Goblins and orcs did not have much knowledge about agriculture – they mostly ate meat so far and was only recently getting accustomed to consuming plants. According to Lthrok and Ghyurl, this world experienced four seasons and a year was 360 days long. Each season was 90 days, or, in other words, around three months. The order of the months followed spring, summer, fall, and winter. We were now in Spring. More precisely, the second month of spring – meaning we would be getting summer soon. We would eventually need to prepare for winter, although according to the orcs the winter was not as harsh in the forest as in the mountains that surrounded it. The year… they did not know the year. Perhaps a bigger civilization would be aware of it.

Since we had virtually no working knowledge of agriculture, what we could do was limited to testing the plants we had throughout the four seasons. Eventually, maybe in couple years, we would be able to gain same basic insight into farming. Luckily though, we did have some experience of animal husbandry – although it was mostly originating from taking care of wargs. So, still, much to improve in the husbandry department.

Harren had many houses now, thanks to its increase in population. But, because we only could focus on building houses in a limited time, the lack of workshops and other facilities was obvious. What’s more, most houses looked dilapidated and poorly built – the houses built earlier even more so than those built later. While limited time was one factor for this cheap scenery, the lack of architectural proficiency of goblins and orcs was another factor. Goblins, according to Lthrok and Ghyurl, live normally in caves, but our goblins do not even remember where they lived. Orcs of this world, however, lived in huts – poorly designed huts. I guess we will eventually need to rebuild these houses or move Harren when the population increases and either abandon this town or give it to the newcomers until they can move to their own newly built houses.

A goblin, Gobsti, came to my office – the first thing I have to deal with in the morning. He was a blue skinned goblin. He was rather tall and skinny, and he had a pale complexion.

“During the western mountain expedition, Gobi’s team spotted a group of elves resting around a cave. They appeared poor in condition, and they numbered around hundreds but that’s all we could see as many others were most probably hiding in the cave – among them were elders, children, and sick.”

“Elves? How did you know they were elves?”

Aren’t elves supposed to be beyond the northern mountains?

“One of Lthrok’s orcs is in the expedition group chief. The others initially did not know what race they belonged to.”

“I see. Did they see you?”

“No, we were hiding far in the forest, and they were guarding the cave entrance. Many were outside the cave, but we suspect there are many more inside. We do not know how big the cave is, so it is hard to tell for sure. But there were around hundred elves outside the cave. It looked more like they were running away from their village or something than moving it. They looked exhausted and perished. What should we do?”

“How long does it take from here by foot?”

“Half a day, Chief.”

“Good. Prepare twenty warg riders. Each warg will either have an orc or a goblin on their back, but make sure to have both goblins and orcs. With wargs, it should take two hours maximum from here. I will also ride with you – bet elves would not welcome a group of monsters riding wargs with open arms. I should look more approachable – the worst-case scenario, though, they would think I am cooperating with monsters. Let us not take a hostile approach. I would like to assess the situation after seeing them with my own eyes.”

“I understand.” Gobsti said before leaving my office.

Elves… All I know is that there is an elf village beyond the northern mountain. Who would have guessed that there would be a big elf group around the western mountain too? Moreover, we were in the western part of the forest, so the western mountain was the closest to our town.

Another thing I was concerned about was the situation of the elves. According to Gobsti’s report, they seem to be running from something. If there is an army following them, engaging with them might prove dangerous. But I am also curious about what benefits their knowledge about this world could provide us with. Perhaps they would be more proficient in agriculture. We also know that they are not from this forest, leaving them being from beyond the mountains as the only possibility left – meaning they surely know something about this world and its politics. Do they have mages too? I will soon have all my questions answered.

When I leave the house an hour after receiving the report, I am greeted with a group of twenty warg riders waiting for my command, and a warg given to me by Lthrok as a gift. This is the first time I will be riding you, Thunder, I think to myself. I will take good care of you buddy.

I approach Thunder – yes that is what I named him – and pet his head. His ferocious nature leaves space for a short tail-wagging session, followed by Thunder sticking his tongue out. Yess, yess! Who is the good boy? You are the good boy! Yes, you are the good boy! What a lovely creature.

After I mount Thunder, I turn towards the warg riders before me.

“Let us ride!”

“Yes Chief!”

And a group of orcs, goblins, and a single human on wargs started riding towards the western mountain, where they would communicate with a group of elves – a race no member of Harren has previously broke bread with.