It wasn’t until a couple of hours later that someone covered in garments, approached the camp with measured but quick steps.

  The figure didn’t seem to be running particularly desperately, but they were moving fast and clearly with purpose.

  But to someone like Prufan, there was something particularly alarming here.

  The figure could be seen.

  Of course it wasn’t night time, nor was the sun hidden, and yes the lands around the Dark Lands of Mir slowly took on a dark tint the closer and closer one got, but they weren’t as close as of yet.

  So for all intents and purposes, anyone should be easily seen when approaching the camp.

  But…The Shadows of Verdan weren’t just ‘anyone’ and Prufan knew that they were the type to needlessly hide themselves and pop up in the camp out of nowhere. Or at least not allow themselves to be seen until they were actually about to enter the camp.

  Revealing themselves from so far out…that was unlike them.

  Eventually, the figure in question closed the distance in full and was quickly ushered into the command tent where Prufan and his nephew were waiting.

  “You are late young shadow.”

  The figure did not even bother to react to that comment and instead began to give the report it was tasked with delivering.

  “The Goblins have enacted a series of ambushes and direct confrontations, but a pattern was quickly noticed. All of their tactics are geared towards fighting mindless beasts. There are no traps that appear to have more than one layer. Effective for a time, but simple in the end.”

  Prufan rubbed his chin as he contemplated the information. He wasn’t really expecting that type of report from the Shadows of Verdan, but this was useful. If the Goblins didn’t know to plan around other sentient and crafty minds, then that would likely be their downfall.

  Or at least that’s what Prufan currently believed. To a point.

  “Well I’m sure you learned a lot more than that about our new green friends their young shadow. Tell me everything.”

  From their the figure quickly and clearly elaborated in detail about the events that have taken place in the forests he just ran from.

  By the end of it all, Prufan had a small frown on his face. The figure had left the second it finished giving all the necessary details so it was only Prufan and Grafai remaining in the text at the moment.

  Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

  “The Goblins are not as simple as I thought. What do you think about all of it?”

  Grafai considered the question for a moment before delivering his answer.

  “This is not something I am familiar with Uncle. The strongest Goblin that I’ve ever fought let alone seen was probably Tier One, and it was nothing more than a simple beast. I have never heard of a tribe of Goblins displaying this level of coordination and power. We must not underestimate them further Uncle.”

  “Hm…do not bother sending our scouts at all. Based on what our little shadow friend said, the forests closer to Mir are nothing but a death trap. Simple straightforward tactics, but quite effective since the half the shadows who entered will not be coming back.

  “It’s been a long time since I’ve heard those creepy bastards take a loss of that nature. Serves them right for trying to incite problems in our great country all those years ago.”

  “Uncle…”

  “Bah! Don’t even bother. Anyway, we will use the fact that they clearly have never experienced a war against humans who could not only scheme, but act on the fly as well. The Goblins are strong but we can use that to our advantage.

  “Make sure the Harkies are well fed and ready to go. Once the rest of the force gets here, I will push for a quick departure. The Goblins might not know how to properly plan against humans for now, but I would rather not give them time to learn.”

  “Yes Uncle.”

  “You know you can disagree right! You are a damn Hark! Even Her Majesty will have to listen to your counsel!”

  “I understand Uncle.”

  Prufan continued to spew harmless curses at his nephew in an effort to get him to be more commanding as someone in his position should be. The command tent wasn’t stopping any of the sounds from coming out so a lot of the other Balarians could overhear Prufan yelling, but no one batted an eye at his behavior.

  This was normal and had been happening for years.

  In fact it was widely known throughout North Balarian about the type of man High Hark Grafai was.

  He was someone who earned fame from the time he was a child. All the family members of the Old Fang, Prufan had been in the limelight at some point in time just due to their relation to the living legend, but when Grafai first showed his talent for riding and battle, his fame only grew from there.

  Although there wasn’t any major continental war recently, that didn’t mean there wasn’t plenty of enemies and other factions and groups casing problems around the continent. One didn’t have to look very far to find a ‘minor’ conflict.

  Especially when beasts only needed to be hungry enough to attack settlements.

  It was these types of battles that Grafai quickly proved his worth in and eventually began to separate from his peers. His Uncle of course spared no knowledge from him and even groomed him to reach the heights he now sat at.

  Everything was perfect…except for the fact that Grafai hated attention, hated interacting with people more than necessary, and seemingly sought to answer questions in as few words as possible if he could.

  Even when it came time to bestow the title of High Hark to him, his tried to turn it down, and probably would’ve managed to succeed in doing so if his Uncle hadn’t beaten him with a stick until he said yes.

  Not a single attack form his Uncle harmed him, but it grew too annoying to deal with.

  That was Grafai.

  But while he was reserved man in most situations…on the battlefield him and his mount were nothing short of reapers sent to claim lives.

  And he wouldn’t be the only figure of similar power and renown joining the battle against the Goblins.

  For, the Knights of Touval could be seen riding to the camp.

  At there forefront was single woman. One that hailed from the same generation as Prufan.

  But unlike Prufan who stalled at Tier Six. She sat firmly at the peak of the Seventh Tier. Known by her family as Hersha, but to her enemies and anyone else for that matter…she was the Spear of Touval.

  A truly ferocious woman.