Chapter 20: The Goblin Encounter
The following morning, Arthur woke up very early. He trained a bit in his tent, then ate his breakfast and waited for the recruits to pack their supplies. Within half an hour, everyone was ready to depart.
He mounted his horse and stood at the front, then addressed all the recruits in a voice filled with authority, "Listen carefully! From this point onward, we will cross the boundary of the safe forest and enter the den of beasts. Stay alert and watch everything closely. Protect each other's backs and don't act rashly. If you see anything suspicious, report it to your squad leaders and prepare for battle."
"Is that understood?"
"Understood, my lord!" everyone shouted at once, startling the birds in the nearby trees.
Arthur nodded and commanded, "Move forward!"
"Let's go!" At the front, Otieno led his horse and guided the rest of the recruits, who marched in organized ranks. On the flanks were the shield bearers, with the spear bearers beside them. In the center walked those responsible for carrying provisions and equipment. As for Arthur, he stayed at the rear, surrounded by seasoned soldiers, with Octavia and Faelor by his side. Faelor was also well-protected, as he was not skilled in combat. His presence was crucial, to treat anyone who might be injured.
After traveling for about two hours, everyone noticed that the surroundings had grown eerily silent. The sounds of birds and small animals faded. From time to time, they heard distant howls and loud roars.
'We're close,' Arthur thought, his expression growing stern as he cautiously scanned the area. According to his knowledge, a goblin nest existed near the location of the magical artifact. He spoke cryptically, "Raise your shields, and watch your surroundings."
'I hope everything goes smoothly.' Goblins were extremely common monsters in this world, present in nearly every remote and wild region. Just like in most fantasy works, goblins were outrageously savage. Worse yet, they reproduced rapidly and possessed considerable intelligence.