Limitless Lands: Book 1

by Dean Henegar

  Eventually the last of the goblins made it to the protection of the forest and as far as we could tell, kept on going. Over at the caravan, Daegan, Yendys, and Liam jumped the barricade and began making their way toward me. While they made their way over I tried to help with our wounded. Thankfully, we had not a single soldier killed in the assault but many of the men had minor wounds, and one was on the ground moaning in pain from a goblin dagger sticking all the way to the hilt into this thigh. Looking for Sergeant Brooks, I saw him stumble and fall, his shield arm had been slashed to the bone and blood ran down the edge of his shield, pooling on the ground around him. A bleed icon was showing bright red next to his health bar. I cried for a medic and ran to his side. Yendys beat me there, chanting and moving her hands in a complicated pattern. The green glow I saw earlier surrounded her hand as she touched the wound on the sergeant’s arm. The bleeding slowed considerably as the slash closed to half it’s length.

  “That’s all I can do for now. My nature’s healing spell only lets me heal each person once every twelve hours. He will survive and later tonight I’ll hit it again to help speed the healing process,” Yendys said, much more serious than I had seen her before. She then moved to the soldier with the knife in his leg, having the medic pull the blade as she cast her heal. The soldier screamed as the knife was removed, and a powerful spurt of arterial blood pulsed from the wound until the healing took hold. Much like Sergeant Brooks the wound was far from healed, but was no longer life threatening. Yendys then moved about the other wounded helping where she could, having to pause often while waiting for her small mana pool to recharge.

  “Sergeant Brooks, how are you going to face the men knowing that you let a wretched goblin almost take you out?” I joked. Sergeant Brooks grinned and fired right back.

  “Sir I’ll just let them know it was merely a training demonstration showing that even the best soldier can be blindsided when he’s outnumbered ten to one. At least I got nine of the ten before they got me.” Sergeant Brooks tried to put a good spin on it, but I could tell he was still weak and struggling with the pain.

  “Sorry to interrupt Lieutenant Raytak, but what’s going to be your next move?” Daegan asked.

  “Daegan, are your people doing ok? Did you have any casualties?” I asked, concerned of the damage that could have been done if the goblins had broken through the circled wagons somewhere.

  “We did have two killed and several wounded. The settlers were unskilled with weapons, but the goblins didn’t have the numbers to break through, thanks to your men. Yendys healed who she could, and probably saved some lives this day with her magic. I do have to say that was an impressive fight, Raytak. Your soldiers killed over one hundred goblins and didn’t lose a single man,” Daegan said.

  “The men have been training hard, and I’ll take a small disciplined force of soldiers over a huge mob of goblin wretches any day. They were physically weak and poorly equipped, which helped tilt the scales in our favor this time. From what Yendys told me before the attack, the goblins have several of the mercenaries prisoner at their camp not far from here. I propose to take those of my force who aren’t too wounded and try to free them. Hopefully destroying the goblin threat to this area at the same time,” I answered.

  “Won’t that be too dangerous? There’s still a whole lot of goblins left and while he was wounded in the fight, that adept could mean trouble if its still able to cast spells,” Daegan asked.

  “I don’t think we’ll ever have a better time than now. If we wait, they’ll only gather more goblins to their banner and overrun the next caravan through this area, perhaps even eventually threatening Amerville. I’ll give the men some time to catch their breath and gather up any javelins that are still useable, then we’ll head out if Yendys is willing to guide us to the camp,” I said looking to the small halfling for her agreement.

  “Oh, you betcha! My animal companion unicorn is still out there. I’m sure Drake and Quimby will be glad to come along as well.” Both halfling rangers had joined us while we were talking. Quimby still walking with a slight limp, but willing to go.

  “We can’t let Yendys go without us. She’s going to owe us each five silver when she finds her animal companion is just a mangy old dog and not a unicorn! Just give us time to find any arrows that are still useable, and we’ll be ready to go. We shot every arrow we owned during that fight,” Quimby added.

