Wind of the wild left us after a few hours. No super powerful foes had shown up in that time and all that was left to do was to trudge on determinedly until our evening camp. Finding a sparse copse of trees was a luxury from what we’d been subjected to. Both foraging and hunting came easier, with Olata and the Fensalfar being able to bring forth extra fruit and nuts from the bushes they found.

Once we had set guards and settled for the night, despite my reservations over the Wodalfar, who I still had to talk with properly, I couldn’t help but cast my eye over our little budding army of over a thousand strong warriors. Things were definitely looking up. I even found myself smiling as the goblins moved around the camp interacting with everyone, much to most people’s annoyance. The Wodalfar kept to their own group, which didn’t surprise me. Nor did the fact that even at rest they continued to move.

I tried to speak with them, and in particular Vletha the Wise One and Ludt. However, their conversation seemed to stray into the inane, far too often. It felt like they were intentionally talking me around in circles. After the incredibly long day we’d had, I decided better of it and left them to their own devices. They did seem like decent people, despite Ludt’s insistence on fighting me earlier.

The next day, we broke camp early. The ground was hard with frost and our breath misted on the air as we moved off. Compared to what we’d just been through it was like kicking back on a Florida beach. Sania, Olata and I flew for the first part of the journey. We stayed above our people. But as the morning wore on we spread out further apart to scout for the trullan village we were hunting for.

It was around noon when Sania spotted it our destination and called to me across the bond to join her.

By the time I made it back to her, Olata had already arrived, and we moved forward together toward the village. It lay at the bottom of a rocky valley, all single story and stone built, with shingle roofs. The carpet of vegetation around each house had a slight glow to my vision, meaning everything that grew here was edible and intentionally planted. I knew from experience that trolls–or trullan as they were called in Falritas–could be friendly and for some reason seeing vegetable gardens eased my mind further. Between the two rows of houses flowed a small but strong stream, large enough to supply the village but small enough that it could be easily stepped over.

All in all, it was a surprisingly quaint little village nestled in the well-hidden little valley. If we hadn’t been flying and looking specifically for it; I doubted we would have found it.

The trullan who moved around hadn’t seen us immediately and from this range just looked like heavy-set humans with slightly longer arms. But as we moved closer there was a domino effect among them. One by one they all turned to watch us.

Under their intense scrutiny, we dropped to the ground at the top of the pass and waited for the rest of our people to join us before going any further.

I waved down to them and though I felt like an idiot doing it, shouted down. “We come in peace!”

That wasn’t enough to stop them from running into their houses. Returning moments later carrying axes and hoes for the most part.

As the rest of our army filled the valley entrance, I couldn’t help but think we should have gone about this differently. If these trullan were worried about attacks, which, in the middle of Kalabri right now they would be. Suddenly arriving on their doorstep with a thousand soldiers wasn’t a very tactful way to introduce ourselves.

I took a few steps forward as the trullan formed into fierce looking lines. A few of them let out angry defensive roars, and kicked and stamped at the dirt road, with their powerful fur covered legs and feet. There were about three hundred of them lined up and ready to fight. Their children and a few others had already run into their homes.

“What do you want?” one of them shouted and took a few steps forward to meet me.

“We just want to talk. We’re Neutral and we fight both Justice and Destruction,” I replied and noticed a visible relaxing among those listening. They didn’t drop their weapons an inch, though.

Haac: Level 63, Chief of Roch. Trullaner (Trullan II).

Who still moved slowly toward me, didn’t relax at all. “What do you want to talk about?”

“Fighting, mainly. With us, not against us,” I hastily clarified. “It’s not safe in Kalabri and we want to rescue as many Neutrals as possible while we make our way home. Everyone who wants to settle there is welcome there.

“And you want us to join you?” He asked. The light of interest glinted in his eyes.

“I do. You can come and live in Far Reach either permanently or until this is over.”

“We’ve built our lives here,” he replied sadly. “If what you say is true, then I would consider the offer, but we have no real reason to trust you.” As he spoke, he fidgeted with the well-worn, long handled axe. It looked to be of good quality, designed for felling trees and splitting log’s, but in his meaty hands and long, corded arms I had no doubt it could fell demons and split skulls just as easily.

“That’s true, Haac. But look at the group I’ve got with me,” I said, gesturing to those at the top of the valley now a hundred yards away. There’s every race here, nearly. We’ve even got gobos!”

The trullan laughed at that. “You’re a strange bunch, I’ll give you that. But even so, I find it odd that you would approach a trullan village for allies. We have a bad name, and it’s one we’re happy to encourage to keep outsiders away.”

“Well, I know a cool Trullan by the name of Dug, owns a bar in Laurel, Malatia. Good guy.”

“A Trullan bar owner in a human city?” Haac asked bemused.

“Yeah, sure. I was surprised myself, but his bar is popular as hell. You wanna set one up in Far Reach, be my guest.”

“I know nothing about owning a bar. I like fishing. Are there any good fishing spots?”

“Honestly, not that I know of. We have one pool in the Fensalfar section of the town, but it’s already a bit busy. We’re growing fast, though. I’m sure we can sort something out.” He looked back over his waiting people and the village before turning back to me.

