Heroes, Magic and Monsters

Two days later I approached east gate, carrying backpack with supplies for a few days. I wanted to bay a magic bag, but they were out of my price range, so I spend the rest of my money on supplies, such as food, water canteen, flint and cross. I also visited the blacksmith and traded my short sword and goblin knife for a decent dagger.

At the east gate already gathered a dozen adventurers. Most of them were humans, but among them was also four beastmen, two catgirls, lizardman and a gnoll.

Among them only two human adventurers, one male and one female had magic staffs and seem to be magicians. Rest of the adventurers were warriors mostly armed with spears and swords and wearing cheap light armor.

We waited for a while longer, but no one showed up. One of the men went in front of us and everyone stopped talking.

- My name is Shirzan, I serve lord Gilliazar from hose of Ulek, - the man was dressed in good quality clothes and were an iron breastplate. In the hilt of his stone was a gemstone, and the weapon was probably a low level magic sword. Shirzan took a good look at us and continued: - My lord wants to create a new settlement in the east woods and you were hired to clear those lands from hostile creatures and determine if the land is safe for human settlement. The land that my lord has chosen is located five days walk to the east. I will be party's leader. Now please introduce yourselves and state what kind of job you excel at.

Everyone introduced themselves and states their abilities. Like I thought only two among as were magicians. Both magicians were part of a parties of four, the rest of us were solo adventurers. Catgirls introduced themselves as scouts, the rest were warriors. Technically my Ranger job made me also a scout, but I wasn't confident in my scouting abilities and I didn't have any scouting skill, so I introduced myself as an archer.

Shirzan nodded satisfied with everyone.

- I will deploy a proper formation of our party once we approach the uninhabited lands. Now let's move out.

No one had horses or any other mounts. All adventurers carried their baggage in backpacks or bags, just like me. Our party left the town and started walking, taking the road that went to the east. First few days of our journey were uneventful. We passed several villages, but most of the road took us threw woods, plains and grain fields. Adventurers that were party members, mostly spend time with their party members, there were few arguments on the road, but they didn't lead to fistfights. I spend most of the time by myself observing other adventurers, and learning their strengths and weaknesses. Several time I left the party and together with two catgirls hunted in the surrounding woods. Catgirls were named Nassy and Luara. Their wore minimal amount of close, and were armed with short swords and daggers. Nassy was part of a party together with female magician, gnoll and party leader - male warrior.

Catgirls were excellent scouts and trackers, and together we were able to hunt several rabbits and a dear. Rabbits we eat ourselves, but we shared the dear with the rest of the party, which increased our popularity.

On the first day we reached the current border land settlement of the Ashgrin kingdom. The settlement was surrounded by two meters high wooden fence and on both sites of the settlement, near the gates, was located a watchtower. Several kids were sitting on the watchtower and when we approached the gates villagers representative, along with several armed peasants, came out of the village.

Shirzan talked to the villagers and then came back to us.

- Villagers say that they have spotted goblin bandits nearby. From now on we will have to be careful. There are no more roads after this village, and this is the last settlement that we will see. Scouts will go ahead and check the way. While the rest of us will follow them. Mages, me, and archer will be going in the middle of the party surrounded by warriors, and provide support, in case of attack, while the rest of you will protect them.

The rest of adventurers nodded, since that was a reasonable plan, and party leaders ordered the placement of their men. I took my place in the middle of a party and we continued our journey.

Everyone was on alert and talking was minimal. Uninhabited lands had a bad reputation, being infested by monsters and bandits.

Nassy and Luara disappeared in the forest, and I felt relief, that I didn't have to be one of the scouts. The day approached evening when Luara came back and approached Shirzan.

- We located goblin camp. Nassy is keeping an eye on them.

- What are their numbers, and do they have any mages? - asked Shirzan.

- More than twenty, didn't see any mages but several hobgoblins among them.

Shirzan thought for a while, and we waited for his decision. Goblins weren't monsters. They were one of the races who inhabited this world. They had their own kingdom in a different continent and were almost as intelligent as humans. But they were wild creatures who preferred raiding and pillaging instead of working. That's why so many of goblins became bandits and scourge of human settlements. Many humans even classified them as monsters instead of one of the equal races. The goblin bandits in our way had numbers, but most of them were weaker than humans, and we had an element of surprise.

- Mages, can you cast any wide range attacks? - finally asked Shirzan.

Male mage shook his head: - I can use Magic arrow, but not a high ranking or wide area spells.

- I can use Slow spell, but I will need to cast it twice to affect both goblins and hobgoblins, and I won't have any mana left afterwards, - answered Myne, the female mage from a second party.

