Civilization-34 Chapter 34

I watch Luke, Oscar and the 6 goblins walk into the forest to scout out the surrounding areas around HaveFall. While they were gone HavenFall was still busy. With the construction of the moat finished there now needs to be a way for us to attack over the wall. There are two solutions. One is to create some sort of platform right behind the wall, something like a step. The other option is to create watchtowers. I personally prefer creating watchtowers because we can make two to four watchtowers near the front while having two at the back. They will provide a better cover for us when met with other ranged opponents since the people in the watchtowers will have a height advantage. Aiming at an enemy from the top of a watchtower is easier than aiming at them from the wall since the wall will not provide as much cover. The only problem is how to make the watchtower.

I consulted Howard, old man Hus and Robin on their opinions in making a watchtower. Since Robin is our best archer I wanted her opinion on the idea of a watchtower. To my liking, she agrees and proposes the tower to be at least twice the height of the wall but to keep it at two towers at the front, both near the mountainside. She suggests this because it would be easier to construct the tower next to the wall as we can chip away into the mountainside and secure the tower both at the ground and at the mountain. It would make it less likely to fall from its own weight as well as making a second option on getting down in the case of the tower being destroyed from the bottom.

Howard suggests we cut down the trees further from the edge of the first as they were more thick and sturdy. Old man Hus was fine with the idea but needed time to understand how to create the watchtower. With that, most of the planning for the watchtower was down and Howard and David was to set off for the forest tomorrow morning.

Owen comes back from the river with his catch of the day and everyone ate a hearty dinner. Gobi was a little bit sad since most of his goblin friends were in the forest but despite this, he told me he was ok. He just needed to wait until the next day and another friend will appear from the Goblin Hut. I went to rest in the mudhouse and prepare my body for tomorrow.

It was the middle of the night, I felt a little thirsty so I woke up and planned to go towards the river with the water sack. I step out of the house and look around. The silver moon shining in the black sky surrounded by sparkling stars smile down on me. The sound of the water rushing down from the waterfall is like music to my ears. I have heard it every day, every hour, every minute and every second. A calm breeze flutters my hair and brushes against my skin. It's so peaceful. There were no sounds of cars honking each other, no smell of gas or petrol, no yelling of neighbors, it was just a quiet night in Settlement.

All of a sudden a blue screen appears in front of me.

[ Gomi has died. ]

[ Gori has died. ]

[ Gopu has died ]

[ Gotu has died ]

[ Goki has died ]

[ Gowu has died ]

A string of messages appeared before me.

"What…? They died. "

The goblins that were sent out as a scouting party with Luke and Oscar had died. I drop the water sack and run towards the gate. I look into the dark forest and I see nothing. The darkness looks back at me.

"What happened…?" 𝑓𝑟eℯ𝒘𝗲𝑏n𝑜𝚟𝙚𝒍.𝒄o𝐦

I start to sweat, Luke and Oscar are still ok. There were no messages saying they died yet so it was safe to assume that they were still alive. In fact, this is the first time I have seen this message since no one had died yet. I panic, I look around aimlessly at the gate. I do not know what to do. Should I go into the forest? Should I arrange another scouting party? Do I just wait until the morning?

Terror sinks into my heart. I start to breathe quickly. I run back to the house.

"HOWARD!"

I wake Howard up with my shout but by doing so I woke up everyone else.

"Ah...Sorry, everyone. Howard come with me."

I grab the sleepy Howard's wrist and pull him away from the mudhouse. After going a good distance away I turn back to him. He looked like he woke up a bit after the initial wake-up call but he was still a little groggy.

"I think something bad happened in the forest."

Upon hearing my bad news he snapped out of his sleepiness.

"What's wrong?"

"You know how I am somewhat connected to the goblins since I placed the Goblin Hut. Well, not too long ago I felt that each goblin had died."

Howard's face contorts in distress.

"Wh-What about Luke? And Oscar? Are they ok?"

"I am not sure just yet. I have not felt anything from them."

Howard's eyes shake and he starts to pace around on the spot. He walk back and forth for a moment before he stands in front of me with a determined expression.

"I am going."

I give him a confused face.

"Going? Going where? Into the forest? We do not even know what is in there. Only Oscar or Luke can lead us in the direction. How do we even know which way they took?"

"Ian, it's not we. I am going."

Howard runs to the storage and takes out an ax and a shield before running towards the gate. I click my tongue and grab a spear and shield of my own before chasing after Howard.

"WAIT HOWARD! YOU CAN'T JUST GO OFF ON YOUR OWN."

"IAN! They are in danger. I cannot just stay back."

"No, what I am saying is I will go with you. I might not be the best fighter but I can at least do something when we meet the enemy."

"Are you sure?"

Howard gives an unsure expression to me. He knows that I am not the strongest nor the fastest person in our group.

"Yea, I'm not the best guy here but I am the luckiest right?"

With a smile on my face, I convince Howard to move with me.

But even that simile did not last long.

[ Oscar has died ]