Forgotten Guardians
Chapter 13

The morning air was brisk and clean as the four companions made their way down the overgrown wagon trail. Deep furrows from old wagon wheels held morning dew which had frozen in the chilly air. The forest at either on side was quiet and peaceful as the final leaves fell from the branches. They were making a good time and no trouble seemed to be about. Miranda and Josan talked about going through the cave. Miranda was still a little troubled about venturing through it with unseen creatures lurking in the darkness. Josan understood her point but reminded her they were already too far from the pass to beat the first snow. Villagers also loved to exsagerate every tale they hear. They could turn a mouse into bear over a mug of ale. It had already flurried a little. Josan didn’t want to get buried under snow in the middle of the pass. Miranda still had uneasy feeling about going through the mountain. Uuger seemed not to really listen to the conversation. He was too busy watching the squirrels dance around trying to store last minute winter meals. Wolf was also very casual as he trotted along Josan’s side. He would follow them wherever they decided to go.

The conversation was abrupdy cut off by rustling in the bushes up ahead. Josan held up his hand for silence and peered towards the sound. Miranda slowly turned around and looked back down the path, but saw only bare branches swaying in the autumn wind. Wolfs ears flattened as he sniffed the air, and he let out a low growl. Something was out there, but well hidden and almost completely silent. The group stood facing opposite directions, trying to determine the location of the source. Miranda finally turned and looked at Josan with a confused look; Josan returned the gaze and shrugged his shoulders. The group relaxed and started back down the trial again, when several orcs jumped out from every direction and charged them. Josan’s swords came out in a flash and perpared for battle. Miranda pulled her sword and dagger from her belt and swung around to face a group of orcs coming from behind. Uuger scurried behind Miranda’s legs and pulled his little enchanted mace from his belt. Josan and Miranda were almost back to back, with Uuger in between them. Josan quickly scanned the area and counted about ten orcs. He looked down to Wolf and nodded. Wolf charged ahead and barreled down the first two orcs in his path. Then he sprang upon a third and clamped his iron jaw around its throat. The rest came in with clubs flying and hooting viciously, not even pausing as their comrade slowly died under Wolf’s teeth. Josan sent his blades spinning which brought the orcs charge to a complete stop. They backed off and formed a semicircle around Josan, waiting for one of them to strike first.

Miranda held her ground as the first orc rushed towards her, it swung its club, Miranda easily parried the crude weapon away with her sword. The orc was not very intelligent, like mos tof its species. It left itself wide open as Miranda’s dagger came up and planted itself under the orc’s chin. The thing squirmed for a moment, then fell away dead. Two more came in, but Miranda side stepped to avoid one club and blocked another. The orc she was locked with would not release its pressure hold, and Miranda could feel her back being bent backwards. The second orc was preparing for another strike when it suddenly howled in pain and dropped its club. Miranda didn’t argue her good fortune as she tried to push back the other orc’s club. Then she felt a slight gust of movement by her legs then heard the crack of bone. The orc fell away as it clung onto its splintered shin. Miranda looked down to replace Uuger holding his little mace and grinning broadly. She returned the smile and quickly rushed over to the fallen orc and drove her sword into its heart. Uuger ran over to the other fallen orc who was lying on the ground clutching a broken knee. Uuger raised his mace and brought it down on the orc’s head. The last orc remaining on Miranda’s side now seemed a little hesitant about attacking.

Josan had already fell two of the orcs with little effort. Wolf had tackled one and was quickly squeezing the life from it. Only two remained in front of Josan, and both were very discouraged about which one should lead the attack. Josan didn’t give them the chance to decide, he ran forward in between the two. Their clubs came down in unison, but Josan easily battered them away with one sword. He followed the momentum of his sword, while bringing his other sword out as he complete the spin. He stood before the orcs as thin red lines appeared on their throats; their eyes went wide as their life blood quickly drained away. Josan turned to Miranda as she finished off the last orc with her sword. He smiled at her as she pulled her weapon from an orc’s belly. His smile was short lived however as he heard a noise in the tree next to him. He looked up and saw a orc with a crude bow and arrow beaded on Miranda. He reached into his coat to pull out one of his throwing knives when he heard a ‘click, click,’ sound. The orc lurched back and fell out of the tree to the frozen ground. Another orc, Josan hadn’t even seen fell from another tree on the opposite side of the trial. Josan looked down at the dead ore at his feet and saw a bolt sticking from its chest. He looked over to Miranda who only shrugged. Josan spotted something emerging from the brushes. It was a small humanoid wearing a dark green cloak and hood, which shaded its face. It was only a half foot taller then Uuger and Josan could see that it had a very small frame. Josan scanned the rest of the stranger as it slowly made its way up to the dead orcs. Their rescuere carried a small crossbow which instead of having a single bow attached to it had two, one on top of the other. The stranger walked past Miranda without even looking at her and headed for the two orcs who had been killed by its bolls.

