“Stop!”


    Apple froze in place, his left leghanging in the air.


    “See this?” Nick pointeddownwith a long chiselled fingerfrom where hewascrouched.


    Apple followed the man’shand and bentdownbeside him. Almost hidden in the decayed brackenwas a lump of what appeared to be dried tar. Its once hot bubbles frozen in time asthe moisture thatgave it life had long abandoned it. Even with its clear age, therancid smell it hazed knotted the hairs in Apple’s nostrils.


    “Goblin shit.”The hunter told him. “Old though. Weeks I’d say.Not a great tracker, it isn’t.”


    “Ah yes. Seenmy fair share of that stuff, yes Sir.” Applemumbled knowledgeably.


    The hunter gave Apple a quizzical look.


    “Didn’t you say you alreadyknew where they lived?No need to be teaching me things I already know. I am an accomplished goblinslayer after all.” Apple stammeredas he stood up, to be away from the smelland his stare.


    “I do.” Nickadmitted. “Just thought I’d letyaknow what their shit looks like. Never know if it might come in handy.Forgot that Gill said you’ve already got experience with the buggers.” He copied Apple, now standing at his full height again.


    As someone who had hunted his fair share of game the past year, Apple could see the logic behind knowing the appearance of his prey’sfaeces. He just wished he already knew what it looked like. Why had hisfather’s menfailed tomention what goblinexcrementlooked like in their reports?“Fair enough. Lead the way, Nick. We’ve been in these woods for about an hour now, without seeing a single goblin.”


    Nick began to walk and Apple and the shy Mula followed suite. “I’ve heard a rustle here and there. A few are lurking around, I’m sure of it. They’re thick as cow dung, but also cowards. They wouldn’t attack us unless there was at least a dozen of them.”


    Apple looked around the forest. A mess of trees and bracken, plenty of places to hide. He had heard nothing amiss on their venture and it frustrated himimmensely. He had been thinking that he was quite the accomplished hunter as of late. It would seem he still had much to learn.


    “Walk in front of me, Mula.” He softly ordered the girl.The news of them being stalkeddisturbed him.


    “Kay,”she whispered from behind. As Apple marched, he saw the fluttering of her new wool cloak appear before him at his waist.


    The triocontinued the rest of their journey in almost complete silence. Stopping only when Nick heard a sudden rustle nearby.


    **********


    “There it is.” Nick stated, as they hid behind a bushel ofmoss-coveredboulders.


    About thirty feet in front of them was a limestone wall of miles wide and hundreds of feet high. At its centre a jagged gaping maw that breathedcolddarkness.


    Around the entrance of the spoiled cream-coloured cliff was their prey. Eight small wiry humanoids with hunched spines, hookednoses, sickle-shapedears, and armoured innothing but theirbile green skin. Their skin folded together tightly - crashing like waves. Apple had seen sun baked oldcroneswith less wrinkles than these monstrosities.


    “So, what’s the plan huntsman?” Applewhispered.


    “Plan. Why youaskin’ me? Aren’t you supposed to be the goblin expert here?” Nickretorted.


    Apple paused. He was doing a poor job at maintaining his lie so far. “Well, of course.” He hurriedly replied. “Though, you’re the expert of these woods. Not to mention I lost most of my goblin killing tools in that scuffle with those bandits.”


    “I see...” Nick hummedthoughtfully. “We’ve got the element of surprise right now. Though it looks like I’m the only one with a ranged weapon. How about you twoflank‘em,whileI draw their attention?”


    “Sounds like a fine plan.”Apple immediately agreed. “Follow me, Mula.”


    Apple tiptoed away from the formation of boulders ever so carefully. He had to turn around several times to check if Mula wasstillfollowing him. He was both impressed and mildly annoyed that he was completely unable to hear her behind him. Every wince he made when he felt the creak of foliage beneath his boot was magnified by hercompletesilence.


    Once he found a large dense bush to hide behind, he waited. He and Mula were now to the left of the creatures ready to pounce.


    After waiting several minutes, it occurred to Apple that he and Nick had failed toagree on a sign ofattack. He looked towards thegreen tinted rocks but was unable to see the hunter.Without any other idea apart from waiting, he waited.


    More minutes later, Apple finally saw the blur of a flying shaft.A fire hardenedarrow landed in the chest of a goblin, causingitto collapse with a screeching protest.


