Eston wasn't a large town, but it did have its own warping circle.

The mosaic mandala was laid on a slightly raised gazebo just outside the historical center. Any mage with sufficient magical power could warp to this structure to enter the city. In a low level town like Eston that would be a mere fraction of the adventurers, so no real imperative was felt to put conjoin the circle and the guild house. When Marie and her party members arrived in Eston, they had a 15 minute walk ahead of them before they would reach the headquarters.

A circle of light appeared from the middle of the structure and deposited the guild staff onto the ornate floor. The bauxite streets around them were close to deserted. Only a few lonely silhouettes could be observed from a distance, minding their own business.

"I'm going to get my sister." Boris stated, as soon as they stepped out of the circle.

"Meet us at my office." Marie ordered. "Don't tell anybody about what we just learned."

He gave a hasty nod and trotted off. Hurried without trying to look hurried.

"Can we trust him?" Mildred wondered out loud.

"I don't know." Marie grunted. "Our blackmail won't go away, but if he can get his sister and niece under a safe roof he might not be as considerate of us and ours."

"What was it they've got on you? Did you poison someone?"

"Don't ask mine and I won't ask yours. Let's go."

-

The two traveled to the guild house, exchanged some pleasantries with the adventurers lounging in the hall and retreated to Marie's office.

"He's taking a long time. You don't think he's spilled the beans yet, have you?" Mildred worried after close to an hour of waiting.

"It's hard to get a read on that guy. I think at least he'd try to convince us to come out with it together."

"Would we?"

"..."

"I mean, what choice would we have? We wouldn't... try to silence him or something... would we?"

"This was never the deal. We're adventurers, they can't force us to ignore a bandit infestation. That goes against our purpose in life."

Mildred was silent for a bit. Her purpose, in life and for becoming an adventurer, was to earn a high living and possibly marry into nobility. "So you do want to bust it open. Reveal the truth. Get us both locked up, or even exiled."

Marie bit on her fist. "This was never the deal."

-

Eventually they were joined by a third person, but it was not who they were expecting.

"You don't mind, do you dearie?" An old woman knocked on the door and let herself in. "Oh, oh, what a nice little room you have here."

"Miss Lacrima." Mildred's back straightened. "You shouldn't be here. We're discussing-"

"Oh I know about that, dear." The woman slowly lowered herself into a seat. "Your friend Boris isn't coming I'm afraid."

"W-what are you saying?"

"Lacrima." Marie spat the name. "We never agreed to this arrangement. Bandits in the forest."

"Oh I know." The woman said in a sympathetic tone. "The truth is: You were never supposed to find out about all of that. The guild likes to keep things separate."

"The thieves' guild?" Mildred's mouth fell open. "Ma'am, you're with them?"

"With them?" Lacrima cackled. "Girly, I am them. The the thieves' guild is mine."

Marie stood up and slammed her hands on her desk. "You think you can just get away with all of this? We won't just let you take ov-"

She froze mid sentence, as her body turned to stone.

Mildred gave a fearful look towards Lacrima. The witch had barely moved, yet was able to cast a petrification spell that even a vanguard of Marie's level couldn't shrug off.

"Mildred. Sweetheart. I know you're wiser than your colleague. So I've had a chat with old Arnold here."

The guildmaster appeared in the doorway with a guilty expression on his face.

"He has already submitted you two for a suppression mission in the west. Can we hope you make it back alone?"

Mildred nodded slowly.

"Good girl. I knew you were smart. Here, have a candy." The witch laid a wrapped chocolate on the desk. "Arnie, dear, get me out of this chair please. My old bones aren't what they once were."

Dutifully the guildmaster, not a young man himself, helped Lacrima up.

"Do I-" Mildred stammered as Lacrima was about to leave. "Do I have to kill her?"

"Of course! That's how we'll know you're with the program." When the witch was out the door she turned around once again. "And we will know. Toodles for now!"

-

Leaving the distressed halfling with the frozen vanguard Lacrima vented her frustrations on the guildmaster, on whose arm she was leaning.

"Guth lay her curses upon Fyro, to get an old lady like me to tie up his loose ends."