“Filthy creatures,” the stranger said as it reached down and yanked out its bolt, cleaning it on its cloak before sliding it back into a quiver under its cloak. The stranger looked up and stared Josan straight in the face, “You’re welcome,” the stranger spat.

Josan stood studying the small stranger, his hand never leaving his hilt. The stranger paid no mind and strolled to the next fallen orc to retrieve its other bolt. Miranda walked up to Josan with Uuger in tow and stood next to him. She gazed at Josan who stood like stone staring at the stranger. Miranda took a deep breath and walked toward the creature as it was bending over a dead ore.

“Please forgive us, we were startled, but thank you ...” Miranda’s voice trailed off. She couldn’t tell what race this stranger was, too small to be a dwarf, but not rounded enough to be a halfling, maybe a slender gnome. She quickly returned to her thoughts, “Thank you, gnome?” she asked more man stated.

The creature turned and stood up and crossed his arms over his chest as if insulted. “Gnome!” the creature roared in a scratchy voice. “Gnome! I’m not no stinking gnome. That’s the thanks I get for saving your worthless arses?”

“Please forgive me sir, I cannot tell with your hood up.” Miranda said as she blushed in embarrassment.

The creature stood for a second as if deciding something. Finally it pulled down its hood, exposing the face of a goblin! Miranda took a step back, her eyes almost popping out of her head. Josan’s sword were ready to strike. Wolf joined Josan, letting out a threatening growl.

“Shut your dog up before I make it my supper,” the goblin barked, though a hint of fear could be detected in his voice. “You act like you never seen a goblin before.” he said as he started to brush off his cloak. “Put your sword away. If I wanted to kill you I would have done it earlier,” the goblin said matter of factly. Josan lowered his swords, but did not remove his gaze from the creature for an instant. This goblin seemed odd to Josan. He had seen and fought many goblins in his days and this was clearly a goblin, with its small frame and greenish gray skin, long ears, and langley arms, but most goblins were stupid creatures who traveled in tribes. Most carried clubs or cruelly made spears, but this goblin had a truly remarkable weapon. Goblins wore loin clothes or other scrape clothing, but this one wore green trousers, a gray tunic and a green cloak. His raven black hair, what little hair goblins had, was pulled back into a clean pony tail. Also, this goblin could speak the human tongue with ease, while most goblins could hardly speak at all.

Miranda took a deep breath to steady herself, then slowly approached the peculiar goblin. “Please forgive me, noble goblin,” she said in a melodic tone.

The goblin’s face crunched up, then he let out a small chuckle: “Never said that I was noble.”

Miranda held back a scowl. “What is your name?” she said, trying to sound friendly.

“Frathe, and who are you traveling through my woods?” he asked as he crossed his arms again.

“Oh, my name is Miranda, this is Uuger, the one not saying anything is Josan, and this is Wolf,” she said as she pointed to each member of her party.

“What do you mean your woods?” Josan finally spoke up.

Frathe turned and faced Josan, “I protect these woods and all who pass through them,” he said gruffly. He looked Josan up and down and could tell by the way the man balanced himself, even standing still, that he was a powerful opponent. “Where are you heading?” Frathe asked as he turned back to Miranda.

“The Dark caves, do you know where to replace them?” Miranda asked with a soft tone again.

“Of course I know were they are, but what in all the hells would you want to go there for?” Frame answered as if they were crazy for even thinking of going to the caves.

Miranda looked at Josan conveying her message without a word. Josan knew not to trust goblins, but it would be quicker to replace the caves if they had a guide. He looked back to Miranda and nodded. Miranda turned back to Frathe, “Will you lead us there?” Miranda asked.

“Are you crazy? Or just stupid? I’m not going near those caves,” Frathe said determinedly.

“Not even for this?” Josan said as he raised a large pouch of coins.

Frathe eyed the pouch then eyed Josan while he stroked his long pony tail. “Double it, and you have a deal, but I’m not going in those caves. No amount of money could make me go in there,” he bellowed.

“Fair enough,” Josan said as he flung the pouch to Frathe. “Half now, half when you get us there,” Josan said with a tone which deterred any possible argument.

Frathe merrily nodded as he bounced the pouch in his hand, “Well, we better be off if you plan on making it before the snow fall. It’s little more than a day’s journey.” Frathe swung his hood back over his head and headed down the trail.

The rest of the day went without trouble. Frathe led the way while Miranda tried to make small talk with him. Uuger strolled along watching the native wildlife get ready for winter. Josan and Wolf hung back. Josan still didn’t fully trust the goblin. He could be leading them into an ambush. Josan kept a weary eye on the stark surroundings looking for any suspicious shadows. Miranda spewed question after question about the forest and about Frathe. Most of the time his answers were frank and to the point. Miranda knew someone else who answered similarly, and so she didn’t take any offensive with his curtness.

