It wasn’t before another hour passed that Jala could be finally seen approaching the forest again, this time with five goblins in tow and something in his hands.

Just like how it was previously discussed there were two High Goblins, two Maglins, and one Tinkgoblin. It took them a couple of minutes to reach where Rick and Dran were patiently waiting.

Once both parties came face to face, Rick finally got a clearer look at what was in his hands...It looked like small brown sheets??

~~~

“That took a little longer than I initially planned for but here are the goblins who have agreed to come with you Rick and I wrote down all the information you asked about on these documents. I can’t stay here for too much longer, though, because those damn orcs should come patrolling sometime soon and I have to be there with the leader of the tribe when they come.”

“Wait wait wait, what do you mean you wrote it all down on documents?! Since when you can all write?! What are you even using to write on?! What language do you even write in??”

“With you reacting like that, is it safe to assume neither you nor any of your tribe members back home know how to read much less write?”

“Well no...I guess not.”

“I see. Is it only normal goblins that live in your tribe?”

“Yes, it is.”

“Well that explains it, either way, don’t worry too much about it. The two Maglins coming with you both know how to read and write and should both be able to teach you as well. Even that Tinkgoblin that you showed up with should know how to as well.”

“Is that true Dran?”

“Yes, It’s true that I can read and write, but it’s not something I’m confident in being able to teach properly.”

“Well alright then, that was a little bit of a shock, but I guess knowing how to read and write is almost a basic stepping stone for any growing society of goblins! Now one last thing before you go back, you mentioned going back to the leader of your tribe, I thought that was you this whole time.”

“No of course I’m not the leader, that is usually the oldest goblin to have gone through one evolution in the tribe. The goblin that fits that bill in my tribe is a rather old Tinkgoblin and she is far too weak to be making trips into the forest, so I came in her place instead.”

“What's her name?”

“Her name is Gala.”

“Well tell Gala I said to stay alive, I'll come back to free her soon enough.”

“I’m sure she'll be happy to hear that. Anyway, I’ve stayed here long enough, I’ll take my leave now. Everyone come and introduce yourself to Rick.”

Soon after Jala said that he turned around and immediately started walking back to the tribe, there was no need for any extensive goodbyes since he was sure that he and Rick would meet again at some point. Though it was more like a desperate hope than him being sure.

Because although he didn’t show it during his time conversing with Rick, he was begging and hoping inside that Rick can make true everything he spoke out. Living knowing the orcs can simply kill you and everyone you love at any moment was not a good way to live.

Shortly after Jala left, the five goblins who were chosen to leave with Rick who had been standing quietly behind Jala until he left, finally stepped up and lined up shoulder to shoulder (though with three vastly different heights between the five of them this was really just a figure of speech.) and began introducing themselves one by one.

Leaving little room for Rick to speak till all of them were done speaking.

“Hello Tribe Leader Rick, it is good to meet you, my name is Kida, a Maglin. Thank you for this chance to be free. I’ll serve you and the tribe well now and in the future.”Said a Female Maglin in a rather firm but still happy tone.

She was quickly followed up by another male Maglin whose voice was deeper than his tall and frail appearance would signify.

“Likewise Tribe Leader Rick, I Zargi also a Maglin will never forget the freedom you have given me today, I look forward to serving you and the tribe as a whole forever.”

Then came a rather loud female Tinkgoblin whose voice definitely didn’t match her small stature.

“I feel the same way as them! I know a lot about building things and I’m happy to share that with you! Oh, and my name is Wala!!”

Next was the set of high goblins who were both females, and even though they couldn’t speak as well as the other goblins that went before them, they still made their intentions known.

“Thank...you...rea..dy...to..fight...and..help..name...Lagi..”

“Sigi...name..al..so..fight...and...help..”

And although their sudden rapid-fire introductions had Rick a little flustered on the inside he quickly collected himself and responded in kind.

“Ahem...I’m glad you all feel that strongly about coming back with me, it won’t be long before it"s every goblin in the plains that can have that same freedom and you all will play a key part in that. But for now, we have a long journey ahead of us and since it's a group of this size the journey will be longer.

I’ll be running in front, with Sigi and Lagi behind me to my left and right. Dran and Wala will be behind them while Ziargi and Kida will follow closely behind them. We will be taking several breaks, to rest, fight, and eat so don’t be afraid to let me know if you're tired. A tired goblin is a dead goblin in these forests if you're not careful. Any questions?”

“Yes, will we begin your lessons on reading and writing while on the journey?”

[Don’t avoid this as you do with training.]

And here I was thinking you disappeared.

[Never.]

“Yes Kida we can, if we have adequate time and light during our rest time then we can start doing some lessons. After all, a goblin should always aim to be better and stronger!”

“Well said Tribe leader!”

“By the way, everyone can just call me Rick if you want, the whole tribe leader thing isn’t necessary if you don’t want to. Anyway, line up like how I discussed and we are moving out now, let's go!”

[Should always aim to be better and stronger huh?]

Where are you learning how to speak like this???

[You.]