Dark clouds hang from the sky and the smell of ash and burnt flesh still lingers in the air. I put down my spate and look over my handiwork. "Four graves. Sorry I couldn't do more than that comrades, but at least your bodies will be safe." I turn back from the makeshift burials. I have seen enough death for today. It is getting dark and I make my way back to the rusted ruins of an old mining town that serves as my temporary shelter. My right foot makes a weird squishy noise with every step. When I glance down I see half a finger inside of my boot. "Gross" I mumble before taking off my boots and carefully picking out all the lice and leeches that had clung to them while I walked through the swamp. After finishing up I sit down and try to make some stew using what little vegetation I managed to salvage. The smell of cooking food has me feel almost relaxed despite the horrors of this land. I hear movement near the ruins. I swiftly take out my magitek rifle and point it towards the source of the noise. A small female goblin emerges from the shadows. She wears a patchwork military uniform, covered in blood and mud.
"That uniform...it's from the demon lord's army," I say as I train my rifle at her head.
"Woah there big guy! Easy on the shooting." she says raising her hands in submission. She takes a few careful steps forward with her eyes fixed on me. I click the safety off my magitek rifle.
"Give me one good reason to blow your head clean off your shoulders runt," I ask with a straight face. I am not joking around and she can probably tell by the tone in my voice.
"Look, I know the demon lord's army wasn't on friendly terms with anyone before every got fucked up. But I have been hanging out at these ruins for quite a while now and have never seen you before," she responds as she continues walking closer. She stops in front of me. Her posture is submissive and her hands are raised above her head as to not anger me further.
"What was your rank and role in the army?" I ask while looking over her features. The goblin girl seems healthy and fit enough for being marooned here.
"I was an engineer, mainly in construction and fortifications. Build awesome cannons and siege engines for our men to blast stuff with," she replies proudly.
"Sit down. Have dinner with me." I gesture to the small campfire in front of me.
"Thanks, I appreciate it!" The goblin girl happily sits down and helps herself to my humble offering of mushrooms, swamps fungi and plant stems.
"How did you survive the initial disaster? You look as healthy as they come." I ask as I put down my weapon and settle in. I throw some more deadwood into the fire. The goblin girl cocks her head a bit. "Our unit set up some new artillery to blow ya king to smithereens before the shit hit the fan. We were far away from the battle at the time and everything went to hell like yesterday's shit. Wasn't hard for the few of us to scavenge around this place after things got quieter."
The goblin girl chomps down her food rather roughly. "What about you? Ya unit didn't just leave you there alone."
"It's a long story but I was part of the reinforcement for the siege of the city of Grastiva."
"And that worked out so well huh?" the goblin girl nods before resuming her munching. "Did you know why everything is so shit?"
I think about that for a while before shaking my head. "Not really. My comrades and I were a days ride away from the city when everything went to hell. We were supposed to reinforce the royal army and the king prepared some kind of big ritual or spell before we arrived. I do remember a few of the generals mentioning something about a summon but nothing else specific came across their lips besides general panic."
"Do you think it was because of the king's summoning ritual that shit all went to hell?" the goblin girl inquires while taking a drink from her canteen.
"Possibly, but who cares anyways," I shrug. "What matters is that I survived and made it here and intend on keeping it that way."
"Me too pal! So, what are ya gonna do now that you are here?" The goblin girl wipes off her greasy hands with a rag she takes out of her belt. I rub my temples as I try to figure out a solution to the predicament I am in.
"There are only a few possible paths open to me," I mumble more to myself than to the goblin. She patiently waits for me to continue while idly poking at the campfire. "I try to find a functional community of survivors, search for equipment and gear that will keep me alive, secure some food and water and work my way towards one of the main towns that used to be in the south eastern area of the land mass."
"Wow, sounds like quite the journey ahead!" The goblin girl jumps up on her feet. "You wanna team up then big guy? I won't slow you down if that is your concern! I even got a better plan, than just wandering this shithole blindly."
I contemplate that. The thought of having a companion might actually be good considering how much less likely it is that I would die without one. I reach out and offer my hand.
"What's your grand plan then runt?" I ask while grinning. The goblin girl returns the gesture and shakes my hand firmly. "My name is Kelna."
"Yes, yes Kelna. What is this brilliant idea of yours?" I say while gesturing with my hand for her to elaborate.
"Simple really, we make a boat." Kelna grins as she states her proposal. I look around the dark ruins of the town that had served as my temporary base of operations.
"That's it? Making a boat? That's the big idea?" I sigh and let out a soft chuckle.
"No! It's a beautiful plan that will not only get us out of this dump but also make sure we can reach any inhabited lands with ease!" Kelna continues smiling and clapping her hands as I watch her jump up and down with enthusiasm. I scratch my chin and look back at the town. It's mostly ruined by now and covered in moss and plants. Only the last remains of the original structures are visible from this angle. It is quite a large town and must have housed several hundred people prior to the demon lords invasion. Now there are barely a dozen habitable buildings left standing. I examine the old ruins closely and mumble to myself as I ponder the goblin girl's suggestion.
"That could be interesting. But it will be a long and dangerous trek to even reach the coast line, let alone build a vessel from the available resources and scrap. Would take us a few months minimum and there are lots of obstacles that could make that an almost suicidal undertaking." I say while mulling over the pros and cons of building a raft in this wilderness. Beats dying like a dog though.
"See, big guy, that's where I am going to show ya genius!" Kelna smiles at me while making her eyes glimmer. I wonder how exactly she will do that as she continues on.
"Fine. Let us join forces then. Where do you suggest we start then little engineer?" I try to put the sarcastic edge on the 'little' part. That comment earns me an odd look. It does not seem like she picked up on the subtle jibe. "Your name first big guy. You got one, I'd love to know it." I groan as I realise that I haven't properly introduced myself to her yet. "Call me Balto then," I answer while rolling my eyes.
"Lovely name! And me, I am Kelna, at your service!" Kelna bows to me as she speaks. And thus our journey together begins.
***
"Oi Balto!