Tales of the Trio: Unbroken

Chapter Eighteen

     They arrived at the goblin camp, it was in a denser part of the forest causing it to be dim. The camp was packed with little goblin tents and cages full of people, these goblins were mostly carrying around daggers and goblin sized spears, quite a few were wearing skulls as helmets. After some planning they got it figured out. Team One would go into the camp and kill the goblins or make them flee, the mercenaries would guard the camp entrance, while Team Two would be Dominic and the miners, the miners would accompany Dominic while he catches the camp on fire. As Team One approached the front they activated the hidden trip wire which caused a torch to fall and set a signal fire. Lela muttered "So much for our ambush." Goblins started to run to the front of the camp to defend themselves while the rest prepared. Team One continued to approach them, weapons already out, as they were about to reach fighting range meanwhile Team two had already reached their position. Dominic began to set the side of the camp on fire, using his air magic to blow the flames towards the center of camp that way the fire wouldn't spread towards them and the forest. Now that the camp is on fire they're on a timer, they need to clear the goblins and free the prisoners before the smoke or fire kills the prisoners. A few goblins came at Team Two but the miners took them out fairly easy. Team One engaged the goblins at the entrance and killed a few while the rest of the goblins fell back, Team One followed in after to kill the others inside and came across another group of goblins waiting. Once they started fighting them, goblins jumped out from the sides thus ambushing them from multiple sides. Some goblins from the front we're about to throw spears at them expecting them all to be distracted from the ambush, however Maximus saw them and had faith that Lela and Alina would be okay with the other goblins so he quickly charged them with his shield barreling them over just before they could throw their spears, killing them before they got up and making quick work of the others who showed up to attack him. Lela rolled to her left and began to rapidly kill those goblins, swinging her swords wildly yet accurately, taking a couple slices from the goblins in the process. As a goblin was about to stab her in the side the little fox jumped in and bit at the goblin, Lela spun around and stabbed the goblin through the chest, she smiled at the fox but it ran off out of the camp scared by the flames. Alina threw a couple darts at the goblins closest to her, she did a cartwheel towards the goblins kicking down two of them as she landed, picking up their spears and twirling them around in her hands as if they were batons killing the goblins around her. It wasn't long before the rest of the goblins ran off abandoning the place just to get killed by the mercenaries at the front gate. Dominic was doing what he could to keep the fire in check but it continued to easily spread making it harder to keep in control. Team One went to the cages, being cautious for goblins in case they had laid another ambush, Lela and Alina began picking the locks and Maximus smashing them open.

     They got everybody out in time and had to set up their own camp just a little ways from the camp since the freed prisoners had been barely eating and drinking so they needed at least a night's rest before traveling. Also Dominic had to keep the fires from spreading to the forest, to do so he raised rocks and dirt up out of the ground around the goblin camp to keep the fire inside, but doing this took a lot of his energy so he needed his rest too. The freed prisoners were giving their thanks, but Lela ignored them and said to Maximus "We need to hunt so we can feed everyone." Maximus nodded and said to the mercenaries "If any of you can hunt let's go get some food." So Maximus and a few mercenaries set out to go hunting as they were leaving the camp Lela shouted "Teach him how to actually use a bow properly, don't let him fool you" Maximus waved a hand at her. Lela wandered off in the opposite direction to see if she can find anything, the Fox followed her and it ended up catching a few small creatures such as rabbits. Lela carried them while the Fox hunted, they returned and started cooking them, and feeding the freed prisoners. Lela made sure the fox got its fair share for catching them, though some of the freed prisoners were upset since it wasn't nearly enough of a catch to feed them all and would have to wait longer but they understood and were still grateful. Lela rubbed the Fox's head and said "Thanks for saving me earlier." The fox just kept eating rather than showing it was listening. Several hours passed when Maximus and the mercenaries returned with two deers, they skinned them and began cooking them. Alina had wandered off earlier and found some fruits and berries for them all so it wouldn't be just cooked meat, she returned a bit before the venison was cooked so it was good timing, when it had cooked everyone was fed and full with left overs  The next day Dominic lowered the rocks around the goblin camp and sure enough the fire inside burned out but everything inside was scorched, which sucks because life will struggle to grow there anytime soon but at least the forest didn't burn down.

     All of them marched their way back to Starlight, it took them twice as long to get there due to the injured they had to help. When they arrived they took the injured to the healers and helped the rest settle in, the mercenaries were further briefed on the mission and decided that even though they were being paid to be here, they're glad to be here with them all. The trio were getting ready to pack up and go again but Wesley stepped in.
Wesley: "You guys don't have the time to get more people. We need to train, plan, and prepare. We are gonna my to take the castle back real soon."
Maximus: "Are you sure? We don't even have a proper army size, or the people from Kelna not to mention the skill difference."
Wesley: nods "The orcs have been attacking the nearby cities, the survivors, now refugees have been fleeing. The towns that have been yet to be attacked already have people fleeing out of fear. Marek and his mean have come across a lot of them and he's escorted them here, we actually have people camping outside of Starlight yet still inside the barrier, on top of that we've gotten supplies from the nearby towns. The guard and I are ready to quickly train the basics to the people who are coming, the mercenaries will be able to help train as well. We can do this while out numbered, I know we can" he looked up and said out loud "We all can."
The trio nodded their understanding. Over the course of the next week and a half there was constant training, and planning until the day came to march on the castle and so they did. They knew they were still majorly out numbered, however they believe they have a chance given the skill of the group along with the quick training the civilians and miners were given. They had a decent starting attack plan, though they were going to wing it once the plan took off. After long traveling, there it was, the castle. Tomorrow during the day would be the day they reclaimed their castle and restored the kingdom's lands.