He carefully moved toward the stone wall, one he had built himself, to check for any signs of degrade. He was a man with greyish hair and red eyes in an ordinary hempen shirt and cotton gambeson, he grunted as he examined the stone structure from the back and front before finally nodding. Further ahead of him, at a lower level was a second stone wall, just as the one he had built when he was living on the farm.
"Hmm…seems sturdy. No signs of it ready to fall."
He suddenly heard a rustling behind him, he turned his head, squinting his eyes due to the bright sun as he looked toward the tall grass. A gentle breeze moved through the grass but at the moment all seemed calm then further off to his left he saw a rapid movement within the grass.
"A goblin. My armor is in the shop and my normal weapons are in the shed…I will have to make do with this." From the side of his belt he drew out a small wooden sword.
He had picked up the small child's toy earlier after finding it lying on the ground, and even though it was not his normal sword or mace it would have to do. He carefully moved through the tall grass, his eyes scanning the area to his left and right, this of course was not his first time hunting goblins, he was after all the Goblin Slayer. There was movement in the grass ahead of him, nearly up to his waist it was hard to determine just how many were hidden, so he knew he would have to be cautious yet strike fast. He quickly moved forward and parted the grass, the wooden sword in his hand raised high to strike the goblin before it had time to react but stopped himself from bringing it crashing downward. There on the ground was a young girl in a white dress over her bright blue tunic, her blonde hair cascading down to the middle of her back with red eyes that looked up at him filled with surprise.
"I was mistaken, you are not a goblin." Goblin Slayer calmly sighed as he lowered his sword and extended a hand toward her. "Hiding in the grass will not be enough to protect you from goblins."
"I was not hiding…I was a distraction." The young girl's face changed from one of surprise to a small smirk.
Goblin Slayer was slightly confused by the remark when something moved behind him. Before he could react, small figures latched onto his legs, back and arms easily knocking him to the ground. Goblin Slayer grunted as he hit the ground, with the six figures holding onto him it was difficult to move. He could hear the laughing and giggle of the figures, part of him thought it would have been better if it was goblins who had caught him, instead it was a different brood of monsters.
"You were distracted papa. Had we been goblins you would have been slain."
Goblin Slayer turned his head to the side to, looking for the source of the young mechanical voice, there he saw another girl with long pink hair, like her mother's, yet she had two different colored eyes. Her right eye was pink as her mother's, yet her left eye was red like that of Goblin Slayer.
"It seems that I was careless. It will not happen again." Goblin Slayer had a small smile on his face as he looked toward her. "Now, would you ask the others to get off so that I may stand?"
"Papa says we are to get off…we are too heavy." The young girl replied with a smile, though her monotone expression might indicate that she was not happy.
The girls quickly got off Goblin Slayer who calmly dusted himself off before turning toward the group of girls, all seven of them. Each young girls resembled their mother in appearance save one feature, their eyes were red just like that of Goblin Slayer.
"How rude papa! I am going to tell mama what you said then you'll be in trouble." The young half-elf pouted as she turned her head to the side, two braids present in her green hair.
"I'm sure dad doesn't mean it, though for an extra snack, I'm might be willing to tell mama you said she was pretty." The young mischievous half-demon smirked as she looked toward her father.
"Heavy or not we beat papa! Any day now we'll be ready to go off and be adventurers!" It was a young girl with a bright smile with long red hair held back by a yellow hair band.
"Though patience is needed to be successful, just how following my plan helped us bring down father." The smiled as she looked toward her "younger" sister, though only younger by a couple months, her long blonde hair tied up in a high ponytail.
"But that meant using me a bait, it's not fair!" The other blonde sister pouted at her sister, a look unsure if she was angry or ready to cry.
"We would not abandon you, we just needed to draw father's attention away." The last daughter smiled as she hugged her sister, her light brown hair coming down to her shoulder, but her mother promised when it grew longer she would style it just like her own.
Goblin Slayer smiled as he looked down at his young children, proud of how they managed to fool him with their tactics. They all heard the boisterous laughter off to the side, there on the porch were High Elf Archer and Half-Demon Thief laughing away.
"You look ridiculous Orcbolg!"
"How the mighty Goblin Slayer has fallen, tricked and tackled by seven small children." Half-Demon Thief's laugher slowly coming back under control. "Then again, that is my daughter."
