The carriage ride took several hours. The horse trotting and the constant bumps on the road were nothing new. Eventually, Goblin Slayer felt a hand shake his shoulder. It took several seconds to be wholly alert to his surroundings. Vision blurred as the blue hair and green clothing stood above him.
"Wake up." The Faunus Archer's hand shook Goblin Slayer's shoulder back and forth again.
"Hm?" Goblin Slayer's helmet meekly looked up. "Where are we?" From the lack of movement of the carriage, it must be they had arrived at the nearest town.
"Not sure. I do not know Human towns."
"I see." Goblin Slayer lifted his gloved right hand, touched the nape of his neck, and then rolled his head around counterclockwise. "I am sure there is a tavern nearby. Merchants rest there."
The Faunus Archer saw Goblin Slayer get on his feet; she did not know what to make him. Observing how he moved, Goblin Slayer reminded her of a Treant. They were tall, lanky tree beings that rarely spoke and usually ignored creatures around them.
Alert once more, Goblin Slayer brushed the carriage cloth from obscuring his view and exited. He looked at the front of the carriage and noticed the driver speaking to associates. The Revenant under a tree had a rock and slid it down its longsword. Seeing everyone else was acting independently, Goblin Slayer assumed his business with the Speakers and Adventurers concluded.
Speaker left to report to his peers by providing a letter and paying a courier. Then he turned to the carriage to see the Faunus Archer grumble to herself.
"What has her so wound up?" Speaker thought out loud.
"Goodbye." Goblin Slayer took out an energy potion. "I do not have a gift but take this." He set the vial down and reaffirmed the grip of his rucksack. The grassy mist whiffed through the holes of his helmet.
"Spring season."
The morning moisture blended with the seasonal rainfall. This region in Vale has long green pastures, and eager farm hands cultivate the soil. Many young workers, farmhands, and tradesmen came through the land in search of employment.
The roads were usually pleasant, but this town receives a lot of traffic, meaning the stables and the ground around it tends to be muddy. Apathetic toward the condition of his boots, Goblin Slayer strode through the mud while mentally plotted a route back to Patch to recuperate.
The Faunus Archer observed her footing, so she did not need to jump down onto the mud. However, the thought of washing out the dark patches of her bright clothing caused her to grimace. The goblin blood and grime from the temple did not help either. Her feet dangled at the edge of the carriage and then slowly touched the ground. Jumping down would only have the filth splash back. Once she got on the ground, she turned to her right to see Speaker underneath a tree making a prayer while Revenant leaned against the same tree to observe.
In the distance, Goblin Slayer walked in a formative posture through the outskirts of the village. Several buildings with cobblestone foundations and wooden exteriors. At the entrance of the town rested a two-story tavern hall. He ignored the surroundings as he opened the door to see the place with a dozen patrons for breakfast. A middle-aged barmaid smiled and could recognize Guild members, so Goblin Slayer was not out of the ordinary.
The Iron Clad Huntsman moved to a secluded section of the tavern and paid attention to any merchants that could provide transportation to Patch. Wooden windows were angled to allow rays of sunshine into the middle of the tavern for most of the day. Slanted skylights decorated the roof, and Goblin Slayer's grimy grey armor clashed against the bright atmosphere. Wooden stools, chairs, and alcohol barrels glimmered in the sunlight.
Goblin Slayer crossed his arms and bowed his head in the back of the room. His shoulder pauldrons would go up and down in sync with his breathing. He placed several copper pieces on the table to show patronage to the tavern keeper for the amount of time he would wait.
Goblin Slayer learned from a bard that requesting to hitchhike on merchant carriages was not frowned upon. Sometimes it would mean donating a sum of money, providing labor, or behaving as an impromptu caravan guard. Several merchants do plenty of business with the Adventurers Guild, and the employees would often make transportation arrangements. At least, that was the impression Goblin Slayer concluded because of Ms. Nikos' assistance.
The Barmaid went to the tavern counter and whispered to the cook. His eyes widened as he raised his head to glimpse the Huntsman. The cook cracked several eggs and sliced potatoes as he used a fire spell to ignite his stove. The Barmaid went to a water barrel and filled a cup.
