"I think," the elf said, his tone cold, "that this is a dangerous endeavor. Goblins with weapons of dwarven quality? It's a recipe for disaster."
"They followed us back?" Zarra muttered to herself, surprised. If not for anything, she priced herself for her abilities, and not being able to detect that they were being tailed was a bow to her pride as a scout.
"Listen here, elf, I'd suggest you mind your business and not stick your nose into maters that don't concern you. Besides, this isn't elven territory, you have no right to be here." Tharok said, stepping forward.
"These are wild lands, they belong to no one, I'm not trespassing into anybody's territory." The elf said, his voice sharp and confrontational.
Lance could understand what was said as both parties spoke in a slower pace. Hearing what the elf said, he understood that it was a challenge aimed directly at him, after all, if these lands belonged to no one, wouldn't that mean that he and his tribe too were strangers?
Without any hesitation in his steps, Lance stepped forward, looking the elf in the eyes as he spoke, his tone less friendlier than normal. "You are mistaken, elf. These wild lands belong to us, and right now, you are trespassing into our territory. You don't appear to hold any good intentions, so, please leave." Lance said.
Both parties glared at each other for a while, before the elf took his eyes off Lance, doing a quick take of the tribe. He scoffed, his tone laced with mockery as he turned to leave, "don't think yourself highly, human. Whatever you think you have here, it has not been recognized by any power, it's as good as nonexistence." He continued as he walked away. "I alone can take care of your puny tribe if I wished. But, we didn't come here for that today. We'll take our leave." Without waiting further, the elves left, disappearing into the dense forestry.
"Gotta say, that's some guts human." Grannik said. "Then again, he is right, human. As far as the world is concerned, you and yer tribe are just another overgrown colony. Certainly, even ye know that you are too small and powerless to call yer'selves a sovereign land, not to mention a nation or kingdom." Grannik said seriously as he turned his gaze from the elves that had left to Lance.
"Nothing happens overnight. Great things take time." Lance said with an unshaken voice.
Grannik didn't respond, instead, he studied Lance, letting his words sink in.
"That's that for now, Grannik. More important business. Here…" Tharok said, tossing a piece of circular metal plate to Grannik. Once he saw what it was, a shocked expression came over him, and he ordered the other dwarves to settle down while he followed Tharok, Lance, and the rest of the elders into the camp, going into one of the tent houses.
Once everyone was in, Grannik looked around before letting out a sigh. "I forgot the ancient ruins was somewhere within this forest." He started, drawing surprised expressions from Lance and the goblins.
Looking at Tharok who gave him a soft nod, Grannik turned to the rest, "I don't like dragging things, I'll be direct. The reason why we're all the way down south is because there had been signs of demon activity – unusual demon activity."
"What do you mean by that?" Kaeli asked.
"That thing you all have seen depicts a battle that took place some thousand years ago, when the demon lord ruled the world and all other races had to band together to end his tyranny." Tharok said.
'Ah, shit.' Lance thought to himself, aware of where this was going.
"He is right. That same threat appeared again a couple hundred years ago, but it was taken care of in its infancy." Grannik said, "back then, the goblins, ogres, beastkin and orcs joined the demons and the demon lord against all other races. The demon lord was defeated, and the beastkin later pleaded their innocence with claims that they had been controlled by the demon lord's magic. In the end, they were pardoned my the major races, though, they still live silently till today. The rest, however, weren't the same. They only resented the other races further, even turning against the demons too." He explained, looking at the goblins who all wore confused and shocked expressions on their faces.
"Then again, I'm surprised you goblins here can remain this calm actually, its quite… interesting. More than not, goblins would succumb to their animalistic tendencies more than not. Goblins crafting tools and even living in such a civilized manner… its simply unheard of." He said, glancing at Lance.
Lance's mind ran with different questions and thoughts as he listened to Grannik. He compared his tribe of goblins and the goblins he first fought after coming to this world. Those goblins were more animalistic and uncivilized in behaviour when compared to his tribe… but then, there was the new tribe that joined them. They too seemed reasonable, just like his tribe.
'There's a lot that has happened after all these years. The newer generation have only carried over the believes of the older generation without question.' He thought to himself.
Grannik continued. "Back to the main thing, there has been news… rumours, that the same threat from hundreds of years ago has resurfaced."
"The demon lord… why am I not surprised?" Lance muttered to himself more than to anyone else.
"We are yet to find any leads, but that is the main reason why we're this down south in these wild lands. The elves from before are the same, and the humans should also be going around, you will encounter them soon." Grannik said.
They spoke more, Lance asking questions and Grannik answering as best he could.
"We'll return tomorrow. As for your goblin tribe, human, you best start finding ways to evacuate this place and make plans, if you want to keep your lives."
Lance listened carefully, his mind filled with thoughts. He appreciated the advice, but there was no way he was going to be a coward that runs away in the face of such trouble, not when he has time to prepare.
"Thank you for the advice, we'll think about it."