The two goblins in robes died quickly, overwhelmed by four screaming elves with daggers. The warriors made a better accounting of themselves. They were outnumbered, but the elves and humans didn’t have any armor to speak of, and if they had magic it would take time for their mana to regen.
It was ugly, and fast. Some of the elves were very good, and killed the goblins in two or three fast blows. It wasn’t all one sided though. Two of the elves died, several other elves and two humans were injured. I managed to heal myself and get off three more Ice Spikes, before all the goblins were dead.
Gwen raced out and looked me over.
I smiled, “I’m fine. Happy to see you are too. We ready to get out of here?”
Gwen said, “No pot,” and winked.
Damn, maybe they only had them out during the day?
She turned, and spoke to the eighteen elves, and four humans, “Follow us, we can go through introductions later.”
One of the elves replied, “Good plan.”
I laughed, and we moved quickly, backtracking the same trail once again as we headed home. We only made it about a hundred yards, when I got a popup.
Congratulations! Twenty goblins are dead. You have earned a thousand Experience Points!
Congratulations! You actually managed to free the goblin’s captives. You have earned a thousand Experience Points!
At a guess, we’d still been in battle status until then, maybe the goblins inside the cave had been attacking my ice wall with the reinforcements. That wasn’t too shabby. Fifty a goblin, and I’d only killed four of them by myself. I still had quite a way to go for level four though. I dismissed the notification box and kept going. It wouldn’t be long before we got back to the glade at a jog, especially since we moved to the trail when we were a safe distance away. There was no immediate pursuit.
Soon enough, I’d get some answers, so we could make plans on where to go and what to do next.
Chapter Seven
The dawn sun lit the sky over the trees, as we walked into the glade.
One of the elves signaled, and most of the elves ran off into the forest.
At my look, he said, “Hunting, we’re all starving.”
Gwen said, “We still have some venison, enough to feed half of us. I’m Gwen, and this is Jason.”
The elf nodded, “Thank you for the rescue. I am Wynn, this is Anlyth, and his mate Lyre.”
All three elves were lithe, and their pointed ears and thin angular faces were severely attractive. Wynn was obviously in charge, though he still looked very young. He had short light blonde hair, blue eyes, and was about six foot two. He held his sword as if he knew how to use it.
Anlyth had darker blonde hair, and green eyes, he was about six foot even and had a staff in his hands. His mate Lyre was five foot seven, willowy, with very light blonde hair and light gray eyes.
The four humans were two male and two female. One of them introduced the group.
“I’m James, this is Joseph, Carmen, and Lara. We were all taken unawares when we arrived on this world. God help Gaia, if I ever get my hands on the bitch.”
Gwen flinched at his acidic tone, and moved a step closer to me, perhaps subconsciously.
Joseph waved apologetically, “Ignore James, he’s an ass.”
Carmen snorted, “But he isn’t wrong.”
Well damn, at least two of them were whiners. I hoped we didn’t regret saving them. Not that I could blame them really, Gaia had screwed us all with no explanation, but it wasn’t as if we weren’t all in the same position. What was the point in being so bitter?
I sighed, and turned to Wynn, “Is there anything you can tell us about this area?”
Wynn nodded, “To the west is where we’re from. The forest is sixty miles wide at its widest point, and my people claim it. We have several settlements inside that forest. Beyond that is one of the larger human kingdoms on the edge of this continent which runs the rest of the way toward the shore.
“The human kingdom to the south is closer, only about fifty miles across the plains. Beyond that are more small tribes of the goblinoid races. To the east is another mountain range where the dwarves dwell, as well as some of the goblinoid races. As you know, the north is the goblins, and beyond them there are mountain giants, orcs, and other monsters. There are other continents as well, the human kingdom on the west coast has a fleet of trading ships.”
Gwen asked, “The goblins, are they always so much trouble?”