As that happened, the tavern's front door opened as the Faunus Archer entered and looked around. She spotted Goblin Slayer and then stomped over to him.
"Hey!"
Goblin Slayer's helmet twitched. "Our business ended."
"Not quite, the way I look at it. You and your friends swindled me out of my contract. My colleague and I were supposed to map that dungeon. Instead, I spent a week in that gods-forsaken place, and I won't get paid!"
"I had a quest to kill goblins." Goblin Slayer turned his head down.
"Don't ignore me!" She snapped.
"Was there more to discuss?" Goblin Slayer opened his rucksack.
"Yes, first of all, we can start where you take a portion of your payment to compensate for my contract."
"It's not me you should talk to." Goblin Slayer's body language shifted, then nodded at the front door. The Faunus Archer followed the suggestion, and the Speaker and Revenant stood there. The Speaker rubbed the back of his head and approached the table. His right hand rested in a pocket while the left arm lightly swung in movement.
"Eager to get rid of me, huh?" Speaker's lips pursed back to reveal a half-smile of the upper half of his teeth. In a different context, the smile could be perceived as arrogance or malice. The ride on the carriage was not enough to relieve the bags under his eyes. The Faunus Archer glanced at him and the purple knight.
"I finished the quest." Goblin Slayer turned to Speaker. "She helped us clear the nest. She demands payment."
Speaker turned to Faunus Archer. "I will not make a promise on behalf of the Speakers, but I think they would be interested in a map."
Faunus Archer crossed her arms. "Fine. I will hold you up to that."
The Revenant sat down with both gloved hands in its lap.
"You're not going to take off your helmets?" Speaker waved at the Barmaid so he may place an order.
"Why would I? Goblins can attack at any moment." Goblin Slayer tipped the chin guard of his helmet open and sipped water. The Revenant set its gloved right hand on the table.
"Helmet hair," Revenant muttered in response to Speaker's shoulders dropped, smirked, and lightly shook his head. Faunus Archer rolled her eyes as she took the fatigue potion and pressed it against the table.
"I heard the ballads and rumors, Goblin Slayer." Faunus Archer pulled a chair out for herself. "The jobs you take, it's not raining gold, but you must make a killing…."
"Goblins multiply quickly." Goblin Slayer held the cup to the bottom of his helmet. While they talked, the Barmaid returned with food for Goblin Slayer.
"I'm aware." She fired back. "I am sure you can help ease the rest of my contract."
"No." Goblin Slayer set the cup down. "You are an excellent Archer, and many caravans will appreciate your skill. However, I do not take women on goblin quests."
"The bards did not mention that you were sexist."
"Regardless, I refuse." Goblin Slayer reached into his rucksack to take out some copper to pay for his meal. "I need to go back to the Guild."
"Unbelievable." Faunus Archer flailed her arms up.
Revenant and Speaker glanced at each to best disperse the tension.
The Revenant's left cowhide glove brushed against the bottom of the helmet. "Goblin Slayer, have you seen the ocean?"
"Yes." Goblin Slayer scooped an egg with a spoon. "I trailed a goblin horde that wanted to attack the coastal towns. But, unfortunately, one of them was a champion."
"To the mountains?" Revenant inquired. As the two spoke, Speaker ordered his own food.
"A cavern had a pack of mountain wolves captured by goblins. They wanted to form a cavalry." Goblin Slayer sipped more water. "They stabbed rabbits and other small animals to attract those wolves."
By now, Faunus Archer recomposed herself with a deep breath.
"What of the southern region?" Revenant pressed its glove against the bottom of the helmet.
"Sand, a lot of it. A goblin Shaman formulated a band of sand scavengers. I destroyed several nests, and they scattered. Three weeks later, all of them were dead." Goblin Slayer scooped another bite. "Are there more questions?"
"No, I stayed in that Dungeon killing the animals and creatures that ventured there for five months." The Revenant shrugged. "I am starved for information."
"Hm?" Goblin Slayer turned his head.
"You're better off applying at the Guild."
The Revenant started to tap its gloved fingers against the table, pinky first to its index finger in rhythm.
