The first week into the new year had been pleasant, no new quests had been issued yet which meant Guild Girl had the opportunity to happily converse with the others. She even opted to bring out the board game and play with her friends, the quest was to defeat a corrupted sorcerer and return peace to the world. Half-Demon Thief was curious and impressed with this creation of the humans and, just like High Elf Archer, was annoyed as their party was defeated during their first play through of the quest. The next week was not as quiet though, as various quests were submitted from bandits to trolls to goblins.
"They finally come back out, which means he should be here very soon." A smile crossed her face as she thought about Goblin Slayer and her foolishness to find this "mistletoe" plant.
The bell above the door jingled as to her delight in walked an adventurer in dirty leather armor.
"Good morning Goblin Slayer." Guild Girl smiled ever brightly as she saw him enter the guild hall.
In her mind they had so much fun at the new year celebration, she had wished it could have lasted longer, and privately wished it had just been her and him for the entire evening.
"Are there…goblins?" Goblin Slayer grunted as he was forced to grasp his left shoulder.
"Are you okay?" Guild Girl was immediately concerned the moment she saw him go for his shoulder.
"Yes. Just…sore from the last quest. Are there goblins?"
"Uh…yes. Farmers started coming to us about goblins finally coming out and taking the livestock." Guild Girl looked over the quest forms and found three of them, but looking at them noticed that they were so far spread out across the countryside. "I have three quests available, but they're all pretty far away. This one here…"
"I'll take all three."
Guild Girl looked up at him at him with a surprised look on her face, she was not sure she heard him correctly.
"I'm sorry…did you say all of them?"
"Yes. I'll take all of them."
"Bu…but Goblin Slayer they're so far apart, wouldn't it make sense to…"
"All three."
Guild Girl looked back at Goblin Slayer, for the first time in a long time doubting if he would be able to take on the task, but remembered that he was no longer alone on these quests.
"Very well Goblin Slayer. Please be careful."
Goblin Slayer nodded his head as he took the slips of paper and looked over the details of the quest. He started to head for the door when familiar voices called out to him, making him and Guild Girl turn their heads.
"Goblin Slayer!" Priestess smiled as she and the rest of the party happily moved to join Goblin Slayer by the door. "Good morning sir."
"Yes good morning Goblin Slayer. I hope you're doing well?" Half-Demon Thief smiled though a slight blush was present on her face.
"Come on now, there's no need to be so polite with this big lug. How are you Beardcutter?"
"Fine."
"So what are you up to Orcbolg? Wait, let me guess…goblins right?" High Elf Archer smiled as she already knew the answer to this question and was just teasing him.
"Yes."
"Alright so when do we leave Milord Goblin Slayer? Do we have time to get some cheese before we depart?" Lizard Priest too was in high spirits as he thought about the goblin quests being easier to deal with than more undead.
"No…I'll go alone."
Not since thinking he had died did everyone, Guild Girl included, look as shocked and mortified as they did hearing say those few words.
"What the hell do you mean you'll go alone?" High Elf Archer was furious to hear him say this as she clenched her fists.
"Milord Goblin Slayer, can you explain why we will not be accompanying you?" Lizard Priest had come to know Goblin Slayer as a man who had logic to every one of his methods.
"This…is something I shall do alone."
"This isn't like you Beardcutter. What about the young ones here?" Dwarf Shaman motioned toward the two younger party members.
Goblin Slayer looked toward the two young girls, both were shocked by what they heard, Priestess looked as if she might start crying.
"No." Goblin Slayer turned back toward the doorway and started to make his way out.
"Wait Goblin Slayer! What about Wolf and Snow?" Guild Girl called out before he left the guild, she too was confused by this sudden change in him.
"They will stay on the farm and keep the rest safe." Goblin Slayer stopped at the doorway and looked back toward his party. "I'm sorry…I will return."
Goblin Slayer exited out the guild hall, leaving his confused and angry friends behind to debate why he was acting the way he was. Guild Girl had explained that not since his earlier days had he taken so many goblin quests alone. Ever since his party joined him he would "discuss" what his plans were, or at least give them the option of accompanying him or not. For three weeks, Goblin Slayer was nowhere to be found, Cow Girl had come to the guild to make her deliveries and inquire about her friend, to everyone's surprise he even neglected to tell her where he was going.
"This is not like him, I'm really worried." Cow Girl lamented her worries to Guild Girl and the others. "Ever since the start of the new year, he'd been acting very distant."
