The Red Lands

Goblin Woodcutters

The easily spotted blips grew larger as the approaching greenish-brown party struggled across the open snow. By instinct, his hands corroborated his sheathed weapons before venturing out into the grassland.

"Send a message to Dyna. Have her meet me near the forest."

The hastening boots, receding from behind, informed Chu his order had been fulfilled.

Jim watched young Rind scamper off to the waving sentinel standing on the wall. Reaching for the bow and quiver hanging by the door, he followed the young boss while slinging them over his shoulder. A few paces ahead of him, Root and Jing unsheathed and resheathed their familiar daggers and then loaded their crossbows after a quick inspection.

"Boss, it seems to be a goblin party coming to meet you. Can we wait here, though? I'm not certain, but there is movement under the trees. Tree shadows don't normally flicker this weird."

Chu watched Root standing and peering at the treeline before turning forward to do the same. They had yet a half a mile distance between them and the forest. The sturdy young man had issued the words of caution halfway along the trip.

"Impressive, it's even hard for me to spot that from this distance. And you think of yourself as just a simple woodsman? RPG rules dictate that you be given a lifestone, which enhances sight. Don't worry, this Boss will inform the women of your matter. Women tend to relish in this sort of thing."

"Thank you, Boss. We all know how difficult it is to become a Sersen. Having you think about us is good enough. But what's an RPG?"

"Let's wait here. As for the movement under the trees, we need not worry. This is all expected since it means they agreed. Elder Jim, it seems like your wish will come true after all. Well, part of it, at least."

Chu replied while changing the topic. By the time the half-a-dozen or so goblin party navigated across the snow, Dyna and Ishara stood beside him.

The visiting party shuffled, as Zubyia stepped to the side while allowing a cloaked, hunched goblin to totter forward on a gnarled staff.

"This Goblin Elder greets the mighty human once more. Goblin halls ring with tales of your recent conquest."

"This human greets the Goblin Elder. Have the Elders of the tribes agreed?"

Chu asked while avoiding the curious gazes from some of his companions. No doubt, Pug and the goblin fighters who accompanied them during Ishara's matter loosened their tongues. Ignoring his ears, which turned beet red from more than the nipping cold, he focused on the voice of the little translator.

"Elder says three Chiefs in hall agree. Sent crow to four more close tribes who want join."

Nodding towards the Elder Goblin supported by a crooked walking stick, Chu faced his companions. Before leaving the ruins, he held discussions with a few of the Elder Goblins. Particularly the ones whose Chiefs had no choice but to lead their tribes to the ruins to tide them over the winter.

"Root, head up to the stables and prepare two wagons. Jing, find Clod and requisition twenty sacks of grain. Jim, I'll have you lead the goblins to the lumberjack clearing in the forest. The goblins will set camp in there."

Scanning the treeline perpendicular to the farm, he raised his hands.

"Have the goblins concentrate their work in this area. Thin the trees down so we can have greater visibility from the future walls."

"Thin the trees?"

"That's right. Remember you wanted to know why we didn't begin felling the trees? Well, it's because I was waiting for helpers. Have your crew prepare to camp in the forest for the next two weeks or so. These fellows will be chopping trees in return for grain."

Chu grinned at the flustered man. Fifty goblins from a tribe here, twenty from a tribe there, forty from another tribe, Chu amassed over a hundred little green helpers in all. During the next few days of winter, and probably the first two weeks of spring, their sole purpose was to harvest lumber. He switched to Zubyia.

"Tell Elder, human honor promise. Have goblins gather in a clearing. I will send over humans with food and instructions. Dyna, liaise with Jim and his crew about setting up a security perimeter. We don't want any wild beast carting off our helpers. "

It didn't take long for the activities on the farm to notch up a gear. Within an hour, two wagons wheeled down the familiar route to the forest. Jim navigated the reins of the lead wagon with an unlikely passenger. The Goblin Elder bumped and tottered on the seat while wrapping his withered, green arms protectively around a little wooden casket.

For this Elder, nominated to oversee the collaboration in the cold, a personal gift of pick-pickles stretched a mighty long way.

***

Ming placed both hands on the barn wall, trapping the girl in between. His eyes narrowed slightly as he watched the raven-haired beauty squirm. Looking at the fair, unblemished face, the blossoming curves, and the uncertain eyes, he exhaled a puff of warm air. Miki twitched her nose as her eyes darted to the strong arms locking her within this manly cage.

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Presently, Ming stood alone with this enchanting figure at the rear of the barn. Countless boys and young men, from the village to Limerock City, would shed a year of their lives to engage so forward and closely with this belle. Leaning, he whispered, while gazing into those enchanting dark eyes.

"Hey, why are you shifting around like that?"

"What do you mean, why I'm shifting around? Your breath stinks to high heaven. When you're done mumbling, go wash your mouth with some warm salt and water. And move your dirty hands, when last did you clean your nails?"

Ming listened to her chastisements before rolling his eyes. Come to think about it, they probably appeared like a sweet-tongue mercenary, wooing a virgin barmaid. Scoffing at the ridiculous notion, he continued talking his way out of his precarious position.

"I only bent in, because you said you couldn't hear. My hands are there, because any closer, and I would topple onto you. And move your knee, I don't like how it's aiming for between my legs."

"I only raised it so as to help push you away."

"Like hell you did. Use your hands, unlike the idiots crazy to mess with you, I know how dangerous that foot is."