'No imminent threat of danger. Why get anxious?' Speaker thought to himself as he narrowed his eyes to further observed the exchange between Goblin Slayer and Revenant. By this time into the discussion, there were several bouts of silence between the Huntsman, Skeleton Knight, Speaker, and Archer. Then, during a pause, the Barmaid arrived to deliver Speaker's meal.
"I am not sure there is much I can offer in terms of money." Leather gloved fingers reached for a fork. "Jobs involving goblins do not pay as much."
"It's not the money I am after." The Revenant spoke up.
"Then what are you after?" Goblin Slayer used the fork to stir the food.
"I require knowledge of this region and prepare to fight deadlier creatures." Revenant reached for its lower back and took out a small bottle with a red substance inside. "I am willing to offer this as payment to follow you in your travels."
Faunus Archer leaned in. "Is that a health potion?"
"Save it, or sell it for better equipment." Goblin Slayer pushed the potion back to Revenant. "I will arrange for Guild membership, and you can fight stronger creatures."
At the table, Faunus Archer pressed her hands against her head's temples. Health potions usually go for ten gold pieces which are difficult enough to acquire unless one is a higher rank within the Guild. She could not fathom why Goblin Slayer would reject the offering when he was launched into stone walls earlier that day.
The Speaker sat beside Faunus Archer but witnessed a different exchange outside monetary value. This exchange means more than killing monsters or goblins. In daily life, Necromancy is heavily frowned upon in the Vale Kingdom. Skeletons are summoned by demons, Liches, or those who practice 'forsaken' magic. Meaning that people other than Goblin Slayer would typically report Revenant to the local government, and Huntsmen tend to kill Skeletons without a second thought... So, it is not like the Revenant can explore the world freely. What are the chances Revenant could encounter another Huntsman who willingly cooperates with what society considers a monster?
This deal between Goblin Slayer and Revenant meant: I will help you kill goblins if you help me improve as a fighter.
"You require strength, and I am not a mentor." Goblin Slayer chewed his food. "You are better off-"
"I need to be ready to protect someone I care about." Revenant cut Goblin Slayer off mid-sentence.
The Speaker's eyes went left to right.
Goblin Slayer swallowed his food and stared into the middle of the table. "…I see."
Revenant turned its head away for a moment. Speaker blinked and did not turn his head, but his eyes darted between Goblin Slayer and Revenant. On the other hand, Faunus Archer was whispering to the Barmaid to order a meal.
Goblin Slayer scooped more food and chewed more as he reached across the table and grabbed the health potion. "You may join me on our travels when you get what you need that is equal to this health potion. I am prepared to consider this as our agreement."
Speaker, Faunus Archer, and Revenant did not know precisely how much money goblin slaying quests paid, so none of them could adequately gauge how fair or ludicrous the exchange would be between the two. Ten gold coins are the same as one hundred silver or a thousand copper coins.
What befuddled Speaker more was how would Revenant even come to acquire a health potion in the first place? Immediate conclusions ranged from theft or murder of other Adventurers.
"What about you?" Goblin Slayer directed his attention to Speaker.
Speaker blinked at him.
"Do you wish to travel together?"
"It crossed my mind." Speaker rested his cheek in his palm. Given his ability to brainwash or physically influence people at a whim, it's not like people in Remnant were kind to Speaker. People tended to avoid him than have direct verbal contact back home. Goblin Slayer did not press the issue of his innate abilities with anger or fear when the bandits attacked.
For a weirdo that prefers to only hunt goblins, this unorthodox yet overly professional Huntsman is… intriguing, but Speaker would choose not to admit it out loud. So, for now, he set both hands in his pockets and smirked.
"The Speakers will do fine without me." Speaker straightened his posture. "Count me in."
"Alright. You're not in a contract like the knight here, so you may leave whenever you please." Goblin Slayer was about halfway finished with the plate of food.
"A-hem!" Faunus Archer crossed her arms on the table. "Forgetting something?"
"What did you want to discuss?" Goblin Slayer turned to her.
"You know I can hit a goblin right between the eyes and use magic. So I can contribute in ways these two can't." Faunus Archer frowned.
"Okay, ow." Speaker chimed up.
"No."
"Why not!?"
"Goblins kill men or use them for training the young how to inflict pain. What goblins do to women is not a chance I want to risk." Goblin Slayer sternly refuted.
"It's not a risk for you to decide!"