    All the goblins that had been lazing around turned towards the boulders and hissed. They approached slowly at first, but a second arrow foundits way in the stomach of another goblincausingthem to charge.


    Now that the naked creatures had their completeattention onthe hidden bowman, it was Apple’s turn to attack.


    He crept up towards the goblin furthest away from the pack. Making sure to calm hiswar-readybreathing while he moved. Using the training he had received back onold manTom’s farm, he brought his staff above his head and slammed it downonto the goblin. The oversized stick, that was really more metal than wood, liquefied the creature’s bulbous skull like a melon. The goblin didnoteven have time to cry out over the unfairness of its assassination, only a squelch and thud did its body utterwhen itcollapsedto the ground.


    Before the othersnoticed him, Apple swung his catalyst diagonally, aiming at another goblin’s temple. Unused to fighting beings so small, Apple struck its earhole instead.Thegoblincartwheeled to the ground from the impressive blunt force. Unfortunately, the creature screamed while it spun through the air, causing the remaining pack to become aware of its plight.


    Apple was notworried, however., there were only four left and goblins werenotknown for their strengthor skill in battle.


    The oneclosest to him squawkedand lunged withits crudewooden spear.Apple stepped back and returned a quickjerk of his staff at the beast.The amber kissed the goblins cheek andknockeditto the ground.Another came at him butitfell to an arrow before iteven got close enough.


    The two leftsaw their fallen comrades and realised they had no hope of winningthe battle.They screeched at Apple with wagglinggreytongues and sprinted towards the cave entrance.


    With a reach no goblin could possibly match, Apple gripped the end of his staff and swung it at a fleeing goblin. The goblin ran into the sudden outstretched wood with a speed that almost contorted the innards of itsleg muscles. The staff hooked under its chin, causing it to swing like an exited pendulum,at itspeakthe goblin’s toes pointedtowards the morningsun,before crashing upon the fall dead.Its throat crushed from the force.


    The final goblin had almost made it to the cave; itsbody beginning to vanish inthedarknessof thesanctuary. Before it completely made it into the cliff’s throat, a creature of similar height was upon it.


    Mula charged the creature and leapt upon its back. The goblin buckled under the sudden weight, causing the two to roll to the floor. Even still, Mularefused tolet go. Her body wrapped around the pruned skin fiend, with only her right hand freein the grapple. The knife that dwelled within her small grip touched the creature’s neck and rocked back and forthrapidly. She waved the bladebackwards and forwardsas if the goblin’s neck were the strings of a violin and her knife the bow. Only when she felt the resistance of bone did her piece come to an end.


    The battle was over. All eight foes had perished with neither one of the opposingsidesreceiving an injury.


    Nick appeared from behind the murky foliage from whence they came. His eyes were fixed uponthebrightforked teeth that were exiting the cave. His hunter trained eyes had seen what the proud owner of those teeth had done to that fleeing goblinand he was now forced tosee her in a different light.This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    Apple in turn saw the man study his companion with sceptical eyes. He too had witnessed her actions and while worried about the risks of what she did, he felt pride in her swiftness. “Good job, Mula. But be careful in the future, there could have been more of them lurking in the shadows.” He scolded, now that she was in front ofhim, showinga sweetproudsmile. A smile you would typically see on any cheerful child’s face. However, her fangs and the fresh stains of crimson on her clothing, overshadowed the innocenceof the action significantly.


    Mula’s mouth turned into half smile-half frown. “He was getting away. If Mula not kill him, he would tell his friends about us.” She protested.


    Apple had to admit she had a good point, he doubted he could have caught the creature as silently and as quicklyas her. “True, just be careful, okay? There’ll be a lot more in the cave and they can see in the dark.” Apple hypothesised.


    “Mula can see in dark too.”She boasted.


    Well this was news to Apple. Though hewasnnottoo surprised. He barely knew the girl and she was quickly demonstrating superior senses to his own.


    “Well,sadly I can’t. Even more reason to stay close to me. I’ll need you to be my guide.”


    Mula pondered a moment before answering. “Kay. Mulahelp, be your eyes.”


    “Good.” Apple replied. He turned to face Nick. “You goinginsidewith us?” He asked the hunter.


    “Not yet. I’m going to guard the outside and wait for their patrols to return. I might show up later,dependin’on how long they take.” He informed Apple.


    “Fair enough. See you later, hopefully.” Apple was notsure if he was glad the man was notjoining them. He was reluctant to use magic in front of himsoat least now he could use it to his heart’s content. However, he had also lost the aid of a man who was well versed in killing their targets.