"How did Fyro's bandits learn about your schemes?" The guildmaster asked sheepishly.

"Oh, I don't know. I'd say he's been overstepping his bounds, but even he's too smart to play his hand on something like this. If you ask me, those bandits are acting on their own accord. They're getting impatient with him."

"If they try too much, my hands are tied. The adventurer's guild-"

"Oh I know dearie." She patted his arm. "I'll impress on him the importance of his discretion."

Her tone of voice was warm. But he was trained enough to feel the magical energy within her surge threateningly as she said it.

"But why do you want me to leave?" Fat looked rejected at Scratch's words.

"I want you with this community because I trust you." Scratch impressed on him. "You think I'd send Second to lead his own tribe? He'd go to war with us in a week."

Fat laughed. It was a big hyperbole but it was founded on some truth somewhere. Second never accepted Scratch's teachings without arguing. He just had to be different.

Of course, the real reason was that those healed by the magic salves could not stray too far from the cave. Second, Kicker, Fyro, and Linus were all trapped.

"The river's not that far. We'll see each other plenty when we're exchanging stuff, alright?"

Fat nodded and dried his eyes.

"My little man!" Scratch play-boxed with him. "Growing up, becoming independent!"

The boy giggled at the praise.

"Now you run along. Don't let them leave without you."

Fat, Kicker and Abel left with Strong's tribe and some materials the cave goblins could miss; planks, bricks, metal. It was a fair trade.

"I know what you're doing." Barbara had said. She had been making a hobby out of deciphering his motives. "You want to bind the tribe to yours, expand your influence."

"That's the long-term." Scratch had answered. "In the short term, I want to appease Strong after taking away the captive we gave him."

The adventurer called Theresa had been healed with Cyclophan's false flesh and could not stray too far from the cave, besides, she was the caretaker of the two human kids they had running around and he had promised them she would earn her freedom after returning 4 goblin lives. Well, two litters later that debt had been repaid. Although she had refused to take part in their naming, the river goblins had a dozen more fighters now.

"Why Fat and not Quiet?" Barbara wanted to know.

Scratch shrugged. "When we get a better cook than Quiet I'll consider giving him up. But not now."

The day they saw off the visiting goblin tribes various constructions were finished up.

The bandits were used to a level of luxury slightly above that of a feral goblin, they put up tents, filled with soft bedding, between the well and the tower.

The wall now stood on the entire perimeter, tall wooden pillars propping stone debris, cement and planks. It was far from straight and looked half-melted, but it was tall enough to prevent casual climbing.

Slightly to the side of the area, where the hill sloped down rather than up, a space was left for people and goods to come in and out of the village. For now it was an opening, not a gate, anyone could enter and leave without a watch.

Lastly, the cave opened up by Cyclophan's drilling had gotten a proper entrance. The hole led out to a balustrade, from which a simple staircase led down. By the underground river that touch the air now stood a little rack for clothing. The goblins could submerge themselves in the water and wash of their sweat there. Previously they'd used damp cloth to wipe themselves clean, and this felt a lot better.

"I remember being here just over a month ago." Huckabee told Haruki. "It looks so different now."

"Who are you?" The goblin asked confused.

"I- I suppose you wouldn't know me... It's not important."

"Okay." And the kid skipped off.

Huckabee was left on his own amidst the goblins trotting from place to place. He felt alone. It hadn't really dawned on him yet how much of his comrades had died. The goblins too, it felt as if the things he had experienced alongside them were ancient history now. He wondered if this was what elves felt like when they visited human cities.

He lost his train of thought when his boss called him over. "Huckabee. Here." She whistled.

Like an obedient puppy he came up to her.

"You keep an eye on the women and children while I go have a talk with Scratch."

"Boss. Beatty's goblins wouldn't hurt them."

"It's for their peace of mind Huckabee. Just do what I say."

He put his hands up apologetically and without complaining took on his post standing in front of the tents. So little of them were left.

-

Harkness confronted Scratch in the forge, where he and some of his goblins were watching a very thin piece sheet of iron being hammered.

"They tell me you're sending the kids home."

"The kids?"

"The young adventurers, what were there names... Xandra and Rudy."

