-Defeated 8 Common Abyssal Goblins. +108 XP-

XP to next level 2: 242 of 3,000

“Wow that’s shit.” Alex mumbled to himself.

The group was quiet. They had all woken up cold, sore, hungry, and still tired, but nobody complained about putting distance between themselves and the goblins. The Tel’ani more openly whispered amongst themselves and they all shared rowing duty. Alex had spent the better part of the day trying to think of something to say, but every question he thought of screamed, “I’m not from here!”

“Where are we going?” Abigail asked at about midday, finally breaking the silence.

“Oxbow. It’s about a day's travel up river, but I’m not entirely sure we’re going to make it today. We’re fighting the current.”

Abigail nodded. “Where is the closest town from there?”

Alex looked at the female Tel’ani rowing next to him. She made a head motion down river, back the way they came.

“I see. What is in Oxbow?”

“I haven’t been there long. A black smith, some farms, and a general store of sorts.” Alex knew he screwed up the moment the words left his mouth.

"Oh? Where are you from?"

Alex pulled at the oars for a few strokes trying to think of a lie. Abigail was just going to have to be one more person he had to explain shit to. He made a mental note to have Liam help him craft a convincing story. "Wisconsin."

"Is that in Peldrum?"

"Ah, no."

"Where is it?"

"In the USA."

"And where is that?"

Alex let out a sigh. "Okay, I don't know where I am. I just… appeared in Oxbow. Just assume I know nothing."

"Well, you are a strange one."

Silence reigned for a while longer with only the sounds of birds and the oars hitting the water.

"Do you have Drow where you are from?" Abigail asked.

"No."

"Interesting. What do you know of the Drow?"

"All Drow are evil and they worship spiders." He said with a dismissive tone and a grin to show he didn't think it would be that straightforward.

The dark skinned elven woman nodded. "Perhaps not as far off as you think. And what of your opinion on halflings?"

"You mean short people with hairy feet?"

Abigail looked at him like he was insane. "No. I mean half breeds. Specifically half elves."

Alex shrugged. "Until about three days ago, I've only seen humans."

"I find that hard to believe. Regardless, when we arrive at this, Oxbow, I would very much like to hide a few things. Would you be willing to help with that?"

"I guess so. What do you need me to do?"

"First, please make no mention of the undead. Second, I would like to pretend I am from Beasaria, not Olivium. And third, I will attempt to hide my appearance. If anyone asks, please inform them that I am a half elf and do not wish to show my face. The last one is technically not a lie."

"Ok, but what about them?" Alex jerked his head toward the Tel'ani girl rowing next to him and the two men currently sleeping.

Abigail again looked at him like he was an idiot. "They are Tel'ani. Likely nobody will ask them and I highly doubt they are going to volunteer the information."

"Okay. Where is Beasaria?"

"On the coast. Southwest of here."

"Would Beasaria be a good place to pretend to be from when people ask?"

The half-drow shrugged. "As good as any. It is a city, so it is reasonable to be from there, yet not know anyone that someone may ask you about."

"Good, I'll start using that one."

"What are the accommodations in Oxbow?"

"I have a tent."

Abigail cocked an eyebrow. "You want me in your tent?"

"No." Alex winched. His reply came out a bit more harsh than he meant it.

The smile on Abigail's face faltered. Going from "I know you didn't mean it like that" to "of course you don't want me around."

"Sorry. It's not you." Alex apologized.

"Sure."

She didn't sound convinced and the silence settled in again until one of the Tel'ani switched out with him.

***

Thankfully someone nudged Alex awake. Finally ending the repeating image of the Tel'ani woman reaching out for him and the realization in her golden eyes that he wasn't coming to save her.

"Hey, you sleep like the dead." Abigail said while sitting back on the bench and pulling the hood of her cloak over her head.

Alex merely managed a grunt.

"Is this Oxbow?"

Alex sat up and looked over the bow of the boat. A flock of Tel'ani were building a wall. Vertical pillars had been driven into the ground, extending out into the river. Smaller, fitted timbers lay horizontally creating a box that was being filled with rock. Alex didn't figure it would last too long with the constant raining, but it was a wall and it was going up fast.

"Yeah, that's Oxbow."

Someone started waving at them as the boat drew closer. A few of the Tel'ani waded into the river to pull them in.

"Where's the others?" Asked a human Alex recognized by face, but not by name.