“How is it you can just offer us a place there? Will the leader not have something to say about you inviting several hundred trullans to live among you?”

“Nah, I’ll be fine. I promise.”

“You’re the leader? What is your level if you don’t mind me asking?”

“About ten under you I laughed. I’m level 54.”

The trullan shook his head. “That is quite weak to be leading so many. Are you the strongest among your people?”

“Nope. A lot of my friends up there are tough as fuck. There’s a few much higher leveled than me.”

Haac looked troubled as he stared over my shoulder. “And if your friends decide to take over and change the rules?”

“They won’t. They can’t. Not really. Queen Danivra of the Dokalfar is kinda linked to me in a way that she can’t betray me. Through her own decision. Nothing forced mind you. She’s level 138,”

“Olata, the fairy there is level 169 and she’s a solid companion. I trust her with my life.”

Haac nodded. “Two known names with you. I see that this river runs deep. I would take up the offer of a safer home for my people, as I know we wait between a cliff and the rising tide. But we have young and elderly that I can hardly lead into battle.”

“I get you man,” I said, rubbing my face frustratedly. I thought I had him. Now I was sure I was losing him unless I could think of a way around it. We couldn’t actually afford to bring a buch of kids at the minute. He saw straight to the truth of that.

“I’ll speak to my people and see if I can think of a way around this. If I can, will you consider it?”

“I can’t see how, but I will speak to the village also, and perhaps we can find a way. Now, I won’t invite you into the village, but would you and your people like some food while you speak?”

“Shit, Haac. That’s awfully kind of you. Can you feed this many people?”

“We have deep stores, so yes, we can. And as things stand I do not hold out much hope that our stores will be needed for much longer.”

I felt like I’d been punched in the gut at his words. He was clearly scared, despite his fearsome appearance.

“Yeah, they will,” I replied firmly. “You’re gonna need them for the journey south. We’ll sort this out, even if I have to come back for you once we break the siege around the Palathi Peaks.”

“Thank you for your optimism. Your arrival has given me more hope than I have felt in months. Go back among your people and I will bring up some sustenance.”

With a grateful nod, I made my way back up the hill. My friends all watched me expectantly as I approached.

“Probably not.” I said dejectedly. Feeling a real weight on my shoulders that we may have to leave them to their fate.

“What is wrong?” Sania asked first.

“Have a seat. Haac’s bringing up food for us and we need to talk and plan.”

After we’d made ourselves comfortable on the valley side, I spoke, addressing them all.

“So, the trullan have a lot of people here who can’t fight. Kids and elderly. Haac won’t lead them into battle even though he knows their time is limited here. They would rather fight and die here, defending their homes and whatever history they’ve built here, rather than heading out looking for battle. I think we can all understand that.”

“It makes a small amount of sense,” Grigor said. “But they will regret their decision. There is strength in numbers and with us, their children have a chance of survival. If they remain here, they are doomed. Like the Krysan we met on the way North,” Grigor said.

“Whatever happens, I don’t want to abandon them here to die. So, if needs be, we’ll come back for them after we free the Palathi peaks.”

“They might not be alive by then.” Olata said. If Justice attack like they did my forest, it was sudden and with overwhelming force. Or it would have been if not for my shields, and then your arrival.”

“The fortress we are going to rescue,” Danivra said. “I am certain there will be young and old there, too. Perhaps if we cleared that area, we could come back for the trullan and lead them there. Then perhaps their strongest could fight at the Palathi Peaks and leave their weakest there?”

“We don’t even know what we are walking into there, but sure, if it’s possible that’s a good idea. That would mean they’d be a lot closer to retrieve when we move again. Hopefully after the Palathi Peaks it will be a straight shot south and home.”

We continued to talk over the possibilities, but that seemed like our only reasonable option. The conversation only died when over a hundred trullan began walking up the hill, offering large wooden platters filled with cured meats, salted fish, bread, cheese, roasted vegetables and more fruit and nuts. Followed by pitchers of a deep red fruit juice.

As everyone ate, I went back toward the village, stopping halfway down the worn path where we had spoken previously. Not long after, Haac came walking up toward me.

“Here’s the plan, Haac ma man,” I said enthusiastically. He looked confused, but I continued, regardless. “We’re heading to a fort a couple of days to the south to help a large number of Dokalfar and Derengalfar who are holding out there. By all accounts, it’s easy to defend. We were thinking, once it’s cleared, you and your people could join us there?”

“If that is the case and you can send someone back to let us know, we will come. If it feels safe enough to leave my people there for a short period of time, then our warriors and I will join you in your efforts at the Palathi Peaks.

“That’s all I can ask. I can’t make no promises, but, fuck it, Haac. I believe we can do this and get your village to the safety of Far Reach.”

We clasped arms in a warrior's grip, and I felt an odd sensation as I towered over the nine-foot troll, before we parted ways.

After we returned the empty platters and jugs, we bid the Haac and the trullan village goodbye. I moved with my friends and followers with a heavy heart and a fear that we would never see them again. Yet still, there we had to move onto the next obstacle. A horizon of danger and surprises awaited us.