  “That’s not a problem. Nice shot hitting that adept by the way. That caster’s spells could have turned the tide against us. Let’s get to work. We leave in five minutes!” I said.

  Sergeant Brooks took the five wounded men back to the caravan. Surprisingly he didn’t protest over my perhaps rash decision to follow the goblins to their camp. I set about reorganizing the squads into three equal groups of eight, leaving one able bodied soldier behind to assist Sergeant Brooks. Luckily, we were able to recover thirty-two of the javelins that we had thrown which, when combined with the javelins in our stores, allowed us to issue two to each soldier for the coming fight, leaving the rest behind for the folks at the caravan to use. Drake and Quimby only were able to recover five arrows apiece, but being in the forest may prevent the bows as well as our javelins from being much use anyway. Both were heard complaining that they thought the game would have unlimited ammo, like most MMO’s. Liam came through for the halflings and was able to get them both equipped with short swords from the extra weapons taken from the mercenary stash, which was an upgrade over their daggers.

  A prompt flashed on my vision showing:

  Congratulations, you have defeated a large force of goblins.

  Individual soldier loot: 4 copperUnit loot: 54 copper

  Experience Gained: 250

  I quickly swiped it away, disabling the individual loot notification. I didn’t need to see what my soldiers received, only what the unit coffers were being filled with.

  While we were making our last equipment checks before heading out, Liam and the other mercenaries asked if they could speak to me.

  “Sir, we were wondering if we could go along with you. While we didn’t necessarily like Bhurke, or the other mercenaries, we can’t let them be tortured by goblins if it’s in our power to help,” Liam requested.

  “I won’t say I can’t use some extra sword arms. As long as Daegan is ok with you not staying to help defend the caravan, you have my blessing to come along. Understand that I will be giving orders. If you can’t live with that, don’t bother tagging along.” I demanded.

  “That won’t be a problem sir, Daegan already said we could go. I don’t think any of us have a problem taking orders after seeing what taking orders and fighting as a group can accomplish.” Liam waved toward the piles of dead goblins.

  “I hope you’re ready to go because were leaving right now,” I said as I waved my soldiers toward the forest edge. This could be a huge mistake. It all depends on how shattered the goblins were after taking such huge losses. With one last look at the caravan, we stepped into the forest.

  Chapter 15

  The two halfling rangers led the way into the forest. The trail the goblins left was not that hard to follow, considering how many of the creatures had trampled by. Once inside the tree line, the shade provided some relief from what had now grown into a hot summer day. Thinking of the heat, I took a long drink from my water skin; the water was warm and not very refreshing, but it would keep me going. We soon began to come across bodies in the undergrowth. Many of the bodies were human, the remains of Bhurke’s mercenaries that were ambushed, but there were also a surprising number of goblin dead strewn about as well. The mercenaries had not gone down easy, each killing at least one of the puny, wretched goblins before being hacked to pieces. All of the bodies had been looted by the goblins, while swarms of flies and insects buzzed about, drawn to the scent of blood. I motioned Yendys and the rangers to move past quickly, not wanting to be around if some of the larger carrion feeders or predators decided to stop by for an easy meal.

&nbs
p; The party moved about half a mile into the forest when we began to hear shouts and activity ahead of us. The rangers had been about 50 yards in front of the rest of us when they suddenly stopped. The halfling, Drake, signaled us to stop and then hustled back to the main group with Quimby still up ahead watching.

  “Raytak, we definitely found them. They’re in a clearing just ahead shouting and arguing with each other. I think they’re getting ready to fight! If you move up quietly, I’ll show you. They didn’t even think to post guards, so I don’t think they’ll see us,” Drake advised.

