> Plow through onwards.
"We should not head back empty handed. It would seem as if we were fleeing should we do so." Msytia nods happily while the others seem willing but less enthusiastic. "Rumia, would you be willing to blaze the trail again?"
"Yes. I'd hate to see you lose a foot after all." Rumia takes the reins of her black steed and carefully inspects each pathway before heading into the brush again. You follow, silently cursing the thorny brush as you do.
This journey takes longer then your initial foray into the thicket. As you progress the thorns seem to grow sharper and you swear the vines are trying to reach out and grab you. In your frustration you've frozen a few of them, though when Wriggle questioned your actions you said it was for the Lady Daiyousei. Still despite your efforts all of you have left blood on the plants this day.
The forest was starting to seriously darken when you find another clearing, this one far more promising then the last. The forest in front of you is different. The brambles are further apart, but the bamboo seems to have woven itself into a ceiling over the sky. The area is dark and foul seeming to your eyes. Surely Eientei must be further in that direction.
Rumia sniffs the air. "I smell blood mixed with fresh air. I think that perhaps there is a shortcut to this place if we clear out some brush."
"It says it smells of blood, but I say it merely smells," chuckles a voice.
Once again your party draws your weapons as you search for the speaker. Your ardor for combat fades when you see the face grinning at you from the bushes. The small ugly green figure is all too recognizable. "Goblins," you sneer. The least of your kind, for even pixies have glamor.
"Ack, and here I was worrying about." Wriggle sighs as she dusts off her robe.
"Mock not me and mine says I," the goblin croaks as it hops from the brambles. As it does ten more of the filthy creatures slink out of the brambles and shadows, surrounding you. "A knight and lady and knave I see, but not a prince among thee. And fools like this seems easy prey, for Grimkald's kin whom now you see."
"If battle you seek greenskin I shall-"
You hold up a hand and Daiyousei shushes Mystia. Fighting goblin hordes is rarely worth the time or effort. "Your words are as foul as any goblin, but I have no time for your games. Speak clearly your intentions so that we may either conduct business or so that I can slaughter your kin to the last."
The goblin doesn't flinch at your words. There must be more still hidden, else their cowardice would be showing. He instead points at your horses. "Good meat there you bring to our woods. Give us one and we shall let the rest of you depart. Aye a toll it is."
"A toll, a toll." The other goblins chuckle as Grimkald puffs his chest at his 'quick thinking.'
Rumia's laugh silences their mirth. "Meat talking of meat. Humorous. Perhaps your bones will tickle on the way down."
Grimkald looks a little shocked that your party is unafraid. Now you think you can turn the conversation to your advantage. But what route would be best?