"Did something happen during the celebration." Half-Demon Thief, not completely sure of Goblin Slayer's usual mannerisms, wanted to know more.
"He only told me he was concerned about the goblins." Cow Girl relayed the information to the others, but sadly no one could figure what was bothering him.
During these three weeks, the remainder of his party had gone on their own quest to deal with a Yuan-Ti that had been seen in a neighboring village, tricking the humans to fight and kill each other in certain cases. Lizard Priest was saddened to know that a fellow reptilian humanoid could be responsible for such atrocities, but would ensure this form of heresy would be dealt with. This quest would give Half-Demon Thief an opportunity to really get a feel for the countryside and give her friends a better opportunity to see her skills in action.
During this time, Guild Girl and Spearman had noticed the Heavy Warrior and his party were also missing quite often. Heavy Warrior and the younger members of his party would come in from time to time to seek out quests, but when pressed for information about Female Knight or what they had been up to, they were quick to change the topic. At the start of the fourth week, Goblin Slayer finally returned, much to the surprise of Guild Girl and the rest of the guild patriots.
"Goblin Slayer! You've returned!"
Goblin Slayer nodded toward her then immediately walked toward the quest board to look over the quests. Guild Girl frowned at this, but dismissed it as Goblin Slayer only focusing on his goblin quests, she was sure that his comrades had heard her and would be down momentarily. Goblin Slayer tore off two papers from the quest board and approached the front desk.
"He's finally back. I'd like to have our normal chats, but given his past behavior, perhaps a bit of teasing is in order." Guild Girl smiled as she closed her eyes and mentally prepared herself for the "reprimanding" she would give him. "Welcome back Goblin Slayer."
"The three goblin nests have been dealt with."
"I'm glad to see you back with us, however…I do not feel your behavior with your party members during your last visit was quite necessary. After all as a silver ranked…"
"I'll take these two quests."
Guild Girl was completely caught off guard by his comment, it was not like him to cut her off like that, her friend Inspector was also surprised by this.
"These two quests…goblins. I'll take them."
"But…you haven't even given me the details of your last quests."
"The goblins have been slain. I'll take these two quests."
Guild Girl looked at this man, he was wearing the same armor as Goblin Slayer, but for some reason found herself looking at him as if he were a complete stranger.
"Very well Goblin Slayer." Guild Girl nodded her head towards him but had a saddened look about her face as she went about recording the information.
Goblin Slayer nodded his head before turning to take his leave, but Spearman who had been watching this had enough, it was one thing for Goblin Slayer to take away the affection of the girl he loved, but it was another thing for him to act so cold toward her. His partner watched from the side, her normal smile replaced with a look of concern as she watched Goblin Slayer.
"Hold it right there Goblin Slayer!"
Goblin Slayer stopped before he had a chance to exit and turned toward the angry Spearman.
"Just what the hell do you think you're…" Spearman stretched out his hand to get hold of Goblin Slayer's right shoulder, but never managed this.
Goblin Slayer suddenly got hold of Spearman's wrist with his right hand and firmly held it much to Spearman's surprise.
"Did you need something?" Goblin Slayer's tone was still dispassionate, but there was a hint of annoyance in it.
Everyone in the guild saw this with wide eyes, primarily his party members from the second floor who had heard Guild Girl's triumphant call earlier, but were unsure how to approach Goblin Slayer.
"This one…is in your way beloved. Perhaps…he needs to be removed?"
Goblin Slayer released his grip from Spearman's wrist and took a step back sighing as he clenched his fist then slowly released it; Spearman also took a step back and looked down at his right hand, surprised as Goblin Slayer's actions.
"I'm…sorry." Goblin Slayer replied as he first looked toward Spearman then looked back toward Witch and Guild Girl. "All of you…I'm sorry."
Guild Girl and Witch looked back toward Goblin Slayer with unsure eyes, wondering why he would act this way.
"There is…something weighing on me. The goblins…are a way…of taking my mind off it."
Goblin Slayer turned back toward the doorway ready to make his way outside when a familiar voice called out to him.
"Hold it right there Orcbolg!"
Goblin Slayer sighed in annoyance as he turned towards his side to see High Elf Archer, Dwarf Shaman and Lizard Priest approach him.
"You've finally come back and you're not even going to say hello to your friends?" High Elf Archer was slightly angry with his current demeanor but was happy to have him back.
"I'm just leaving."
"We heard you're going after more goblins, only you're not going to go alone this time Beardcutter."
