I pulled away from Lapi, running diagonally away from the creature’s single-minded pursuit of her. This isn’t sane. I complained in my mind. Once whatever that is plunges into the goblin ranks, then what? Even if we managed to clear out the goblins the creature would still remain, could I outrun it?

[I didn’t realize that Lapi was one to take initiative.] Page noted dryly. [You want to take a look at what it is that’s giving chase?]

I turned to take one glance, stumbling across several tree roots as I did so. It had the body build of a rhino, it’s head was like an ox, but without horns, instead a large bone plate was visible, and that was what faced forward as it thundered through the forest. Why are there rhinoceros in the forest? I thought to myself. Especially one as large as that, wouldn’t it get stuck?

[I would note that this would be a good time to focus on things other than your understanding of zoology.] Page remarked, and I nodded, breathing deeply as I rounded the goblin encampment. The goblins were absorbed in the roars and grunts from where Lapi came, enough so that my entry was undetected. I stooped, moving forward to quickly silence the goblin sentry.

I placed his neck into a chokehold as the dagger plunged into his chest, he spasmed, but went limp as blood leaked from his chest. By this time Lapi had arrived, and as the creature reared into view, pandemonium erupted amongst their ranks.

I dropped the dagger, drawing my sword with a swift stroke as I moved to cleave another goblin. As the blade bit into his neck, it’s strangled scream was drowned out by the barrelling of the creature into their encampment. Several goblins went flying, a few were simply crushed underfoot. One of them fell by arrow, a little late, though I’d forgive Baen’s shock at the distraction we’d used.

The goblins had begun to wizen to my presence, and one turned to me just in time to be skewered on my blade. I grimaced as the blade deflected along his ribs, kicking him off and leaping aside as the rhino-like creature crashed past me. A goblin fell next to me, croaking with wide eyes, I stomped on his throat, switching focus to the ones escaping at angles from Baen, Lapi doing the same. The creature was wrecking bloody havoc throughout the rest of the camp, though now they’d gotten over their surprise it was less effective, as it ran straight with little deviation.

Even so, I felt a prickling feeling slide down my spine each time it was out of sight, a lump in my throat as I moved to slash at another goblin. He parried and I sent a swift kick into his chest, sending him aloft. I stabbed him once he’d come down, pinning him by the shoulder, he swung his sword with his remaining hand, and it bit into my left knee. I snarled, pinning his wrist with the same knee.

I grabbed his hand with my left, bending it quickly down and up, the other hand wrenching it from his now limp fingers. I’d learned it from a video, and sceptical, had tested it on a friend, it was surprisingly effective. I plunged the blade into his chest, drawing my own from his shoulder and leaping away as the creature bore down once more. Seeing no more nearby, I sprinted for my dagger, and pulled away in the direction of the treeline.

Lapi was waiting for me outside, eyes closed and looking exceptionally pleased with herself. I fell wheezing by her side. The creature had decided against chasing me once I’d gone far enough away, it had lumbered away, evidently satisfied. I raised a hand to tap Lapi on the nose, and she looked at me reproachfully. “You… crazy… wolf.” I said, taking deep breaths between each word.

Lapi lay down next to me, paying me no heed. Baen came out soon enough, hesitantly looking around. “She’s really, um, bold?” He said, eyeing Lapi with a mixture of awe and fear.

“The word… you’re looking for… is reckless.” I breathed, bending over for a moment, I was going to feel that tomorrow for sure. I stood shakily, moving in the direction of Soren, and Baen walked beside me slowly. He’d done very well, anytime I caught sight of an arrow, which was often, they had embedded themselves into a goblin’s eyes, throat or chest. His aim was unfailing, which was a definite plus to me. I wondered who the distraction would be next time though.

“Nice job.” I said curtly, my breathing having stabilized. Lapi trotted beside me, nuzzling me occasionally, though I studiously ignored her attention seeking. She gave up after a short while, moving a little further from me. Baen looked pleased, putting away the bow and uncovering his buckler from its ‘sheath’, made more to silence the sound of the sword against it than to protect it.

We made our way towards Hrothan, where we would apprise them of the situation. I hadn’t expected to enter combat today, but it was alright. It meant we would be able to more quickly respond to other situations, a possible boon. “How many escaped from the camp?” I asked, prodding Baen, who seemed to be deep in reflection.

“Oh, uh, none, I think.” He replied, looking up at me with an uncertain smile. “Though I might have missed a few.” He added quickly. His quiver was slung across his back now, he’d probably done so a while ago, to keep it from encumbering him as he ran.

Our travel passed in silence, and soon we stood before Hrothan’s gates. The gate guards waved us in, nodding to me as I passed. The guard barracks were as barren as the day I last entered it, with the same officer sitting at the table.