"I'm aware, but I can decide if we work together, and my answer is still no." Goblin Slayer scooped the last of his meal. "There is a receptionist at the Guild who can help you register, and you can find a more suitable group."
The Faunus Archer's blood reached a boiling point. Goblin Slayer is not a knight or hero, just another self-obsessed mercenary dislikes sharing. She stood up from the table and stared at him without blinking. Then, Baring her teeth, Faunus Archer took a deep breath and nodded to herself. She stood calmly, walked away from the table, and left the tavern. Able to understand the body language and atmosphere, the Barmaid canceled the Faunus Archer's order.
Speaker observed in silence. It would be hypocritical that Goblin Slayer is not above working with women. After all, Faunus Archer did help clear the temple, but that was because they could have been cornered. Cooperating was the best option at that moment. Although Speaker knew that goblins abducted women, in Goblin Slayer's honest and overly blunt fashion, he was trying to prevent women from experiencing that fate when he could control the situation.
Revenant and Speaker glanced at each other.
"That was harsh."
"Not a risk I want to make." Goblin Slayer's right palm rested over his left hand's knuckles.
After that, Revenant crossed its arms and remained at the table but closely observed the various humans, Faunus, and other races that would stop by. After a while, a Halfling woman entered the Tavern with a human bodyguard. The leather armor gaps with layered chainmail were enough to distinguish himself. Her rigid demeanor was like she would sneer at anyone who would look at the Halfling in the wrong way.
The Halfling Merchant turned to the corner of the tavern. The intense afternoon sunshine had slanted light showed Speaker with crossed arms used like a pillow while he slept at the table. Goblin Slayer arranged his equipment and tools as he noticed the Merchant.
After the Merchant and Bodyguard settled to enjoy their stop for a meal. Goblin Slayer approached to request further transportation to Patch. Upon learning the Goblin Slayer's title and with identification to the Guild. The Merchant happily accepted the request. As the two parties discussed some finer details, Revenant nudged Speaker to wake up.
"From what I could tell, you don't need to be around Goblin Slayer anymore. So what's making you stay?"
"Huh?" The Speaker clearly heard Revenant, but that acknowledgment response was out of habit. Then Revenant repeated itself.
"Oh. I got bored with the Speakers, I appreciate what they did for me, but I think being an adventurer is gonna be pretty interesting. So they'll be fine without me for a while. Also, I wanted to see if the tales about Goblin Slayer were true." Speaker put his hands in his pockets. "In one of them, I heard Goblin Slayer refused the marriage proposal of a princess."
"Right," Revenant replied. "We will be leaving soon."
After waiting an hour, the Bodyguard invited the group to mount up. Speaker and Revenant helped load up crates in another wagon before the journey. The horses behaved like they were startled by Revenant standing so close to them for a moment. The Bodyguard calmed them.
"I am sorry." The Revenant lifted a crate.
"It's fine. Must have been something the horses saw."
Speaker noticed the exchange and then stepped in to make small talk. Revenant rested inside the wagon, and so did Goblin Slayer. On the other hand, the Speaker sat beside the Bodyguard in front of the wage. From the Temple to Patch was a three-day journey on foot. Going by wagon could be a little more than a day.
Revenant, Goblin Slayer, and Speaker would take turns to help keep watch for the wagon.
"We will make a stop during the night for the horses." The Merchant nodded as she sat inside the wagon. From there, the Merchant and Bodyguard sat in front of the cart as Revenant, Goblin Slayer, and Speaker claimed the remaining space. Half of the wagon had been used for crates, but there was enough room for two people to lay down entirely if they wanted to.
Taking the opportunity, Speaker turned to the driver's seat of the wagon.
"Excuse me, do you have parchment and a writing utensil?"
The Halfling's ears flickered, and she happily turned her head. "Why, of course." From there, she directed Speaker to where he could find them. To add to the convenience, the paper came with a clipboard.
"What are you doing?" Revenant inquired.
Speaker did not look back. "Writing a letter."
Goblin Slayer explained to Revenant how Speaker was a representative for the rest of his colleagues and the context for the Temple clearing contract. Revenant accepted the information and relaxed its posture against the wagon.