    With nothing of worth left to say, the two strode towards the gaping mawof the caveand were dutifully swallowed.


    It didnottakelong for Apple to become blind to his surroundings. Only a rare patch of murky grey would present itself as they walked deeper and deeper into their opponent’s lair. Only a growing foul scent and the humid airinformed him of the world around him.


    “Can you still see, Mula?” He asked, wishing for her to affirm her previous boast.


    “Mula see. It still hard though. Everything grey, like fog.” She explained from beside him.


    “See anything special?”


    “No. Mula just seerocks.”


    While Apple was relieved to hear she did notshare the samefailure as himself, he was loathed to rely completely on her. He almost positive goblins could also see in the dark as well. If they couldnot,how where they able to navigate through their own home?There were no torches or the smell of an extinguished flame eithertodisapprovehissuspicion. Theywouldsee him coming howeverApple would not. He decided he might as well even the playing field:“Cambingangwyminumghar, briarondlos destine.”Applewhispered.


    When the spell had been successfully uttered, the heart of Apple’s catalyst began to flicker. Its orange colour shone brighter after every blink, until to lit up the area brighter than any oil dipped woodcould manage.


    Nowthatthe cave around him could be seen almost as well as if daylight loomed upon it.Although therough creamy walls showed themselves as a dim orange, instead of their regular white. Apple scanned the tunnelfor dangerbut it seemed Mula was indeed correct. He sawnothingbutcompletelynormalorange-tined rocks,not even some primitive graffiti on the walls to signify their existence.


    “Won’tgobbiessee us, with bright light?” Mula asked,not quitemasking her amazement at the glowingjewel on a stick.


    “They’dsee us anyway. At least now, I can see them.” He replied.


    They continued to venture through the single tunnel they entered, sofar,no other option of hallway had presented itself.


    Itwas notuntil about ten minutes into their infiltration that they finally came into contact with the enemy.


    Apple noticed that Mula had suddenly stopped walking and turned back to look at her. His eyes were met to astern face that was completely focussed on the darkness in front of them. Before hecould say anything, he heardsounds from the direction of her gaze and too froze in place.


    What sounded like coughing, hissing,and the clicking of tongues was heard approaching them. It seemed a group of goblins were casually conversing while taking a stroll through the tunnel.


    Apple thought of an attack plan. He examinedhis surroundingsonce morebut found nothing to hide behindin the narrow cavern.It seemed his only option was to simply wait forthem. It was fortunate thatdoing absolutely nothingphysicalin combat was a magician’s specialty.


    “Stay behind me, Mula. I’ll take care of these onesby myself.” He told the girl, who was already stood behind him.


    Apple continued to march forward, believing it was pointless to simply stand still and wait. He had no wish to emulate the lazy beliefs oftheEspavailierlike he had done so in the past. Hewalkedforward asslowlyand as silently as he could manage, he even dimmedthe light of his staffand hid it behind his back,althoughhemade sure to keep the fire energy dwelling inside well alive.


    Once he saw the group of goblins about fifty feet in front of him, he charged.With powerful lunges, that could only be accomplished from a lifestyle of heavy walking and enthusiastic squats, he closed the gapbetween them inless than ten strides. Even while moving at the very limit of his ability, Apple remained concentrated on the flame behind him – even adding a couple words of power to it while he ran.


    With only ten feet left in between them, Apple whipped his staff out from behind his back and aimed. The startled yelps of his grotesque opponents quickly turned into screams, as the dull light of the amber now rivalled the sun with its brilliance. It vomited flamesupon the pack ofgoblins, devouring them with the finesse of a veteran glutton. The spell only lasted for a mere fewseconds,luckilythat was more thanenoughto ignite theirwrinkly hides.


    Mildly disturbed by the sight of their tiny bodies flailing around on the ground while the flames still clung to them, Apple turned to see if Mula had caught up. She had. Her small figure was located to his side, staring at the living kindling with those child-innocenteyesof hers.


    “Come on, let’s go. They aren’t getting back up.” Applestated, as he began to step over thestill breathing corpses.


    He was notfond of using fire,mostlybecauseit was theelement,he had the least affinityfor,but alsopartlybecause of the cruelty of it.Although he had to admit it washighly effectivein combat.


