Putting each of the bits together, it didn't’ seem like the attack was with the intention of thievery… If that were the case then, they would have gone for the supplies and weapons. They were horse pulled carriages in the middle of the group and were easy to spot. They were heavily guarded because of this on the other side of the encampment.

The other odd thing was the fact that they retreated quickly. Were...they scouts? Hmm...gathering intel would cause them to go deeper into enemy territory. Is there a goblin settlement nearby...no… if there was a settlement I’m sure they would know better then to settle near a fort full of humans. Maybe they’re from… No… That has to be it. There’s no reason for a small group who is from the area to go towards an active fort like that.

Those goblins weren’t going to be cleaned up by the Fort like we believed, they were RETURNING to the fort! This is bad, I’m going to have to infiltrate the fort to see if my suspicions are right. Leaving my tent in the dead of night I leave a letter for Kalibur, or who ever comes to find me first. For missions like this… there’s a chance I won’t come home, best leave a note with my intentions… and a request to take care of Lilly and Addison in case of my death.

Before I set off, I make sure to get into my work attire, I wear a black shirt and trousers along with my gauntlets, my greeves make it harder to move silently and I replace them with my shin guards hidden under my clothes. I throw on my cloak and put the hood over my head and raise the mouth cover and head into the shadows.

As quickly as I can, I close in on the fort and begin surveying the area… the gate is currently closed with several braziers burning at the entrance. No one’s keeping watch outside, maybe they wanted to set an ambush tomorrow? But then again… maybe I’m wrong… No… My gut is telling me something’s wrong, and I’ll go on that.

Silently I reach one of the walls on the side and begin using my frost step to gain altitude until I’m able to look over the ramparts. Taking a good look there are several braziers burning and armored guards walking back and forth...and goblins. I hate it when my gut feeling’s right, this will be troublesome.

Infiltrating the fort, I begin moving between hiding spots until I see a goblin sleepily keeping watch. Before it could notice I sneak behind it, cover it’s mouth and slit it’s throat. I then drag it’s lifeless body away and stuff it into a barrel for munitions… or food… I’m not sure, it was empty.

My next target is an armored figure that held a torch… it was wearing a lot of armor and seem to be much more burley then most humans. I would wait until I could hear it march the other direction before I finally got close enough to be in the middle of its patrol. There I laid in wait in complete darkness.

Once the figure passes me I can see that there’s armor even around the neck. I’m sure my short sword can cut through it however, it’s best not to leave these things to chance. I can’t be caught now, I need to gather more intel. Grabbing a small bag of powder I sneak behind the figure and tap it’s shoulder lightly making it turn around to a face full of Somnilla Pollen.

After catching and lowering the figure I remove the helmet… this guy either just looks like a pig...or it’s an Orc. They must be wearing full armor so it’s harder to tell that they aren’t human, this has become worse then I thought initially. Dragging the sleeping Orc, I place him against the walls of the ramparts. I did this with the purpose of making it look like he was sleeping on the watch. Wish a swift slice, I slit his throat before putting his helmet back on.

After offering a silent prayer I move to my next target, there seems to be several orcs and goblins patrolling. Thankfully, they aren’t too bright, you never patrol by yourself for a reason... I continue to assassinate the watch as I travel, hiding the bodies as I go. Disguising some as sleeping guards, others behind munitions, crates, anything I could use to make it harder to find the bodies. The effects wouldn’t last long as a distraction, but it would at least buy me a moment to prepare.

Eventually reaching the first of the 4 towers encircling the fort I encounter my first problem. Unlike the patrols, they got a little smarter and had two guards protecting the door. And to top it off the area is well lit, ruling out me getting close enough to take them both out quickly unseen.

Hmm...what should I do… Strolling up to them would probably be a bad idea since none of them are human. Even if my face is covered my build isn’t large enough to be an Orc. But then again, if I feigned capture...no, I don’t have hidden weapons right now. If my bag is taken away, I will have to fight an unknown number without weapons, and escape what ever restraints they place on me. There’s way too much risk involved with that.

