Deep within the cave they laughed as they drank their stolen wine, they tiny green hands tearing at the roasting carcass of the horse. The horde managed to ambush a merchant wagons a few days ago, this along with their theft of the livestock at the nearby village had given the goblins a sense of confidence. Around the small fire, the six goblins huddled around the fire as they celebrate their recent victories, unaware of the four figures that watched them from the shadows after all…their scouts at the entrance of the cave had not come to warn them.

"Six goblins, three clubs, one ax, two short swords. We strike at once."

In a quick blur of movement, Goblin Slayer and Lizard Priest rushed forward while two arrows and a single large rock flew forward. The six goblins were slow to react as Goblin Slayer and Lizard Priest quickly dispatched three of the goblins while High Elf Archer and Dwarf Shaman took care of the rest. Wolf followed with them growling as he looked over the area, but soon stopped once he saw there were no further goblins threatening his pack.

"That makes eight."

"I must say Milord Goblin Slayer, it is a welcome change to be going after the little devils after the trouble we had dealing with the undead."

"I don't think all of us are as eager to be going back to hunting goblins there Scaly." Dwarf Shaman grimaced as he looked behind him to see the uncomfortable elf.

High Elf Archer shuddered involuntarily as she could still feel the cold goblin blood staining her body, the stench of it was nearly too much for her to endure.

"Damn it Orcbolg…I've told you before we need to find something else to hide our scents." High Elf Archer glared at Goblin Slayer.

"They have an excellent sense of smell, it was necessary."

"Necessary or not, I'm still unhappy with this."

"Understood."

Goblin Slayer bent down to examine the goblin, checking their weapons, temped to take one of their clubs then stopped himself as he looked down toward his side and saw the mace he procured from the Lich Queen's castle. This, along with the sword he had taken, had been far better than the standard goblins weapons he had been using, he still worried about goblins taking them, but had taken far better care to not lose any of them in his recent quests.

"How many more do you think are left Beardcutter?"

"How impatient they are beloved, if they had not been here to slow you down, you would have dealt with this nest so much sooner. Those that hinder you should be removed…don't you agree beloved?"

"I might have been able to move faster if…no! I must not think such things." Goblin Slayer grunted as he stood once again, forced to place a hand on his left shoulder as the pain flared up.

"You alright Orcbolg?"

"Fine. Nothing to worry about. This nest is small, there were no reports of abducted women, so there should not be many left…ten at most, plus their leader."

Goblin Slayer and his party moved further into the caves, there in a large opening in the cave they came across seven other goblins wickedly chuckling as they looked over their new weapons stolen from the merchant wagon. They had opted to take these weapons in lieu of the wine their brothers had taken instead. Nearby was a large hobgoblin who too smiled as he carefully looked at the shine coming off the brand new blade in his hands.

"That looks like the last of them. Should we strike Beardcutter?"

"Let's go!"

With a mighty shout the four adventurers leapt forward to assault the surprised goblins. Two of the goblins sneered when the caught sight of the female elf, their minds immediately thinking of pleasure, instead of focusing on the fight and were the first to fall, an arrow piercing each of their heads. Dwarf Shaman used his sling to launch forward a rock which easily crushed a goblin skull and, in their confusion, used his ax to slash at another goblin. Lizard Priest slashed left and right with his Dragontooth Blade at the goblins, their shiny weapons useless against this veteran adventurer. One goblin screamed in horror at the sight of the massive black wolf charging directly at him right before its jaws snapped shut around its small neck.

Goblin Slayer rushed forward to engage the hobgoblin, but this massive beast was hardly scared of this one adventurer as he raised his large sword to defend himself. Goblin Slayer, having drawn out both his weapons by this point swung with his right hand, the hand holding the mace, towards the hobgoblins sword. There was a horrendous crash and the moment he struck the blade it shattered before the hobgoblin. The hobgoblin, left in utter shock, did not see Goblin Slayer then correct his balance to swing low with his sword and cut his feet off. The hobgoblin bellowed as it fell backwards, it struggled to rise then shuddered as the image of the Goblin Slayer with his two eyes ablaze in the darkness towered over him.

"You'll make fifteen."

Goblin Slayer raised his mace high, then brought it down upon the screaming hobgoblin, crushing his skull with a sickening crunching sound. The hobgoblin's body involuntarily twitched as Goblin Slayer looked over the remains. He tightened his grip around both weapons, his rage had not yet subsided, even now he still felt the need to kill.

"I'm not seeing any more. Another successful hunt wouldn't you say Milord Goblin Slayer?"

"I don't know if successful is the right word to use, but this cave is now clear, and all goblins have been dealt with. Let's get out of here Orcbolg."

