Qilynn and the group met Master Vance at breakfast.

“You’ll guard the wagon as we travel to Thistle,” he said. “We need to deliver supplies and medicine to the village. Questions?”

“Aye,” said Tumorgi. “Don’t the baron have a squad o’ guards t’ send? Seems like the three of us won’t be much protection against a force.”

“Many of my lord’s guard has been called by the King. They’re north defending against the wild orc tribes. And the baron’s huntsmen patrol what they can of the roads.” He turned to the rest of the group. “Is there anything you need before we leave?”

“Yes,” said Qilynn. “I have nothing other than a staff with which to defend myself. Would you be willing to provide a longbow for my use?”

“Of course, lady,” he replied, motioning to a page. “Take Lady Qilynn to the arms master and have her fitted for a longbow.”

Qilynn followed the page to the armory. When she returned, bow in hand, quiver at her waist, the drover snapped the reins. The horses began their slow plod north to Thistle. Master Vance and the wagoner talked about town business, while Tumorgi kept his eyes open for trouble ahead. Kharys and Qilynn watched along each flank. Pistachio flew from treetop to treetop, scouting from the air.

They reached the village near the bend of the river at midday. It was a small village. As the wagon pulled into the middle of town, the townsfolk came out to greet Master Vance.

“Hope this’ll be enough,” one man said to Vance, then tipped his head at Tumorgi. “Who’re them folks?” he looked at the group.

“Be nice, mayor,” said Vance, introducing the man. “These folks are here at the baron’s request. He’s asked them to look into the plague problem.”

The mayor ordered the townsfolk to unload the wagon, then invited the group for lunch in the longhouse.

“I understand you’re to talk to Belig to see if you can negotiate to stop him,” said the mayor.

“Aye,” replied Vance. “We’re to convince him to stop threatening the town.”

“Well, no more goblins, no more plague’d be one solution to the town’s plague problems.”

Vance turned to Tumorgi. “I’m not sure you can reason with Belig, his death would only benefit the region.”

“But,” said Tumorgi, “if’n we capture the goblin, we can force him to tell us how he’s poisoning the town. I suspect there might be more to the operation than just a mean goblin.”

“You can try to capture him,” said the mayor, “but he won’t go quietly.”

An hour later, they were on the trail to deliver goods to the goblin.

“You was told t’ come alone, Vance.”

The voice belonged to the tall goblin that stepped from the brush. Three goblins, dressed in an assortment of ill-fitting boiled leather plates strapped to their chests, stood behind him.

“I see you also came alone” said Vance, looking at the troop behind Belig.

The goblin regarded him. “You got the goods?”

Vance pointed over his shoulder at the tarpaulin covering the wagon bed.

Qilynn sat hidden in the brush a few dozen paces away. She’d gone into a trance to watch the scene unfold through ‘Stachio’s eyes. Kharys crouched nearby, listening to her whispered report. When the raven reported nothing other than the wagon and four goblins, Qilynn broke the connection. She and Kharys slipped through the trees toward the encounter.

Qilynn watched as the tall goblin approached the wagon, hand extended to the cover.

“Not yet,” said Vance. “We need your guarantee that you’ll leave. As promised.”

“Now, now, Vance…” began the goblin.

Tumorgi stepped out of the wagon, his greatsword in one hand. He approached the group, and the goblins readied their crossbows, aiming at the half-orc.

From the brush, Kharys cast a spell, sending tangling vines at the goblins. While held in place, one fired at Tumorgi, leaving a deep line in one arm. Blood flowed toward the half-orc’s fingers. He ducked back as a blade came near his chest, bringing his sword up in defense. Qilynn shot at his attacker. It fell. Moments later, all four goblins lay dead.

‘Stachio cawed a warning as Qilynn looked to see a fifth goblin bolt from the trees, heading north. The raven followed as Qilynn raced to stay within the telepathic range of her familiar, shouting at the rest of her companions. Kharys saw the escape attempt and moved to intercept the goblin. ‘Stachio dove to the far side of the fog cloud that appeared, seemingly from nowhere. Tumorgi dashed into the haze chasing the fleeing goblin.

Kharys shouted at the escaping creature, “stop, we want to talk to you.”

When it ran out of the fog, the raven flew down at it, and it fell to its knees. A heartbeat later, it recovered, scrabbled to its feet, and ran, ‘Stachio close behind.

Qilynn stopped, set her feet, and fired at the goblin. It was near the edge of her range. By some stroke of luck, her arrow caught her fleeing quarry in the leg, and it fell to the ground, her familiar harrying it to keep it from running once more. Tumorgi joined her, holding the goblin as it tried to crawl off.

When Kharys joined them, she approached the goblin, telling him they only want to talk.

“Malig stay still, just get him off of me!”

Tumorgi disarmed the goblin, then released it.

Kharys removed the arrow from its leg and bandaged the wound. While she worked, she questioned the goblin, Malig.

“Belig like stay in control so band small. King Krig took over old underground warehouse and that’s where we live. Me and rest came with Belig to gather supplies. But king not know anything about poisoning village. That on Belig,” the creature said. “Malig promises to go back to mountains if let me go. I no like it here.”

“Don’t let me see you again,” growled Tumorgi, as the terrified goblin turned and bolted toward the mountains to the east.

As the party moved east, they found an old wagon trail. Following the tracks, Tumorgi spotted a cave entrance. Long shadows almost obscured the opening, but the path led into the mountainside.

“I need to stop before we go into more danger,” said Qilynn. “I must rest to regain strength for my spells.”

“As do I,” said Kharys, scanning the area. “Here,” she said, leading her companions to a small clearing. “This is safe enough. We’ll rest here.”

(to be continued)