I need something to avert their attention, without raising alarm or making noise. I’d rather not attract other visitors. Wait… I can do that... can’t I… reaching into my bag I pull out a bag of coins. Taking out a hand full I slide the pouch over to a light source and roll a few coins towards the guards making a trail to the easily seen bag.

...Can’t things go right for once! Why did they BOTH see the coins! As I continue to lay in wait I hear footsteps reach closer and closer to me. Tightening my grip on my short sword in my left hand, and a bag of Somanilla powder in my right hand I prepare to strike. Finally the footsteps stop nearby and I hear their voices.

(Orc A) “I told you, those coins are mine. I had just dropped my wallet.”

(Orc B) “And I’m a son of a troll! We split it between us.”

They… wouldn’t get in a fight...would they… if they cause a ruckus here it’ll bring attention here! Tightening my grip I prepare to deal with them quickly, why can’t these jobs be easier! Think about me and my situation here!

Jumping out from my hiding spot I quickly stab in the the neck of the closest Orc and throw my bag of powder at the other. As if we were dancing I catch the Orc I stabbed and pulled out my chain and wrapped it around the other’s neck keeping him from falling backwards and lowered both of them slowly.

Now...I have two bodies to deal with, and I’m slowly running out of places to hide them. If only there was a pile of hay conveniently placed outside the walls.. Something like that might be able to quiet down the impact. What am I thinking, they’re wearing plate armor, that won’t work well.

Damnit, I don’t have enough time for this I’ll just settle for leaning them in the less lit areas nearby. This is exactly why I prefer to scout areas before infiltrating them!

Putting my back against the wall I slowly near the door and try to listen in.

(Voice) “Sir! The Human army is currently encamped outside the fort, they do not suspect anything yet. Our scouts were not given chase after the engagement and have returned. The Captain has told me to inform everyone to allow the Human’s through in the morning and slaughter them all once they enter the fort in a surprise attack.”

(Stern Voice) “Excellent! I will gather my men together, the grounds will be dyed red with their filthy blood.”

Hmm… what language was that? Damnit… I want more information but can they understand me? Only one way to know right? Adjusting my stance I stand behind the door and slowly opening it, dagger in hand.

(Stern Voice) “Is there something to..”

Before he could finish his sentence I throw a dagger into his throat and close in on the other voice placing my sword to its throat. Kobold… figures there wouldn’t just be goblin scouts.

“Make a single peep and I’ll slit your throat Kobold. If you understand the words I’m saying, blink twice or die.”

The kobold looks at me confused and as it takes in a deep breath, so I end it’s life. Damnit… I can’t gather information like this. After removing my dagger from the Orc’s throat I lean it forward slightly to make it look like he fell asleep in his chair and stuff the kobold in a box in the ramparts.

If someone used as a messenger can’t speak our language then the chance of information gathering is pretty much zero, unless I get lucky. What should I do… retreat? No… this is the perfect time to clean these guys up...here and now… I’ll end this fort.

As the night continues… I kill everyone patrolling the ramparts and towers surrounding the fort. There are so many bodies now I can’t hide all the bodies properly anymore and begin looking into the fort. There’s 3 major buildings lined up in a U shape, I’m not sure which building is which.

Generally speaking...there should be a Mess Hall, Barracks, and storage for supplies. I should have asked for more information about the fort, I’m getting rusty… I’ll just have to continue being careful as I go.

Hmm… what should I do next… let’s do that first then. I begin setting traps in the towers, unfortunately I only can make simple trip wires, that will delay them… I should have prepared better for this. The only other thing I could do was pour lamp oil over the staircase and entrances, and set to continue my raid.

Jumping into the bushes making a slight rustling sound I reach the walls of the first building when I can hear yelling.

(Agitated Voice) “Sound the Horns! We have Intruders!”

The yelling is followed with the sound of horns being blown… This is going to be a long night...