    His staff still hosted a lightfor him to see withbut he was much more on guard now. If any goblins were nearby, they must have heard their comrades'' cries. He only hoped they were stupid enough to charge at him in a narrow pathway, instead of waitingfor the pairin ambush.


    Again,he tiptoed forward bravely into the unknown. The charred bodies of his victims had vanished as their light source carried on its journey with them.


    “Look out!” Mula cried from behind him.


    Unsure on what to look out for, Applerolledto the left, hoping that was the correct action. The silent whiz of a stone flew past Apple’s shoulder and tumbled harmlessly to the ground. While Apple recomposedhimself, he felt several morehissesof wind dart past his body,thankfullynone made contact with him.


    “Slings.” Apple cursed, more to himself than anyone else. All the projectiles came from in front of him, yet he could not see the owners of the rocks. They could notbe too far away, slings were notknown for their range, nor their accuracy.


    Apple churned the dormantdwimmerlurkingwithin his body into a raging typhoon ready to burst. He firedaconcussiveforce ofwind in front of himwith a wild haste. He heard the satisfying clang of stones landing on the hard ground. His gale had successful grappled the momentum from the enemies'' attack. The bright heat that lived in his staff’s heart had been flung as well, hopefully stinging his foes. Unfortunately, Apple was now blind. He could easily conjure another light again, but it would be instantly snuffed out as soon asanotherattack left his catalyst.


    Apple decided to retreat. “Follow me, Mula.” He ordered, as he ran towards where they came from, out of the goblins’range. While he ran, he unslung his sack from his shoulder and awkwardly shuffled through its contents. He yanked theunlittorch from within it and held it firmly in front of him.


    Hoping hewould remember to retrieve it later, he dropped the sack to the floor, now wielding both his staff and his touch in either handeffectively. The amber kissed thetip of the torchand willed itstarmembrane to ignite. The sticky black liquid quickly became consumed by hot weaves or red and yellow. Now that he was able to see again, it was time to go on the offensive.


    “Stay behind me,” Apple reminded Mula.


    He ran cautiouslytowards the flying stones,whisperingthe wind blast spell all the while, just in case.


    Once the goblins saw him again, they hissed and hurriedly began to spintheir slings. Apple was close enough now to not only see their horrific faces, but also hear the hissing of their ropes as they cut wind.


    Before they could gather enough speed tofire their projectiles, Apple unleashed a powerful gust that made their slings go limpand throw them to the floor.


    Apple merged the dregs of cold wind that still dwelled in his staff with the fresh batch of waterelementsthathewas pumping through his body.


    A wet icicle grew from the amber of his catalyst and plunged into the heart ofaprone goblin. Apple hurriedly yanked the crude pike from the creature and placed into another goblin’s stomach. Knowing he had failed to achieve a killing blow, Apple poured more magic into his creation. He watched with unmoving eyes, as the ice expanded insideitsgut,exposing the torn anatomy of the fiend.


    Positive the goblin was done for, he yanked the large icy spearhead free from the brown paste of innards and smacked it into the head of a goblin that had managed to stand up.The creaturescreamed as the cold glass shattered upon its skulland screamed louderstillwhen Apple twirled the jagged end of thechippedicicleontoits exposed scrawny throat.


    “Take one of their slings, Mula. I think it’ll be useful in the future. Don’t try to use it now, they’reharder to wieldthan they look. You’d probablyjustbosh me on the head if you did it in here.”He said.


    “Kay.” Mula replied, as she appraised each of the slingsscatteredacross the ground, looking for the best one.


    As she tucked away her chosen sling, her headjerked to empty sight fromwherethepair hadcome from.


    “What?” Apples asked the girl staring at him with an expression he had notseen since their encounter with theEspavailier.


    “Trouble.” She stated. “Gobbies. Lots.”


    Apple too became serious. He wanted to ask how many but realised if she knew, she wouldalreadyhave told him. It musthave least beenlot for her to makesuch anintense face. They had killed nearly two dozen so far with ease,yet Apple still feared what was to come.


    Apple’s thoughts came to a halt when he felt his arm cry out in pain. A small rock ploppeddownto his feet, affirming what had struck him. Several more stoneswhizzedpast him at blurring speeds,each barelymissinghim.


    The pain in his pain was quickly overriddenby the shock that cascaded downApple’s body.


    The projectiles had notcome from where Mula said the goblins were coming, they came from the direction the pair were heading in. Apple didnot doubt Mula’s ears, not for one second, which could only mean one thing;they were surrounded.