“Welcome.” He greeted me. “You’ve dealt with the goblins?” Catching sight of Baen he gave me an inquisitive look. At least he wasn’t as hostile anymore.

“Yes. They’ve been scattered, though there might be stragglers.” I said.

“There always are.” He remarked, a tinge of weariness in his voice. “Your friend?”

“This is Baen, he may take my place here in the future” I said, to the officer’s surprise. “Thus far he’s proven to be fairly capable.”

“Ah, I see.” The man said. “A pleasure, I’m sure. I realize I have yet to give either of you my name. It is Cain.” He said, standing to shake Baen’s hand.

“Kael.” I said. “There are other events you want us to look into as well?”

He sat, and I heard the shuffling of drawers before he presented a set of parchment. “Read it. It’ll explain most of the events.” I took the parchment with my right hand, tucking it into a pocket. He also passed me four copper siqs, of which I tossed three to Baen. He would need them more than I did, I didn’t need to do maintenance on my armour, and I had enough for my repairs.

As I turned to leave, he called out to me. “I have a favour to ask of you.” I looked back at him, and he met my gaze with a serious expression. “The gnolls, tell me about them. The gnoll tribe by Haen leaves me uneasy.” I nodded, looking at a nearby chair. He shrugged, and I pulled it over.

I talked about the Kokoro Brethren, again emphasizing that I didn’t feel that they would be a threat, speaking of Arggyk to him. I spent some time detailing the gnolls we’d fought over at Torven and Kikre, he steepled his fingers as I spoke of the tactics we’d used. His head bowed for a moment at the mention of mass graves, but spoke nothing of it.

“You know that we can’t just take your word about Arrgyk and his tribe. I’ll recommend to my superiors that we just watch them and keep either of us from starting any fights. A messenger might also be in order, if Arrgyk is interested in joining us, then he might also be able to provide better insight into the ‘war’ they started.” Cain said. “You mentioned that Frejr and the others would seek out the other gnoll tribes?” I nodded. “I’ll leave it in her hands then. We can’t spare anyone anyway.” He remarked with a small bitter smile.

I left, finding my way to the blacksmiths while Baen decided to head over to the fletchers, he seemed to make his own arrows though, so this action puzzled me a little. The blacksmith smiled at me as I came in. “What’s the matter? Looking for another sword to begin a collection?” I snorted, drawing the sword from the scabbard.

I laid it down across the counter. “It’s taken quite the beating recently, I was hoping you could take a look and see if there’s anything amiss, or if I’ll need another.” She took a look at it and whistled.

“You aren’t kidding, you did well keeping it working, but it’ll need some work to be back to full strength.” She said. “Not within today that’s for sure. How’s about you buy another sword as a backup?” She added, an easy smile on her face. “Really though, I’ll be done in about two days, I guess you could use a spear until then if you can’t afford another sword.”

I cocked my head, considering. Perhaps it would do me good to have a backup, I’d probably need it. I selected another blade, and paid her for it, a scabbard, and the repairs, setting me back to poverty. She didn’t seem particularly surprised at my choice, and I noted that it was basically the same design, with only a slight difference. I made sure the binding I used on the scabbard this time was a different colour, to ensure I wouldn’t confuse it once I had both.

I left to find Baen, who left the shop looking somewhat pleased with himself. “What did you get?” I asked, eyeing the supplies he’d stowed away into his pack. He turned to me, smiling a little.

“Fletching supplies sir.” He answered. Sir? Really? I thought to myself.

[He’s a lot less skittish when he’s happy.] Page observed.

I shrugged inwardly, nothing I could do with that information. He glanced at my sword, his eyebrows knitting together for a moment. “It’s a new blade.” I said in response. “The one I was using needs repairs, hewing bone isn’t exactly good for the edge.” He nodded, still frowning, following me as we made our way back to Soren.

It was almost dusk by the time we arrived in Soren, we ate our lunch outside, managing to hunt something in the wilds for a roast on the way back. We attracted a few smiles and a nod as we returned, bringing back some meat for the stew they were about to make. I sat aside as the cooking began, looking through the parchments.

All in all it painted a worrying picture, though it assured me that we weren’t the only ones dealing with nearby threats. Haen needed someone to deal with a slime problem, Hnivon had sent another direct missive to me, slime problem, Hrothan tasked me to investigate some strange lights to the northeast alongside another two slime problems. At least I didn’t have to worry about reconnaissance, the parchment assured me that while they couldn’t spare fighters, their men could still act as scouts, so I wouldn’t be running myself ragged.

I passed them to Baen, who went through them quickly, blazing through them at a speed I’d rarely achieved. Once done, he set them on his lap, thinking, worry crossing his features. “What’s the matter?” I asked him, and he turned to me, somewhat embarrassed.

“Sorry, but I didn’t think that it’d be this busy.” He said. Neither did I. I thought. Neither did I.