As Lance settled down in a eting with his elders, including two goblins from the tribe that joined him a while ago, they began their discussion on the impending threat.
Lance raised his head, his expression serious as he spoke. "We've got human soldiers approaching," he began, his voice steady despite the tension in the air. "Now, they could be headed elsewhere and just happen to be passing through, or we could be their target." He said.
Everyone was confused at first, after all, they only just got here in this new location, there was no way the humans would know of them yet.
Lia spoke after reasoning the situation a bit. "We should consider their motives," she said. "Are they here to attack, or is this an intimidation tactic? Also, they would have to have received so kind of information way ahead of ti."
"That is the second issue." Lance said. "According to Tharok, the nearest human territory is several days journey away, at least two to three weeks journey on foot. This ans, soone must have given them the information ahead of ti." Lance said.
In his mind, however, he also factored in the possibility that so kind of divination magic had been used, after all, this is a world that had magic. The only reason he didn't suggest it to the rest, was because he still wasn't sure the extent of magic that this world had. Was it just a world with predominantly elental magic and so miscellaneous magic, or sothing broader and deeper?
Well, following Lia's shamanic roots, Lance believed the latter rather than the forr.
They all debated on Lance's words as they moved to Lia's, but Rynne seed to have a different opinion, and Kaeli was the sa.
Rynne's brows remained furrowed as she spoke. "I don't understand why we're so worried and scared of the humans. We've prepared for this. We've built defenses, trained warriors, and grown stronger together. We can et this threat head-on." She said, turning to Lance. "We have you here also, we will also do it smartly."
Kaeli backed her, holding up a newly forged spear. "I stand with Rynne. Our weapons are better than ever. They won't expect goblins to be this well-ard to begin with."
"And our warriors are ready," Rynne added, her golden eyes glinting. "We've trained for this." Rynne said, a glint of fire in her eyes.
Zarra smirked as she listened, her eyes sharp. "They're too heavily ard for a casual visit. But, we'll know more once they're closer."
Listening to them, Lance couldn't help but sigh internally, it just seed like Rynne and the others had too much of a hardcore warrior's brain. 'This isn't about that exactly.' He thought to himself.'
"I know we've been preparing all this while for such threats, but it's not the sa this ti. If they have co to annihilate us, even if we are able to fend them off, it won't be a one ti thing…" Lance let his words hang first.
Picking up on Lance's thoughts and possible frustrations, Lia spoke. "Diplomacy."
Lance nodded. "Yes, I'll try to talk to them first. If there's a chance to avoid bloodshed, we'll take it. But, we won't let them walk over us, that was never the plan." He said, looking at Rynne and Kaeli, especially Rynne. Listening to his words, she nodded.
Lance nodded back before continuing. "Here's the plan," he said, addressing the tribe. "We'll fortify the camp and prepare for a possible attack. Zarra, I want your scouts monitoring their movents at all tis. I'm positive that they've already taken notice, so by all ans, don't engage, just report back. Rynne, get the warriors ready. Kaeli, focus on arming everyone with the best weapons we've got."
"And what about ?" Mira asked, her soft voice laced with concern.
"Prepare your dical station and have the goblins under you ready," Lance replied. "If it cos to a fight, we'll need you ready to treat the injured as fast as possible."
"Alright, dismissed."
As the eting concluded, Lia stayed behind while he rest left to carryout their duties. She could understand Lance's vision and the intention behind his thoughts, but the sa could not be said for her kin, they didn't quite get the full picture.
"You're very patient, with us." Lia said, as she stood beside Lance, both of them looking at the activities in the camp.
"I have to be, don't I?" Lance responded, a slight smile on his face. He definitely felt at the very least frustrated, but then again, he understood his people and how their ntality worked. They were ready to give their lives at any mont, sothing that is very comndable, making them a rather fierce race. The issue was, fighting didn't solve every problem, and certainly, going head first didn't either.
…
By late afternoon, Zarra returned with a report. "They're closer now," she reported, her voice tight. "A little over thirty soldiers, heavily ard. They're moving fast and with purpose."
Lance frowned, his mind racing. "Are they making camp anywhere, or coming straight here?"
"Straight here," Zarra said. "No sign of hesitation."
"So they were coming for us all along?" Lance turned to Lia, "looks like talking might not be an option after all."
"We can only try. Regardless, we'll be ready," Lia said, her voice calm but firm.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, the camp was a fortress of activity. Readied themselves, relying on their usual traps and sneak attack strategies. While the warriors readied themselves for an engaging bout to co, archers positioned themselves in the watchtowers, ready for what was to co.
Lance stood at the center of it all, his heart beating faster as he prepared for what was to co.
"They're almost here," Zarra said quietly, appearing at his side.
Lance nodded, gripping the hilt of his sword, his dagger sheathed away on his lower back. Over his usual clothes, he had worn another layer of gear to hold his dagger, with space for other things as well.
As the first flickers of torchlight appeared in the distance, the camp fell silent, every goblin holding their breath. The soldiers marched closer, their armor gleaming in the firelight, their expressions cold and calculating.
"They've abandoned their mounts." Zarra said.
Resolving himself, Lance stepped forward, his eyes narrowing as he prepared to face the impending trial.
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