"Yes, sorry, guys." He excused himself from the audience and led her to the cave. "Let's discuss this with Barbara."

"Why?"

"Yeah... why. Because it's her call in the end."

-

The three of them gathered in the dining room. Harkness and Barbara on opposite sides of the crude wooden table. Scratch was sitting on the corner and letting his legs dangle off.

"You've got a problem with the way we do things?" Barbara said in a haughty tone.

Harkness looked from her to Scratch and back. "Secrecy is a bandit's creed. We never let adventurers report on our location."

"Lydia is worried all of this is for nothing if word gets out." Scratch explained.

"Isn't word already 'out'?" Barbara asked. "You told us the guild staff came here specifically for the bandits, didn't you?"

"The situation isn't ideal." Harkness said bluntly. "But that doesn't mean we should just let anybody-"

"Lydia." Scratch smiled. "Aren't you sick of others reporting on you? Wouldn't you like to set the narrative for once?"

"What do you mean?"

"You're here for the founding of a city." Barbara stated. "We can't hide a city. What we can do is shape how we're seen by outsiders."

Scratch kicked the air enthusiastically. "Those kids are our intro into the known world. Our first impression."

"We're going for a kind and generous image." Barbara continued.

Harkness was silent for some time. Then she spoke. "You're gambling on the kindness of strangers."

"Lydia." Barbara stood up, walked past the table and sat down next to the still seated bandit. "You know how this goes firsthand. The army lays siege if the danger exceeds the resources required. And this area doesn't even have a Barony or any fortifications, so if we keep a low profile..."

"Goblins, when raised properly, can form a mighty infrastructure." Scratch added. "We have the manpower. But we need human minds to guide us."

"Unless you're accused of opposing the deity of light and justice." Harkness glanced at Scratch. "Then there's no 'keeping a low profile'."

Scratch avoided eye contact.

"Listen..." Harkness sighed. "I won't say I'm optimistic. But my people are a fraction of what they were. You are the best chance we have, so we'll do it your way."

Barbara suppressed a cheer. "We won't let you down."

-

Later Barbara would comment on the exchange to Scratch. "Speaking of setting the narrative. You sure did push me forward as one of the masterminds."

"Being a matriarch sounds a lot more enticing than being a brood mother, doesn't it?" He answered. "It's a hard sell. But any willing mother strengthens our position a thousand-fold more than a brood slave. Compare yourself to that Brittany or Theresa."

The humans that have come to live in the goblin nest are all bandits.

I know about bandits. There's a three copper piece reward for every bandit slain at the adventurers' guild. A normal bandit is a level E threat. That's to be expected, they're basically normal people just like us.

To the goblins humans are all the same. So they don't consider that we might be afraid of them. Last night I barely slept because I could hear them sharpening their knives.

Xandra isn't afraid as usual. [We don't have anything they want.] Is what she says.

If we stay here long enough, and everybody back home forgets about us, won't we become bandits?

-

Early in the morning I have trouble waking up when she's in the field doing stretches.

[I've got the hang of the knee-hook now.] She tells me. [This time I'll beat Yuto for sure.]

However, at morning exercise there is no Yuto present. Xandra walks around a bit confused looking for a sparring partner. I just ask one of the goblins.

[Yuto? Dead.]

[Dead? What do you mean dead?]

The goblin looks a bit confused by my question dead. [Dead. You know? The head came off.]

It dawns on me that he was killed in a fight outside the camp. [Who killed him?]

[Humans... right?]

I wave over Xandra. [Maybe you can practice on me today.]

[Why? You suck.]

[I-] I'm trying to tell the news diplomatically but I'm thrown off by her insults. [Just. Yuto is dead. Okay?]

[What?] She looks at the goblin I just spoke to. [Abel. Is that true?]

He throws up his hands. [Adventurers!]

Xandra acts a bit dazed for the rest of the day. I even beat her at the knee-hook.

-

Today we're both helping to finish up the wall. I do notice how this place is becoming a stronghold, and that we're helping to make it one.

Xandra isn't talkative, but Biter the goblin is very chatty while we're hauling the rocks that go in the wall.

