The young boy and his sister played near their house while their mother tended to the wash, on such a bright sunny day all was peaceful in this village. The men, women, and children doing what they would normally do, but as soon as night fell, then things would drastically change. Only those on patrol would remain outside with weapons drawn and bonfires lit while the rest huddled in their homes praying that the nightmare would be over. The last three nights had been peaceful, but now was not the time to drop their guard.
Their house was closest to the edge of the village, so of course their mother was always on constant watch, even during the day. Her children were all she had left of her husband, and of course she would do whatever was needed to keep them safe. That concern, like those of everyone in the village, was the very reason they sought out the adventurers help, although there was no way of knowing just what kind of adventurer would be coming if any.
Her ears above her head began to twitch as they picked up a new sound, footsteps from outside the village and they were drawing near. As she turned toward the road her canine-like nose took in the new smells, there were several of them. The others of the village, Dog-faced Padfoots, also picked up on the new sensations and were just as eager to see who was coming. One smell though was troubling, the smell of a wolf.
With the sun high above, they all saw them, a set of five individuals, each varying in height approaching their village. The adventurers had finally arrived, a mixed sense of relief and wariness washed over all of them, but for the children there was a sense of awe at these individuals who traveled around and fought monsters. However that was quickly replaced by fear as a sixth shadow quickly came over the hill and joined the five adventurers, a shadow of a large wolf.
"Here we are." High Elf Archer smiling at the sight of a warm inviting village as opposed to the usual dank and dark caves they frequented.
"It looks like they were expecting us." Priestess smiled at the sight of the people.
"Given their extraordinary sense of smell and hearing, they probably knew we were coming from quite a ways away."
"Indeed. I do hope they have some cheese here to dine on."
Dwarf Mage and Lizard Priest conversed while their leader, Goblin Slayer, calmly looked around the area, taking in everything around him.
"There do not appear to be any visible signs of goblins."
"Orcbolg I already told you this is not a goblin quest."
"Goblins may appear from anywhere. Best to be prepared."
"Again Goblin Slayer sir, you need to be a little more open to trying new things."
"Hrm."
"Look at it this way Beardcutter, you can at least test if your goblin slaying techniques will work on non-goblins. If not, then you can try new ways and then apply them to hunting the little devils for next time."
"A fine learning experience either way wouldn't you say Milord Goblin Slayer?"
"Hrm…very well then."
"Speaking of new things, I wonder what they're thinking when they see Wolf here?"
Dwarf Mage smiled as he turned to see Wolf walking close behind smelling the ground, every now and then examining either side of the forest. The group finally arrived in the village where they were examined by the residents, in particular Wolf. The elder of the village came forward, walking stick in hand, and bowed his head before the adventurers.
"I thank you for your hasty arrival."
"Rest assured, our party stands ready to offer aid in whatever capacity."
Lizard Priest nodded as he placed his hands in an odd gesture, this response brought a smile to the faces of the people, but there was still some concern over the dire wolf who was laying on the grass as it gave a big yawn.
"What about you large companion there?"
"He is Wolf."
All eyes turned from Goblin Slayer towards Wolf who could now be seen sleeping as he continued to lay on the grass. The behavior of the dire wolf was indeed odd to the Padfoots, never before had a wild animal acted so relaxed in the presence of others, almost as if it was disinterested in what was going on.
"What troubles this place?" Goblin Slayer's voice was dispassionate, matching the demeanor of the wolf near him.
"Of, of course. Follow me and I will explain all."
The party followed Padfoot Elder toward the largest building of the village while Wolf remained behind. Many of the villagers were still cautious of the dire wolf, making sure to keep their children behind them, until Goblin Slayer calmly called out to it.
"Watch the village."
Wolf's ears twitched as it picked up its head turning toward Goblin Slayer and the others and barked once. It then stood and proceeded to casually walk toward the border of the village, not paying any attention to the Padfoots as it actually passed by several of them. They looked on with wide eyes, but the kids threw caution to the wind and actually ran after the wolf to see what he would do. Wolf casually sniffed at the ground while two of the kids swallowed their fear and reached out to pet the large wolf; Wolf turned to face them initially sparking a sense of fear and worry from the kids and parents who were ready to defend their little ones, then returned to inspecting the ground as the kids laughed and continued to pet the massive beast.
"It didn't even growl at them. I've never heard of a wolf ever act this way." Padfoot Mother watched as her kids, along with others, continued to follow the wolf then turned back toward the party. "Just who are these adventurers?"
"Goblin Slayer sir, are you sure it is wise to leave Wolf alone out there?"
"He will watch for trouble."
Priestess turned to see Wolf continue to smell around the village while the kids followed after it. Many of the others followed behind them to hear the conversation while others returned to their daily activities. Priestess was still concerned, but soon felt a hand upon her left shoulder, turned to find High Elf Archer smiling back at her.
"Have faith in our companion."
"Right."
Inside the large hall, Padfoot Elder stood before the fire place while the party took the nearby table. Many of the other villagers stood in the back wanting to hear and if need be chime into the conversation if allowed.
"For a time we lived in peace, then one night they came…demons. Monstrous entities with horrid clawed hands, row upon row of jagged teeth, and voracious appetites for flesh. They attacked stealing away men, women and children and slaughtering any that stood in their way. The last few nights have been without incident, but we know they may return anytime now."
