sun’s begging to set its golden rays giving the forest a reddish golden glow. It's beautiful here. Wiping the sweat from her forehead.

“they must have found the bodies by now” Jezebel said

“then they will hunt us down with their timberwolves” Hector said

“Jezebel, what's a timberwolf?” she must not have read any stories or books well she is poor as dirt. “timberwolves are wolves but are the size of donkeys and way meaner” Safiya gave a shutter in reply

“Yes,” Hector sighed, getting up and slowly pacing. “I thought goblins were dangerous” Hector gave a huff

“they are you are just stronger, had surprise and weren't outnumbered” horns sound off in the distance “let’s go now!” starting off again the man seemed to never not run out of energy. getting over to sling Safiya over my shoulders

“I can run by myself. you carried me enough"

''you're too slow and I’m fine” her right shoulder was stiff

“Hurry before we lose him,” Safiya said with ice in her voice. slinging her over shoulders and leaving at a brisk pace towards Hector. How did he get ahead so fast! He’s almost forty feet ahead. I can't get enough breath.

“your tired let me down”

“no…..time” why is she so whiny? I’m making sure she’s safe. I can't lose her. Hector was getting further ahead “alright but for only a little while” sliding her off. They ran to catch up to Hector.

They made it into a grassy plane with behemoths nearby grazing almost as big as a forest elephant, brown or black some even white they must have migrated from the north. Short snouts, four-legged, and aggressive. to the right hilly plains Hector was getting dangerously close to the behemoths where is he leading us? Catching up to him carefully getting by the behemoths did they see me? did they care? Making their way to a large boulder hiding behind it from the behemoths. but the goblin’s were heading towards them. They could easily see us. she felt exposed. giving Hector time to catch his breath before speaking but mostly mine

“Where are we running to?” Safiya asked

“Safety” Hector replied, horns sounded again closer this time with the behemoths this close they had to crawl for a time hoping the goblins riding timberwolves didn't catch up or the behemoths would charge them. finally they were far enough away to start running again and in the distance

a village! They must be safe there, safer than in the open. At least traveling the plains was easier on the hooves too. passing farms some farmers were in their fields “get inside of the walls!” Jezebel cried “there's goblins on the way spread the word” Hector called the farmer ran into for his house. then ran out with his wife and three children headed for the gates. They called others who were outside. She was slowing down so much running. at the palisade gates the guards stood at attention clad in gambeson and metal caps

“What's all the ruckus?” looking at us, wide eyed farmer’s were starting to get behind us

“Goblins on timber wolves and there could be a whole tribe!” Safiya said pointing towards where they are coming from

“open the gates!” practically pushing Jezebel and Safiya in once everyone was inside the guards closed the gates people were staring at us. Well me and Safiya

“It's not a false alarm is it?” one of the farmer’s said not sure who, in response the horns sounded again Much closer. I couldn't see over the wall trying to find a platform or a hill but the village was all on a hill, most houses were circles with big roofs, some work buildings were spare there like blacksmiths and merchants shops. the horns sounded again. almost here she could hear the wiles of the goblins. villagers were either getting weapons or trying to hide. The children were in clusters hugging one another when they saw their parents frightened. She just noticed Hector backing away from everyone into an alleyway with a pained expression on his face then turned his back and went deeper into the village. What is with him? Is he known here? Did he leave and only come back? putting Hector out of her mind for the moment. the sun was setting then she noticed the mill. it was tall enough to see over the wall ignoring all the looks from the villagers. as they poured out into the streets she easily towered over everyone so finding a path to the flower mill was no problem with Safiya following behind her she sunk her claws into the wood to get a good grip to swing up and almost fell. arms shaking. I’m too tired for this but I need a glimpse, pulling herself up with everything she had foot by foot until she could see over the wall and saw goblins, about three or four hundred! of them! some riding timberwolves that was all she saw before she fell on her gut which knocked the wind out of her

“Jezebel!” Safiya screech helping her sit up “

that's as many goblins as there are villager’s there going to make a battering ram” reading that they could “we’re stuck” a farmer responded in simple wool clothes, a patchy beard, and skinny,

“the king is not very far off in the next town actually”

But the chief judge at the capitol he almost never goes….wait king? are we in the Saxohdale kingdom!. We traveled more than I’d thought. Hopefully no more goblins join the fun. “I’m going to deliver a message to your king. point me in the town’s direction in the morning”

“but you're tired and you’ll never make it! The night of the dead is tomorrow!”

“If she wants to let her,” the farmer replied.

“I have to try” night finally came with the goblin’s probably making camp. the day of the dead she’ll have to find a mask or just hide somewhere great everything is going downhill in just little over a week!

“Let’s find a space to sleep I’m tired” Safiya nodded they went to the small hospital there not supposed to refuse halfbreeds the hospital was a large rectangle building for the size of the village anyway two stores tall, with glass windows, white plaster, with a priest at the double doors a bald man with white hair on around his head with simple red robes. no idea which god or goddess he followed. they approach him he regarded them with a sour expression but his voice held none of it

“welcome weary travelers please have something to eat and rest at our beds'' he said “thank you” bowing my head the priest wave them into the hospital the main room had rows of beds for the sick and the desperate sitting on one of the bed’s was Hector silently weeping we took the bed next to him her hooves didn’t fit on the bed because of her height. “Where have you been?” Jezebel asked

“We should never have come here” he mourned, getting a worried look from Safiya. I have no time for this right now snuggling into the bed as best she could. How am I going to deliver a message to their king?