The young daughters all rushed toward the porch, Goblin Slayer not too far behind as the rest of his wives came out to see what the commotion was all about.
"I see were all in a good mood today…although I hear were laughing at our dear husband." Sword Maiden smiled as she reached over to pat her young daughter atop her head.
"Perhaps he's just a bit rusty. I need to do some sparring with you then, make sure I whip you back into shape then." Hero smirked as she stood on the porch always ready in her armor.
"That is not necessary. My armor is still under repair and my spare set is still at the Guild."
"I believe she is joking…at least I hope she is joking." Priestess had a bit of a nervous smile on her face as she looked from Hero back to Goblin Slayer. "Even after five years he's still so serious about everything, but then again that's what I love about him."
"Come on you all, breakfast is ready!" Cow Girl wiped her hands on her apron while looking over the children running inside. "We'll need to hurry so we can make it to the Guild in time."
"Make it to the Guild in time? Is something going on today Guild Girl?" Half-Demon Thief looked over toward Guild Girl with an arched eyebrow.
"Did you forget? Today is the day a very certain group of individuals are registering with the Guild today?" Guild Girl patted her daughter along her back while looking towards the others.
"Is that today already? Then we need to hurry. She'd be so disappointed if we weren't there." Half-Demon Thief excitedly looked towards the others. "We'll need to make sure were in full gear to see her off."
xxxx
The young woman carefully examined her clothing in the mirror, the clothing itself very similar to what her father would wear. Her pants allowed for her tail to move about easily, the top was cut a bit shorter than what her father would have worn, her stomach exposed for other to see. The top was much like the dresses she had worn, with the back left open so her wings would not be constricted and held in place with the tassels tied together. Her purplish hair had grown quite long, a smile crossed her face for how much she now resembled her mother.
"It seems to fit well but something feels off." The young girl looked over her hands and feet, nothing seemed out of the ordinary. "Why do I feel…heavier?"
A quick look to her stomach, but she could not see any flab off her toned muscles, her wings flexed open and closed easy enough. There was only one thing left to test, she let out a sigh and closed her eyes before allowing her tail to drop to the ground, only for it to hit the wooden floor with a heavy thud.
"Oh no…" The young girl turned to look at her tail, she raised it up and allowed it to fall once again; a frown crossed her face as she heard the heavy thud. "I did gain weight."
"Well that is to be expected as one gets older."
Half-Dragon Daughter, or rather Half-Dragon Priestess, turned to see her mother walked towards her, a small smile present on her face as she approached her daughter.
"I don't know what you're so worried for, you look perfect to me."
"I'm worried because I have such a heavy tail. What if I meet someone and they're concerned with how fat it is?"
"If I remember correctly, your grandpa would often mention how men did enjoy their ladies on the plump side."
"Yes, but grandpa also enjoys his wine far too much as well." Half-Dragon Priestess looked back toward the mirror, a frown still present.
"It's not just your tail I gather?" Half-Dragon Mother moved toward her daughter and gently placed a hand on her shoulder. "If you wish to stay, there's no shame in doing that. I'd be more than happy to have you here with me as would your father; right now he's nervously pacing around outside."
"I am nervous…but I want to do this." Half-Dragon Priestess turned to face her mother, a small smile present on her face. "Papa and the others came to save us even though they were not tasked with doing it. They battled against the Necromancer to protect those closest to them, not for fame and glory but because it was the right thing to do. I wish to follow in their footsteps and do what I can to help others. Besides, the others will be disappointed if I backed out now."
"Then we best be on our way. The others should be waiting for us at the Guild."
xxxx
"He's going to learn how to wield a broadsword! He'll surpass me and be able to slay any enemy with just one hand!"
"He will learn how to use a sword and shield! He will become a future paladin where I was not able to. I still blame you for that you should know!"
"Oh so it's my fault that you were so eager to "mate" and have a kid? There are times I think that wolf is easier to deal with."
Heavy Warrior and Female Knight continued their heated argument while their comrades babysat the young child.
"There they go again. Poor kid, you're always stuck in the middle." Druid Girl allowed the young boy to sit upon her lap while watching their leaders argue.
"It's not really an argument, just an example of their "friendly" banter." Half-Elf Light Warrior smiled then turned toward the young boy. "I don't suppose you've decided what you what to do when you get older."
"Uncle Spearman said I should become a scholar. He said mama and papa would be proud. What's a scholar?" The young boy with bright blue eyes and black hair looked toward the others.
