Life in a new Kingdom

"Hey!" Gale shouts while waving his hand. Riding upon us, they notice the bodies and immediately stay silent, the shock of seeing fellow adventurers in such a state. I turn and look at the bodies before addressing them.

"How did you guys figure to come here?" I ask.

"We got a letter by bird from Julia, telling us about the whole situation. Thankfully, the village we were staying at gave us these horses, so it took us a night's ride back here. I'm glad we did; it's not a pretty sight." Gale gets off his horse and grabs two grey blankets to cover the bodies.

"This incident is more important than the job we took. We are here to assist." Lukia dismounts and approaches us.

"No, with anyone else in our group, we would surely lose any element of stealth and recon. The horses would also be a dead giveaway from a distance. If you can take their bodies back to Saiana, we can prepare for their funerals when we get back." Nana takes command and gives her orders.

"That is true. We can do that. But allow Lukia and me to accompany you both. We spotted a trail to one of their nests. If this was the area they were attacked, any survivors might have been imprisoned there. The horses we leave can help take their bodies back," Gale suggests.

"Thoughts, Caleb?" Nana turns to me.

"It's sound. Gale isn't the loudest, and Lukia is an excellent hunter. It does hinder us a tiny bit, but if we can get pointed in the right direction, we could save a lot of time while we enter, and they guard the entrance, waiting for them to come back with the horses. We need something to help us escape the army of goblins in a worse case."

"I have no objections to that. Did you guys see any evidence of any survivors? There is only two we need to find." Nana turns to Gale, hoping to hear anything.

"I'm afraid we didn't get much to go on. If anything, it looks like they are up to something. Our hunch seems like they found at least one of them. They might already be dead."

"They are performing a dark ritual; if we don't find them, it would spell even more disaster. Besides, we owe it to them to at least recover what we can, if there is any at all." I step up and carry Senka's body to Herk, who places it on one of the horses. Nana does the same with Noro's body.

"Alright, then, time is not on our side. Herk, I entrust you and everyone else to get them back and then high tail it back here."

"Gale, that's pushing the horses a bit."

"Don't you think I know that? This is a serious problem; we must all do our best. If the horses stall, do your best to make sure they make it here, at least. I don't want a filthy goblin to be my end."

"Very well, I'll do what is must."

"Godspeed. Lukia, you got what you need?" Gale places his hand on her shoulder. She just finishes grabbing her gear and arrows. Flipping her hood over her head, she readies herself. Nana grabs my shoulder and drags me away for a moment.

"Should we have another woman accompany us on this? If we fail and she is captured, it would be-"

"I'll make sure nothing comes of it. That, I vow." With a sudden shift in my tone and the life in my eyes much more serious than she could have predicted, Nana releases me and nods to my conviction. Gale and Lukia watch as their party leaves with the bodies and return to Saiana.

"We ready to go?" Gale adjusts his cloak and sword.

"Ready as we will be. How far is this nest?" I place my hand on my hilt and look in the distance.

"It's about a few hours jog; if we want to be stealthy, it might take most of the day."

"Damn it. Time is not in our favor today. We run. Make it as quick as possible; rest up just before." A large sigh escapes my lips.

"You both look exhausted. Are you sure you can do that?" Lukia comments.

"You're saying that to your Guild Master? Don't make me laugh, girl. This boy here can push himself further, too. Can you keep up?"

"The Phantom Thieves are yours to command."

"Good, we move now." Nana takes point with me in the vanguard next to Gale. Lukia moves in the middle.

Spending an hour on a continuous jog with periods of sprinting, we were feeling the elements take their toll. Lukia faring better than Gale but barely better than me. A single moment when a goblin patrol walked by us as we hid in the snow, a small respite as we tried to catch our breath. After they left, we quickly continued on the path. Lukia and Gale's directions quickly led us to a large open cavern that was most likely the nest of the goblins. Agreeing to take a rest, we hid away in the trees to recover for ten minutes before heading in.

"This isn't going to be clean. I figure once we reach the inner parts of the nest, all hell will break loose. It will be all of our jobs to escape as quickly as possible with any of the survivors. If we fail, then it is up to you guys to warn Saiana and prepare for this army." Speak to Lukia and Gale. Their faces stoic in nature.

"Just don't die; I know you got this, Caleb." Gale bumps his fist into my shoulder with a cocky smile. I can't help but return one back.

"You two will guard the entrance as we discussed; make sure none enter to stab us in the back." Nana lifts her sword over her shoulder. Looking down the cavern, she sets her goals on the mission.

"Right, good luck, you two. Here's hoping we get out of here alive." Lukia clenches her fist.

"Don't set us up for failure, Lukia. Alright, see you guys on the other side." I stand up and head down the cavern with Nana. Leading us around, we close the distance and spot a small group of goblins. No more than five standing on guard. With one look at Lukia and Gale, who sneak their way to the other side, we charge in as soon as Lukia shoots her first shot into one of the goblin's necks. It falls instantly; while the others are shocked by the sudden ambush, we close in and dispatch them without much noise.

"Let's go," I say to Nana as we make our way into the entrance. Lukia and Gale take the bodies of the goblins and dispose of them before any more show up. Stationing themselves behind the large rocks, they wait for any further unsuspecting patrols...