After about 30 minutes of traveling we managed to managed to get back to the village. Things were quiet along the journey though I made sure to warn any farmer I came across, once they heard the news they started sending others out to outlying fields in other directions. Some of the able bodied males were already preparing to reinforce the ex-guard family. Eventually we made it back and he sight of me walking with the woman on the horse caused a stir as villagers started rushing up to ask what had happened. After telling them about repelling a group of goblins at the outskirts and that I wanted to take these two to safety they backed off and started spreading the news. When I passed on that fact that I needed to talk to the guard captain about organizing a party to investigate the forest one of them ran off to report this. I took the time to wipe down Eurus and lead her to some grass to feed, after doing this I asked for some food to eat and they quickly brought over some bread, cheese, eggs, and ale. Still weird drinking alcohol so young but water is needed elsewhere and this alcohol is quite weak. Not the tastiest of meals but I need something to fill me up after that battle. I have had enough time to calm down, surprisingly there was less reaction to killing living beings then I thought. Perhaps this is because of that battle being either me or them and the fact that it was either them or the family behind me. Even this young I know about noblesse oblige, even if the family history is exaggerated taking care of the subordinates families is something that none neglects. The wonders of brainwashing from a young age.

The two women were bustled off into a nearby house by the other women of the village while I was cleaning down Eurus, they should be fine till either this mess is concluded or the rest of the family comes join them. and soon after I finished eating the guard captain came. He was a man in his 40’s named Gavan and responsible for the safety of the manor and surrounding area. I have seen bouts he has had with the butler and he is very good, he survived to exchange more than 20 blows before being taken down. He has a short brown beard and hair from what could be seen under the helmet. He was tall at 6’1 and came with the stride of one confident with himself and with reason. The captain came dressed in padded gambeson and some thick leather boots and gloves. As proof of his status a shortsword is belted to his body though he also holds a spear.

“Alright young lord I heard what happened, i’m here to get more details while we round up some supplies in the meantime”

“Very well captain, there were 14 goblins equipped with primitive weapons for the most part. They were led by a leader in more proper arms and armour, they did not seem very wild only sending the dregs at me and leaving after they were killed. The local farmer who helped me and was ex-guard said that wolves howling has been heard for the past few days. In addition he said that they appeared to be running from something though it probably was not too close since they had the time to send in a few dregs to die before leaving”.

“Farmland near the forest, that should be old Felden’s place.Hmmm....this is troubling, besides the goblins there might be more monsters being displaced. And wolves howling, a new wolf pack has moved in, a rather large one at that and perhaps even dire wolves. At worst we have feral wolf beastman or a werewolf in the area, we can’t risk something like that being here. I’ll have to mobilize all of the guard and most of the militia and hunters. For now no one should leave the village, this came at a bad time as we still need to get the rest of the harvest in. I will start arranging things here young lord, return home and tell your family, and get some rest. The matter at hand will take time to prepare and even then more time to search that forest properly as much as we can.This was your first kill was it not lad”.

“Yes it was...how did you know”

“Rest up well, and remember you did well lad. A noble of the house should not fall under pressure but stand strong regardless and push forward”

“Thank you”

After I finished up things in the village I mounted Eurus and started heading back home. My parents are not going of take this quietly if I know them. My siblings as well might not, but it depends on who is here at the time. Imagining the expressions of the two heads of the servants I can only safely say that regardless of the enemy, they will regret moving into this land.