"Don't ever mention that to your parents, somehow we'd end up getting in trouble for it." Scout had a worried expression on his face as he thought about how his leaders would react.
While Heavy Warrior and Female Knight continued their "parental" conversation, Witch smiled as her son played with Warrior and his party. In the five years since their battle with the Necromancer, all the adventurers had proven themselves as they continued to grow in rank and dropped certain titles.
"I see he really has your eyes?" Cleric smiled as she looked from the young boy to his mother.
"I can…only hope…he maintains…my demeanor."
"Knowing his father, he'll be pushed into being a future ladies' man." Fighter laughed as the young boy "battled" Warrior with wooden swords.
The Guild was far busier than normal, with spring in the air came the flood of new adventurers who had been registering with the Guild, each of them eager to prove themselves. In the five years since the Battle for the Capital, Frontier Town had grown quite a bit in size, now nearly as large as Water Town or Mountain Pass. A new Magic Academy had been built with Sage and Sword Maiden offering their expertise for the newcomers eager to learn from these legends. Numerous young adventurers came to seek advice and requested sparing lesson with Spearman, Heavy Warrior and even Warrior to better enhance their skills. Goblin Slayer gave out information on how best to deal with goblins, encouraging newcomers to be prepared for traps and have the appropriate gear on hand and what they did not have, they should take from fallen enemies.
New merchants from Crossroads had established themselves in the bustling town, encouraged by Half-Dragon Mother and others who had battled in the Capital. Even demons who sought to work with the humans had come to the town to work either as adventurers or as merchants within the marketplace. Half-Demon Thief was happy by the sight of humans and demons working together, though there was still some tension, it was indeed a step in the right direction.
Lizard Priest and Half-Dragon Mother entered the Guild, surprised by how busy it was this morning and to see the rest of their friends and colleagues present there this day.
"And a fine morning to you all!"
Lizard Priest appeared to be in high spirits but Dwarf Shaman chuckled as he walked over toward his friend.
"Quite the brave face Scaly, but be honest…how are you really feeling?"
"This may be the most difficult battle I have yet faced Sir Mage. I did not get much sleep last night as I constantly worried about this day; if given the option, I'd gladly face the Necromancer's horde alone."
"It's quite amusing to see you so wound up, but we both know she's going to do just fine, and she'll be with good companions."
"Speaking of which, where is she?" High Elf Archer scanned the room but could not find her little sister. "If she's not careful that line of new adventurers is going to get even longer."
"She is outside with Specter. She wants to wait for the others so they can register together." Half-Dragon Mother smile but was also nervous about seeing her little girl grow up already.
xxxx
Half-Dragon Priestess calmly waited outside the Guild, by her side was the now grown dire wolf she had selected. The dire wolf was not quite as large as Wolf or Snow but could easily dwarf any normal wolf in weight or size; she opted to name him Specter due to his ghostly white fur and bright red eyes.
"I remember thinking that with eyes like that, he'd be able to scare away any monster that might try to harm me or my family." Half-Dragon Priestess smiled as she reached overt o gently pet the dire wolf. "I'm really glad you'll be coming with me Specter, I remember how my brother and Wolf would always go on adventurers together so now it's my turn."
The massive dire wolf happily wagged his tail as she gently stroked his fur, a couple barks escaped his mouth as he looked up toward her. She smiled as she leaned against the side of the wall, looking up at the clear blue sky seemed to calm her down a bit, but she too was both anxious and nervous about this decision.
"You seem to be enjoying the sun."
Half-Dragon Daughter looked to her right, there she could see a young female harpy with medium length teal hair walking towards her. Like most harpy she had the same tridactyl feet, but rather than have her wings for arms, her wings were folded up and rested near her lower back, which allowed her humans arms to grasp things. Around her bright green eyes were several white feathers which resembled a small mask. She wore a light blue archer's corset, though the bottom of it was cut a bit shorter to avoid cramping her wings, black shorts, brown leather gloves. Resting on her right shoulder was a large wooden bow and attached to her hip was a small quiver of arrows.
"I'm so glad to see you. Part of me was worried that you might not make it."
Half-Dragon Priestess moved away from the wall to greet her friend as did Specter. The large wolf happily approached Harpy Scout who was all too happy to pet the massive beast.
