Ch 5.
High-Elf Archer, Dwarf Shaman and Lizard Priest were walking down the road that Guild Girl had told them lead to Slayer Keep.
"Hey, is it much further to Orcbolg's Castle?" She asked a raggedy looking adventurer who was helping a girl load up some goods in a cart.
"There isn't anything like that here. The only castle is in the town." The Adventurer replied.
"Not that! The place where Orcbolg lives with his army."
The two only gave elf a confused look.
"What the elf is trying to say and failing, which is a common occurrence for da pointy ears. Is that we are heading to that gathering of goblin slayers in the woods. You know where your going." Dwarf Shaman said, interrupting her.
"First of all dwarf when elves mess up we have time to fix it, when you make a mistake that's what you'll be know for all yer lives. And second of all, what do you mean 'where they are going'?"
"Look at his equipment lass. Chain-mail and leather armor for mobility, speed and defense against dagger in the dark, short sword and buckler for cave fighting, torch burns on his glove. This lad's one of those newfound Slayers. And the lass next to him is loading up a cart that's the lighter variant meant for hilly terrain. They must be on a supply run for Beard Cutter's Holdfast'"
"If you are referring to Slayer Keep we're going there now. You can come along if you want." Cow Girl said and GS nodded.
And so the trio followed the duo.
"Pardon us, we are not familiar with the tongue's of man. Neither am I, but we do seek the Keep and we are searching for the one they call Beard-cutter or Orcbolg." Lizard Priest said.
"The attendance at the keep varies since most are out goblin slaying. But you can wait there for whoever you are seeking." GS said as they continued on their way.
After some time passed they finally reached Slayer Keep.
There was a wall of earth and wood at the hill's base, which was also surrounded by a ditch that was filled with water and spikes.
At the hill'f halfway point there was a bigger wall, whose top was made of stone with watchtowers and meticulations.
People were streaming in and out of it. The traffic was intense enough that a roundabout was placed just at it's entrance.
As the group entered the fortress, they saw that all of those they passed gave a wave and a hello to the group as they passed.
"What's with all the people here? Why are they all saying hello to this guy?" High Elf Archer asked.
"Perhaps they are saying hello to the girl. She might be related or perhaps be the mate of The Slayer Lord. " Lizard Priest said.
" S-Slayer Lord's wife?!" A blushing How Girl said and looked away from GS.
The trio grinned at that.
They fiñnaly teacher the Keep 's main hall.
Once there they made a beeline towards the adventurer with the best equipment.
He war eating at a table with another adventurer.
"Hey ho Beard-cutter!"
"That's not my name." Warrior replied.
"Wait. so you are not the master of this hall?"
"Like an idiot like him can be put în charge of anything burger than a breadbox." Noble Fighter said from the oposite side of the table.
The two started glaring at each other.
" Idiots are idiots. Well met Orcbolg. "
" That's not my name. "NB repplied.
"No, but you got a rotten enough personality to be mistaken for one. " Warrior said to her as he oferred to refill her wine cup.
" Keep insulting a lady.I am sure that will help you get lots of dates." Noble Fighter said, accepted the refill and then offered Warrior a forkfull of her dish.
Warrior ate the offered food and they continued to glare at each other.
"Make sure to invite us to the wedding. Now where is Orcbolg?" High Elf Archer said to the now blushing duo.
" Pardon me. We seek your leader. The One called Orcbolg în elvish and Beard-cutter to the dawi. I am not skilled în the human tongue. But I do believe it's Goblin Slayer." Lizard Priest said to the assembled hall of Slayer Keep.
" But you just came with Goblin Slayer!" Warrior said and Noble Fighter gave a ladylike nod of the head.
The trio turned back to the pair that acvompanied them.
" Why didn't you say you were Goblin Slayer!?" High Elf Archer said în an indignated voice.
To Cow Girl.
At that the whole hall laughed like crazy.
" Everytime! Every single time newcomers arrive here. They always get it wrong!" Warrior said as le keeled over from laughter.
Noble Fighter gave a more subdued noble laugh. As she covered get mouth with the fingers of her left palm.
"Wait...so...you're Lord Goblin Slayer?" Lizard Priest asked.
" Yes." GS replied.
" Why didn't you say so in the fields?" High Elf Archer snapped at him.
" You said you were looking for someone called Beard-cutter or Orcbolg. Neither one's my name GS replied.
" HAHAHA! Fair enough Beard-cutter!"
"Tch...We were told Orcbolg is a Gold rank. Yet I've seen insects more dangerous than you. Are you really a Gold Rank?"
At High Elf Archer's words the whole room went silent.
They all glarred at her.
There and then she realized that this one truly was the Master of Slayer Keep.
"That's what the Guild decided I am. Do you have any business with me? If not I'll be on my way. "
"Where top?"
" To slay goblins "
" Ha! This one's Beard-cutter allright!"
"We came here for a big Goblin Slaying quest."
"Where and how many? Have any Lords or Champions appeared?"
That was his response.
Not how much
Not how dangerous.
But where are they?
If there was any doubt in tge trio's mind, it dispersed there and then.
They truly were în Slayer Keep!
"Last year there was a small war between an elf kingdom and a human one. There was a goblin horde that raided the human army. I would say that it would be over 100 goblins the funny thing is that the horde also fought and killed an elf army from one village before that. But then fought for a diferent village after that. And survivors from fighting them were discovered to be under and 'enslavement ' spell."
At that the whole hall suddenly got up from their meals or other activities.
They all started gearing up.
"What's going?"
" We're all mobilizing to slay that horde. Pay us whatever you like." Warrior said to High Elf Archer's question.
"Killing a goblin lord as dangerous as that is enough for me." Noble Fighter added.
"Should we wait untill more gather Goblyn Slayer san?" Priestess asked.
" A horde that big with a leader that powerfull needs to be put down quick. We have no time for that. Also we have more than enough personal for the quest. If not I could handle them alone. " GS said as the group exited the hall.
The trio followed them and sad that war they walked, more and more were joining their ranks.
Horse were brought. Carts readied, arrow holsters filled. Supplies brought as all gathered behind Goblyn Slayer.
" Keep a watch on the place while we're gonne. " GS said to Cow Girl and the ones that stayed behind on garrison duty.
" Look at that! First time I've seen this many adventurers jump at a quest before hearing about the reward." Dwarf Shaman said.
"Indeed. This is more of a response than what I imagined we'd get. I suggest we join them, it would be dishonorouble of us to not join a quest after issuing it. " Lizard Priest said.
" Ha! As if you need to ask a dwarf on whether he'd join a march to exterminate goblins! What about you long ears?"
Dwarf Shaman asked and looked to see get get response. But found she wasn't there.
" You coming or not? Cause I won't save any goblins for you dwarf!" High Elf Archer shouted to them.
She had already dashed forward and sad joining the column.
Dwarf Shaman laughed merily.
Lizard Priest smiled
And both ran to join the column.
The gate was opened.
Horns were blown and the banner of a man stabbing a goblin was raised.
Slayer Keep marched to war!