Dragged along the Trail

As consciousness slowly returns, you feel a jarring sensation against your back. Struggling to make sense of your surroundings, your groggy eyes flutter open, revealing an upside-down view of a brown sky with trees descending from above. The realization dawns upon you that you are being dragged, your bound legs skimming across the ground. With great effort, you muster the strength to lift your head and survey the scene.

Kefla, seemingly unfazed by the task, effortlessly pulls you along the trail with just one arm, a mischievous glint in her eyes. The tight bindings constrict your movements, rendering your attempts to free yourself futile. Determined to assert some authority, you demand, "Untie me!" Though your voice carries a tone of command, it holds little weight in your current predicament.

"Oh, you woke up, boy. Good. I was getting a little bored," Kefla remarks, her tone dripping with amusement.

"Untie me at once!" you assert, your voice echoing amidst the rough terrain as your body bobs along.

"Why, so you can run away? Nope. I'm taking you to my village like I said," Kefla retorts, a smirk tugging at the corners of her lips.

"I will come along willingly," you lie through gritted teeth, a **** attempt to find an opening.

"Not worth the risk, I'm afraid. Besides, it's not far now anyway," Kefla dismisses your plea, her tone resolute.

Disappointed but not surprised by her response, you internally curse the limitations of your current circumstances.

As Kefla continues her relentless dragging, every inch of the seemingly endless journey amplifies your frustration and humiliation. Finally, after what feels like an eternity—though realistically around two miles—she exclaims, "Here we are!" and unceremoniously tosses you to the ground.

"Ow! Was that necessary?" you grumble, rolling over and awkwardly rising to your knees.

"If you don't like it, fight harder next time," Kefla taunts, her laughter filling the air.

For a brief moment, you redirect your angered gaze from Kefla and turn your attention toward the goblin village sprawled before you. It's a sight both intriguing and unsettling.

The village appears to be a chaotic yet vibrant tapestry of haphazardly constructed dwellings. Ramshackle huts crafted from a variety of materials—twisted vines, scrap metal, and woven grass—dot the landscape. Colorful banners flutter in the breeze, displaying bold symbols and crude paintings depicting scenes of goblin life. The air is alive with the distinct aroma of wood smoke and exotic spices, which intertwine to create a strangely enticing scent.

Amidst the hustle and bustle of the village, goblins of various sizes scurry about, engaged in their daily activities. Some are tending to fires, while others engage in animated conversations or go about their business with purposeful strides. The villagers' attire is a mishmash of patchwork fabrics and discarded garments, lending a sense of individuality to their collective presence.

In the center of the village, a towering tree stands as a focal point. Its gnarled branches reach out like ancient fingers, casting elongated shadows over the bustling scene below. A makeshift forum has been built around the trunk, serving as a gathering place for meetings and announcements fully fitted with seating looking down on the the centre.

As you take in the surroundings, a mix of curiosity and trepidation washes over you. The goblin village holds both the promise of answers and the potential for further challenges on your quest to find Samuel.