Garrick set out again, to stalk into the thick forest. The crude blade he he had with him, strapped to his side, his goal to find anything edible that might satisfy Asul demands. He would have to inquire more on his ‘prison’ once he returns.

He had walked at least a mile by now. So far he hasn’t seen anything remotely near the cave. Their was an ominous atmosphere around it. He assumed everything kept their distance from where the entity dwelled.

Moving further away from the subterranean hole. He realized he has gotten a little more used to feeling magical energy around him. And could almost unconsciously, sense life moving around him.

Was it because of exposure to the strange things he saw in the last few hours?

The shapes of creatures, would whirr or vibrate in the air and he could make it properly. He had nearly walked into what he assumed was a nest of snakes slithering about near a tree. He wondrerd if they would serve as proper nourishment for the eldricth abomination.

On second probably not. Not that he would touch a snake with a ten-foot footpole.

He could sense other small critters, about the size of a large cat or a small dog. Probably squirrels and rabbits. That would barely feed him. Hardly an option in this situation. Azul asked for venison, so maybe he should look for it deliberately.

He closed his eyes and the world around him came to a halt. And opened it again. The world was dark but illuminated by the waves of mana pulsating. Everything became much clearer. He could clearly see larger animals in the distance. Surprisingly there were many of them. Hiding behind bushes and trees. Stalking the forest, moving silently and cautiously.

Life in the wild was harsh, for predators and prey alike. He better be careful, not to end up on the lower part of the food chain.

A disturbance to the west, and with the distant sound of rustling bushes, a herd of wild boars was cutting through the area. Boar was small and often very fat but those tusks were dangerous.

Wrong target. Might end up being the one killed. High reward, but too high of a risk.

He ignored it, his mind set on finding something larger, and more vulnerable.

A few hundred miles to the east, a stood a deer-like creature. On all fours, head bent low and bowed, mouth grazing in a clearing. Oblivious to his Garrick’s presence, he readied himself, creeping forward, his goal now was to ambush it. He climbed up a tree, hopping from one end to the other.

He stood above it. It had clearly sensed something was wrong, he noticed its head snapping upwards. It was now or never, he leaped down, blade in his hand aimed towards it’s neck. However it sensed him at the last second.

Its head turned towards him, and before he could maneuver away, it charged its antlers in his direction, hitting him and slamming him into a tree.

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It let out a wild cry, moving its hooves back and forth. Bowing its head waiting for him to react.

Bruised and battered. He stumbled to his feet, and he scrambled together, struggling to get up. He sprang towards the tree he fell off of. The angered deer charged at him nearly striking him with its antlers. It pulled back, not ramming its head into the tree like he had hoped. The deer slowed down, watching him from below. He broke a branch off, as he leaped again, threw it in front of the, partially distracting it.

His blade this time managed to sink into the neck of the deer. It started thrashing wildly kicking and, bucking about as he clung to it's back. He imbued his mana again stabbing over and over until it finally fell to the ground.

He jumped off as it crashed. His blade stuck in it's back.

It let out a horrid yelp. Moaning in its final moments, before shutting up.

“I’m sorry,” he said to the thing.

Halfway between catching his breath, he realized how better it would have been if he had a proper weapon such as a bow or a spear. As he moved to try and pick up the thing did he realize how heavy it was.

“Guess I’ll have to drag you around.”

He let out a sigh. Sat down and wondered how he was going to do this.

Cut it up or take all of it. Leaving most of it here would be a waste, on the other hand. He doubted Azul would be satisfied with a human-sized portion.

He heard footsteps approachingh in his direction. A body as small as his. Another goblin. It peaked around a tree, in a very frightful manner. He got on his feet, ready to fight or flee.

“Well, well, well. It’s been a while old friend. “ The goblin said with a wide grin. “That’s quite the meal you got there for yourself.”

Garrick recognized him, the goblin who took advantage of Grubbub before he fell into the well. No doubt here to try and claim his share of his hard work. But he would be disappointed because he was not the same.

“Zig-zag, yes, I remember you. Haven’t seen you since–never mind. Here to stake yours?” he said. Pulling the blade of the deer, blood dripping everywhere.

The goblin made an unpleasant and sour face.

“Grubbub, well aren’t you different. You're stronger, smarter, more…confident. What changed? I heard you took a tossing a water well.”

He was not in the mood for this, if Zig-zag wanted it, he would bleed for it.

“Grubbub is dead–I am what remains.”

The goblin laughed nervously, his eyes wide, centered on the bloody dagger. “ You don’t say. Guess a fall can do you wonders.“

A thought came to mind, this goblin was one of few who had misused his counterpart on numerous occasions, it’s time he returned the favor. And he was not in the mood to drag this heavy carcass around.

“What brings you to these woods? I’m sure a cunning gent like you doesn’t need to slither with bugs and bushes.”

The goblin looked in the direction of Kara-dum.

“It’s chaos out there, notgrubbub, I’m just tryna make it by, most of these new clans that have formed. Well in their words, they have no use for a simple runner like me.”

“Karma’s a bitch ain’t it.”

“Couldn’t tell ya, never met her.” he giggled.

“How about this, you look hungry, famished even, help me carry this carcass somewhere, and i’ll pick a share.”

“You mean that.” he said his mouth bawling out, spit leaking and dripping on the ground.”I mean of course, what are friends for.”

“You can stop with that attitude, you’re not fooling anyone with your friendliness”

The goblin relaxed his face but didn’t stop smiling.

“Well then where, are we taking it?”

He thought for a moment, he could take it back raw. But knowing the temper of that freaky cave dweller, he decided the witches hut. Would serve him well, she had knowledge of herbology, surely she knows how to cook.

“There’s a witch too far from here, accompany me will you.”

He giggled again, but not in happiness.

“No, fuck no.”

“Afraid of a feminine touch are you.”

“No witches, she’ll put you in a stew, cook you up with mushrooms and some wild frogs. I refuse, thank you for the offer but no thanks.”

Appeal to his needs Garrick.

“Suit yourself, I guess you’ll just have to beg someone for some meat then. I mean you could take a piece right now, would lessen the load. But, do you know how to cook? Or would you prefer it raw”

As practically slave miners, most of them barely had an education, he doubted most of them could even count.

The goblin started sweating but moved towards the carcass.

“So what call ya self now.”

“It’s Garrick.”