The party heard the story, just one look at the others in the village confirmed what the elder spoke. The fear that these attacks would continue until the village was reduced to nothing. Dwarf Mage was intrigued by the discussion and knew that more information was required if they were to go any further.
"I doubt you'd just let them have their way?"
"We have managed to kill several during the night raids, even driving them back without any of our people being taken, but their numbers never seem to dwindle."
"Is it possible that the ones you slew were not truly dead?" High Elf Archer wondered as she tapped a finger against the table.
"No, we made sure they were destroyed, even going as far as to burn the corpses the following day." A young Padfoot male spoke up, signs of damage were evident by the bandages around his arm and waist.
Padfoot Elder sighed heavily. "There have been nine attacks thus far. All but two times we ended up losing people, from those who are taken to those dying to keep us safe."
"Demons though would not attack in such an unusual pattern, they normally kill all in their way." Lizard Priest said as he closed his eyes to think over the situation. "The taking of prisoners may indicate that they are serving under another who has more fiendish plans for those who were taken."
"Have you contacted the military for assistance with the demons?"
Priestess asked while looking over all those around her who bore similar injuries. Padfoot Elder's head slightly dropped as he stared at the floor and upon further look, many of the other Padfoots did the same. Priestess was not sure she understood the situation, although High Elf Archer, Lizard Priest, and Dwarf Mage had a pretty good idea. It was then when a dispassionate voice spoke up and said what was on everyone's mind.
"They could not be bothered with the troubles of non-humans."
"Yes." Padfoot Elder finally responded.
Priestess gasped at the thought, her teachings had always stressed compassion toward all earthly creatures, the thought of humans turning their back on other prayers because of their race was appalling. The rest of the party remembered the words of the leaders when being selected for their quest, the humans may see them as allies, but they do not view them as equals, it was then when Goblin Slayer stood drawing all eyes upon him.
"It's time to get to work."
"Then…you'll help us?"
Goblin Slayer nodded before turning toward the door, his party smiling as they joined their leader to prepare for the possible night raid. The Padfoots in the hall watched as the adventurers exited out into the bright light, many had heard the ballad of the Goblin Slayer, and although this person did not seem to quite fit the image that was described, they could truly see why he was called the Frontier's Kindest.
xxxx
Deep within the darkened forest, protected in their misshapen fortress, a dozen or so robed individuals chant as their leader moves closer and closer toward the black cauldron in front of him. Above it is a bound and gagged Padfoot female hanging from a rope around her feet. Eyes wide with terror as she can see the knife in the leader's hands. Her fate already sealed as she need only look at the other Padfoots who lay dead on the ground around them. The Padfoot looked at the approaching man, but he is no man, his skin black as the darkness around them, eyes red like blood and smile filled with razor sharp teeth.
"Rejoice! Your life force will aid in the resurrection of the great demon lord who will cleanse this world of the impure. Your sacrifice will bring us one step closer to a glorious utopia."
Demon Priest grabs hold of her hair followed by an audible grunt of pain from the Padfoot, brings the knife towards her exposed neck and in a quick motion, drags it across her throat smiling as the blood flows from her wound into the boiling solution before them. The robed men rejoice as the blood sacrifice cause a red plume of smoke to rise up taking the shape of a toothed monster before dissipating.
"For the glory of the demon lord! We are one step closer towards his return!"
The robed men once again cheer all the while Demon Priest smiles before them. He motions for them to take the corpses towards his swarm to feed them for the attack this night. The robed men dutifully head the words of their leader, all the while chanting as they carried the bodies away. Once alone, Demon Priest laughs maniacally before turning his attention back to the cauldron.
"Those mindless sheep…how easy it is to corrupt the heart of a human. When their benevolent gods abandon or fail them, it is easy to be swayed by the gods of Chaos with the simple promise of easy power. These fools too will become fodder for my master, they need only serve me until his revival."
He motions his clawed hands around the cauldron to see what lies before him and his plans to finally wipe out that accursed village once and for all.
"I will do what those in Water Town failed to do! Their mistake was to draw too much attention to themselves in their attempt take revenge against the Sword Maiden. I won't make that same mistake, no one will care if a few Padfoots are taken and no Hero will come for these forgotten miscreants. Now…tell me about the village."
The smoking liquid within the cauldron began to swirl and change until he was able to make out new shapes, six of them. It would seem that a group of adventurers had arrived in the village, though this would not be cause for any sort of alarm. The visage began to change once again and then he saw a red light, no a red eye glowing within the darkness. A shadowy figure stood tall with its left eye glowing and beside it was another set of red eyes, a monstrous entity beside it snarling at him.
"My master…it must be! A sign that his resurrection comes tonight and with him a beast from hell to serve him! I need more sacrifices rich with fear…the children will serve my needs to bring about my master's glorious resurrection! No adventurer will stop me, there is no way I can fail!"
Author's Note: A big thanks for your support and patience with this project. I'm surprised at how well it has gone, I honestly thought it was an interesting idea, but wasn't sure if others would get into it as I did. Now that my teacher's conference is done, I can get back to updating a bit more regularly. I look forward to continuing Wolf's adventures with Goblin Slayer's party.