"Hey, Speaker. What were you doing under that tree?" Revenant adjusted its posture.
The Speaker was surprised by the question and rested the pen on his ear. "Oh, I was giving thanks to the Keeper."
For about five seconds, Revenant stared at Speaker.
"I worship the Keeper of Candles. You seriously don't know the Keeper?"
"I am unfamiliar as well." Goblin Slayer raised his hand.
"Alright, fine," Speaker rolled his eyes. "The Keeper is a deity of cartography, glyphs, knowledge, literature, and scholarship." Speaker glanced at his chest and then reached inside to reveal his necklace. The religious symbol was a brass carved candle stick, a candle wax stick, and a flame at the top.
"I followed the Keeper since I was seven. Before I joined the Speakers, where I grew up, the church followed the Keeper and taught everyone how to write. I liked to read since the other kids kept their distance. But, I did not know how to fully control my magic yet."
"Does this god speak to you?" Revenant asked.
"No, don't be ridiculous. I was born with magic. I am not blessed by the Keeper."
"Then why do you give it your faith?"
"I think the Keeper has a good message, alright. Everything is less daunting or scary once we know how everything works. Expand your mind." Speaker started to get annoyed. "'To seek out the knowledge of the worlds forgotten.'"
"I see."
"Well, you have me at a disadvantage. What deities do you worship?" Speaker watched Revenant and Goblin Slayer blankly stare back.
"I don't know any deities," Revenant admitted.
"It does not relate to my job." Goblin Slayer shrugged.
Speaker sighed.
Besides the light wind and partly cloudy skies, the journey home was uneventful. The Speaker finished working on a few letters and wrote a journal. Revenant passed the time by sharpening his sword with a rock. Goblin Slayer remained in his corner and seemingly slept most of the journey.
The top of the houses of Patch came into view, and the wagon came to a stop.
"Alright, gentlemen, we're where you asked to be." The Merchant turned around.
"I appreciate your help." Goblin Slayer stretched, then hopped off. The other two joined him. Making their goodbyes, Revenant glanced at the sunset.
"This is Patch?"
"Yes. About several hamlets surround it and congregate in the center. The shack I rent is about six miles to the east." Goblin Slayer nodded at a dirt path he would walk.
"Come on, I know an inn that can take care of us tonight." The Speaker motioned Revenant to follow.
"We'll see you tomorrow, right?" Revenant stepped away from Goblin Slayer.
"You'll find me at the Guild tomorrow." Goblin Slayer nodded.
Revenant accepted the scheduled meet-up and walked with Speaker.
The sun had set as crickets made noise during the walk, and fireflies fluttered in the grass. Revenant stared at the strange lights as Speaker enjoyed the view. Not that anywhere could be completely safe from danger, but the calm was welcomed. Stars were visible as the moons had not risen yet.
Goblin Slayer arrived at the farm's main gate, then took out a small bag.
Qrow saw the Huntsman travel down the main road to the house. The land lord's legs were crossed on the porch wood-carved railing. In his hand were a pipe and a bottle of wine at the side. After a long day of work, Qrow preferred to spend his evening admiring the nighttime sky.
"Yang has business with some merchants. She'll be away for several days." Qrow took a puff of his pipe.
"Understood." Goblin Slayer stepped onto the porch. "Here's the rent."
"Hmm." Qrow took the money. "Nice night, isn't it?"
Goblin Slayer stepped away from the porch to gaze upward. One of the moons peered out of the horizon. "No clues tonight, perfect visibility."
Qrow chuckled. "Good night."
"Thanks." Goblin Slayer returned to his shack.
Like always, Goblin Slayer did not relax yet. He spent time unloading some of his pack and then checked the property's perimeter. The fences are strong, and no tracks of goblin scouts. It's been an eventful few days, so parts of his body ached, and he returned to his shack.
Once indoors, Goblin Slayer closed the window. Then, he started to unclasp his helmet and started a small stove to cook rice. One hour later, the young man sat on the floor, checking his equipment neatly arranged. Finally, he settled and let the candlelight flicker in the shack. The bruises and scrapes from recent battles were inspected. Then, he reached for a satchel under his bed. It had various amounts of herbs and remedies to soothe the physical pain. Some gathered from his travels and treatments provided by an alchemist that opened a stand in Patch a few months back.
