After the team was finalized, the Chief’s whose warriors were chosen sent messengers back to their clans to bring back the chosen warriors. Another day had passed by the time the entire team had gathered.

The level of tension in the clan was extremely high at the moment, with every single Goblin knowing the importance of this mission, none more so than the selected team of ten. They were the ones tasked with the great role of not only finding their future King, but bringing him back as well.

Of course, they were all prepared to lay down their lives to ensure this mission was a success.

The team members consisted of one Tier 5 and 9 Tier fours. The document that listed this all important team went as follows.

Rogu - First son of Chieftain Rogur, General of the Raagur Clan. Tier 5 Goblin. Royal Retrieval

Team Captain.

Loruk - First Son of Gralgo, Chieftain of the Central Clan, Captain of the Goblin Corps. Tier 4 Goblin. Royal Retrieval Team Vice-Captain.

Teral - Warrior of the Saug Clan, Captain of the Saug Magic Team 1. Tier 4 Maglin.

Hurgs - Third son of Chieftess Jluug, Adjutant to General Trig. Tier 4 Maglin.

Kris - Shadow Goblin Clan. Tier 4 Goblin.

Krel - Shadow Goblin Clan. Tier 4 Goblin.

Sarug - First Daughter of Chieftain Darug, Captain of the Third Goblin Sword. Tier 4 Maglin.

Ulgri - Crafter of the Pogra Clan, Head of Iron Shop 3. Tier 4 TinkGoblin.

Surgsha - Material Gatherer of the Pogra Clan, Head of Mat Team 1. Tier 4 Goblin.

Ra - Warrior of the Raagur Clan, Captain of the Raguur Scout Division. Tier 4 Goblin.

While only Seven of the Fourteen Clans were represented, all the Chiefs eventually agreed this was the best team for the mission. While all Clans were composed of Goblins of all shapes and sizes, not all Clans were of the same strength, focus, and size. Taking all of those things into account led to the creation of the Royal Retrieval Team, as it was dubbed.

While strength was paramount to the success of the team, it was not the sole deciding factor, highlighted by the inclusion of Ulgri, the sole TinkGoblin on the team. They needed to be prepared for all possible situations without losing too much strength for direct fights.

Eventually, the remaining days passed as they quickly put together team of ten, did their best to bond and work on their coordination for the upcoming journey. Of course this was done under the watchful eyes of all the Chiefs, who didn’t hesitate to give their advice especially since most of them sent their own kin on this life or death mission.

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

For no mission could be greater than this…

But the time was nigh, the stones had stopped glowing the day prior, and it was finally time to see which stone in the circle of eight would begin glowing one last time, to signify the direction the Royal was born in. All the Chiefs were gathered, albeit slightly cramped in the very same stone room the Stones of Birth were housed.

And despite the slightly cramped atmosphere, they were all silent as this room essentially spoke for Goblin Royalty, they did not dare to disrespect it with complaints.

It was after a few long, yet silent minutes after first light did one of the stones finally begin to glow.

“The glow...is very faint. The New Royal is far beyond these lands.” Said Chieftain Gralgo in a somber tone.

“We expected as much, I believe if a Royal was to be born near us, we would hear about it.” Responded Chieftess Jluug.

“This is correct, no need to dwell on this any longer, let us go deliver the news and send the team off, we cannot waste a second.” Spoken by Chieftess Yalg, who was already walking towards the exit of the stone room.

The remaining Chiefs quickly followed, and before long the Royal Retrieval Team was gathered before them.

Before the team trul;y departed, the Chiefs who had warriors in the team all stepped up to give their clan members final words of advice, this of course included the only Tier 5 on the mission.

Chieftain Rogur places his large hands upon his son’s shoulders as he spoke.

“You have your direction, you know your mission. Your life is a cheap price to pray to achieve success, yet I will pray to our god that it is a price you will not need to pay. Bring back our Future King.”

“I will not fail you father, await my return.”

“Good!”

After all remaining goodbyes were stated, the Royal Retrieval team quickly departed in the direction given by the Stone. Outfitted in the best armor and weapons the Clans could provide.

Of course that was not all, as the Team Captain was also given a Goblin Blood Stone, a rather small greenish stone that is said to glow bright red when within a certain distance of a Goblin Royal. The glow will then begin to glow brighter, the closer the Royal is to the stone.

This item would be paramount to finding the Royal.

Though one must wonder how the Royal Retrieval team would feel if they knew the one they were so keen on bringing back to become a King, referred to himself as a part of something called ‘Gang Green’.

Speaking of this ever important Royal, in the present, he was currently deciding on whether to take the easy way out as he called it, or to face his dark fears as he again called it.

~~~

[Rick, there is no need to fight this lone Hawk. We both agree that not only could we stay wide of where it initially attacked you, but you can also wait till daytime to travel that direction, as it is likely a nocturnal hunter.]

‘Yes, Velora that’s true but isn’t that a cowardly way of thinking! I should go back and turn that hawk into fried chicken for what it did to me!’

[What is fried chicken? And how will a hawk become a chicken?]

‘Ah..nevermind that..’

[...Understood, though my thoughts are unchanged, there is no need to risk your life and the lives of the goblins traveling with you for something so small.]

‘Yeah yeah, I know you're right, I was being a bit dramatic. Though I’ll definitely still come back and kill that damn bird when I'm stronger. Especially since after this long trip I’m now extremely close to Tier 3.’

[Good decision, and yes you are extremely close to the Third Tier. Would you like to see your current stats?]

‘Hmm, no I’ll wait till we get back to the cave, no need to distract myself any further, plus it’ll be a nice little surprise to Jaba and the rest when I evolve almost immediately after getting back home hehe.’

[Suit yourself.]