“Are you sure?”
“Yes…everyone knows they aren’t together. Our little princess still has a chance!”
“But …-“
“But nothing! The little princess will ride headfirst into war at the drop of a hat, but she would never make the first move because she gets nervous about things like this, so we have to do it for her! There are already rumors of others getting ready to try their luck as well so we must be quick. Tonight, at the festival we will make our move! Now are you with me or not?!”
- A conversation between two particularly Green individuals…
POV Rogu
“Wait! You can’t just go off of to the plains. It’s not just the Orcs, there are other races in the plains who will likely help them keep the Goblins down if they tried to revolt. Just let the Chief handle this. He might be Tier 4 by the time he comes back from this journey. Soon he will be strong enough to free all of the Goblins, just be patient.”
Rogu paused in his steps for a moment, before turning around.
‘Tier 4? We only got news of his awakening 9 months ago…yet he is already nearing Tier 4. Ah that would explain why the tribe is weak. This is a new tribe. Their growth by this point was likely spurred on by the Future King. Which means they likely don’t know a lot of things.’
“Jaba, I appreciate your concern, but we are not weak. I am Tier 5, and all of my team members are Tier 4. I will not be endangering our Future King. If I judge the situation to be unfavorable, or he orders otherwise, I will not hesitate to back down. I know we have only just met, but I must reach your Chief, with due haste. I cannot and will not sit idly by while he faces danger. My father would skin me alive if he heard that.
“To further show my resolve. Hear me well. I, Rogu, Captain of the Royal Retrieval Team, General of the Raguur Clan, and First Son of Chieftain Rogur, swear to bring your Chief, and the Future King of Goblin Kind back safe and sound. This I promise you.”
Jaba sat frozen for a moment.
“…It doesn’t appear I can convince you otherwise, and Tier 5…It doesn’t appear that I can physically stop you either… but now you hear me well…”
Jaba stood up to look at Rogu face to face, although Rogu was taller, and his physique many times more robust, Jaba did not cower.
“I am Jaba, Right hand of the Chief, and Leader of the Goblin Squads. If the Chief is brought harm by your actions, this entire tribe will rise up against you and you will face severe consequences! Tier 5 or not!”
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The moment was tense, and tempers appeared ready to flare, as Jaba stated his piece.
‘This Goblin…’
“HAHAHAHAHA! I have heard you loud and clear Jaba! If I fail in returning the Chief safely, I will gladly face any consequence you deem fit!”
Jaba was caught off guard by the laughter for a moment and his shoulders slowly dropped as the intensity of the situation slowly dropped.
“…I’m glad we reached an understanding. You will need someone to show you the way. Wait her…-“
“That won’t be necessary, just point me in the general direction and we will find our way. Though I do have a question for you. If you are the Right Hand of the Chief, should you not be by his side? If you’re here, then who is with him?”
“The Royal Guard.”
Rogu’s knees buckled for a moment, before he caught himself.
“Are you alright?”
“Yes, sorry.”
‘The Roya..Roy…there is already a Royal Guard…’
“…These Royal Guards…are they strong?”
“Apart from the Chief, they are likely the best fighters in the tribe. They basically lived in the deeper reaches of the forest for weeks on end, before they were even allowed to become Royal Guards, and even then, they didn’t accept and kept training in the forests alone for another month before they officially took up the positions. Though none of them are Tier 4 so to you they might seem weak, but the Chief is proud to call them his Royal Guards.”
“…I see. Thank you for sharing, Jaba. If you will, please point us in the direction we need to head in.”
‘None of them are Tier 4, but the Future King favors them already…but I’m Tier 5…maybe I can still apply to join? I will need to be careful. Father’s guard never took kindly to other people trying to join, but maybe the leader of the Royal Guard would be open to it. I will need to be careful.’
“Follow me.”
After they opened the door to the building, which led directly outside, Both Jaba and Rogu with his team stepped outside to see a group of Goblins waiting for them. Of course, it was Tars and Dal, along with their squads standing at the ready.
Although it was very early in the morning, it didn’t take long for word to pass that a new group of Goblins had made their way into the tribe and Jaba was meeting with them. Of course, Tars, and Dal wouldn’t just stand by and do nothing, so they decided to wait outside the conference room to give Jaba his space.
“Everything is alright guys.”
‘Although they are a young tribe, it seems they have good heads on their shoulders. My team and I are strangers, but they didn’t meet us with hostility, and instead welcomed us into the tribe, but not necessarily with wide open arms which is good. And that Jaba, hahaha, he didn’t back down after learning I was stronger than him, and instead was ready to defend his tribe and the Chief.’
“Did you find a large lake on the way here?”
“We did.”
“Good, head back towards that lake, and then head directly west from it. It’s around 2 months of travel from that point and you will reach the plains. I don’t if the Chief is already on his way back or not, so be careful not to pass him by. Safe travels.”
“Thank toy for your help Jaba.”
And with that Rogu and his team left the tribe, as Jaba, Tars, and Dal watched calmly as they left. Only they knew what their thoughts were as they looked on.
….
“Alright, Jaba was kind enough to tell us that this journey would take around 2 months. We will cut that down to a month. Our Future King is near and every second we waste is a crime. Do not tally. Kris, Krel, Ra and Surgsha, spread out to our wings and ensure we do not miss signs of the Future King and his….Royal Guards as we advance. Move!”