Chapter 228: The Goblin Envoy (1/2)

By the time Aiden finally left the comfort of the tent and stepped outside both Sarah and Naybeah have already finished the tasks they assigned to themselves and was sitting around the campfire.

Stepping out, Aiden first looked up to the dark, clear midnight sky and quite fat, curvaceous moon glowing proudly, ruling this domain of the night.

”It's time.” He spoke curtly, slowly shifting his gaze to the girls who were already looking at him with varying expressions on their faces. Whilst Naybeah had her usually goofy, enamored look in her eyes, Sarah looked solemn, somewhat stoic.

”Are you alright Sarah? Is something bothering you?” Aiden asked the purple-haired girl, seeing the look on her otherwise delicate, gentle face.

”Mhm.” Sarah nodded, as she pushed herself up from the round stump of wood she used as seating as they waited for their 'master'. ”I am just getting ready for the rest of the… night.”

She frowned at the thought and deeper meaning of the last word. They would essentially be playing the role of human slaves of a goblin and will be escorted to some sort of holding block just outside the tribe's grounds. Well, despite the fact that they were going to be treated like cattle or worse, it will be a good way for them to get in touch with all the other, real slaves and come up with a plan to rescue them.

”I see. Be careful on your missions… we have no idea about the dangers we are about to face, first and foremost just stay alive! I will get inside their compound and get all the necessary info we would require. Also…” He looked at Naybeah who meanwhile came to his right side, hugging his arm like some precious treasure.

”Also…” He sighed, shaking his head lightly. ”...Naybeah, you also make sure to protect Sarah and yourself as well, okay? Don't try to fight with everything you see, this is the enemy's territory, you don't want to pull unwanted attention to yourselves! Got it?”

”Uhm. Don't worry my mate! I will come back to you safe and sound and will make sure she will too.” She spoke while she continued to hug and caress his right arm like a pillow.

”Right…” Aiden responded with a wry smile hanging from his face looking at her actions for a bit more, before he gently pulled his arm free from her grip and pushed her back.

”Get ready, everyone. We will head out now.”

---

A bit further away at the right side of the crossing they visited earlier, a huge, tall and wide stable-looking building stood at the middle of a muddy area. The buildings that looked hastily erected were made of chopped but uncleaned and prepared tree trunks and some weird mixture of literal mud, leaves and probably a few other ingredients to glue them together.

Even though the whole structure looked incredibly fragile, and ramshackled, it was surprisingly sturdy. Large sharp pikes were planted on the ground circling around the building, creating a barrier, a weaponized fence-like wall, keeping and warning the outside to not step inside.

Only one area was left open, leaving only one single entrance into the inner grounds of the strange building. In front of the fenced gate stood 2 tall, robust, muscular dark-brown skinned Mountain Orcs. They wore full body leather armor sets, covering most of their wide chests and trunk-like arms as well while leaving their hands free. Below the black, leather belt they had similar-looking padded leather pants reaching just below their kneeline, leaving their shin and everything below that free as well. Strangely they wore no gloves, nor any type of boots, leaving their barren feet get dirty in the slobby mushy ground.

Contrary to their species usually favoured weapon types, these two were holding huge, long-reaching pikes, similar to the ones that were planted and used as fences around them.

They looked rather annoyed and grumpy, as they had to waste their time standing guard to slaves that they weren't even allowed to touch just guard. All the human cattle that stored here were properties of the higher ups and envoys that arrived in the recent days to the Gathering to discuss the details about the supposed ”Second Phase” whatever that could be.

For them, life was actually quite simple. As warriors they were considered elites. As elites they were not sent on disgraceful missions like hunting and patrolling, but they were usually assigned to protect a valuable and high ranking member of one of the conjoined tribes. The duty was usually quite lucrative too, and also boosted their own standing in the process. Guarding a shaman, or following a captain, general, or sometimes a tribe's chieftain… It was easy, and their name and standing were recognized there. They were feared and revered in the eyes of the common folk, and their entire group of Elite Warriors loved that feeling of basking in respect and borderline reverence.