  I moved forward with Drake to see what was up with the goblin camp. I tried to move as quietly as possible, but stealth was not one of my strong suits. Drake would cringe each time I stepped on a twig or my armor rattled. He needn’t have worried. When I made it to the edge of the clearing, every goblin’s attention was focused on the argument two goblins were having in the middle of the camp. The goblin adept was there with a dirty scrap of cloth wrapped around his arm where the arrow had hit him. The greenish blood had soaked through and still oozed from the wound. The adept was in a heated exchange with one of the goblin warriors who appeared to be questioning his leadership of the goblins. It was almost amusing to watch the other goblins place themselves behind the leader they supported. Several moving back and forth from one to the other as an argument, or a particularly juicy insult struck their fancy. The argument seemed to be coming to a head with twelve of the goblin warriors and forty of the wretched goblins supporting the warrior that was arguing against the adept. About seventy of the wretched goblins with two warriors were supporting the adept.

  “Ohhhh, we should have brought some popcorn!” Yendys whispered, enjoying the argument as Quimby tried to shush her.

  “Dagbag not good leader. Get beat two times now from soldiers. We needses strong warrior for leader, not puny spell fighter!” The warrior goblin argued.

  “Iklug, the only place you lead tribe is to death, or into some other tribe’s cookpot. You thinks spells be puny! I shows you PUNY!” the adept Dagbag roared, while stepping back and beginning to cast a spell.

  “I kills you dead!” Iklug roared and swung his metal studded club at the slowly backing adept. Before his blow could connect a small burst of flame shot from the adept’s hand, scorching the warrior’s face, but not doing much damage. With the distraction, Iklug’s strike went off mark, hitting with a glancing blow to the adept’s already injured arm.

  Each of the candidates for leadership of the goblins pointed at the other and shouted, “Kill him!!!” Taking their cue from the leaders, the supporters of each side waded into battle, gleefully engaging their fellow goblins in a fight to the death to determine the leadership of the tribe.

  Not one to pass up a free opportunity I signaled to my soldiers to move up to the edge of the clearing.

  “Let’s let them kill each other off for as long as they want, then we’ll move in and clean up the rest. 1st and 2nd Squads to my left. 3rd Squad and Liam’s mercenaries to the right. Myself and the halflings will stay here in the middle. Prepare for one round of javelins on my signal then move into melee,” I ordered.

  The plan nearly unraveled when one of the wretched goblins fighting near our group noticed 3rd Squad, and Liam’s force, moving into place. The goblin raised his hand, shouting and pointing toward our men. Fortunately for us, another goblin couldn’t pass up the juicy opportunity to stick a dagger in the distracted goblins back, stopping any warning.

  The fight among the goblins was short but brutal. Many of the goblins were unarmed, but that didn’t stop them from biting, scratching, or choking their opponents. I couldn’t tell the two sides apart. It was doubtful that any of the goblins could tell either. The wretched warriors held several advantages. Despite being outnumbered, they were bigger and stronger than their smaller wretched kin. The warriors also had the advantage that all of them came to the argument armed. Nearly half of the wretched goblins were fighting without weapons, having dropped them during their retreat earlier. What the warriors didn’t have was a spell caster.

  During the whole melee, the adept had slipped to the rear with his two warrior bodyguards and began casting a spell. I could feel the magic building slowly. It felt like a pressure build behind my ears, and a grey glow appeared around the adept’s hands. A few of the warriors noticed as well, and four of them broke free of the melee to charge the adept. They were too late. With a final word and gesture six of the magic orbs leapt from the adept’s hand, flying unerringly into six of the goblin warriors. I had seen a similar spell kill Private Long and knew it could be deadly. Each of the orbs slammed into its target with the force of a sledgehammer, piercing skin and shattering bone. Soon six of the warriors were dead or dying.

  Cowing at the display of powerful and flashy magic, the goblin wretches all turned their allegiance to the adept. Goblin hierarchy compelled them to follow the strongest in the tribe. The six remaining warriors now fought a lost cause. Despite their size and equipment advantage, they faced all fifty of the remaining wretched goblins. One by one, the warriors were brought down by the daggers, clubs, fists, or even in one case teeth, of the wretched goblins. They didn’t go down alone as they slew ten more of their wretched brethren before finally being overcome.