Wynn shook his head, “They are gearing up for war. It happens every twenty years or so, their caves get full and they start raiding. Eventually, their population equalizes and they stop for another generation.”
Well, that answered our question, they don’t respawn.
James grunted, “We should go south. Find a town.”
I exchanged a look with Gwen, and tried to hide the relief I felt when I saw the disgust on her face.
“It seems to me there’s a lot to do right here, if the goblins are overpopulated and raiding the elves.”
Carmen replied, “And live in a forest?”
I shrugged, “We can build a few small cottages in this glade. Especially if any of you have the earth sphere.”
Lara shivered, and said in a soft voice, “I’d rather not fight.”
Carmen nodded, “I’m not buying into Gaia’s bullshit. Let’s go south, before the goblins form a raiding group to come get us. It won’t take them long to follow the trail straight here.”
Gwen slowly turned the venison over the fire, and it started to drip and crackle.
Joseph said, “Not that I like agreeing with the downer trio, but we need better equipment, training, and some civilization.”
I exchanged a look with Gwen and she shook her head slightly. I tried not to examine the relief I felt she wouldn’t be going with them. Of course, I could have gone too, but the last thing I wanted to do was spend any more time with them. I wasn’t happy with Gaia either, but it was a challenge, and kind of exciting. I supposed I was seeing it more and more as an opportunity for growth, even if that growth was artificial and part of some made up magical system.
Wynn said, “My people would trade with you, for better equipment if you wish to stay and assist us with the goblins.”
James shook his head, and totally ignored what Wynn said.
“Let’s go now. We’ve looted enough food to get us through today and tomorrow, and we can hunt on the way. For all we know an army of goblins is headed this way now.”
Carmen said, “Yes, we could be in real beds in a couple of days.”
The four of them exchanged looks.
Lara looked at Gwen and I, “Thanks for the rescue. Are you sure you want to stay?”
Gwen replied, “For now. Not forever, but taking down the goblins before they do too much damage to the area seems important.”
James snorted derisively and rolled his eyes, I resisted the urge to punch him. It was in a way, important. Maybe this world wasn’t real, just ones and zeros, but the pain and suffering was real, and it was their world like it or not. I couldn’t imagine Gaia put us here for anything less than rising to a special challenge, it seemed likely to me this was the quest and the whole point we’d woken up in the middle of nowhere. I also had a feeling it would level us a lot faster than waking up in a town would have. At the same time, it would be harder, but I could live with that.
Gwen watched the four of them leave warily, and her face showed relief when they disappeared into the trees.
Lyre’s voice was musical, and high pitched, but not to the point where it was annoying. On the contrary, her voice was quite pleasant.
“It is important. Especially now.”
“What do you mean?” I asked.
Lyre replied, “The goblins attack every twenty years or so, the orcs and giants breed slower, but a war between the good and evil races happens every two hundred years or so, and it’s been two hundred and four years since the last major war. It would be good to g
et them taken care of, before they join forces with the others. It would mean an easier time later.”
Damn, of course it has. So not only did they have to beat the goblins back until they lost enough people to hide in their mountain for twenty years, there was a time limit to make it happen. I also had the feeling the goblins were the weakest evil race, they seemed to be level five or below, although there might be higher level ones in the cave.
I said, “Any assistance would be welcome. I favor magic, but I know Gwen could use a good sword and bow, better than what she’s been using anyway.”
Anlyth said, “As Wynn said, you’d be welcome in our towns to trade.”
Wynn interjected, “Actually, I have a proposal. Allow the three of us to join you, and my people to set up a forward post here near the forest. I’ll send the other fifteen back to organize and get some more soldiers here. If we can fight the goblins here, that would be better for our homes and towns. They’ll bring back enough soldiers to help defend your glade and forest, as well as a weapon smith, armorer, bow maker, and fletcher. We’ll offer you the same prices for equipment and repair that our military is charged. Plus, if you really want to make a difference, the five of us working as a team would be far more effective than just the two of you. Oh, and we can also find something better for you to wear as well, robes with protections and magical enhancements perhaps. Plus, linens and stuff like that.”
