Priestess had fallen to her knees, teeth chattering, sound staff shaking and the embarrassing warmness that pooled between her legs evident to her as she watched the horror unfold around her. The Guild Hall was stained red from the blood bath, her friends lay dead around her in various states of trauma.
Near the door way lay the body of Lizard Priest, his head and right arm missing from its body; close by the over turned tables was the lower half of the Dwarf Shaman. Sprawled across the front desk was Guild Girl, her face completely torn away as well and large chunks of flesh missing from all over her body, the only way to identify her was her telltale hair style. In front of the front desk was Cow Girl, she appeared to be sitting with her back against the wall, but her head hung low and blood spilled from her mouth; a vacant stare in her eyes that seemed to be looking at the large hole where her stomach should have been. Lastly in front of Priestess was the twitching body of High Elf Archer, only moving because of the creature feasting on her entrails. The creature, down on its hand and knees, continued to bite and rip at her stomach, smacking its lips as it chewed on the viscera.
"N…no…please stop…"
The creature turned its head toward the frightened Priestess, its red glowing eye visible behind its helmet. The creature stood and Priestess could see that it was a man in dirty leather armor with a shield attached to its left arm, his usual sword missing from its scabbard. The lower piece of its helmet was missing, easily exposing its blood stained teeth as it moaned while lurching toward Priestess.
"Gob…Goblin Slayer…" Tears rans down her face as the creature placed its hand on her shoulders and growled before moving forward to bite her neck.
Xxxx
"Noooo!"
Priestess sat up in bed, quickly checking her surroundings, body and neck, all the while she continued to gasp for air as she tried to calm herself. Once she realized that she was back in her room and the event was only a dream, she started to relax, but became aware that in her fear she truly had wet herself. Embarrassed by her actions, she moved to wash herself and gather her bedding to wash it before the others would be out and ask what she was doing. By the time her bedding was hung out to dry, she could already hear the busy chatter of people both inside and outside the Guild Hall. It had been a few days since they had returned, today and tomorrow were their off days which meant they could at least rest before the next quest, but knowing Goblin Slayer he would still inquire about the goblins.
"Goblin Slayer."
The image in her dream dwelled within her, Goblin Slayer as one of the undead feasting upon her friends was indeed unsettling, however it was only a dream. She soon returned to her room to dress more appropriately then proceeded to get some breakfast down in the dining hall. There she found the rest of her party members already enjoying themselves.
"Good morning!" High Elf Archer full of energy as she happily ate her bowl of fruit.
"Indeed what a fine morning it is, and one that should be restful for all of us." Lizard Priest too happily ate his meat and cheese.
"But hold on a moment, you look as though you had a rough night, everything okay lass?"
"It's nothing really, just a bad…"
She suddenly felt a heavy hand upon her right shoulder, and as she turned saw a figure in dirty leather armor looking down at her. All of a sudden, the recollection of her nightmare came back in full force, before he or anyone else could say anything, she screamed.
"Nooooo! Stay away from me!"
She pulled away from him and found herself trying to catch her breath. Her actions drew the attention of everyone around them, the tavern, usually so loud you could barely hear your own conversation, was now so quiet you could hear a pin drop. She soon was able to recollect herself and realized what she had said and done just now.
"Understood."
Goblin Slayer turned and started off toward the blacksmith shop followed by Wolf. Priestess stretched out her arm to call him back, but could only hang her head in shame as they disappeared down the stairs.
"What in the world was that about? Did you and Orcbolg get into some kind of disagreement?"
"No…I just did something very foolish and rude."
"So what happened then, you looked as though you had seen a monster."
"I…had a dream…a plague of the undead…everyone was lost…killed by Goblin Slayer…as he feasted upon everyone. Seeing him just now brought back all those terrible memories, but it was only a dream, I shouldn't have acted that way."
"It would be easy to mistake him for an undead given his appearance." Lizard Priest mused over the idea as a way of easing the tension.
"I still need to apologize to him though."
"I wouldn't worry, Orcbolg isn't the type of person to be offended that easily. Let's finish up breakfast, then we can meet up with Orcbolg afterwards."
Priestess sighed but nodded as she and the others continued to eat as the rest of the tavern group went about their business. Soon enough Guild Girl walked in looking around the adventurers until she found Goblin Slayer's party.
"Good morning everyone, I could have sworn I heard some kind of commotion from in here a few moments ago."
Priestess frowned as she looked down at the table, making Guild Girl turn her head curiously at the site; fortunately the rest of her party were quick to change the subject.
"What brings you here today? Did you care to join us?"
"As much as I would love to, I still have quite a bit of work to tend to." Guild Girl then reached into her pocket and retrieved a letter addressed to Dwarf Shaman. "With that said, this came in for you."
Dwarf Shaman graciously took the letter and broke the wax seal to begin reading the contents.
"It's from my uncle."
"Isn't he the one who put you in contact with us?" High Elf Archer dipped her bread within her porridge before looking back at the dwarf.
"Quite correct Long-Ears, he departed the moment he realized that both you and Scaly were the elf and lizardman I was to meet with. I haven't heard from him since we were assigned that task of dealing with the goblins near your home."