[And now Lydia is coming to live here, and Huckabee, Dee is that, but that's okay. You know Huckabee killed Yeller. But that's in the past now. Scratch says the past is-]

[I get it.] I'm exhausted with him.

[Kicker is going away.] He says more softly. [We're always together, but Kicker is going to help Fat at the river and I have to stay here. Because of this.] He shows me a swollen growth on his hand.

[What's that?]

[I got hurt by an arrow, they healed it, but now I can't leave the cave. It makes me sad because now I've got to split up from Kicker.]

It was unexpected to me that a goblin could have such normal feelings.

But then he changes and puts on a big grin. [But being sad is bad, so I won't be.] Smug over his solution he adds.

[That reminds me. You two are leaving today too, aren't you?]

[We are?] That's the first I've heard of it.

-

When we get back Scratch comes up to us to tell us to stop building. [You two. Chore time's over, wash up and we'll see you in the large tent with your friend.]

Xandra and I look at each other. [I think he's talking about Theresa.]

[No I'm talking about the tooth fairy. Of course it's Theresa you dumb-dumbs.]

After we've washed our faces and hands of the dirt and cement we look around the bandit tents for the largest one.

[I wish I had my weapons.] I whisper. But the goblins have molten them down and turned them into cutlery.

The large tent belongs to the bandit leader. There's no guards or security of any kind and we simply walk in.

[Lydia, kids. Kids, Lydia.] Scratch says, his head peeking just over a desk. The only piece of furniture in the room.

[Pleasure.] The bandit leader, Lydia, says.

[Rudy, Xandra!] Theresa jumps us and hugs us both. [Oh, kids.]

[Can you believe she thought we ate you?] Scratch huffed.

[Let us go, you monster!] Theresa proclaims. She looks at the bandit leader.

[We're not the ones keeping you.] The bandit sneers.

[That'd be me.] Scratch squeaks. [And I think that's absolutely fine. You've repaid their debt for them, haven't you, Theresa?]

Her lip quivers.

[You're letting us go? Just like that?] Xandra asks sceptically.

[Just like that? What more do you want?] He chuckles a bit. [We're even. So it's time for you to go back home. We'll supply you with rations, if you leave this afternoon you'll be in the city tomorrow morning.]

[Scratch tells me there's a goblin caravan leaving today. You can go with them for the first few miles. After that, it should be mostly safe to travel.] The bandit leader adds.

[If you can patch up that wound in Theresa's stomach. We're not healers you know. It was a temporary patch-up.] Scratch concludes.

Theresa touches her stomach through her clothes.

[And... I guess that's it. A bit meagre to call a conference for, but I wanted you to meet each other.] He gestures between Lydia and ourselves. [I like for all my friends to know each other.]

Xandra gives a little growl under her breath.

[Well, off you go. You three go enjoy the goodbye festivities. We're not leaving for a few hours yet.]

The three of us leave the tent and retreat to a more quiet place, away from all the people. We have to hear what happened to Theresa and comfort her.

-

Because I have memories from my previous life I'm actually older than Theresa. But she doesn't know that, she's trying to be the adult and comfort us.

[Are you two alright? Xandra, did they do anything to you? What happened to Angela]

[We're alright.] I say. [We had to help build their camp. Angela has fled. What about you?]

She gives a sad smile. [Well. The usual thing with goblins. I might need some healing, but I'll survive.]

[These aren't usual goblins at all.] Xandra claims.

[The bandits have a monster tamer among them.] Theresa explains. [If they didn't hurt you, that's because that Lydia person told them not to.]

[No.] Xandra disagrees. [The bandits and the goblins are separate. Before today there were no bandits here.]

[Just because they weren't here, that doesn't mean they did-]

[Do we trust them?] I interrupt. [Are we leaving with the caravan?]

[We don't trust them. But if we can grab some of the weapons the bandits are using...]

[I don't want to kill any more of them.] Xandra says. [It wouldn't be fair. They didn't kill us when they could.]

[Xandra.] Theresa grabs both her shoulders. [Listen to me very carefully. You don't owe these people anything.

They're enemies of civilization, you hear me? Sometimes people captured by bandits will start to feel bad for them, but that's not real, it's a delusion, okay? They're your enemy, what's normal is for you to fight them.]