I exchanged a look with Gwen, who nodded slightly.
“Alright, that sounds good, so we need two more shelters in the glade? Well, three, because I’m going to build a nicer one than the one Gwen and I have now.”
It only made sense, now that we knew we were staying for a while, the crude shelter I’d built wouldn’t be good enough.
Anlyth nodded, “The soldiers and small outpost will be built south of here, and we’ll build a few lookout posts and fortifications to the north. We won’t overrun your home, or our home if the three of us are joining you.”
It occurred to me I was being presumptive earlier, would Gwen want her own place? I looked over at her nervously for my assumption that we’d be sharing our own cottage, and her eyes were dancing with amusement. I wasn’t sure how to interpret that, except that she’d clearly caught the panic in my eyes at my social faux paus.
Wynn said, “We can also help train if you require assistance. I’m familiar with swords, bows, and staves. Anlyth uses a staff as well, and trains in the spheres of Life and Earth. Lyre uses a bow, and works in the spheres of Fire and Air.”
Gwen replied, “I wouldn’t mind a sparring partner. I’m guessing progress is faster in a real fight thought?”
Wynn said, “Of course, but there are different aspects to experience. You would learn how to fight at your best, against several different styles. It wouldn’t help if you were outclassed in power against an opponent, but it would prevent someone from getting a surprise attack on you because you’ve never seen the move. It’s also possible to improve your stats, though it’s not a quick thing.”
I nodded, “I wouldn’t mind sharing thoughts on Life and Fire with Anlyth and Lyre. There could be combinations of concepts I haven’t thought of, there’s a whole lot of options after all.”
Lyre laughed, “Yes, there are.”
Well, adding three elves to our party instead of other players hadn’t been part of the plan, but it was how it worked out. When the other elves returned, we shared a breakfast, before the group of fifteen headed out to gather enough people to make up an elven outpost with everything we would need for new weapons and all that. Not to mention other elves to fight alongside us. I wondered just how many goblins equated to overpopulated. Probably a lot.
After breakfast, we split up to take care of tasks. Anlyth having the Earth sphere, volunteered to lay down three foundations and the stone walls for three cottages. My task was to create enough wood for building floors, rooves, beds, and dressers. We decided one tub and outhouse would do for the five of us.
I was slicing a downed tree into boards that would interlock for a floor and a roof. After that I planned to make the beds, dressers, and the front doors. I stopped though, when Gwen glided into view, and as usual her graceful fluid movements caught my eye.
I smiled nervously, “Hey.”
Gwen gave me a questioning look.
I shrugged, “I wasn’t quite sure how to ask, did you want a separate living space? I just assumed earlier, and I shouldn’t have. This will be a home, not a simple shelter to stay out of the elements.”
Gwen smirked, and I wished I knew what she was thinking.
“Separate beds should be good enough, if I objected I would have said something earlier. I… feel safe with you around, you know? I mean, staying together is safer here on this world, if you don’t mind? I trust you, and we look out for each other.”
I shook my head, “I don’t mind at all.”
Mind? My heart was racing at the idea that I made her feel safe, and she wanted to stay with me. Of course, that didn’t mean her mind was going where mine was, and I pushed that down. I couldn’t remember the last time a woman had me in knots like she did, I really cared about her though and didn’t want to screw things up. That more than anything told me it wasn’t shallow, what I was feeling for her I mean. I felt… alive.
She smiled, and replied, “I’m… glad I ran into you, and not into one of the others. Of course, I doubt any of them would have bothered to rescue me. Lara wasn’t that bad, but she was hopeless.”
“So, what’s up?” I asked.