"I do hope all is well for your family then." Lizard Priest smiled as he bit into his wheel of cheese.
Dwarf Shaman continued reading and his initial smile changed to a frown then to a look of worry as he continued reading on. His friends at the table took notice and were now concerned with what had caused such a sudden reaction.
"Is everything alright?" Guild Girl was obviously concerned for her adventurer's, especially one she had come to associate with quite frequently.
"Lass…what was that dream you had last night?"
"My dream…the one about the undead…the plague that affected Gob…that affected him."
"That may not have been just a dream, but perhaps a warning of things to come. My uncle is requesting our assistance in dealing with a possible lich and an army of the undead."
Lizard Priest, High Elf Archer and Guild Girl were shocked by his comments, but Priestess was white as a sheet as she heard him mention the army of the undead, in that moment, her dream seemed all too real now. At that moment, Goblin Slayer and Wolf were coming back up the steps from the blacksmith shop, he was ready to head back outside until Guild Girl called out to him.
"Goblin Slayer!"
Goblin Slayer paused to look at them, then nodded his head before making his way back to his party.
"Where were you off to just now?"
"I came to get my replacement armor, the last set was badly damaged in the fight with Beast Master. I was asked to stay away so I was going to head back out."
"Why were you asked to stay away?"
Priestess once again hung her head, feeling very silly for what she had said to Goblin Slayer, while High Elf Archer sighed in frustration at the thought of Orcbolg taking the Priestess' comment so seriously.
"That's not important now, Beardcutter I received a summons for our party to take on an urgent quest."
"Is it goblins?"
Dwarf Shaman thought for a moment, would Beardcutter actually participate with this quest. True he had gone with them on the quest to help the Dog-Faced Padfoot village, but had turned them down last year when dealing with the evil sect before the Fall Festival. He would have to take that gamble and explain the situation and hope Beardcutter would join them.
"Not goblins, the undead are moving in the north, the work of a lich in the area."
"So it isn't goblins?" Goblin Slayer rested his finger upon his chin as he thought about what was told to him.
It was only a few moments, but for the rest of the party it felt like an eternity as Goblin Slayer pondered over whether he would join them or not, and if he didn't join would Priestess also decline? Could they convince him if he refused?
"When do we leave?"
The reply came as a shock to everyone there in the tavern; Spearman and Witch had been listening since the young girl's earlier outburst and were waiting to see how this odd adventurer would react to something that was not goblin related.
"Beardcutter."
"You've helped me with the goblins, so I can help you. What is it the Ranger says…an adventure for an adventure."
High Elf Archer smiled brilliantly at the response that came from Orcbolg as did Guild Girl who was happy to see him taking the initiative to help out his friends.
"I'll trust the goblin quests to you." Goblin Slayer turned toward Guild Girl with a nod.
"Rest assured Goblin Slayer, I will entrust the quests to capable groups while you are away."
"Hey Dwarf!"
The shout came from Spearman who walked toward Goblin Slayer's party along with his partner Witch.
"You got any room on this quest for some extra hands?" Spearman smiled as he gently smacked his fist against Goblin Slayer's chest plate before turning his attention back toward the dwarf. "If this one's going on a none-goblin quest, I want to see this!"
"As…would I."
"The more the merrier. The sooner we get this lich taken care of, the sooner we can get Beardcutter back to his goblins."
"With that said, hey you two!" Spearman turned to his left toward Apprentice Cleric and Rookie Warrior who were in the middle of eating their bowls of oatmeal. "You in?"
"Who us?" Rookie Warrior at a complete loss as he looked around left and right checking to see if Spearman meant some other adventurers.
"We're still porcelain, I doubt we'd be much help to you." Apprentice Cleric added while shaking her head vigorously.
"It's that kind of attitude that is going to keep you at the porcelain level, besides we all know how you helped out the other rookies at the training grounds. So come already!"
"You can find someone better! What about that big guy and the girl knight?" Rookie Warrior still trying to dissuade Spearman from recruiting them.
"Both went to his village along with the rest of their party to deal with so kind of problem. No more excuses, come on with us."
Apprentice Cleric and Rookie Warrior looked toward one another, still unsure of themselves and wondering why Spearman would be asking for their assistance. Suddenly, both felt heavy hands upon their shoulders and looked up to see Dwarf Shaman smiling back at them.
"I'm asking for your help. You've both proven yourselves before, and I wouldn't be asking if I knew you couldn't carry your own weight. Now, no more rats for you two this time, it's time to broaden your horizons."
"If…if you think I'll be able to help, then I will come along." Rookie Warrior nervously nodded his head, but was ready to assist.
"Well I know you can barely take care of yourself, so, so I'll be coming too." Apprentice Cleric looked away as a slight blush crossed her ace when discussing Rookie Warrior.
"What a fine group then…all nine of you." Guild Girl smiled as she looked over the nine adventurers.
"Ten…don't forget about Wolf." Priestess mused as she gave Wolf's side a few good pats.
"Of course, how could I forget about this one?"