"I…"
"Milord Goblin Slayer, as your comrades in arms we are concerned for you, and I gather it is not just us who are worried." Lizard Priest smiled as he looked out toward Guild Girl who smiled weakly. "If something is indeed troubling you, is it not best to discuss it with those who are your friends?"
Goblin Slayer looked over his party members and then back toward Guild Girl and Spearman and quietly grunted as the uncomfortable pain in his shoulder flared up once again.
"Beloved, you are suffering. If these mortals are bothering you…hurting you…then kill them."
"I'm looking to go after two goblin quests, come or don't, it's your decision."
"Now that sounds more like the Beardcutter we know."
"And tolerate." High Elf Archer smiled as she felt the mood lighting in the guild hall.
"Then accompany you we shall Milord Goblin Slayer."
"Before we go though, we are going to stop by the farm to see your friend. Knowing Beardcutter, you haven't been back there and she is worried too."
Goblin Slayer took one look back toward Guild Girl and could see the look of concern on her face, the same that was probably on his friend's face as well.
"What about Priestess and Thief? Shouldn't we wait for them?" High Elf Archer knew both young girls were out on an errand to the Earth Mother Temple.
Dwarf Shaman pulled High Elf Archer off to the side to converse in private away from Goblin Slayer.
"Normally I would say yes, but given Beardcutter's behavior I think it best if we accompany him this time. We'll sort out the details and report back to her in a few days once these goblins are dealt with."
"Agreed." High Elf Archer sighed as before making her way toward Guild Girl. "Don't you worry, we'll figure out what's bothering Orcbolg."
"Thank you. Please be careful on your journey, all of you." Guild Girl's smile brightened as she looked toward High Elf Archer and then back to Goblin Slayer.
Goblin and his party soon exited the guild and made their way toward his farm before journeying out to deal with the closest nest of goblins. Cow Girl, like the others was relieved and angry to see her friend, but being the accepting person she was wished him well and insisted that Wolf go with him.
"While he's enjoying his time with Snow, I know he misses you too."
Later that day, sometime after lunch, both Priestess and Half-Demon Thief finally returned from their errand and to their dismay found that Goblin Slayer had returned and departed with the others.
"He's gone again?" Priestess sighed as she closed her eyes and hung her head.
"What the hell? He finally gets back and then takes off again?" Half-Demon Thief pounded the bottom of her fist on the table. "And now the others have gone with him? They couldn't even wait for us?"
"They left a little more than four hours ago. You both were out on that earlier errand and you know how Goblin Slayer can be." Guild Girl smiled as she happily conversed with the two young girls.
"I'm sorry that I had you go with me on that errand." Priestess bowed her head toward Half-Demon Thief.
"It's not your fault, no need to apologize. Things just turned out this way, can't be helped."
"They should be back in few short days, since he's no longer going at it alone this time." Guild Girl smiled then a thought popped into her head. "You know, while the rest are on a goblin slaying quest, perhaps you two should go on your own quest."
"On our own?" Priestess was unsure of just the two of them going on a quest by themselves.
"It's a possibility, however the quest that comes to mind will need a couple other able-bodied individuals, and I'm sure you can think of two individuals that would be willing to accompany you."
Priestess and Half-Demon Thief thought about it, this quest might be what they needed to move up in the ranks, and with that thought in mind, looked around to find Rookie Warrior and Apprentice Cleric and see if they would be willing to accompany them.
xxxx
That evening, Goblin Slayer and his party rested around the camp fire while he took the first watch. Goblin Slayer, sitting upon a large log, looked over his comrades and watched how they slept peacefully, and a light smile formed behind his helmet as he was reminded of their last celebration.
"How are you feeling beloved?"
Goblin Slayer looked toward his right to find the rather voluptuous figure sitting beside him, the same female figure the Lich Queen had used to try and tempt him, a smile crossed her face as she slid across the log to place herself closer to him.
"Not to worry, none one will hear me, but I'd recommend you keep your voice down…that elf has very good ears."
"Do you need something?" He turned his gaze back to the fire.
"Come now beloved, no need to be so cold to me…I after all am far used to the cold. I am merely concerned for you."
"I thought you were waiting for me to turn into a wraith?"
"That is my end goal, but…I don't enjoy watching you suffer."
Goblin Slayer turned toward the Lich Queen, slightly surprised by her comment. The Lich Queen gasped as he looked toward her and uncharacteristically turned her head away as she pondered what she would say next.
"I thought you wanted me to suffer?"
