"You're awake, Mr. Baxter!"

On the other side of the campfire was Ulguc sitting with crossed legs with a big grin. And right next to him was Thor who had a bandage over his eye. The warg barked joyfully when he saw that I was awake.

"What...what are you two doing here?"

Ulguc huffed.

"Is that really the first thing you say to your rescuers!?"

"Rescuers?"

"Huh uh!" Ulguc nodded. "After you defeated Chief Brolx, the cage fell apart! You lost consciousness so me and Thor had to get you out while the other tribe members chased after us! We managed to shake them off though!"

"I see...did I kill that Brolx lady?"

"You cut off her arm but I'm pretty sure she was still breathing. If so, we are in deep trouble! Chief Brolx is relentless when it comes to her enemies! Once she is done healing she will dedicate years to find us and take our lives!"

I sighed.

"That's annoying but nothing new in the life of the branded. Just another problem that good ol' Baxter has to put on his list to deal with! Unless he dies first..."

I then examined my body realizing that my wounds were bandaged up and my left arm was completely healed.

"D-did you fix me up, kid?"

"Huh? Oh, yes!" Ulguc answered with a huge smile. "I'm used to taking care of the injured back in my village and I had only one healing potion left so I used it on your arm."

"Seriously? Thank you...I mean you didn't have to do that."

"What do you mean? You saved our lives! This is the least we can do! Plus, you need to be at least 80% healthy if we are going to continue traveling together!"

"Good point...huh? What did you say?"

"Hm? It's the least I can do?"

"No no no, the part after that!"

"...About me and Thor traveling with you?"

"Yeah that- what the hell are you talking about?! You're not coming with me!"

"We have to!" Ulguc shouted with a pleading voice. "Have you forgotten that me and Thor are now traitors to the Shin Tribe? We can't go back home- they'll kill us!"

"Isn't there some other goblin tribes in Drogmaria that can take you in kid?"

Ulguc shook his head.

"That won't do! All the other tribes are smaller compared to the Shin Tribe and they are also loyal to Chief Brolx! I'm certain word has spread about our escape and that they are setting up search parties as we speak!"

My head started to throb as I asked the young goblin another question.

"Are you fine with this? Traveling with me even though I killed your comrades?"

Ulguc giggled sheepishly while scratching the back of his head.

"To be honest with you...I never really liked those guys!"

"...Excuse me?"

"They would always make fun of me because I was the youngest in the group! Sometimes they would beat me if I did anything wrong or use me as bait when with were attacked by enemies!"

"T-then what was all that talk about you wanting to avenge them?"

"I was only doing that because I knew the consequences if I returned home by myself! The tribe would see me as a traitorous coward for abandoning my brothers and I would've been executed on the spot!"

"Yet you were deemed as a traitor anyway."

Ulguc sighed while petting Thor.

"I know! It's totally unfair..."

The warg cutely nuzzled his black furry head on Ulguc's lap. The young goblin giggled happily.

"Thanks, Thor! I hope your eye is feeling better! Maybe we can find a village and get you a healing potion for it..."

After a while, no one spoke and the only sound that could be heard was the crackling noise of the campfire and Thor's heavy pants. Ulguc looked at me while fiddling with his massive fingers while I tried to awkwardly pretend I was looking at something else.

Eventually, Ulguc built up the courage to talk to me.

"So...what's up with that sword? It has a weird curve that I've never seen before and it's rusted! Where did you get it from? Did you make it?"

I was honestly surprised by the young goblin's sudden questions that he threw at my face. At first, I was going to yell at the boy and say it was none of his business but his eyes sparkled with excitement of wanting to know more about me.

Concluding that hiding things was meaningless, I answered him.

"The sword was made by a dwarf blacksmith in Elendria Academy."

"Elendria Academy? What's that?"

"It's a school for learning magic and combat. It is located in the Kingdom of Eleiweth and is well known for producing the best Holy Knights."

"Holy Knights!? Does that mean..."

"Yes...I went to the school to become a Holy Knight."

Ulguc screamed aloud and jumped to his feet.

"S-so you're a Holy Knight, Mr. Baxter?!"

Annoyed by the goblin boy's loud voice, I shouted back.

"No! I never became a Holy Knight, but I wanted to be one. It was my dream since I was little."

"Really? But you were the one who broke the seal of Lord Ira right? Why would you go and do something like that if you wanted to be a Holy Knight?"

I remained silent, the memories of the past creeping up on me and making me uncomfortable. Ulguc did not notice my discomfort and continued to pester me.

"Come on Mr. Baxter you have to tell me! I want to know!"

The young goblin then started hopping while whining in a high-pitched voice.

"Are you afraid that I will tell other people? Don't worry, I am the king of keeping secrets! There is no other goblin you can trust more in Ocaleveth!"

Thor began to join in on his master's loud antics, barking and howling.

"Come on! Tell us! Tell us! Tell us! Tell us! Tell us!!"

Reaching the end of my patience, I slammed my fist into the ground and yelled right at Ulguc's face.

"I WASN'T TRYING TO UNSEAL YOUR DAMN MASTER! I WAS TRICKED INTO DOING IT, OKAY!?"

Ulguc and Thor stopped and looked at me with confusion.

"You were tricked? Who tricked you?"

After taking a deep breath, I sat back down and started to relax. My eyes were fixated on the campfire, hypnotized by its beautiful orange and yellow flames and the small embers that floated up into the night air.

"Mr. Baxter?"

I sighed and then looked up at Ulguc with a tired expression.

"You wanna hear my story?"

Ulguc nodded.

I shrugged and said, "Fine. But I warn you, this story sucks..."