  Not wanting to press my luck any further, it was time for us to attack. I quickly asked the rangers to target the adept again and prepared my javelin. Yendys began quietly chanting next to me preparing some unknown spell as I ordered the attack.”

  “Release, then close for the kill!” I yelled as I threw my javelin at the nearest goblin wretch. Our volley of arrows and javelins killed half the remaining goblins and left the rest stunned and terrified at seeing a wall of the nearly invincible foes they faced earlier, stalking from the forest into their encampment with blades drawn. I charged forward, shield bashing the first wretched goblin I came to. The goblin was too stunned to react as my shield collapsed his face, knocking his head back and breaking his fragile neck. The goblins panicked after our initial assault, scattering out into the forest and fleeing the fearsome soldiers that were mercilessly cutting them all down. Despite their earlier frenzy when fighting each other, they appeared to have lost all stomach for battle.

  Looking about the battle, I tied to find the adept, or any surviving warriors. The game system had imparted the knowledge my character should have had and, somehow, I “knew” that goblins would scatter to the winds unless a strong leader emerged. The only goblins that seemed capable of rallying the band and reforming them into a threat were the adept and the remaining warriors. I immediately spotted the goblin adept. It was already down with two arrows and several javelins piercing its body. The adept had been directly in front of 3rd Squad and they had all targeted the creature that had killed one of their own. The two warrior bodyguards fled to the north with a few goblin wretches following in their wake. I grabbed the few soldiers close to me, as well as Yendys’ group and pursued. If I could stop these warriors, the goblins would have nobody to rally behind and rebuild. I shouted to the other soldiers to find and release the prisoners and secure the camp as I sped into the forest after my prey.

  You have defeated a large force of goblins.

  Experience gained: 145

  Branches slapped me in the face as I ran, opening small cuts along my cheek. Roots and vines threatened to trip me up as I maintained a quick pace after the goblins, slowly gaining on my quarry. The rangers, using their forest craft skill, pulled in front of myself and the others, even cutting down one of the wretches that had lagged behind his fellows. After finishing the wretch, the rangers motioned for us to stop. There was a small tunnel dug into the earth near a large tree that we would have missed if the rangers hadn’t see a goblin foot disappearing into it. We gathered around the tunnel opening not sure if we wanted to try to crawl into the small opening. Anyone trying to shimmy through the narrow tunnel would be easy prey if one the goblins was waiting for them with a dagger. Thankfully, nobody had to go in
.

  As we tried to decide what to do a goblin screaming in fear and pain could be heard echoing down the tunnel. Another scream soon followed, closer to us this time. Someone or something could be heard pushing its way out the tunnel. Soon one of the goblin warriors emerged and the soldiers quickly cut him down as soon as the goblin cleared the tunnel opening. The second warrior soon followed, not even noticing us, just looking fearfully at the tunnel opening. The second goblin was cut down as well. No further goblins were heard, and everyone stood with weapons ready, wondering what horrible thing would emerge next from the dark tunnel.

  “Wait!” Yendys yelled, motioning for us to lower our weapons. “It’s in there! I can feel it! Inside the tunnel is my animal companion. I’m heading in. Wait here!” Yendys began to fearlessly crawl into the tunnel. It happened too quickly for any of us to try and stop her. Her small voice could be heard echoing from the tunnel.

  “I’m coming my unicorn dragon...Ugghhh gross, no way! Well I guess you’ll have to do. You are cute, in a way. I think I’ll name you Crunchy! Yep, Crunchy it is!”

  “Hey everyone, me and Crunchy are coming out, put down your weapons!” Yendys then began to shimmy out of the small tunnel. We all nearly attacked when we saw what followed her out of the hole. Following Yendys was a black beetle the size of a large dog. It had a hard-black exoskeleton and huge mandibles. Sticking up from its head was a sharp and serrated single protrusion. Impaled on the protrusion was one of the wretched goblins that had crawled into the tunnel.