"Then everyone prepare for the journey, we'll be dealing with the cold and the snow up in the north." Dwarf Shaman once again looked over the contents of the letter, concerned with the presence of the undead threatening his people, but could take comfort in the knowledge that so many would be coming with him.
The adventurers and Guild Girl soon disbanded to take care of things before regrouping in the morning. Priestess turned to see Goblin Slayer and Wolf once again head down toward the blacksmith shop, she wanted to call out but he had gotten too far before she could apologize.
"Be sure to explain the situation to Orcbolg, you saw him take your word as instructions earlier. You already know how he is, he won't hold it against you." High Elf Archer smiled as clapped her hand along Priestess shoulder.
"Yes…you're right." Priestess nodded with a light smile.
xxxx
The dwarf blacksmith just finished putting up a set of armor when a familiar face popped in, or rather familiar armored figure behind him was the now familiar black dire wolf
"What are you doing back here? Is the armor not set correctly or did you come to get some armor for your friend there?"
"I've come to gather supplies, I'll be going on another quest in the morning."
"I thought you were on a rest, didn't you and your group just get back from another quest a few days ago?"
"My party member is requesting assistance."
The blacksmith looked over the armored warrior then his dire wolf and smiled before making his way over toward the front desk to help out his customer.
"Then let's get you what you need. What are you going after this time? More goblins?"
"No…the dwarf told me it was the undead."
"Undead huh? Have you fought with them before?"
"No."
"There's different types of undead, normally I'd say use a holy weapon or artifact, but I don't have any of those items in stock." Dwarf Blacksmith grunted as he bent down and came up with a small crate with eight small glass vials filled with a strange liquid. "Instead, I'd say use fire to burn them, undead are usually weak to fire, this gasoline will help light them up."
"I'll take them."
While Goblin Slayer stowed the vials of gasoline within his pouch, the dwarf blacksmith placed two additional swords on the counter.
"If this battle goes on long, you'll need additional weapons…undead don't usually carry spare weapons with them. Truth be told though, I'd say bring a club with you, a good blow to the head will usually kill one of those things. Beware of their bite, it can kill and turn you into one of the undead."
"Understood." Goblin Slayer gathered up both swords, back on the farm he still had a club from an earlier goblin slaying quest.
"Now…I've got something very special for you. The first one is something for your dire wolf, after hearing about his heroics I decided he needs something, I'll give it to you before you leave tomorrow. Free of charge, you tell me how it works out." Dwarf Blacksmith then turned around to retrieve a small box and set it down on the counter. "Now these are new, they'll be useful in taking care of large groups, but if you have no idea what they are then I'm not selling, they can easily kill you or others if you're not careful."
Dwarf Blacksmith opened the box and Goblin Slayer looked within at the items presented before him.
"I know about these items and how to use them…I'll take them as well."
"Very well and now, for the last item. I just got it in and would have given it to you earlier, but I still thought you'd be on break, however I'm thinking you'll need this before you leave tomorrow. Use this well, you hear me?"
xxxx
Back on the farm, Goblin Slayer and Wolf gathered the needed supplies from his shed, there was no telling just how long this quest would be. He made sure to do one final inspection of the farm before going to speak with her Uncle.
"I'll be heading out in the morning, I made sure to give the farm one more inspection."
"Aren't you supposed to be on break though?" Uncle sighed as he looked over the armored adventurer, always feeling uncomfortable around him.
"One of my party members needed assistance. I'll be off to the north for a while."
"Be sure to say your goodbyes to her, you know how she worries." Uncle turned to head over toward the barn to tend to the animals. "Is that wolf going with you too?"
"Yes."
"Then, be careful on your journey…both of you."
Goblin Slayer nodded his head before heading into the house to greet his friend. Cow Girl sighed as she stripped out of her undergarments before taking a white cloth and soaking it in water to wash herself. It had been a long day and now she wanted to wash away the sweat from her body. Suddenly the door to her room opened and as she turned found him in the door way looking at her. After a few moments, she screamed realizing that she was exposed, and quickly covered herself with a nearby sheet. Although red in the face, her tone suggested that she was furious at him barging in.
"You idiot! Why didn't you knock?"
"Sorry, I came in to let you know I would going out in the morning. The dwarf asked for help, his uncle needed some assistance with undead in the north."
"His uncle." She immediately thought about her own uncle then sighed as she relaxed about him coming in. "Please be careful on your quest, both you and Wolf, I don't want to hear about you both being injured again."
"I will." He nodded his head before turning around to exit.
"Um…could you please forget about what you saw?" She felt the heat in her face from the embarrassment as she looked toward the ground.
"I didn't mind."
She suddenly looked up, shocked by his remark, his back still to her yet he still lingered in the doorway.
"It was nice." His final comment before he walked out closing the door behind him.
As soon as the door was closed, she dropped the sheet as she placed both hands on either side of her face, her entire body turning red at the sound of his comment.
"It…it was nice. He didn't mind seeing me like that." She sat down in the nearby chair sighing happily as it felt like her legs would give out. "Alright…I think this puts me in the lead now. I'm going to make him and Wolf the most delicious stew tonight! They'll need their strength for this quest."