The entrance to the den was a narrow opening beneath a massive boulder. It was tall enough for the tall elves to go through, but only wide enough for them to enter one at a time.
The ground outside the entrance was littered with the corpses of the goblins they had pursued, and led them there.
"Do you really plan to go in, lord Meldor?" Sauldor wiped his brow.
They were only two of them, dismounted before the den. Meldor had his bloodied sword on his right hand, with his left, he caressed his white horse. In contrast, Sauldor's blade was relatively clean, killing only a few in the chase.
"Even goblins scare you, Sauldor." Meldor led his horse to a nearby willow tree. "Knowledge is supposed to give you more courage."
"My point exactly, we lack knowledge about this cave, my prince." Sauldor followed behind with his mount. "We do not know what await us inside the cave."
"But do you not know me? Just stand behind me and you will be alright. Or I can just leave you here with the horses."
After tying up the lead on the trunk, Meldor made his way out of the willow curtains and towards the gap.
"Then I will stay and guard the horses." he hollered to Meldor who had kept walking.
"Do that, and you will not be coming back with me." he hollered back without bothering to look behind.
Reluctantly, Sauldor followed suit and jogged to catch up with him.
Before they could take the first step into the dark, screaming goblins rushed to the entrance. But Meldor's sharp hearing had robbed them of the element of surprise, and the prince already knew what to do.
As Sauldor panic behind his back, he started an incantation. He then lifted his free hand above his head and conjured a large and raging ball of emerald flames.
"This is going to stink."
He hurled the flames into the cave, and everything in the dark was illuminated. The goblins on the fore received the full might of his power and were scorched. But it did not stop there, Meldor's consuming flame quickly spread among their ranks, causing panic and great noise. A stampede followed, as others flee further inwards away from the fire, those already aflame did the same.
Meldor and Sauldor need not summon another source of light, as tens of corpses continued to burn along the narrow passage. But the noisome smell was torture to their strong sense of smell, even more for Meldor. Even when he had covered his nose with his elbow, the stink did not in a bit weakened.
But he had gone through much worse. His excellent sight has assured him that the narrow passage does not stretch long. Thus, he hasted in his steps towards the other end, pointing the tip of his blade to the ground. The fearful Sauldor did the same, making sure to stay within the shadow of the prince.
When they were about to emerge, arrows rudely greeted their approach. Unable to wield his sword in such a tight space, Meldor used his hand to intercept the most threatening of the arrows. Going according to his calculation, the rest of the arrows hit his cuirrass and leg armor. The subpar arrowheads, would barely make a scratch on the fine smith work.
Before the goblins could fire another round, the elves had come out of the passage, into a wider and torch-lit room.
Most of the area were the work of nature, the walls, and the floor were jagged stones. What was artificial was the large wooden gate before them, crudely crafted and would not hold against any serious force.
But this was not the obstacle to be faced. A number of goblin archers, and four large hobgoblins had placed themselves in front of it.
"Hobgoblins... They're still around." Meldor said to himself.
The goblin archers released another hail of arrows. Each one would fall to the ground, ricocheting off Meldor's parrying strikes.
"I take the right flank, you take the other."
"Wha-?"
Without waiting for his retainer to respond, the prince darted towards the goblin archers on the right side of the room, leaving the hiding Sauldor expose.
"By Halthor's prick!"
The fearful elf, having been left no choice, was forced to go along with the impromptu plan and blindingly dash to the other side, cursing his luck. His side of the room had lesser scourges, but he was far from grateful.
The archers, seeing the incoming assault quickly reloaded their bows. The arrows headed to the prince would be cut off in flight, and he would close the distance before they could reload.
Sauldor on the other hand, barely evaded the arrows and struggled to keep his balance with his clumsy movements. The archers were able to throw at him 2 rounds, before he had closed in on them.
With the combat turning to melee, Sauldor easily overpowered the goblin archers. Even if he was an inept swordsman, the goblins, which only had a bow and a quiver on them, could not offer a proper resistance. With a few wild strikes, they were annihilated.
He pivoted his head to locate the prince, but when he turned, the large body of the hobgoblin hindered his view. A giant weilding a giant mace, the sight of the approaching greater scourge alarmed the elf. Not knowing what to do, he froze in fear.
As soon as he was in range, the hobgoblin lifted his mace off the ground and made a horizontal swing at the elf. In a moment of folly, he used his sword to parry instead of simply ducking down to dodge the strike. And his parry was not true, and he had an awkward grip on the hilt. The sword was thrown out of his hand, and he was almost hit by the head of the mace should he had not arched his back at the last second.
His life was barely saved, but he was made defenseless as the scourge prepares for another attack. To his further horror, he saw from beneath the helm, a grin on the scourge's mouth.
But it was then that he noticed a shadow darken the area where he stood. When he lifted his gaze, he saw Meldor standing on the scourge's shoulder, his sword about to descend. In the twinkling of an eye, the hobgoblin's head was freed from his neck.
"Get out of the way." the prince shouted, as the headless corpse came crushing down.
Sauldor threw himself out of the way. When the corpse touched the ground, the cave trembled for a brief while, causing dust and debris to fall from above.
Coughing and wiping dust away from his hair and apparel, Sauldor slowly stood up from where he dove in. The cloud of dust faded, and the prince emerged as the only one left standing.
But the ordeal was far from over.
"Sauldor, pick up your sword." Meldor barked.
Sauldor shook his head, regretting not staying back, and Meldor's glare told he will not be able to get out until the whole incursion was over. He found his sword flung far back near the passageway, it suffered nothing more than a negligible dent.
He noticed Meldor sheathe his sword, and pick up a goblin's bow and an arrow from among the corpses.
"This is an insult to craftsmanship." the elven prince scrutinized the primitive handiwork. Then stretch the strings to test its strength.
"What are you trying to do?" Sauldor asked.
"Ready yourself."
He watched the prince assume a familiar stance. Facing the wooden gate, he aimed with the weapon. Like he had seen him do many times, Meldor imbued the weapon and the load with his elvish power. Something Sauldor thought was not possible with non-elven bows.
The bow waited only for the arrow to fly before breaking into pieces. The crude projectile would be able to carry the power and shatter the gate open. It continued on to the crowd of scourges that had awaited their entrance and would pierce the armor of a goblin.
What was revealed was an unexpected discovery, at least for Sauldor. Behind the shattered gates was a large hall full of glittering things. While most were miscellaneous metal wares that were nothing but scraps, from among them were a few decent looking blades and gears. Not to mention, further into the room, was a small mound of silver coins.
Beside the treasure, however, was a large throne crafted out of wood and bones. Seated on it was a gigantic and immensely obese scourge. He did not look in any way a king, and the grand silver crown perched on his head was an odd addition to the scene. Protectively arrayed in front of him, were his minions that numbered nearly a hundred. And almost a tenth of them, were the hobgoblins.
"Hmmm… This is too many." Meldor said.
"Huh? What?" Sauldor muttered.
"Run."