Chapter 133: The Tribe (1) (1/2)

The snapping sound of a twig broke the serenity of the forest as a group of four crossed through the thick undergrowth. Thin rays of sunlight, that managed to pierce through the canopy of foliage from above them illuminated the eerie atmosphere.

The group, Aiden, Lilly, and her two canine companions, Sam and Biggy followed the track the goblins used to trace it back to their tribe. After all, if a horde of these vicious little creatures settled in nearby recently, they had to report it back to Granny and Number 3. Also, through the memories of the leader, Aiden wanted to check his hut, as just like the beings there was something there that manipulated its mind making it unreadable.

The lively green and colorful foliage were gradually replaced by brown, grey, and ebony colors as they got closer to their destination. The flowers were replaced by skulls of a variety of animals hanging from the tree branches adding to the eeriness. The green shrubbery turned to wooden skeletons, the remainders of a once-lush forest scenery turned to a dead land.

Looking at her surroundings, Lily frowned, absentmindedly voicing her displeasure.

”This place is so sad. What creatures can do such a thing to this place? Look!” She looked down at the dry, barren landscape ”Even the ground changed! What did they do?!”

Aiden, still in his new goblin form continued in his trek as he pensively responded without looking back.

”Hard to say, Lily. I think this is in their nature. These creatures are greedy, evil, vicious beings. Since they are weak, they have to resort to such means as these to turn the tides to their favor. Like in the battle, they are weak against one on one, they prefer backstabbing, or ganging up on a single foe.”

As he continued marching forward, he picked up a dead twig from the ground and threw it sideways. As it landed, large wooden spikes erupted from the ground snapping together in an attempt to pierce the unwary traveler.

As the trap sprung, he continued.

”See? They resort to tricks and these traps. Just, try to ignore this sad landscape, and be on guard. Our goal today is only to check out their camp and see their numbers then report back to Granny and Master.”

Raising her right fist into the air, Lily cheerfully exclaimed.

”Yes! You can count on us brother!”

Sam and Biggy also barked once in response, agreeing with their master's sentiment.

Slowing his steps, Aiden raised his right hand into the air while placing his left index finger in front of his lips shushing the group.

”Silence guys! We are almost there. Stay on alert from now on!”

Just as he said, in the distance, a makeshift wooden palisade appeared. Long pointy wooden staves were planted in the mud in front of them, adding to its otherwise questionable defensive power. Four dark green humanoid figures in motley leather and fur clothing holding crude, primitive wooden spears stood guard.

Halting their steps, Aiden pointed towards the four guards and spoke in a hushed, whispering tone.

”There! Can you see them?”

Even as a half-elf, Lily's eyesight was keener than the average human's, thanks to her elven heritage. In fact, in terms of sight, she was even better than Aiden if we do not count his [Dark Sense] ability.

Looking at the group of four, she silently nodded.

Seeing that, Aiden continued.

”From what I know, they are only low-rank warriors in the tribe, probably just cannon fodder.”

”Why do you think that?” Lily asked with a surprised expression. All she could make out was that these four were wearing some sort of tribal clothing and were holding wooden spears with a sharp stone head crudely attached to their tips. They barely had any hair and their skin seemed to be toned a clear dark green color. There was no brown mixed in.

Thinking for a bit, she continued.

”Is it because of the lack of hair?”

Aiden smiled at the response.

”You are half right. Hair is an important aspect to them. Only higher ranked members of the tribe are allowed to grow it out. In fact, the lowest in their society can't grow any even if they wanted. But, besides that, their skin is clean, there are no blemishes, no damages, no color-alterations. These four never hunted, never contributed to the tribe. They are probably new additions to the group, that the new leader placed as guards.”

Pointing towards the weapons, he continued.

”Also, look at their weapons. They are different from the ones the previous group had, they look way too primitive, way too simple. There's no craftsmanship in them. They are not loots, they are not acquired through a raid, or a hunt, they are something they quickly put together.”

Switching his gaze, he looked at the wooden fence. Thinking for a bit, he added.

”We need to get closer and see what we can find inside. Hopefully, we can find out why they settled down here and what their plans are …”