new of Tiris fate
Orario was a bustling city. Home of the namesake's great labyrinth, the most fantastic crafter and adventurers dwells in its walls. At the entrance gate, guards were processing entry and travellers, a day like any others.
The seeming peace shattered when the thundering sound of hooves struck the ground, louder and louder, until a rider appears, darting toward them.
While the ones forming the line started to shoot at the man cutting the file angrily, all demand shut when the man crumble at the feet of the soldier, clearly exhausted by the wild rid.
Knowing full well what such sign signifies, the oldest soldier in attendance barked at the younger.
"Water, hurry!" while rushing to the man. " Take it slowly, friend," say him after nearly tearing the skin out of the returning soldier, and help the man to drink a little.
Glupping avidly, chocking a little on the water, the messager didn't dare to lose a second.
"Tiris settlement, a horde, goblin."
The message was received with gasps by the crowd, while the soldiers all wear solemn, sorrowful or hardened expression. All of them know that the settlement was three hours to ride from here when pushing your horse to the limit as the messenger did.
By the time the guild hears of the news, gather a party and set for the village, an entire day would pass. While there was no hope of seeing surviving guards, SOme villagers could, if the alert was on time.
"I need more information, son." Say the soldier, who heart ached, for he too, was native of the land.
Taking some breath, knowing that the message was already making it's way to the guild, he nodded, before taking another sip.
"This morning, around three hours after the sun rose, a stranger was sighted exiting the wood. Captain Josh was the one to spot him. He says he found one of outpost shacked, the weapons taken. He followed a group of around one hundred fifty, with thirteen variants. He said he had two hours on them.
I don't know the state of the other outpost, I directly departed with the message. The horde should have struck around an hour since now."
~~~
All the soldiers couldn't help but tighten their fists at the news. All know that a hundred and fifty was too large for a couple of variants to rule over. With thirteen in, there wasn't the possibility of a hobgoblin; it was a foregone conclusion.
"Pita, sent the words to the guild, a party of five levels 1 would be overwhelmed with an army of half-a-thousand of goblins, tenths of variants and lead by a hobgoblin."
The young soldier who returned with water nodded, and immediately run after the first soldier on his way to the guild, not taking the time to saddle the horse before bolting to it.
~~~
Eina sighed, today was the day she entered the guild the previous year. Her illusion as to how the job at the guild was fun had rapidly drowned down. The tale she heard about the adventurer may be accurate. Be those where a particular brand, the everyday adventurer were nothing more than a bunch of rude people, some Familia worse than others.
'Another one who threw it life away.' Thought her, after the counselling that just ended.
"Eeeiinnaaa!" Shouted a cheerful voice behind her, turning she released yet another sight.
'And she came, why can't be today be a normal day.'"Misha, what do you want?" Asked her lightly irritated.
"Haya? Ah, did another one dumped you?" Say her teasingly, seeing another adventurer puffing and walking away, rapidly distancing himself from Eina.
"Another who joined Soma Familia." Responded her, wryly.
"Ah, I see. Don't worry, their just a wasted bunch, don't take it to heart." Say her more seriously, comforting her co-worker. Misha knew that Eina takes her advising very seriously, trying to do her utmost to help the freshly turned adventurer. Still, not all were taking her seriously, thinking that she was nagging them. This started to worry some of their older co-workers, that a day she would learn of the death of one she advised. Knowing the fifteen years old half-elf, they feared for her mental health.
"Anyways." Say her, chasing the memory of the session, "you called for something?" Asked her more cheerfully.
"I..."
The remarked irruption of a soldier abruptly cut Misha words in the guild reception.
"A goblin horde had attacked Tiris, high possibility of hob-goblin!"
~~~
The soldier's shout interrupted all transaction, as all gazes turned to him before the guild worker burst into action.
"Misha, send message to the Miach Familia, order the mobilisation of a force of three adventurers, ready to administer and brew health position! Eina, fetch Marron and his group. It's class 1 mission, go!" Bark Rehmer, a chienthrope, the guild section leader in Orario.
Both employee immediatly separates to warn the appointed persons. While the guild would usually mobilise low-level Familia adventurer to offer them some experience in a controlled environment, the threat of a hobgoblin running freely in the land wasn't something they could ignore.
To see at those threats, the guild had a force of adventurers, specially trained to those type of operation as the guild is a counsel made from three goddesses, Gaia, overlooker of the guild staff, Artemis, responsible of the soldier and guard, and Athena, goddess of the particular unit of the guild. This last goddess' team would be mobilised to hunt and exterminate the threat before destroying another settlement.
As Employee, Eina falls under Gaia jurisdiction, and while blessed, didn't delve in the dungeon. Only the children under Athena and Artemis hunt monsters, earning extalia and growth.
Those three goddesses were responsible for the peace of Orario and kept the other gods grounded under the threat of sending them back to heaven and banning them for returning to the 'land below'.
~~~
As expected of them, Eina found Marron and his team of three in the training ground behind the guild, allotted to Artemis.
As Level 2 and captain of the team, Marron was the one Eina goes directly.
"A hobgoblin had been suspected of having launched a horde on Tiris settlement an hour ago. The mission' ranked as class 1." The training team, having heard the summon immediatly followed their captain to prepare to the incoming mission.
~~~
On her side, Misha also rejoined the Miach Familia pharmacy, given a ride by the young soldier returning to his post at the gate.
Entering the store, she sighs in relief at seeing the captain Naaza Erisuis handling the desk.
"An attack happened on a near settlement, according to the guild contract passed with your Familia, we require an adventurer to travel alongside us."
Hearing the summon, Naaza nodded, but before she could call for someone, her god appears.
"What is the level of the summon?" Asked Miach, having heard of the discussion as he was coming down.
"Level 1. The attack had happened an hour ago, and we will depart in another. By the time we are estimated to arrive, the mission had been classified as relief mission." Answered her darkly, all trace of her habitual playful attitude, gone.
Hearing this, Miach sight in frustration, but nodded nevertheless. As medicinal oriented Familia, Miach took great pride in providing healthcare to other, hearing that they would surely encounter survivor who needs light treatment, as the majority was surely already dead was always depressing news to hear.
"Would you go, Naaza?" Asked him softly to his captain.
"Yes, god Miach!" Responded the chienthrope promptly, before rushing to prepare her travelling kit."
"Thank you for your prompt response, as always the guild will fully compensate for the treatment, once the list of need is established."
"I would say it a pleasure to treat with the guild, but it would be a lie in this matter." Say him grimly, an opinion shared by Misha.
"I must return to the guild and prepare for the travel. I will return with captain Naaza to establish the bill once we have returned."
"I will hope to see you soon then."
Misha nodded back to the god, before exiting the shop and prepare herself for the travel.
~~~
As announced by Misha, a group composed of Misha, Eina, Marron and Naaza team, alongside a company of thirty levels 1 soldiers were seen departing from Orario toward Tiris, rumours of the attack already spreading through the city.