The Path of the Adventurer

Chapter 6

The woods were quiet upon entry. Sunlight shone down through the thin canopy, casting faint light onto the ground.

"To think that this forest is the habitat of those foul goblins!" Huffey remarked, staring up at the tall trees.

"Caves." Magon corrected. "They only come out of their caves during the night, if I can recall from a book I read once."

"Then why can't they just stay under the ground and mine their own business!" Huffey laughed.

Meanwhile, Erion sat with his back to an oak tree, admiring the natural atmosphere. He let a butterfly sit on his finger as he glared at its convoluted brown and amber wings.

"Where the hell is Carolin?!" Complained Tikana. "I can't wait any longer! I just wanna kill some orcs!"

"Patience." Said Norder, astride his horse. Suddenly, Norder noticed something peculiar in the distance. Yards away, two goblins were standing in the middle of the approach, glaring some gold.

"I will love you and pet you and call you George!" One goblin said, holding an exquisite golden goblet, stroking it gently.

"GET DOWN! ENEMY!" The shorter one exclaimed, roughly shaking his friend.

"After them!" Norder grasped the reins on to his mount and set off with a gallop. The goblins jumped in surprise at the charging mounted warrior, screaming a terrible cry. Norder attempted to execute the two goblins, but the devious foes were too swift even for a stallion. The goblins ran off into the bushes, dashing off. "Bastards! I almost had them!" Norder snapped.

"There seem to be two kinds of goblins," Said Magon. "Those who fight, and those who flee. More the reason why we shouldn't be so be so hasty."

"Right." Sighed Norder, slowly riding back to his allies. "The entire woods will definitely be off-limits for now."

"Not if we can do anything about it." Erion reassured, standing up.

"There you are, at last." A sudden female voice said. Ranger reared and snorted in surprise.

"Whoa there, Ranger!! Calm down!" Said Norder, immediately grabbing onto Ranger's reins.

There was Carolin. She was carrying a longbow and some arrows in a quiver carried on her back. On her satchel were two daggers and a set of tools, including a file, some pliers, and a cloth. "Happy to see that you've arrived. I was getting a little bit worried to be honest with you."

"Sorry about that." Erion replied, scratching the back of his head.

"It's fine." Carolin gave her attention to Norder. "Hello, Norder. Didn't expect to see you here."

"Greetings, milady." Norder replied.

"I see you've brought a stallion." Carolin's left eyebrow raised. "Didn't Ixis tell you not to bring along horses?"