Magic arrow was basic attack spell, so called first level spell, which most of the mages could use. It was even less useful than my bow, since it could be used to attack only one opponent and it took longer to cast it than shoot an arrow. The Slow spell used on a wide range could affect several creatures of a single species, and decreased their movement speed. In order to cast that spell at wide range, mage needed at least advanced level of Earth magic skill, which was quite high, for a low level adventurer.

- Fine. Godrick and Evan take your parties and attack goblins from south and north sides. The rest of us will take east side. We will start our attack as soon as the mage casts her slow spell. First use your spell on hobgoblins, and only then on goblins. The archer and second mage will support us during attack. If goblins will try to escape, don't follow them, our main goal is to decrease their number so that they don't pose the treat anymore.

We separated and I was left with Shirzan, lizardman and two newbie adventurers. I prepared my bow and arrow and we slowly approached goblin camp. Most of the goblins were sleeping, while several of them were sitting by the fire and eating meat. Luckily for us goblins didn't expect an attack or were simple lazy and there were no lookouts. Goblins were dressed in dirty remnants of close, armed with rusted swords and long daggers. There were also four hobgoblins. They wore pieces of mismatching armor and were armed with maces and clubs. One of them had long sword and helmet. I guessed that it was their leader and choose him as my first target.

We hid behind the trees until the earth started to bubble under the hobgoblins legs. Goblins looked at it with surprise, until their leader roared at them, realizing that this was an attack. Second moment my arrow pierced his neck and goblin leader fell on earth. I could call it a lucky shot, but my shooting improved a lot, after I increased my Archery skill.

Several goblins grabbed their weapons while the rest of them only started to wake up. Two newbie adventurers screamed, what they probably thought a battle cry and attacked the goblins. Lizardman run alongside them, but Shirzan stayed behind, observing the attack.

The rest of adventurer warriors attacked the shocked bandits and soon spilled first blood. Goblins couldn't properly defend themselves. They panicked even more when a spear of light pierced one of them, sent by a male magician. Soon after the beginning of a battle earth bubbled below goblins legs, and their movement speed became much slower. Second Slow spell affected not all goblins, probably mage didn't have enough mana for that, but almost two thirds of them were affected. Hobgoblin were killed by a parties leaders, while the rest of adventurers dealt with goblins. I managed to kill one more goblin, before bandits tried to run away. Sadly for them the Slow spell left them no chance of surviving. Three of the goblins, who were not slowed down by a spell almost managed to escape, but two of them died from my arrows, while the third was killed by magic arrow.

We didn't suffer any casualties, only few light cuts on two newbie adventurers.

- Well done, - congratulated as Shirzan, who entered the battlefield, after bandits were defeated.

- That was easy, thanks to Myne's spell, - commented Godrick. He was cleaning his sword, while the rest of adventurers went through the bandit possessions.

- Yes, yes, that was quite good. Luckily for us goblins aren't such a big threat. We still have daylight left, so let's take a short break and continue on our way.

I approached the hobgoblin leader, hoping to search him for anything of value, but lizardman already removed his wallet, and was searching his body for more loot. He angrily glared at me with his vertical pupils. Technically it was my kill, but it's not like there were set rules about robbing the dead. I took a look at hobgoblins sword. It was of a decent quality, but too heavy, and too big for me to carry around. So I removed my arrow from hobgoblins neck and went to collect the rest of my arrows. Lizardman continued searching the leaders body, putting anything of value in his pockets. I collected the rest of my arrows, sadly one of them was broken, and I had to threw it away. Arrows coasted money which I didn't have, and I couldn't replace them so easily. I did a mental note to myself, run to search dead enemies as soon as I can, or I will be in the red after this quest.

We took a shirt brake and continued with our journey. Adventurers happily discussed their victory, and I was the only one in a bad mood, since I failed to acquire leaders wallet. The only thing I gained was leader life force, but I lost an arrow, and they didn't grow on trees.

We had to camp in the forest, and Shirzan ordered to double our lookouts up to four adventurers. We all took turns during the night, with exception of Shirzan, who spent the night sleeping. The sky was clear and moon was approaching it's fool moon faze. I discovered that my eyesight was better at night, than it used to be, probably because of my elven blood. My supplies were coming to an end, and I hoped to hunt some animals for food. The rest of adventurers probably were planning to buy supplies from villages on our way back, but I wasn't in a position to do that.

Next day we approached the lands, that were chosen by the lord Gilliazar for his newest settlement.

- We will make a camp here and search these lands, - ordered Shirzan: - For the time being we will stay together, but if we won't find signs of any dangerous creatures, we will separate, to make observation more efficient. Scouts stay close to the party, and worn us immediately if you notice something.

Nassy and Luara nodded and disappeared in the forest without making a sound. Their feline sense of smell increased their scouting abilities, and both catgirls felt in the forest like at home. Both of them were E class adventurers and were close to level up, and become a D class professionals.