"It's good to see you too Specter, my you've gotten big." Harpy Scout pet the dire wolf several times before moving to hug her friend. "I wouldn't miss this for anything. Is she here too?"
"Not yet, but I imagine her not being too far behind."
"And right you are!"
The triumphant voice made the two girls turn to see a young woman approaching, her bright pink fur glowing in the sun with her ears twitching atop her head and her bushy tail swaying as she walked toward them. The young woman wore a halter top with exposed her toned midsection, black shorts, knees high brown leather boots. She had fingerless gloves on her hand and around each wrist were leather braces with thick strips of metal going around them. The Wolf Padfoot, or now Wolf Brawler, stopped and looked towards her companions, or rather looked up toward them as she was a bit shorter.
"Are you two ready for this?" Wolf Brawler smiled as she looked up at her friends with her bright orange-yellow eyes.
"Of course we are. What about you "tiny"?" Harpy Scout smiled as she enjoyed teasing her friend about her height.
"Watch it bird-brain, I may be a head shorter than you, but I can still easily knock you flat on your ass." Wolf Brawler smirked as she looked at her friend then smiled as she felt Specter nuzzle up against her. "Hey boy, good to see you too. Finally someone shows proper respect for their elders."
"I am so glad that you came today, both of you." Half-Dragon Priestess smirked as she placed a hand on each of their shoulders. "With the two of you here for comparison, everyone will know I am the better adventurer."
"Oh, so now the dragon is here to throw her weight around…literally! Is it just me or has your tail gotten fatter?" Harpy Scout maneuvered behind her friend to carefully examine her tail.
"She does have a point. With you "stomping" around with those heavy feet of yours, you'll end up alerting all our enemies." Wolf Brawler chuckled as she reached out to try pinch Half-Dragon's stomach.
"I guess that old saying is true, with friends like you who needs enemies…and stop trying to pinch my stomach. There is obviously no flab there." Half-Dragon Priestess sighed while shaking her head but soon smiled at her two comrades. "I really couldn't have asked for better friends so thanks for joining me during all of this."
Wolf Brawler and Harpy Scout smiled as they reached over to pat Half-Dragon Priestess on the shoulder. With that, the three girls and Specter calmly walked into the Guild Hall to the new people who had just registered or were still waiting to register, seeing this trio of demi-humans and the dire wolf was quite shocking. The rest who knew three smiled off to the side, waiting patiently for them to finish their registration and select their very first quest.
"Oh good morning. I've been expecting you for quite a while now." Guild Girl smiled as she readied the forms for the girls, then remembered to get one extra. "Can't forget about him. So, if you'll fill out the information on the forms, I'll get your tags ready."
The three girls went about their duties each filling out their information, age, class, family and other important tidbits. After a few minutes the girls handed in their form, and that of Specter, and their porcelain tags were issued to all of them.
"As I'm sure you're well aware, those tags will serve as your identification should something happen as well as signify your current rank within the Guild. As you complete quests, you will earn credit and be eligible for promotion when the time comes." Guild Girl smiled as she filed away the documentation then motioned with her left hand towards the board along the wall. "You'll find quests available up on the quest board. For porcelain, I recommend hunting rats in the sewers or cleaning the stables though with your current party you might be able to take on more challenging quests."
"That was our plan, in fact I can already see the quest we'd like to begin with." Half-Dragon Priestess looked toward the quest board and tore off the quest that drew her attention.
"That one huh?" Wolf Brawler looked over the quest with a bit of a smirk.
"I figured you'd be picking something like this. Not my first choice, but we'd have to get through it one way or another." Harpy Scout had a bit of a frown as she too read the quest title.
"Are you sure?" Guild Girl looked at the quest then back to Half-Dragon Priestess and then towards her family.
"I am. We've been learning about how to deal with them from everyone over these past few years, time to test if we truly learned what was required to be successful." Half-Dragon Priestess looked down at the quest and reread the one word that drew her attention earlier, then looked back toward her big sister with a confident smile. "We're going after the goblins!"
Author's Note: I had wanted to wait until July 15th, the anniversary for when I first put out Howl of Vengeance, but found myself growing to excited to wait any longer. Thanks again for all the feedback and love for the first book. I'm hopeful fans, both old and new, will enjoy the adventures of our little half-dragon (now grown up) along with her friends. If you really want to see where the girls got their first start, read chapter 4 of Goblin Slayer: The Lost Tales.