In the center of the equipment was the health potion….
The young man stared at it as the ointment, drinks, and bandages would only do so much to dull the aches. Sighing, he twisted the cork off the vial and drank it. The young man did not like to make Yang upset with the state of his body. To hide the scars and bruises, the young man started to wear long-sleeve wool shirts.
Half of the rice was consumed.
Whatever was inside the potion caused him to burp. Now that he has drunk the potion, Goblin Slayer will be faithful to his word.
The dented armor, dull stilettos, and less equipment. The young man understood he would need to visit the Guild quartermaster.
The young man felt like the shack felt too warm, so he opened the window. By now, both moons were out and illuminated Qrow's property. Taking the bowl of rice, the young man gazed at the stars. The wind caused the grass to wave and dance. For ten minutes or so, everything was fine. Then, while casually scanning the property, something flickered behind the outer gate.
Alarmed, the young man dropped the rice bowl and rushed to his armor and a prepared satchel to defend the farm. Several minutes later, the door burst open as Goblin Slayer dashed at the strange source of light. While jogging, he slapped the visor of his helmet down.
Seconds later, Goblin Slayer vaulted over the stone wall and drew his spare short sword. Crouching, Goblin Slayer held his breath as he entered the brush and traveled down the routes he had prepared and maintained for years.
Fallen trees were moved for weeks to make defensive positions to take cover for goblin archers. Spike traps laden in rugged terrain so no innocent person could get hurt. All of it was prepared to defend the farm.
Eventually, Goblin Slayer got close to the source of the light.
"Aww, come on, just a bit more!" A feminine voice muttered in the forest.
Confused, Goblin Slayer's sprint slowed to a walk.
A brush stood between him and the source of the voice. The pointed end of the sword stuck out first as he moved the branches out of the way to look onward. There, ten feet upside down in a spring trap, Faunus Archer had a stick in her hand and a torch on the ground.
The rope twirled from the movement for Faunus Archer to notice Goblin Slayer stand below her.
"About time you showed up!" Faunus Archer crossed her arms.
"Those traps were meant for goblins." Goblin Slayer walked to the rope of the spring trap.
"On the bright side, they're at least good enough to catch me."
Taking into consideration the danger of cutting someone loose from that height. Goblin Slayer held onto the rope, cut it lower, and used his grip to keep Faunus Archer from falling. Next, Goblin Slayer gently raised the string to lower Faunus Archer and then used a survival knife to free herself.
"How did you get here and find me?"
"Oh, I used a tracking scroll I got for a job. It allowed me to track you. Remember when I patted your shoulder? I left an enchanted leaf in your armor. It guided me here." Faunus Archer stood up and brushed herself off. "I paid a wagon driver to take me here."
"Understood."
"Well, I am here now. So you're gonna help me take back the money I am owed."
Goblin Slayer shook his head. "How much do you need?"
"I need about two hundred gold."
"That much?"
"Yes, that job in the temple was going to net me 50 gold!" Faunus Archer poked Goblin Slayer in the chest plate.
"Fine. You traveled all this way. But know this, my condition is when I tell you to run. You run." Goblin Slayer leaned forward.
Faunus Archer immediately broke eye contact, then gazed back at the helmet. "Deal!"
Goblin Slayer crouched down to the snare trap reeling the rope.
"What are you doing?"
"I am resetting the traps. Meet me in the Guildhall tomorrow at noon."
"Um, right. See you then." Faunus Archer walked away, then stopped. She looked back at Goblin Slayer dutifully working on the traps she disarmed. Then, knowing that it was late at night and how he must be tired from the journey, Faunus Archer turned around and spent twenty minutes helping Goblin Slayer with the traps. There was little talking between them. Once it was over, the two went their separate ways.
Archer found a nice clearing and slept in a branch that could support her weight.
Back at the shack, Goblin Slayer again removed his armor and his shirt. The window was open, and the moonlight bathed the bed. It did not take long for the young man to feel comfortable. It would be different from having other Adventurers willingly help him on goblin quests. What strange timing. What would Yang have to say about it? Other thoughts swam through his mind, but they all faded.
Right now, Jaune Arc felt comfortable enough to sleep.