“If you don’t mind me asking, you’re not a typical goblin. Where did you learn the human tongue?” Miranda asked curiously.

Frathe looked over at Miranda as if the answer was obvious. “My family, where else?”

“Your tribe could speak the human tongue?” Miranda asked astonished.

“What? No, my family. I didn’t grow up in a stupid tribe,” Frathe answered as if insulted.

“Who did you grow up with?” Miranda asked, still very confused about subject.

“Gypsies. I was sold to them when I was born,” Frathe said proudly.

“How terrible, your tribe sold you!” Miranda said, trying to grasp hold of the horrific idea.

“What? I am probable better off not growing up in some stinking tribe of idiots. Have you ever seen a tribal goblin? They’re morons!” Frathe answered.

“Oh, well, where is your family then?” Miranda asked, still very confused about this goblins’ past.

Frathe became very silent and stared straight ahead with his jaw fixed. Josan could see Fradie didn’t want to talk about his family. So Josan finally spoke up to change the subject: “Do you encounter orcs often in these woods?”

Frathe turned around and stared Josan right where his eyes would be if his hood didn’t cover them. He nodded his thanks for the change in subject and then spoke, “Not many, but lately the smelly things have been traveling through as if something was herding them somewhere,” Frathe declared.

“Why are the orcs moving?” Josan asked seriously intrigued. Orcs did not move around. Most of them established terroritory and stayed there.

“Who knows why those stupid brutes do anything,” Frathe blurted as he stared ahead.

“Magic in the air,” a small gurgling voice chirped in.

Everyone looked at Uuger with suspension. Miranda asked, “What magic?”

“Uuger feel magic call in the wind, but Uuger not know what it says,” Uuger said.

“So the wretched things are following a call? Well, better for me, the stupid things will be out of my forest,” Frathe said happily.

Josan wasn’t so sure, something or someone was calling these creatures, but why and where? He silently thought lo himself as the group headed on down the old road.

It started to snow about midday as the group headed for the Dark Caves. It was a light snow and didn’t delay them. Uuger loved it. He danced around and caught snow flakes in his mouth as Miranda giggled. The light snow fall, however, turned into a storming blizzard as me day pressed on. The ground became slick and they could barely see in front of them as the snow blasted into their faces. After an hour or so, the snow deepened and walking became drudging. Frathe took the lead as Miranda and Uuger fell in line with Josan and Wolf bringing up the rear. The storm blew on as the temperature dropped with the sun, but they could not stop. No shelter was in sight and to stop in such a blizzard was suciude. Uuger shivered as he walked bare foot through the freezing snow. Josan took off his black cloak and pinned it up the length, then wrapped it around Uuger, though it did little to stop the little thing’s teeth from chattering. Josan looked around and could barely make out Frathe drudging through the snow up ahead. The wind blasted at their exposed skin and ice formed on their eye lashes. Soon Uuger fell face first into the snow. His legs too numb from the freezing cold to move on. Without missing a step Josan leaned over and picked him up. He wrapped the cloak tighter around Uuger and walked on. After hours of walking, Miranda’s and Frame’s legs too became to numb from the cold and their muscles were tired from climbing the snow drifts. Josan could see Miranda and Frathe starting to sway as they walked in front of him. Wolf though seemed entirely unaffected by the cold. After a few minutes, Frathe stumbled into the snow. When Miranda leaned down to help him up she, too, collapsed from exhaustion. Josan hurried towards them through the snow drifts. He bent down and picked up Frathe, who wasn’t much heavier than Uuger, and called Wolf over. He placed Uuger and Frathe on Wolfs back and tied them down with numb fingers. He then reached down, picked up Miranda and shakily stood up. He could see the silhouette of the mountain through the blizzard. He steeled himself and concentrated on moving one foot in front of the other. The night wore on and Josan could no longer feel his legs. His shoulders were knotted and cramped under Miranda’s weight. He stumbled into the snow, he tried to push himself up but found no strength in his arms. All he wanted was to fall asleep. A quick rest would do all them good and then they could continue. Slowly his mind started falling to oblivion when he was startled awake. “Up! Now!”, a voice eoched through his head. “Move, now!”, it commanded over and over. Josan eyes open and looked around in the blowing snow but say no one. Slowly Josan tried to stand. Wolf nudged his muzzle under Josan’s arm to help him up. Finally Josan stood, desperately trying to keep his balance. He looked down at Wolf and could barely see his outline. The cold was starting to freeze his eyes shut.

“I need your eyes old friend.” Josan said reaching down to grab the strap that was holding down Uuger and Frathe, so Wolf led the way. Momnets passed as Josan slipped in and out of concience. They pressed forward until finally the wind stopped and the air grew slightly warmer. Josan rubbed the ice from his eyes and look around. It was dark and the smell of musk filled the air. He could make out the rough lines of rock next to him. They were in the cave. He kneeled down and laid Miranda on the ground before he collapsed into unconsciousness.