Chapter 77: Adventuring
The small, grassy knoll sloped out of the forest, cresting just higher than the tops of the trees. The sky was filled with blues and grays, an occasional drop of rain plinking onto a leaf or branch. Patches of light roved across the land where sunbeams descended through cracks in the clouds, their intensity the only sign it was still midday.
We crouched in the thick underbrush, peering closely at the small crevice yawning into the hillside. I twisted my staff in my hands, finding solace in the glassy rod’s familiar touch. I stood beside the strongest hero and one of the great prodigies of the generation, yet my heart couldn’t help but beat quickly.
"Ready?" Soltair asked, glancing at Trith.
She nodded, knuckles whitening as her grip on her sword hilts tightened. "Of course. They’re just goblins, right?"
He nodded, eyes flashing with excitement, "We can’t afford to mess this up. I’ve been waiting far too long for that."
"Shouldn’t I cast a few supporting spells?" I asked nervously, my fingers fidgeting with the tip of my tail. I peered over their shoulders at the cave entrance, flinching back as an ugly green head popped out of the darkness. Nothing greater than a second-level presence registered with the Eyes of Fate, but I couldn’t help but feel a shiver of unease. Surely a bit of magical protection wouldn’t hurt, right?
Trithe rolled her eyes, her tone dripping with impatience. "Oh, come on, Xiviyah, goblins are far from the strongest creatures. Now, are we doing this or not?"
I bit my lip, torn between my cautious instincts and the pressure to keep up. Soltair shot me a reassuring smile, his eyes understanding. "It’s natural to feel uncertain, Xiviyah. But trust in your abilities. We’ve got this."
He took a short breath and launched himself forward, releasing a blazing light as he charged the goblin sentry. The foreboding blackness of the cave fled before his light as he stopped short in the entrance, just beyond the monster, sword held out vertically. The goblin’s eyes bulged as they finally registered his sudden appearance, but it was too late.