The morning sun filtered softly through the dense canopy of the forest near Eldergrove, its golden rays illuminating the rich green foliage below. A young woman, her basket filled with herbs of varying colors and scents, knelt by a small patch of Silver Sage. Her name was Meryn, an herbalist known for her sharp eye and steady hands, essential traits for identifying plants in the wild.
"Just a little more," she whispered to herself as she snipped another sprig of sage and carefully placed it into her basket. The forest was alive with the soft chirping of birds and the occasional rustle of leaves, a serene backdrop to her task.
But serenity is often fleeting.
On her way back to the village, Meryn felt an unsettling shift in the air. The usual hum of the forest faded into an eerie silence. She quickened her pace, clutching the basket tightly. A sudden growl behind her froze her in her tracks.
Turning slowly, her heart sank as she saw five goblins emerge from the underbrush, their beady eyes glinting with malice. Their crude weapons and jagged teeth added to the terror.
"Stay back!" she cried, brandishing a small dagger she kept for protection. But her voice wavered, betraying her fear.
The goblins sneered and lunged at her. Meryn fought back, slashing and twisting, but she was quickly overwhelmed. With a rough shove, she was disarmed, and her screams were muffled as one of the goblins covered her mouth. The others bound her hands and began dragging her deeper into the forest, ignoring her muffled cries for help.
-----
Meanwhile, back in the heart of Eldergrove, the Rustic Coffee House was enjoying its usual morning bustle. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingled with the laughter and chatter of the regulars. At a corner table sat Miss Ada, the village seamstress, leisurely sipping her favorite cup of Morning Brew.
Kai approached her table with a warm smile. "Another refill, Miss Ada?"
She glanced up, her kind face creased with concern. "Not just yet, dear. I'm still savoring this one."
As she stirred her coffee absentmindedly, Ada leaned in slightly, lowering her voice. "Have you heard, Kai? There have been more reports of people going missing near the forest."
Kai's brow furrowed. "Missing? That's troubling. Is it travelers or villagers?"
"Both," Ada replied with a sigh. "It's been happening for weeks now. I've already sent word to the baron and the adventurers' guild. They promised to send a party to investigate. They should arrive this afternoon."
Kai nodded thoughtfully, his mind racing. "That's unsettling. I hope they can resolve it quickly. Do you think it's bandits?"
Ada shook her head. "Unlikely. It's too close to the forest, and the signs point to something… else. People have mentioned strange tracks and guttural sounds." She shuddered slightly. "Let's just hope the adventurers can deal with whatever it is."
Kai gave her a reassuring smile. "I'm sure they will. They're professionals, after all. Would you like me to prepare something for them when they arrive? Maybe some coffee to give them a boost?"
Ada's expression softened, and she chuckled. "That would be lovely, Kai. Your coffee might just be the edge they need to succeed."
-----
Far from the café, on a dusty road leading to Eldergrove, five adventurers marched in a loose formation. Their leader, a tall woman clad in gleaming silver armor, carried herself with a confidence born of experience. Her name was Captain Elara, a seasoned warrior and the de facto leader of the group.
Beside her strode a wiry man with a bow slung across his back, his sharp eyes scanning the surroundings. This was Vren, the party's scout and expert marksman.
"How much farther, Captain?" he asked, his voice tinged with impatience.
"Not long now," Elara replied, her tone measured. "We should reach Eldergrove by midday."
Trailing behind them was a stout dwarf with a battle axe resting on his shoulder. Grumbling to himself, he adjusted the straps of his heavy pack. "I still don't see why we have to take every little job, Elara. Goblins? Bandits? They're hardly a challenge."
"Because, Torin," Elara said without breaking stride, "even small threats can grow into big problems if left unchecked. Besides, the guild pays well for clearing settlements like this."
Bringing up the rear were two younger members of the team—a soft-spoken mage named Lyrel and a cheerful healer named Sera. Sera hummed a tune as she walked, her bright demeanor a stark contrast to the seriousness of her companions.
"Torin's just grumpy because goblins don't come with treasure chests," Sera teased, earning a gruff laugh from the dwarf.
As they crested a hill, the group finally caught sight of Eldergrove. A wooden sign at the village gate greeted them:
"Welcome to Eldergrove"
"There it is," Elara said, stopping to take in the view. The village looked peaceful, its cottages nestled among rolling fields and surrounded by a dense forest. But even from this distance, the forest seemed darker, its edges shrouded in mystery.
"Let's find the local contact," Elara ordered. "We'll gather information before heading into the forest."
-----
Back at the café, Kai was busy preparing a fresh batch of coffee when he noticed a commotion outside. Peering through the window, he saw the adventurers entering the village, their armor and weapons catching the sunlight.
Miss Ada stood and waved them over. "They're here, Kai. Perhaps you should introduce yourself."
Kai nodded, wiping his hands on his apron. He stepped outside just as the adventurers approached.
"Welcome to Eldergrove," he said with a friendly smile. "I'm Kai, the owner of the Rustic Coffee House. If you need a place to rest or something warm to drink, you're always welcome here."
Elara stepped forward, offering a firm handshake. "Thank you, Kai. I'm Captain Elara. We're here about the recent disappearances near the forest. Can you tell us anything about it?"
Kai gestured toward the café. "Why don't you come inside? Miss Ada and I can fill you in over some coffee."
The adventurers exchanged glances before following Kai inside. As they settled at a table, Kai served them steaming cups of his signature blend, the aroma filling the room.
Over the next hour, Miss Ada and Kai shared what they knew about the disappearances—the strange tracks, the guttural sounds, and the eerie silence that had settled over the forest. The adventurers listened intently, their expressions growing more serious with each detail.
"It sounds like goblins," Vren said, his hand resting on the hilt of his dagger. "But we'll confirm it once we scout the area."
Elara nodded, her gaze steady. "Thank you for your hospitality, Kai. We'll handle this. In the meantime, I suggest the villagers avoid the forest."
Kai nodded, his expression thoughtful. "Be careful out there. The forest can be unpredictable."
As the adventurers finished their coffee and prepared to leave, Kai couldn't shake the feeling that this was just the beginning of something much larger.
.
.