We searched the forest, but all I saw were animal tracks. Day was approaching the evening when our scouts returned with news.

- We found a cave, there are big animal tracks in front of it, but it's hard to tell what kind of creature it is, - reported Nassy.

- Could be a bear or something worse, - added Luara.

- We will have to check it out, and kill the creature, whoever it is. Show us the way! -ordered Shirzan.

We silently approached the cave and took a look at it from a distance. In front of the cave was a clearing. That would make us easy to spot, from inside the cave. The entrance was almost round, and about three meters in diameter. There were some tracks in front of it, but I had no idea to whom they belonged. We retreated after observing the area and gathered around Shirzan.

- It would be great to attack the creature while its sleeping, but there is no guarantee that we will catch it during the nap. And it is too dangerous to fight it in a cave. So we will lure it out. You, - he pointed at the female mage: - Will use your Slow spell on it, and then the rest of us will overwhelm it with your attacks.

We nodded agreeing with this plan. Shirzan turned out be a competent leader, and I liked the side of him - keeping his own well being first. That way, as an archer, I could stay besides him, without taking unnecessary risks.

- Understood, - nodded Godrick and we went back to the cave.

As we approached the cave adventurers started talking among themselves, making as much noise as possible. I kept an arrow on the string, closely eyeing the entrance, but no one appeared. We walked past the entrance few more times, but still no one came out.

"Maybe no one's home" thought I, when one of the adventurers screamed in fear. A body flew past me and slammed into Myne, knocking female magician of her legs. I belatedly recognized male magician, his head was a mess of brain matter and bones, and he was definitely dead. I took a look behind me and saw huge, red skinned creature with fat belly. It was a troll. He was holding a huge club and used it to hit another warrior. Newbie adventurer flew away from the troll and slummed into the tree. I heard his bones breaking, and froze for a moment. The noise that we were making, worked against us, and we failed to notice the creature, who approached us from behind. Trolls were partly intelligent, and this one recognized magicians and took care of our best chance of taking him down.

- Attack! - screamed Godrick.

- Scatter! - shouted Evan at the same time.

Instead of taking charge and giving orders Shirzan took off and run away from the troll.

Adventurers froze for a moment trying to decide whose orders to follow and it coasted us one more party member. Creature again used his club and bashed in another's human head. For his size troll moved very fast, he was even faster than me, and I was faster than most humans. With trembling hands I released my arrow and it hit trolls stomach.

My arrow barely pierced troll's skin. Creature's skin was very thick and worked as a leather armor. Godrick cursed and launched an attack on troll. His two handed sword slashed against troll's leg and left a deep wound.

Blood started to run down the troll's leg and creature roared in pain. The rest of adventurers screamed in joy and joined the attack. I run away to increase my distance from them. Armed with bow I was more useful in the back, and I had no desire to fight this monster head on.

Adventurers surrounded the creature and attacked him from all sides. Troll was covered in wounds, but none of them was lethal or serious. Troll's skin was too hard to pierce for the low level adventurers. Even worse I noticed that the first wound inflicted by Godrick started to close. Trolls had regeneration ability, that gave them surprising longevity in combat. The only way to kill a troll was to inflict a lethal wound, anything less and they would regenerate and continue the battle. Another adventurer failed to dodge troll's attack, and the club broke most of his ribs. Adventurers body fell on the gnoll and temporarily made him defenseless. Troll concentrated on killing the gnoll, and Godrick screamed trying to distract the creature. I also released my arrow and it went inside creature's neck. Troll pulled out the arrow, and it gave time for Godrick to slice troll's leg. Creature screamed in pain and turned around to face Godrick. Nassy in the meantime helped gnoll to remove body from him and dragged gnoll away from the troll. The rest of adventurers continued their attacks, but troll's light cuts already started to regenerate. It was a matter of time since another adventurer would make a mistake and die by creatures hands.

I run towards the Myne. Female magician was still alive, but unconscious. She probably hit her head when the dead body slammed into her. I searched her bag and find a vile with red liquid. A healing potion. I pour the liquid on her wound and it healed in front of my eyes. Myne moaned and opened her eyes.

- Get up, we need you! - I gently shook her hand and Myne looked around. When she saw the battle Myne grabbed her staff and started to concentrate on a spell. In the meantime troll managed to grab Nassy and picked her up. Catgirl screamed in fear, but it was too late. Troll squeezed his hand and we all heard the sound of Nassy's neck breaking.

Myne shivered in pain and sorrow, but continued casting her magic. Troll threw away catgirl's body and roared in triumph. Godrick cursed and squeezed the hilt of his sword.