Giving the man a solemn look, he shook his head. The guy clearly understood. Pursing his lips together he led Alex, and by extension Abigail, toward the town hall. Alex looked back to see the three Tel'ani survivors disappear behind the growing wall, the boat left tethered at the bank.

"Alex." Liam said by way of greeting as they entered a small backroom. "Who is this?"

"Abigail." Said the half-drow holding a gloved hand out.

Liam took it and introduced himself while trying to stoop low enough to see under her hood.

"She's a halfling. The others didn't treat her well when they saw her." Alex said in an attempt to get Liam to stop looking.

"Hmm. That doesn't make me feel better."

Shapner walked in. "Alex. Ah, who are you?"

"This is Abigail. Abigail, this is administrator Shapner."

"Pleasure to meet you."

"She's a halfbreed." Said Liam in a displeased tone.

Shapner took a seat behind his desk. Abigail leaned against the wall in the corner with Liam practically glaring at her.

"Where are Tamron and Kaleb?" Asked the balding administrator.

"Dead."

"What happened?" Liam asked.

Alex took a deep breath. "We made it to the village sometime in the afternoon. The village was burned out and everyone was missing. We found Abigail here just outside of town burying the dead. Tamron found a trail heading to the northwest and we decided to follow it in the morning. It was about noon when everything went to hell." Alex shifted. "A goblin jumped out of a tree onto Tamron. After that first wave, we had already lost two of the Tel'ani and Tamron. A larger group came rushing out of the trees and we ran. I think they stopped chasing us after they caught Kaleb, Kelik, and another Tel'ani. We then rowed out asses back." Alex turned to Abigail. "Did I forget anything?"

"No."

"You said the trail headed northwest?" Liam asked.

"Yeah."

Liam looked at Shapner, who looked a little ill. "That's closer to us. They will be expanding."

"Well I ah, I'm not really sure what to do about that." Said Shapner.

"Is there an army or something we can call on?"

Shapner looked at Alex with the "you're an idiot" look which quickly faded. "Oh uh, Peldrum doesn't have any armies."

Alex cocked an eyebrow. "That peaceful?" He asked skeptically.

"No, we have Peletan."

Alex sighed. "I've heard that name before and since you're clearly going to make me ask, who or what is Peletan?"

Both men turned to look at Abigail standing in her corner.

"She already knows that I know nothing."

"Peletan is the dragon that controls Peldrum." Abigail said.

Alex fully turned to face her. "Dragon?"

"Yes." Said Shapner as if a dragon wasn't all that novel. "But back to the main topic. What to do about the goblins?"

"I suggest we build up our defenses." Liam said. "And send a message to Lord Edmundton. He may send a mercenary group out."

"Likely he'll just have the lord mayor arm the Tel'ani and throw numbers at them." Replied Shapner.

"Not a bad idea."

"Wait. Who's the lord mayor?" Alex asked.

"Lord Kenith. He's in charge here."

"I haven't met him."

The two men looked at eachother, then at Abigail.

"It doesn't really matter anymore." Shapner said to Liam.

Liam let out a long sigh. "You haven't met him, because he's dead."

"There was an altercation over the mine." Shapner started. "Or more accurately, the Tel'ani burial chamber the miners accidentally stumbled across. Lord Kenith ordered the chamber raided. The Tel'ani weren't particularly happy about that. One of them tried to kill the lord."

"Tried? You said he was dead."

"Right." Liam continued for Shapner. "Lord Kenith was kind of a dick. Treated people as if they owed him their lives. After we took out his would be murderer, or I guess the guy was technically his murderer, we brought the lord mayor to Greymore. He's the only one we have here that can perform healing magic, but Greymore is the kind of spiteful bastard that is willing to let a guy die just for being an ass."

"Okay. I get it."

"No you don't." Said Shapner. "Lord Edmundton is the kind of ass that will hang us all for letting his cousin die. As long as the taxes keep flowing to Beasaria, we keep our heads. So I don't really want to send him a message asking for help. I can only guarantee she’s not a spy because he hates halfbreeds. Honestly, I mainly took this position because it was so far away from Beasaria that I’d likely never see the man again. Which would be too soon."

Liam nodded in agreement.

"So build up defenses and collect as many volunteers as possible to form a militia." Alex suggested.

"What is a militia?" Asked Shapner.

"An armed group of townspeople called on to deal with local problems." Liam said before Alex could respond.

"That's not a terrible idea."

