In a strange world as a Doppelganger

Chapter 42 - Human

While the armour looks like it would give me reasonable protection it's also very encumbering and I don't have any idea how to put it back on. The voice in my head finally stopped echoing after I made my decision of [Cantrip Expansion].

Still in human form, I tie the armour pieces together and starting hauling my way back what might be the way I came. I had tracked the creatures further than I'd liked to backtrack in my current state. My entire body aches and the weight of the armour is not helping. I keep having to stop to rest so often it feels like I'll never find my way back. Considering how far I travelled to get here in the first place.

Eventually I find the skunks. The corpses have been left alone; I would've thought they'd been claimed by scavengers by now. There's absolutely no way I can carry all of this back on my own. MY best bet is to bring this armour back to the goblins and ask them to send a small party out here.

As the sun sets and I make camp for the night, there is a puddle in which I examine my reflection. In a natural basin formed by erosion on a rock that pokes up from the ground, water has collected since the recent rain. Still and cool lays the surface and in the orange and red rays of the sun a dead stranger stare at me. The body I had found under the vines will now always be in my mind. Its form etched into my soul. While I have none of their memories there is a sense of duty within me. I can tell it's not mine. Whoever this person was they had a grand sense of justice and valour. Most likely they came to meet their end to keep someone else safe. I hope you find rest now, warrior.

The next day, by afternoon, I return to the goblins. The path back turned out to be faster when I was beelining it rather than going crisscross looking for prey. Before entering the village, still in full restoration-mode, I turn back into my original form. As word of my return spreads, some goblins throw looks of disgust at me and words are whispered behind covering hands.

The blacksmith goblin happily takes that which I have brought back and promises to do his outmost to restore its condition. I tell him that I have no use for the armour, an innate tickle at the back of my mind tells me it will interfere with my magic. The sword as well as the armour I want him to repurpose for the guards of the village. He tries to argue with me but eventually yields and starts examining the goods.

I find my way to Thi, who is currently working on patching some clothing. They have an entire pile of linens and clothes lying beside them and all fingers accounted for have small cuts and pricks in them.

"You doing okay there?"

This looks up and smiles at me.

"I wasn't sure you'd be coming back!" Thi drops the shirt and holds out a friendly hand.

We shake a trusty handshake and This asks, "What did you stumble upon this time? And don't try to tell me you didn't because there's no way I'd believe you were gone for that long without reason."

Thi stares me down almost with a parental look.

"I found human bodies. All dead. Some were being controlled by vines and plants. They almost got me. I nearly lit the whole forest ablaze as a last effort to take them out."

This eyes grow larger than they already were. "Humans?" The tone is rich with surprise and disbelief.

I usher Thi inside one of the abodes and make sure it's empty. As my fingers shorten, hair grows atop my head and a nose slowly forms, Thi is overcome with wonder and fear.

"Okay, okay! Turn back! Quick!" I do as ask and narrow my eyes.

"Why? What's the matter?"

"Humans aren't exactly the friendliest types around here. There's an outpost of the about a week to the west. Every now and then they make raids into the forest and keep claiming they're culling the threats of civilization", This makes exaggerated gestures and paces back and forth while explaining.

"What about Vera?" I ask as I sit down on a small crate.

"Vera is not human, oh no. I could tell right away, she smells of nature and magic", Thi stops and shakes their head.

"Humans don't have magic?" I can't help but want to press for questions now that Thi has loosened their lips.

"They do, they do. It's just different. I've never met a human who 'had' magic. They seem to learn it rather than know it."

"Magic can be learned? Taught?" my interest is definitely piqued.

"Yeah, it's possible, I knew a goblin once who found a book and manage to decipher some texts. But don't go snooping for it! He ended up turning himself to dust." Thi stops and sits down on the dirt floor.

"If you found dead humans then it's very likely more will follow. I have to tell the chief. We have to send out scouts", Thi stands back up and makes for the exit of the hut.

"You coming?"