Into the Waste

Hello readers! Here is a quick note concerning the Random Story Blog (Team Fantasy). I am in the process of creating a map and am doing some research but hopefully I can get it sent to John and he can post it. That way y’all can follow the characters around. Unfortunately I have forgotten the names to several locations and need to look them up so it could be a couple weeks before I get the map all drawn up and entered into the computer. Don’t expect anything too fancy either…I am just trying to do my research and get some names I have forgotten and need to fill in.

The rain was sorely missed in the Southern Wastes. Goblin homelands, as Gronth had called them. The wastes were rugged and definitely a fitting climate for goblins it would seem. Gronth said that his village was on the edge of the mountains. They fought often with the dwarves there for control of the mountains.

“Dwarves!” Nat had exclaimed. “They exist!”

“Of course,” was the gravelly reply. “If one isn’t careful a dwarf broadsword could cleave your knee cap off in those mountains. Many a goblin has disappeared in those mountains. The Goblins in the mountains are often much more…blood crazy.”

Nat could hardly believe his ears. A goblin was telling him that the mountain goblins were much more blood thirsty than himself.

Soon however all incredulity over that was forgotten as the Waste’s heat and sun began to drain the warrior’s strength. The sun blazed endlessly for hour after hour. Few trees grew. In different locations shrubs may be found but there was no accessible water. Unless they dug deep. They reached the first oasis parched to the bone and spent too little time there for Nat’s liking. 50 men and horses drink a lot when they are thirsty though and soon the water was hardly fit for drinking anyways. Moving on they pressed hard for the mountains.

Nat was walking his horse along with most of the others when suddenly Gronth spotted a dust cloud. “A large party approaches!” He hissed.

“Jerlom,” Nat shouted, “A party approaches!”

Jerlom swiftly swung into the saddle and shouted out for some of the soldiers to follow him. Dyl strung a bow and nocked an arrow. He half drew it and peered off after Jerlom. Nat did the same. Gronth was chained to another soldier’s horse and on foot. He appeared ready for anything. Suddenly the dust cloud resolved itself into…into…goblins! Shoot! They came pouring over the rim of the hill and drew to a halt in front of Jerlom. A big goblin, almost man-size and probably much stronger stepped forward and addressed Jerlom. They were too far off to hear what was exchanged but it probably was not very good. Jerlom was gesticulating wildly and suddenly without warning the goblin lunged at Jerlom. Wheeling his mount aside Jerlom came galloping wildly back with his men shouting for us to flee! Dyl loosed his arrow and struck a goblin far off. Nat followed suit and then they both turned and raced off with the rest who shot an arrow or two before racing off. The goblins pursued swiftly. They were very fast and for the next three hours managed to keep within sight of us. We managed to lose them in the haze of dust and a windstorm began to pick up. It slowed us down quickly. The mountains were within clear sight but still so far away it seemed! When the storm finished it was only to reveal that the goblins had caught us up again. Apparently sandstorms did not deter goblins like they did humans.

“What did they say?” Nat asked Jerlom.

“They wanted us to leave their land. I refused so they said that we would all die,” was the grim reply. “There are over 100 of them too! We will be slaughtered unless we can find a good defensible position We were moving fast and alternated between running and riding. We would pause long enough to swing out of the saddle and run on foot and lead our horse or to swing onto our horse. Nat soon began to weary. They couldn’t lose the goblins! The goblins slowly closed the distance. They were strong and hardy! To run this long and hard in the desert! Nat marveled at their endurance and feared it. They had to reach those mountains! That was the only way to survive! Even then it was doubtful they would make it. At the rate the horses were tiring they would be overrun long before then!

End of the next chapter! Yay! Hope you guys enjoyed it! Hey John! You gotta post another chapter too!