"LET ME GO!" the man shouted, squirming every way he could as he lay on my shoulders, his hands and feet bound.
Well, we are here at the gate.
"OOF! WHAT THE HELL!?"
I do exactly as he says, dropping him on the ground in front of the guards. They only give him a quick glance, having seen the scene up the road themselves.
"You can take him to one of the guards inside. They will take care of him."
"Alright, thanks," I say, nodding. "Blake, you join Lillia and help keep watch. I got this guy."
"Alright, you got it."
Blake returned to Lillia's side, and the other Adventurer returned to the guard he had been helping as well, leaving me to transport the pervert.
Picking him back up despite his best efforts to the contrary, I move just inside the walls, passing through the large arching gate. Sure enough, there was a guard just inside, ready to take him off of my hands.
"Got one for you, tried to take advantage of a girl."
"Did he now? I got just the cell for him. I got this from here, so you just set him down," the guard said.
I do exactly as he says, placing the man down, all while he hurls insults at me.
"STUPID ADVENTURER SCUM! WORKING WITH THE GUARDS AS IF YOU HAVE THE MORAL HIGH GROUND! WHY COULDN'T YOU JUST LET ME FINISH MY- URK!"
A swift kick to the stomach from the guard was enough the silence him.
"That's enough, you're coming with me," the guard said before turning back to me. "You rejoin the guards outside."
I nod, turning around and walking back through the gate to the outside and rejoining my companions.
The day was slow after that. No more rough individuals that needed to be taken into custody, and though there were some who got turned away, none that decided to cause any problems.
Noon turned to evening, and before long, evening turned to night. It wasn't long after that before a new batch of guards and Adventurers came and rotated out with us.
"Ahh, finally! My legs are so sore, and I need to eat something so bad!"
Lillia couldn't even hide her exhaustion anymore, having spent the entire day standing and watching those coming in. There was little to eat, only snacks to keep her going.
"I agree, it has been a long day. Thankfully, things are slowing down for the night. If we're lucky, we should expect the same thing when we go on watch tomorrow night," I say, turning to walk back in.
As we walk, a rather unique group of Adventurers catch my eyes, six in total.
Most of them have flashy outfits that really stand out, especially in the night, and all of them keep laughing and joking with each other.
"My, isn't that the Monster Party!?" one of the other Adventurers said, the same one that had been guarding with us.
"Monster Party?"
What a strange group name. Do they think it's funny?
I can't help but feel a little judgemental as I walk past. Lillia seems more confused than anything as she watches them, but Blake, he seems more captivated.
"They're a recognizable group? I don't think I've heard of them, but apparently they're famous..."
It's clear his mind is spinning with thoughts, though what those thoughts may be, I have no clue. Regardless, I feel uneasy at the realization.
"Forget about them. Let's go to the barracks, get some food, and then get some sleep. We should plan to rest for tomorrow in preparation for tomorrow night, alright?"
Both of them nod, though the familiar annoyance on Blake's face has made a return.
"Whatever."
Leading the two of them, I head back into the barracks, past the new guards and Adventurers that were trading us. As we walked through the doors and into the large room, a warm meal has been set up on a table in the far back for everyone looking to eat after a hard days work.
"Ahh, food!" Lillia says, rushing forward to be the first in line.
Before anyone else has a chance to get in the line themselves, she already has a plate put together and a spoon in her mouth, her first bite taken in moments.
Blake and I follow closely behind, along with the rest of the guards and Adventurers who had worked with us for the day.
As we get our food and take a seat on the same beds we had used last night, I can't shake the uneasiness within me.
There wasn't a single sighting. Not even a hint of them. Are we sure they're planning to strike, and during the festival at that? What if they're planning to attack tonight? No, that isn't the biggest worry. Someone will come and get us if that happens, and we'll be out there fighting before long. Thankfully, there aren't too many people coming in this late at night, so things should be fine, right?
I can feel a headache coming on as I sit there running through my thoughts.
Will they be okay out there though before we reinforce them? What if it's a big rush, and they get overwhelmed before we even have a chance to arm ourselves and rush out there? Maybe we shouldn't sleep, just in case. Or maybe sleep with our equipment on? No, that's all ridiculous, we need our rest, but still-
A sudden touch on my shoulder.
"Lionell!"
"Huh? What?"
Very suddenly, I am ripped from my thoughts by Lillia, who is calling me with a raised voice, poking my shoulder.
"Lionell, what is it? Why are you so distracted that you can't hear me calling you from right in front of you?"
Blake also looks concerned, watching the situation unfold.
"Sorry, I was distracted, worrying about something happening over night," I answer honestly.
"Well don't. They have just as many people as we did, and the guards just within the walls, and us as soon as we get ready. Please, eat your food and get some sleep. Blake and I already finished eating while you were sitting there worrying."
Sure enough, a quick glance at the both of them showed that neither of them were still holding a plate of food. It was just me, and my food was now cold.
"You're right, I'm sorry," I say, bringing the spoon up to my mouth as I take a bite of my now cold food.
It doesn't taste any good, but that's my fault for getting so lost in my thoughts.
"Good. Finish that and get some sleep," Lillia says, taking off her own armor and equipment as she lies down.
Blake does the same, and the both of them lie down in a bed.
As they do, I finish my plate and return it, all while getting lost in my thoughts once more.
They're right. They're younger than me, new to the job, and yet they still lectured me while also being correct about it. I must be losing my touch, getting worked up like that.
I sigh as I place my plate on the stack of other dirty dishes, nodding at the man who was collecting them as he nodded back.
Still, I can't help but worry about all of this. With numbers in the hundreds like that, there is no telling what might happen. But, well, I guess there is no point worrying about it, I should get some sleep.
Taking off my own equipment and armor, I lie down in my bed, bouncing slightly, and look up at the stone ceiling above me, barely lit by the candles within the room.
If only we knew when the Goblins were going to strike, I wouldn't be worrying this much. We could form a solid plan and be ready for their arrival. Still, not knowing when they will attack isn't the worst thing. At least we know about it at all. Plus, there are plans in place if they do attack, just as Lillia already explained. I just need to sleep.
I close my eyes, darkening my vision as I roll over onto my side, trying to forget my thoughts and sleep. I listen to the breathing of everyone else around me, already sleeping peacefully in preparation for the next day, and try copying them.
First, a steady breathing pattern, nothing erratic or out of the ordinary. Second, some mundane task that my brain will slowly slip out of as I grow bored and sleepy. Simple counting will do.
Before long, somewhere around the number two-hundred-seventy-three, my thoughts begin to fade and my mind grows numb.
As I drift out of the world for at least this night, I can't help but still feel worry deep within me.
Something is going to happen, and soon.