Camp Return

We moved through the keep with quiet purpose, eyes down, mouths shut. Dror Ragzlin’s dramatic exit had left the goblin ranks buzzing. His followers had hurried after him, leaving the rest to speculate and gossip. The excitement worked in our favor. No one stopped us or asked questions. Even the guards near the exit barely registered our passing. To them, we were True Souls. That was enough.

Outside in the courtyard, the party was still burning hot. Goblins shouted over one another, dancing, tripping, throwing scraps into fire pits. Drums pounded without rhythm, and the sharp wailing of a flute cut through the smoke. An unlucky goblin was forcibly held up by the legs in what can only be described as a "wine barrel stand" while another one was socking him in the stomach, resulting in roaring laughter from the on-watching gaggle.

"Drunk and proud.." Karlach said with slight envy, dodging a goblin swinging a roasting skewer like a sword.

"They won’t be organizing anything tonight," I said. "Or tomorrow."

Shadowheart’s eyes moved over the crowd. "Good. Five days until they reach the grove, if they even manage that."

"When they do," Lae’zel said, voice even, "We will be ready. They will not."

We kept close, slipping between bodies and bonfires. A few goblins lifted mugs in our direction, slurring blessings and praise to the Absolute. We gave them nods and kept moving.

At the gate, the outpost guards spotted us and straightened.

"True Souls," one said, steady enough. "Pass safely."

No questions. No delays. We left without looking back.

The noise of the camp faded behind us as the mountainous terrain took over. The cool evening air wrapped around us. It was a relief. No chanting. No stink of sweat and spilled ale. Just the path ahead, and our silence.

As we passed the outpost, one of the goblin scouts raised an eyebrow. "You came back from the drow's den? Still breathing? Hells, you lot are tougher than you look."

I gave him a nod, tight-lipped. No reason to stir suspicion. We’d stolen their treasury and fed them just enough lies to folor their plans to backfire. The less said now, the better. Very covert. Very sneaky.

It was nearly dark by the time we reached the Blighted Village. The last light caught the ruined rooftops and cast long shadows over cracked stone and collapsed walls. Smoke drifted from the campfire, curling up into the sky like a flag of quiet victory.

Wyll stood over the fire, sleeves rolled up and waving a spoon in hand as a rapier.

His voice hit first "—and then I vaulted over the wall, dropped one goblin with a perfect blast to the head, and ran my blade through another before he could scream—"

...

The smell hit second—herbs, roast meat, something rich and aromatic. He looked up, smiling.

"Took your time," he said. "I was telling our dear skeletal friend about how I defeated a goblin army and saved a bunch of poor, defenseless Tieflings—But he's not a good conversationalist"

...

Withers, unmoving, tilted his head. "I only speak to things that listen."

Karlach laughed and dropped her gear with a heavy thud. "Smells better than anything I’ve had since Baldur’s Gate."

"Boar," Wyll said, gesturing with the spoon. "Local, seasoned properly. And not stolen."

Shadowheart eased down onto a crate, unfastening her gloves. She gave the fire and food a quick glance, then smirked faintly. "Well... it actually smells good. That’s new."

Lae’zel stood for a long moment, arms crossed, gaze on the treeline. But even she seemed to pause at the aroma, her nose twitching slightly. She sat down at last, her posture soft, eyes lingering on the meal longer than usual. She licked her lips in a fast motion, followed by a shudder and a blush.

"Did everything go as planned?" Wyll asked.

"More or less," I said. "We got what we came for. Actually a little more, and there is a good chance they don’t even know it yet."

"And the goblins?"

"Busy. Still partying."

He nodded, satisfied. "Excellent. Another flawless victory for the Blade of Frontiers and company!"

I cringed.

The girls ignored him, focused on the food.

Gods help me.