Goblin Slayer could still feel the hatred eating away at him, only when he was killing did he feel at ease. In his head he could hear a voice compelling him to keep killing, those behind him were growing bothersome and the voice was telling him to silence their useless chatter…but this voice did not sound like the Lich Queen. He suddenly felt something brush up against him, he turned toward his right and saw Wolf looking toward him with head slightly turned, this quickly brought him back to his senses.

"Yes…we're done here." Goblin Slayer let out a heavy sigh as he sheathed both weapons and rejoined his comrades.

"You hear it don't you beloved? The voice telling you to slay all that stands in your way? That is the voice of the darkness that will soon consume you. I merely wish you to become mine that much sooner, though I do not approve of them hindering you beloved."

Goblin Slayer was silent as he and the others exited cave, once outside the cave, High Elf Archer insisted they find a nearby stream and wash off the goblin blood.

"I am not about to return to the village reeking of this foul liquid!"

Dwarf Shaman and Lizard Priest chuckled, though Goblin Slayer remained silent, as the group set out to find the stream, thankfully with the winter near its end and the snow melting, the water was freely flowing. It took several washes, but she finally managed to wash most of the blood off his clothing and got it off her hair and body. Once satisfied, the party proceeded toward the village to report the elimination of the goblin nest. With his party's help he had cleared both goblin quests and now it was time to return home.

"Alright Beardcutter, we've taken care of these two nests, so will you now tell us why you've been acting so odd lately?"

"The dwarf's right, you've been much colder than normal for this last month, so what's troubling you?"

Goblin Slayer was silent as he walked along with his party, their eyes on him as they waited for a response, yet he merely looked ahead. He debated telling them about the stab wound her received and how the Lich Queen had attached herself to him. During those three weeks he had been dealing with the goblin nests, he had inquired at the villages if anyone knew of any type of treatment for a curse. Most had no idea what to do, others had recommended medicinal herbs or seeking aid from magic users who specialized in healing spells.

"If that were the case, when my wounds were healed at the fortress, the curse should have been removed. The herbs I've taken are as effective as a healing potion, but have done nothing to undo this curse."

"How cruel beloved, trying to remove me after I've admitted to you how deeply in love with you I am. I even told you the other night that I did not wish to see you suffer anymore."

"Milord Goblin Slayer."

"Sorry…lost in thought. Nothing is wrong." Goblin Slayer knew there was nothing they could do at this point, all he could do himself was fight the influence for as long as he could.

The others looked toward him, hardly convinced by his response when Wolf suddenly stopped in his tracks, his head up turning left and right. The others saw this too and quickly stopped, placing their hands on their weapons, readying themselves to defend if need be. Wolf was not acting in an aggressive manner as his ears twitched ever so slightly.

"What do you hear?" Dwarf Shaman looked toward High Elf Archer as he knew Wolf would not be able to respond.

"I hear…it sounds like the groans of someone close by. It could be someone in danger?" High Elf Archer eyes were wide as he said this.

"It could also be a trap Long-Ears, someone luring us out with fake sounds."

"Still we should investigate this matter Sir Mage."

"Let's go. Wolf."

The dire wolf gave a quick bark then bounded off toward the sounds of distress. The others quickly followed, though having the leave the relative safety of the road, and moving deeper into the woods. Wolf soon came to a stop as he cautiously observed the figure before him, the others also stopped, but for them it was because the figure lay upon the ground with blood around their body. The figure had a rather thin, athletic frame, attached to her back were two large, yet tattered reptilian wings.

"Good heavens."

The figure groaned, their claws hands tearing at the ground as they struggled to move, she slowly picked up her head straining her green, reptilian eyes to focus on the people before her. Though her face appeared human, atop her head were two large purple horns that protruded through her long pink hair.

"What is she…demon?" High Elf Archer conflicted in whether to help immediately.

"No…she is a Half-Dragon." Lizard Priest instantly rushed forward to help turn her over.

High Elf Archer and Dwarf Shaman also rushed forward to aid, while Goblin Slayer and Wolf slowly approaching toward them. The Half-Dragon was confused as the lizardman, elf and dwarf were coming to her aid, but all that changed the moment she laid eyes upon the man in armor; her eyes wide at first, they soon narrowed as she growled in frustration.

"I will tend to these injuries imme…" Before he could finish watched as the Half-Dragon suddenly leapt up and charged toward Goblin Slayer.

With a roar she slashed as twice at Goblin Slayer who quickly backed away until she finally tackled him to the ground before he could get hold of his weapons. She raked her claws across his chest, leaving deep gouges in his chest plate.

"You damn human! Why did you attack us? What have we done to you?" Half-Dragon, still growling, as she raised her right clawed hand to strike once again.

She suddenly heard the growling of a large animal and he looked up saw the large black dire wolf stalking toward her. She opened her mouth and out a came a small burst of fire that caused Wolf to back away, still growling as he prepared to attack this woman. That quick burst of fire though, drained the last of the Half-Dragon's strength as she stumbled backwards groaning as she practically curled up into a ball from the pain.