Then familiar earth bubbles appeared beneath troll. Godrick and Evan launched their attacks and wounded troll's legs. Troll tried to retaliate, but his movements were too slow. Now that adventurers could concentrate more on offence, their attacks became stronger with more powerful slashes. Slower troll made also better target for my arrows. I concentrated on my shot as hard as I could and managed to pierce troll's eye. I would never be able to do that without my skill's assistance.

Troll screamed in pain and grabbed his face. Creatures momentary distraction created an opening for an attack and adventurers didn't miss their chance. Several blades pierced creatures legs and troll fell on the ground. While troll was standing, towering over adventurers, his neck was a hard target, but now he became motionless target. Godrick and Evan needed several blows, to kill the troll, but even then his head was partially attached to the body. But even troll's regeneration ability couldn't save him this time. Adventures fell on the ground, exhausted by the battle. Myne silently cried, over Nassy's body.

I looked around. Shirzan stood farther away watching the battle, from behind the tree. Seeing that it was over, he slowly approached the adventurers. I silently left the adventurers and entered the cave. This time I won't miss my chance to gather the loot. I bravely, well fine, carefully entered the cave, ready to release an arrow the moment I saw any movement. The cave was quit big, even bigger, than it seemed from the outside. Probably troll enhanced it, to make it more comfortable for himself. It stink with the smell of rotten meat, and I wanted to vomit. Part of the cave's floor was covered with bones. It was a mix of human, animal, beastmen and even monster bones. Among them were clothes, weapons and pieces of armor. Probably the property of unlucky adventures and other unlucky travelers who run into the troll. I dug around the bones, but all I found was few copper coins. Then I got lucky and found a dagger. Its handle was either gold or gold plated and had two gemstones on the sides. I couldn't tell what kind of gemstones they were, can't really tell the difference between a ruby and emerald, but dagger looked very expensive. I hid it inside my boot and went outside.

Shirzan was walking around the troll looking at creatures body.

- Didn't think that group of adventurers would have so much trouble with single troll, - he commented and adventurers glared at their employer. We lost four members of our party, which was a third of our numbers. Even worse, we lost one magician and one of our scouts. Another such battle could be the end of our party. The main reason for our loses was the fact that troll launched on us a surprise attack, not the other way around. But no one wanted to hear such criticism after losing their friends.

- Well at least we managed to kill a dangerous creature. We will spend a night here and then continue with our mission.

- What? You still want to continue? - expressed his reservations Evan. Just like Godrick he lost a party member, and was in no mood to continue.

- We still have enough members, and we just started surveying these lands. If we return right now, your mission will be incomplete.Adventurers grumped among themselves. Of course every time they went on the mission they risked their lives and were theoretically prepared to lose a comrade, but it was different, when it actually happened. Everyone heard about the parties who lost their members in a monster fight, but all adventurers assumed that it won't happen to them.

- Don't worry. I am a level ten myself. I also have a swordsman skill and my job is a knight job.

"Then why did you hide during the battle" thought I to myself, probably the same as the others. But the fact that he had both swordsman skill and knight job was impressive. All humans, demi-humans and creatures had jobs. But out of hundred humans and demi-humans ninety nine had a commoner job. Only one out of one hundred had more specialized job. The job improved ones natural abilities and determined what random skills will appear during leveling up. Commoners, even if they worked as adventurers or soldiers, had to choose between Cooking, Carpenter or if they got lucky something like Merchant skill. While someone with knight job, would have a choice between Swordsmanship, Leadership or Armorer skill. My ranger job also helped me to better orient in the woods, better read tracks and improved my aim with the bow. If Shirzan had high enough Swordsmanship skill, then at level ten he would be quite strong. Even stronger if he wielded magic sword. Which would be useless to us if he didn't participated in the battles.

Myne was still crying over catgirls body, and Godrick approached her trying to calm her dawn.

- First we take care of our dead, - harshly said Godrick, and Shirzan agreed, with displeasure on his face.

Several adventurers entered the cave, lizardman among them, in hopes of finding the treasure and I didn't stop them. I had no intension of sharing my findings, and had no idea how would their react if I revealed the dagger from troll's cave. The lizardman could even demand that I share the dagger with the rest of the party. Instead I approached the troll, in hopes of collecting my arrows, but all of them were broken. Four arrows in total lost, counted I to myself. Only twenty left. If I had enough money I would had bought myself a spare quiver, but it would be a bother to carry it around without magic bag. I sighed and helped to collect firewood for the funeral.

Dead were usually buried or burned, but in a place like uninhabited lands it was better to burn the bodies, since there was a chance that they would became undead. To prevent the troll from becoming undead Evan severed troll's head.

Ordinarily every one of the adventurers would be burned separately, but we didn't have enough time for that. So we burned all of them together. Godrick and Evan said few words about their comrades and then both party leaders lighted the funeral fire with their torches. The fire could attract other creatures, but, I doubted that nearby was someone more dangerous than troll.