She said, “Oh. I almost forgot, Anlyth has the walls up so that’s ready to go. He’s also making a larger fire pit with stone, and with an attached smoker so we can dry and preserve meat. I’m going to see if I can take down another deer since we finished up the last one this morning, Lyre is coming with.”
I nodded, “Sounds good.”
She bit her lip, and there was an awkward moment, which was a good thing. It meant she was feeling it too. That touch last night hadn’t just been a casual thing. At least, that was my hope. Then she turned and left to go hunting.
I didn’t take my eyes off her, and I smiled when she turned back to look, and she smiled back at me when she caught me looking, right before she stepped out of sight. Nope, definitely not just my imagination. The signals were there now for sure. She trusted me, and felt safe with me, maybe that was what flipped the switch and made her see more. Whatever it was, I wasn’t going to rush it. I wanted to do it right, with a future in mind, that meant taking it slow. Even if the chemistry for hot and fast was there, I knew that would lead to a burn out. Still, it wouldn’t do to go too slow either. All I knew was the woman made me feel alive and excited for the first time in… an extremely long time.
I got back to cutting wood with my ice power tool.
Chapter Eight
The cottage was a decent size, about twenty feet wide and thirty long, the front wall was about ten feet high, and the back wall about eight feet high, with sloping side walls. Behind the cottage, Anlyth had dug out a sloping trench in the back of the cottages to take care of rain run-off.
After a half-day of cutting wood, we worked together as I laid down the twenty-foot-long two by fours, Anlyth melted the stone around them to secure them flush. They weren’t going anywhere. Next, we hooked the flat boards together and laid them over the two by fours. It wasn’t exactly built to code, but it would do. The flat boards were secured together as one piece, and secured to the roof with stone clamps of sorts that rose up and over from the four walls. Lastly, he was able to extract metal from the ground, and put down a thin layer above the wood roof so it wouldn’t rot in the rain.
Next, we put in the door, shutters on the window, then we carried more wood I’d precut to a purpose inside to assemble the two beds, table, chairs, dresser, and a small cabinet where we put in some wood cups, plates, and silverware.
Lastly, he filled the beds with loam, and I grew moss for a nice soft place to sleep. We’d be able
to do better once the elven outpost was up, and we had access to things like linens, more clothes, better armor and weapons, and other things.
It wasn’t much, but it would more than do. There was still plenty of space in the spacious room for other things when it was needed.
We took a break then, we still had two other cottages to finish off, and the wood for it was already cut and waiting outside.
Anlyth asked, “Have you been mixing concepts between the six main concepts of Life?”
“What do you mean?”
Anlyth said, “Well, it takes a master mage to mix concepts between spheres, but have you given thought to mixing between sub-concepts. For instance, detect life and growth are two major concepts under life. You could create a spell, or do it on demand, that say… detected goblins within ten or fifteen feet of you, and used that as targeting information for growth. That way any goblin sneaking up on you in battle from behind would be entangled, without you needing to see them, or even cast another spell. The spell could run constantly in battle for a tiny amount of mana, and only use a surge if it came up. I only mention it because I had a similar failure of imagination my instructor back home pointed out, and because you don’t use a weapon.”
I ran the concept through my mind, detect life at thirty-three feet cost one mana a second, and saw everything. The idea of only reaching fifteen feet, and only detecting goblins, made the cost one every five seconds. The entangle portion would only cost me two or three mana, assuming there were roots, bushes, or something that could be grown of course.
“No, I hadn’t. That’s brilliant. I could do something similar with Life Stasis if we weren’t fighting in a forest. How did you get caught, and how did they hold you in a cage?”
Anlyth smiled, “Glad you think so. Your advancement is impressive in such a short time, the use of your water tools and such. If you ever decide to learn a weapon, I’d be pleased to teach you the staff. Sometimes numbers will overwhelm magic, and it’s a good idea to learn to hold back an attack physically long enough to cast more magic.”
Gaia's Gambit: Evolution Online I (A LitRPG) Page 7