[I don't want to do anything just because it's normal anymore.] I say softly. [I don't feel comfortable with it.]

She looks at us both, and I see real pity. [Fine. I won't leave you two behind. We'll go with their caravan if you don't feel like fighting them.]

[Theresa. Thank you.] I touch her shoulder. I feel like I have to do something to comfort her.

As we catch up like this, music starts to play at the other side of the camp. The goblins are holding another little concert.

-

About eight members of the family are lined up in rows, next to them Fyro is seated with a lute. There's some more stuff to the side but I can't see it clearly.

Scratch stands in front of them and starts to wave a little stick around like a conductor.

A single clear soprano rises up from the choir, only later joined by the chorus.

I'd like to build a world a home

And furnish it with love

Grow apple trees and honey bees

And snow white turtle doves

I'd like to teach the world to sing

In perfect harmony

I'd like to hold it in my arms

And keep it company

I'd like to see the world for once

All standing hand in hand

And hear them echo through the hills

For peace throughout the land

[That's beautiful.] Xandra whispers.

Theresa is silenced by the sound.

But I'm shocked. I recognize that song. From my previous life.

For the goodbye concert George and Second had constructed a cymbal of iron.

Second had come up with the idea independently, inspired by the sound of clanging metal in the blacksmithing hut.

What the two had produced was sort of an ambiguous instrument in-between a cymbal and a gong. Suspending it from leather straps allowed it to reverberate and make a musical note when hit, although the sound wasn't that pure, it was still an ingenious contraption and had earned a place on the stage.

This musical goodbye wasn't just for the goblins, it was for the humans too. So Scratch had come up with the most saccharine and pacifist song he could remember from his past life. "I'd like to teach the world to sing." by the New Seekers. The best singing voice in the tribe was Mac's, so he gained a starring role in the performance.

They had practiced the song only three times beforehand, but goblins had a great memory and Scratch was able to guide their pitch with an impromptu conductor's baton.

-

When the song was over the bandits had all gathered around the tower to appreciate it, and even the captives stood silently a bit removed.

"You guys freestyle for a bit." Scratch told the choir and climbed down.

The river goblins, a small army now with its new births, stood ready to leave. Most had put their baggage on the ground to listen to the music.

"Strong. My man. You're gonna miss us?"

Strong nodded. "Your tribe is mighty, Scratch."

"Oh, mighty is not the word. I would say... developed."

"Developed."

"Yes. Fat and the others here are going with you to share our knowledge, before you know it, you'll be as developed as us."

Strong's chest rose. It was hope for the future that filled his body.

"Fat. Where are Kicker and Abel?"

"Getting the humans. Once they're here we can leave."

"They're compliant?"

"Compli-?"

"That they're doing as asked."

Fat nodded in understanding. "The adventurers are. But there's Letta too."

"Letta... I hadn't considered her. If we're sending ours home the bandit would do theirs too. Does she want to stay that bad?"

"It's more that she doesn't trust us."

"She's a concern actually. Her story isn't really on message for us."

"What does that mean?"

"It doesn't matter. Put her with the grown-up, she'll cling to her. You've got everything? Sleds, bags?"

"Yup."

"Safe travels man." The two brothers hugged.

The sister tribe was seen off with some eclectic music and emotional goodbyes. Once the sun had gone down, they were out of sight.

Warping Circles

The construction of a warping circle is not a trivial task. Only the mightiest capitols have more than one. These platforms are created out of carefully laid out magical gemstones in a unique pattern.

The Warp spell, given to humanity by the goddess of magic, Guth herself, can transport the user to any warping circle in the known world they are familiar with. If they have enough mana.

Warping circles are the fastest and safest way to travel. However, the mana cost is too high for most mages to muster, and the spell can not transport large volumes of goods. Therefore, travel by sea or sky is still the most popular method.

Warping circles are used by high-level adventurers and trained nobles to move around at their convenience. Almost never for trade.

Most warping circles have a fail safe, allowing them to be disabled if a city is under attack from an enemy that is capable of warping. At the time of writing, no such event has occurred. The four realms have been at peace for two centuries, only using their armies to fight monsters and bandits.