"No. It would be good to have more people capable as guards, but most of the bodies we have available are Tel'ani and I hesitate to arm them more than they already are." Liam said.

What exactly is the deal with them anyway?"

"What do you mean?" Asked Shapner.

"They're slaves right? And they outnumber us by how much?"

"There are about sixty of us. Mostly humans, the rest dwarves." Answered Shapner.

"And about three hundred Tel'ani." Liam added.

"Holy crap. I didn't notice that many."

"They're an inefficient sort. For every worker we get, there needs to be at least one other to service them. So three hundred Tel'ani means we get about a hundred fifty able bodies we can call on."

"And they're all slaves?"

"Yes." Said Shapner before wincing. "No. The blacksmith is a freedman, other than him, yes."

"Okay so, why don't they revolt?"

Shapner ran a hand over his balding head. "Well firstly, they’ve been subjugated for hundreds of years now. They're quite docile."

"I disagree." Said Liam. "I recommend staying within sight of others of our kind. The Tel'ani are likely to cut your throat and eat you if they think they can get away with it."

"That's ridiculous." Shapner protested. "They don't participate in cannibalism anymore. Anyway, the Tel'ani are weaker and less intelligent than us. They just work better as slaves."

Liam shook his head in disagreement. "They're comfortable. They're far enough out in the wilderness that the things we tell them to do amount to minor inconveniences. If we're going to throw them at the goblins, I'm going to tell them to line up for duty. They'll do it, but because the goblins are an issue for them as well as us, not because they're obedient."

Alex listened to the two men, wondering how much was accurate and how much was racist banter. "So, if we're going out after the goblins, are you leading them?" Alex asked Liam.

"No. I'm captain of the guard now. My job is to keep Oxbow safe."

"What? No. No. I'm just a paper pusher." Said Shapner when Alex looked at him.

"Krom maybe?" Liam said. "We can worry about it later. You going regardless?"

Alex sighed. "Probably."

"I suggest we get you a combat class first."

"How's that work?"

"Its a minor amount of training to hit Warrior. From there you can get into the Fighter advanced class, but that takes some effort."

"What's the drawback of getting the Warrior class?"

"Not much. It would be a waste of time for someone trying for a skill or magic based class, but if you're going to face goblins, the extra hit points might save your ass."

"Okay. When can I start?"

"Now."

Alex shook his head. "Hell no. Food, a change of clothes, and a visit to the latrine first."

Liam nodded. "Fair enough."

"What about her?" Asked Shapner.

"She needs a tent."

"I have a tent." Said Abigail.

"Oh, sorry."

"I would also enjoy a meal and some place quiet."

"I'd prefer to see your face first." Said Liam.

"I would rather not show it."

Alex stood up. "I trust her."

"No offence Alex, but I can't trust your judgment considering your… ignorance."

"A valid point." Alex said while holding the door open for Abigail. "Where should I meet you?"

Liam glared at him for a long moment. "The field outside the wall."

"What's your opinion on the Tel'ani?" Alex asked Abigail as she followed him to the single place in town that sold food.

"Not really sure. I have not dealt with them much. We tend to use less slave labor in Olivium, but the Tel’ani seem to keep to themselves and people readily dismiss them."

***

Alex found a small bundle on the ground just inside his tent. He grit his teeth in frustration at not being able to lock his shit up. Unwrapping the dirty cloth revealed a small knife complete with leather sheath and a small square stone. A note scrawled in charcoal on a scrap of leather said, "thank you for saving my father." Alex frowned at the note. He had helped Liam. He wasn't sure if Liam had a kid, the guy couldn't have been a day over twenty-five. Alex hadn't come close to saving anyone else. Maybe the smith, but the guy seemed to have been handling things just fine. Alex pulled the knife from its sheath and inspected it.

Iron Knife: 1, Crit x3, Piercing. Durability 25 of 25

The knife had a comfortable handle of polished wood with a reddish color to it. The scales were held in by what looked like brass pins and the four inch blade had a rustic worked iron look to it save where it was ground down to a fine edge. Alex chuckled to himself as he realized that a "rustic" aesthetic here was likely just a common everyday look. It was a simple, yet nice gift. He'd have to find the giver and thank them somehow.

It was odd how much one could come to appreciate the simple things. A rag and cold water made Alex feel like new. Topped with a change of clothes and he was ready for the rest of the day. The latrine, a structure not terribly pleasant to the nose, gave the amazing gift of taking a shit in peace. The little things in life were great.