Lizard Priest immediately went to aid the Half-Dragon female while High Elf Archer and Dwarf Shaman went about getting Goblin Slayer back to his feet. Wolf continued to growl, but High Elf Archer managed to get him under control by slowly patting his side.

"Easy Wolf, you alright Orcbolg?" High Elf Archer, keeping a hand on Wolf, turned toward Goblin Slayer.

"Fine." Goblin Slayer's response was dispassionate as ever, though it did carry a hint of annoyance.

"Let's get you up Beard…Beardcutter, you're bleeding!" Dwarf Shaman noticed the fresh blood that stained his armor.

Goblin Slayer looked down at his body, he felt no pain from anywhere on his body, save his shoulder, and quickly came to a shocking realization.

"It's not mine."

High Elf Archer and Dwarf Shaman suddenly looked over toward the Half-Dragon and saw the deep cuts along her body. Her arms, torso, and legs showed signs of a severe beating she received as the blood ran from every wound. Lizard Priest quickly went to work placing his hand upon the young Half-Dragon and chanting his spell for Refresh.

"Gorgosaurus, beautiful though wounded, may I partake in the healing in your body…Refresh."

A glowing light surrounded every wound along her body and in mere moments, she was healed. The female Half-Dragon slowly opened her eyes, the pain was gone from her body and as she slowly sat up looked up toward Lizard Priest who had a big smile on his face.

"You…you healed me? Why?" She looked at him with unsure eyes.

"It is the duty of an adventurer to aid those in need. It is also an honor to aid one who is much closer to being a dragon than I." Lizard Priest bowed his head toward the Half-Dragon.

There was a small smile on her face, she was still unsure of why he had helped, but was grateful none the less. They both heard the footsteps of someone approaching and as they turned saw the man in bloody armor, Goblin Slayer approaching. Half-Dragon once again began to growl as the man drew near, but was still tired from the earlier attacks, she glared at the man who stopped a few inches from her and the lizardman.

"Milord Goblin Slayer…you are unharmed yes?" Lizard Priest curiously looked toward his comrade.

Half-Dragon was immediately caught off guard by the lizardman acknowledging this human, she then looked back toward the human and saw his reach for something behind his back, she immediately suspected he was going for a weapon.

"Beloved…this wretched creature dared to harm you! She should be punished for her crimes, had I the body I would gladly avenge you myself. She must pay!"

"Here." Goblin Slayer held a small vial containing a yellowish liquid, a stamina potion.

Half-Dragon looked toward the vial, then looked back toward Goblin Slayer not trusting this man before her. Lizard Priest nodded his head and took the stamina potion and then offered it to the still weakened Half-Dragon.

"Rest assured, this stamina potion will get you back on your feet momentarily. You can trust Milord Goblin Slayer."

Half-Dragon looked back toward the armored human, no longer growling but far from trusting this man, then looked back toward Lizard Priest and nodded her head. She took the stamina potion and, in a few moments, could feel the effect as she was able to stand once again; as she stood, the others could finally get a good look at her body. Purple scales covered most of her body, though her midsection, shoulders, neck and face retained a human appearance. The scales themselves served as her clothing as they carefully hid her medium-sized breasts and covered her nether regions. Her hands and feet were quite large and resembled Lizard Priest's, behind her lower back was a long tail, though much thinner than Lizard Priest's.

"Thank you."

"You are most welcome. Can you tell us what happened? Who attacked you?" Lizard Priest was quite concerned as to what could have happened to this young woman.

"It was men…they attacked me and my daughter!" Half-Dragon glared at Goblin Slayer as she spat her venous statement. "Like lizardmen, we do not fare wellin the cold and that weakness forced me to drop my guard."

"Men…wait you said your daughter?" Dwarf Shaman was stunned by this as he quickly looked around the area but could see no one else. "I don't see her around her, was she…"

"Yes, taken as a trophy. The spoils of their conquest by those disgusting creatures. They took her away screamed and loaded her upon into a cage upon a wagon." Half-Dragon once again glared at Goblin Slayer. "You damn humans despise that which does not look or act the way you do. I've tried to live my life in peace, keeping my daughter safe and yet you come here and attack with no other reasons than your enjoyment and disgust at our appearance."

"Wait a minute, Orcbolg may be human like those that attacked you, but he is no monster…though he may look like one from time to time."

"She's right, Beardcutter here looks out for others, making sure to protect those who are in need of it."

"It was humans who killed my mate shortly after my daughter was born! It was humans who attacked us now! A few good humans cannot undo the sins of their race." Half-Dragon face began to soften as she started to cry. "My daughter is gone, I don't even know where to begin looking."

"Then we shall help you." Lizard Priest gently placed a hand on her shoulder.