Ming exhaled on seeing her retract her foot. Straightening up, he scowled at the young allure standing before him. Woe is unto the unfortunate who dared to mess with this sharp-tongued sister of his.

"I called you out here because I think Chu knows."

"Knows what? Have you been dabbling in something while calling my name?"

Miki retorted while placing a hand on her hip.

Glancing away from the narrow, probing eyes, Ming circled the toes of his boot on the snow.

"Remember the night of the Bitzer raid? You shared with Rugol and Rind by the fire, about an epic story Chu once told you? Well, I might have mentioned after the victory that the spear used by Rugol was special."

"What does this have to do with me?"

"Well, the whole village knows now that Rugol owns a legendary spear. Chu is disappointed and thinks you started it."

"You idiot, I didn't tell you to broadcast it with your blabbering tongue. No wonder you got blisters, it's probably because heaven decided to punish that loose tongue of yours. I only told that story so as to boost morale, you simpleton."

Miki snorted. Knowing this idiot, she waited for the bait. No way he would call her alone outside to talk about this. Watching him sigh as if ready to lift a mountain, her lips twitched as he spoke.

"Well, Chu doesn't know the full story. I don't mind not even mentioning your name when I tell him the truth. Tomorrow I am heading out to Karst, so it would be nice to have a few extra coppers in my pocket."

"You know, you really need to stop trying to blackmail us by these lousy methods. We're not little kids anymore."

Miki grinned.

The banging window above their heads caused Ming to glance upwards. Lucy, Rose, and Yin stared down into his ogling face.

***

By evening, multiple rhythmical chopping drifted from the forest with the groans of falling trees. Curls of smoke reached for the clouds as little bonfires sprang up around the camp. The tribes sent their workers and fighters to complete this task.

As for any investigations by his neighbors, Chu had no fear. With the Bitzer raids fresh in their minds, the villagers dare not venture into the forest, certainly, not this far south along the treeline.

After dinner, Chu gazed from the ramparts on the western wall. Red flickers indicated the position of the goblin camp. The periodical thumping of fresh logs continued unabated from the forest. The sight of cheap, efficient progress never looked so good. He spoke his thoughts out loud,

"With a vision suited for the night, shift work suits a goblin quite well."

"Given the number of goblins and limited tools, scheduling work, like what we do with guard duty, proved a great idea. Root and the others are quite innovative in implementing it."

Rose added as she joined him after making her rounds. Both of them drew the first half of guard duty. Chu looked down to see Fanny leaving from below. Rose continued again so as to answer his gaze.

"I met Fanny at the infirmary. Since you nominated her and Shauna as our two specialized nurses, she has been working hard in cleaning and preparing the room. She and Shauna spent the day in the infirmary while taking stock of our inventories. Before spring ends, we must purchase potions and herbs in bulk."

"Why didn't she talk to me? I'm sure she saw me here."

Rose cast him a look normally reserved for Ming and his ideas.

"You do know most of the girls on the farm find you unapproachable, right? Besides, Fanny was in a rush to heat up the bath. More importantly, Toll and I discussed the upcoming security on the farm. With the planned expansion, we will end up short-staffed."

Chu mused over her words. Guarding the farm had been sufficient in the past, but now it had become a serious issue.

"With Doug gone, that's seven hands short. Jim and his crew will join in building the industrial complex. The wolves should serve as some form of deterrent until summer, when we leave. The real problem begins then."

"Toll and I agreed to draft the girls during the day to guard the walls. At night, we can do the same. Tomorrow, he will take over since I am accompanying Ming."

"Ask Jill to help you out. As a thief raised in the Capital, I'm sure she can be of help. As for tomorrow, use it as a chance to increase your knowledge. Bon is also sending his apprentice, Knut, and I want Shauna to join since she lacks experience. Finn is the last in your party since he had ties with the destroyed village."

Chu added. Scanning over the wall on hearing a shuffle, he located the source. A familiar shadow trudged towards the western gate, sandwiched between two inhuman, frightening ones.

If the authors of their legendary infamy witnessed them materialize from the darkness, dying from the fear would be considered a blessing. To the inhabitants of the farm, however, they held a status similar to the redhead.

Sliding down the wooden ladder, he unbarred the gate. Under the lighting braziers, Dyna strolled in while accompanied by two wolves.

"I take it all is well?"

Chu questioned while noticing the dark stains on the clothing of the girl and the matted fur of her wolves. Cracking her neck, she rubbed it with a dried bloody hand.

"The forest around the goblins is safe for now. I handed over the kills to the goblin camp. They will skin the pelt and keep it for me. Fenrir is out on patrol tonight."

A powerful howl interrupted her words, followed by a few faint replies. The origins all drifted across from the forest. Dyna ignored it while sticking a black finger into an ear. Satisfied in quelling the itch, she continued.

"As long as the goblins remain within the camp, they should be safe. The wolf packs roaming nearby will ignore them. Jim says to tell you, he and Root will spend the night in the camp."

"I don't know what you did, but it sounds good. Fanny should be heating water for the bath. If you hurry, you'll catch her."

"I could do with a bath. As soon as I clean these guys up, I am going to soak myself and drop on my bed."

Dyna dragged her foot with her entourage following behind.

"Somehow, I think all those etiquette lessons and training have gone down the drain."

Blinking his eyes on watching the departing figures, he continued.

"I think I found a way to increase our security..."