"At first…but this last month…I've grown more fond of you. I don't want to see you suffer any more." Lich Queen smiled as she caressed the top of his hand. "Just submit to me, your pain will be over, as a wraith you will be immortal…and you and I can be together forever in body and soul."
Goblin Slayer removed his hand from beneath hers, which caused Lich Queen to frown as she looked toward Goblin Slayer.
"I won't become your servant. You won't force me to hurt those around me."
Lich Queen sighed as she stood and walked away toward the right and within a couple steps vanished from sight.
"You are fighting a losing battle beloved…but do as you wish."
"I intend to."
Goblin Slayer soon heard the whine of Wolf and turned to see the massive dire wolf walking toward him finally coming to a stop as it sat beside him. Goblin Slayer grunted as he reached out to pet the massive dire wolf atop its head.
"You shouldn't worry. I'll find a way to purge this from my body."
xxxx
Priestess and Half-Demon Thief found themselves worried as they traveled with Apprentice Cleric and Rookie Warrior. It wasn't the present company that concerned them, they had come to trust these two over the quest to deal with the Lich Queen in the North, what concerned them was rest of their party, particularly the fact that Goblin Slayer had been acting rather unusual.
"I'm surprised you came to ask us about joining you on this quest." Apprentice Cleric commented as she and the others continued to travel to their location.
"After what happened on the last quest, we need a quest that will give us the credit we deserve." Half-Demon Thief smiled as she nodded toward Apprentice Cleric.
"Plus we trust in you." Priestess added with a big smile.
"Thank you for that and I got to say this sure beats hunting rats in the sewer." Rookie Warrior smiled as the thought of working with others made him feel like a true adventurer.
"Speaking of quests, what are the details of this one?" Half-Demon Thief turned toward Priestess to gather more data on what was expected of them.
"It would seem that a small village was attacked by bandits with ten girls abducted in the process." Priestess replied as the details sounded very similar to what the goblins would do.
"So I take it our job is to recover the lost girls?" Rookie Warrior figured that was the case but wanted to clarify.
"That and deal with the bandits."
The four young adventurers knew what was being asked of them and mentally prepared themselves as they drew closer to the approaching village. As they entered the village they found some of the villagers still tending to damage from the raid, off to the side they could see the burial mounds of the recently deceased. The villagers, not busy with repairs, rushed toward the adventurers and bombarded them with a plethora of questions.
"Are you the adventurers we hired?"
"Do know what happened to our kidnapped girls?"
"What the hell do you plan to do to stop these bandits?"
"Please calm yourselves." Priestess raised her hands to try and calm the people down and get their attention. "Yes we are the adventurers. If you could provide us with as much information as possible we'll get underway in recovering your lost people."
Before one of the adults could begin talking a young girl pushed past everyone to approach the adventurers. The young girl was maybe ten years old with long brown hair coming to her back, there was slight blood stains on her pink dress, possibly related to the bandages wrapped around her right eye. Her parents, also showing signs of being injured in the attack, tried to get her back but she was already hugging Half-Demon Thief tightly around the waist.
"Hey now…you alright?" Half-Demon Thief slightly surprised by this as she was not used to dealing with kids.
"Please, you have to get my sister back!" The young girl cried as she tightened her grip around Thief's waist.
"Sister…so your sister was one of the girls taken?" Priestess knelt down so that she would be on the same level as the young girl.
"Yes…my big sister."
"Don't you worry, we'll do everything we can." Priestess smiled as she nodded to the young girl in an attempt to calm her. "Can you release my friend, she needs to breathe too."
The young girl removed her arms and dried her eyes all the while sniffling.
"Now…what can you tell me? Anything at all."
"The men came in, attacked everyone. They took my sister and the others, saying their master needed pure maidens."
"Pure maidens? Why?" Rookie Warrior curious as to the reason for only taking the women and none of the money or livestock.
"I tried to help my sister and they cut me with a blade." The young girl placed a hand on her injured face. "Before, I was knocked out…I…I remember them saying something about time…they said they could change the past with them."
Author's Note: So now we see that the groups have been split in two, each going on their own quests and just how far the Lich's influence is spreading. Before the New Year starts, this chapter introduces us to the next story arc which will focus primarily on Priestess and Half-Demon Thief, which we can title the Time Paradox Arc. I won't give away any details, you'll just have to wait until the next chapter, but you're free to speculate what will happen and the possible fallout it implies. Trust me that I will do my best with this part of the story, time travel is easy to introduce, but even easier to mess up. Happy New Year everyone, I'll see you in 2020!