Some rest and guidance WOULD be helpful.

You think on the offer for a moment and, eventually, you decide that it would be best to take the Beast-kin leader up on the invitation. Firstly because you and your followers could use rest and food and guidance through the woods, but also because rejecting a show of friendship from allies you had only just made was not a good way to start an alliance. Better to be diplomatic and take the offered aid than to risk wounding Balthor's pride and reigniting his anger.

"Minion accepts Balthor's kindness. Balthor and beast-kin have goblin gratitude.", you say to Balthor and the Beast-kin chief smiles broadly and claps you on the shoulder with one broad and powerful hand.

"No, no gratitude needed. What are allies for, after all, eh?", he says and then looks to the other Beast-kin and gives a sharp whistle, "All right, you lot! To the camp! Let's go!"

The Beast-kin come together then and start moving in a loose pack into the woods and Balthor gestures for you to follow. You nod to him and then gesture to your followers who, after finally being left by the beast-kin that had been guarding them, are more than grateful and relieved to be back at your side. This is the most true about Blackmane, who all but dashes to you and seems to stop short of throwing herself into your arms, instead stopping and grasping your hand tightly within her own.

"Chieftain! Blackmane is glad you are all right!", she cries out in relief in the goblin-tongue as she bows low over your hand, "You are truly meant to be our leader, Chieftain Minion! You are more powerful than any warrior I have seen. To be able to best that monster of a beast-kin as you did, you must be the strongest of all goblins."

The males all nod and voice their agreement, their morale obviously soaring after seeing their leader best a warrior that would have crushed most other goblins with little effort. You find this is a good thing as having their morale up will make it easier for you to keep control over them. It may also serve well when you all get back so that they can spread the story of your battle and your strength among the other goblins, breeding more awe and fear of you.

"You are not wrong, Blackmane. I am strongest of all goblins, but I am not fool enough to think I am strongest of all warriors. Balthor is strong. I only just bested him. That battle could have ended in my **** very easily.", you tell them and then you move and clap your hands on Blackmane's shoulders and meet her gaze, "This is why I need the support of you and the others. Only when we are together as one can all goblins be strong. Remember that."

Blackmane and the other goblins look truly awed by your words and voice their agreement excitedly. You cut them off, however, and gesture for them to follow you as you turn and move to follow the loose column of Beast-kin that is heading deeper into the woods.

"Come. We go to the beast-kin camp. They will let us rest, eat and gather more information for our travel. They are allies now. Do not fear.", you tell them and then pause before looking over your shoulder at them and saying, in a lower voice, "But do not let your guard down either."

The other goblins nod to your words and follow close behind you as you follow after the beast-kin. The column of animal men and women leads the way deeper into the woods, the foliage growing thicker and shadows darker as you go. You know that, were it not for the beast-kin leading the way, you would have been lost within these dark and shadowy woods very easily. You are now doubly thankful that you decided to take Balthor up on his invitation as you have doubts of your ability to lead your small band through the forest without the help of those who know it better than you do. Not that you'll admit that out loud, but it is still true.

Your group travels for a time, following hidden trails and winding paths through the forest, until, finally, the forest opens up into a clearing once more and the beast-kin come to a stop as you apparently reach your destination.