"You'll…you'll help me?" Half-Dragon turned to see both Dwarf Shaman and High Elf Archer smiling and nodding toward her. "But I have nothing to offer in return for your assistance."

"You have a child in need of rescue, there is no payment required of any us." Lizard Priest smiled.

Before Half-Dragon could say anything else she noticed Goblin Slayer walking past her carefully scanning the area from left to right. She turned and frowned at this man, still unsure if he would be willing to help as the others had mentioned. The others watched his silently until they noticed him bend a knee and retrieve something from the bushes. Within his hand was a small blood-stained dagger, Half-Dragon instantly tensed up as she recalled one of the humans using that to stab her side, but then saw him call for the large dire wolf. The dire wolf calmly walked over and began to sniff at the blade held out towards it, it did this for several seconds before raising its head and looking around, it proceeded to sniff along the ground then paused as it raised its head and gave a deep bark.

"He has their scent." Goblin Slayer tucked the blade into his belt as he walked toward the others stopping once in front of the Half-Dragon. "How long ago was it when you were attacked?"

"Uh, it must have been a couple hours."

"If they left by wagon then they have a good start. We mustn't waste any more time."

Half-Dragon was shocked by this, but the rest of his party smiled as Goblin Slayer was starting to sound more like his old self. Before the party took off, Wolf calmly walked up toward the Half-Dragon and looked up at her, Half-Dragon was cautious and unsure of what the dire wolf was doing.

"I believe our companion is offering you the chance to ride him. This will give you an opportunity to recover more of your strength." Lizard Priest nodded his head in approval.

Half-Dragon cautiously mounted the dire wolf, this creature had growled at her just a few moments ago but was nevertheless thankful for the ride. Wolf gave a howl and charged forward with the others running afterwards each hoping they would reach this stolen child in time.

xxxx

Elsewhere, a caravan of four large wagons made their way down the road, on each wagon were an assortment of cages housing various animals; the men aboard the wagons wickedly laughed as they drank their ale. Upon the front wagon were two men who snickered as they reminisced about the past and their current acquisition. The one handling the reigns was a short, bearded man dressed in a rather simple hempen shirt and hood. The other was a taller, younger man, clean shaved and rather well built.

"Can you believe this? We managed to acquire so many of these damn monsters for the games. We'll be set for life!" The bearded Animal Wrangler smiled as he looked back toward the captured animals.

"Now hold on their, remember that not all of these grotesque monstrosities are for the games, some like the gargoyle and harpy are to be used by the guy my brother has been working for." The Younger Beast-Tamer sneered as he looked at the sickly creatures they had captured over the last few days on the road.

"By the way, what did your brother do with that werewolf he caught some time ago?"

"Oh yeah, my brother got pretty lucky on that one. Turns out some other adventurers were hired to kill it and all he had to do was piggyback off them and capture it. He already sold it to that man I mentioned, hell if I know what he wants with a werewolf, probably ate it for all I know." Younger Beast-Tamer smirked as he wondered what his older brother was up to at the moment.

"Like you said, it's none of our concern what that madman does with these things so long as we get paid."

"Exactly my friend and with our most recent capture, that one will fetch quite a high price indeed."

"Why didn't we take the other one too?"

"That one was far too vicious. You saw how it injured two of the men, even thought it had sustained such deep wounds from out attacks. Besides, it would have died on the journey for sure and we'd have to get rid of the body, no it was smarter the take the smaller one. There are not many Half-Dragons around these days, many would assume they're a myth, but now we have one."

"When we sell it, what do you think they'll do with it?"

"Maybe use it as a slave, or keep it as a pet, wouldn't you want your own dragon trained from childhood to serves and protect you? Hell, maybe they're roast it and serve dragon steaks from it's flesh…that does sound rather tasty now that I think about it."

"You hear that? Think of all the wonderful things that you'll become once they kill you!" Beast-Tamer wickedly laughed as he looked back toward the cage containing the small child.

In the cold metal change, she cringed with every bump on the road and with every sound of their wicked laughter. She curled her body into a ball, clutching as her legs and tail, while he wings wrapped around her small body. Tears still present in her eyes though she stopped sobbing, her cries only brought out more laughter from these wicked men or angry shouts for her to be silent. This morning she had been out gathering food with her mother when they attacked, the cold had weakened them both and the sight of the men stabbing and cutting her mother was too much for her to take.

"Is mama still alive? Will she come and help me? I don't want to die, but…I'm more afraid of all the things they will do to me. Please…someone come and save me."

Author's Note: Sorry for the delay there, trying to plan out the next few stories in the series, they may not be as long as the Lich Queen Arc, but will hopefully be as entertaining. You all can probably guess which anime I'm drawing inspiration from in terms of the Dragon Mother and Daughter and we get a bit more reference to what will be coming in the future arcs. Give me your best guesses on what's coming, and I'll let you know in the next chapter who is on the right track.