West

You vaguely remember the sun rising behind the goblin village when you first entered it. That meant you were heading from the west at that point. Heading back in that direction seems to be the best course of action. You take a final sip from the pond and wring out the excess water from your hair before getting out of the water and continuing your journey.

The sun is an easy guide as you slowly make your way through the unfamiliar forest, keeping you pointed in the right direction. As you walk for the next several hours, you are thankful that there is enough tree cover to block the sun's heat from beating on your bare skin. The only thing that breaks the ambient noise of the forest is the constant jingling of your piercings, a constant reminder of the ordeal you just got yourself out of. As you do not even have any shoes to protect your feet from anything you might step on, your progress is slow and careful. The last thing you want is to be immobilized by stepping on something sharp or get your chain caught in something and rip out your piercings.

It is late in the morning when you hear something break the monotony. Voices! Distant voices, but somebody definitely is up ahead. You pick up your pace and eventually reach a narrow forest path. The voices have gotten louder at this point, and you can hear the distinct sound of someone walking along. You stop behind a bush to peek along the pathway, trying to see who it is without making yourself visible.