The First Legendary Beast Master novel Chapter 156

Chapter 156 The Mackenzies

Bob led them out of the encampment, past sharp-eyed guards, who were giving envious looks to their group with the twins. Most wouldn't realize right away that they were all siblings, other than Karl, so having not just one but two good-looking women with them would look like an envious situation.

"So, what are your specialties?" Karl asked as they moved out of sight of the camp.

"We're both mages. I'm better with Constructs, and Donni is better with arcane barriers." Danni explained.

They got a kilometre into the woods and Doug gestured to Karl. "Call out your team. It's better that we have a chance to meet them in advance, even if they're resting until we're in the threat area."

Karl called the three out, and Bob froze in place, staring at Rae.

Donni laughed. "Oh, this should be fun. Bob is terrified of spiders. Even little ones. Is she friendly?"

Karl nodded. "Generally. She's not always a people person. But Thor is friendly enough for two people, so it works out well."

Rae laughed at that as Thor made his way to the cleric looking for attention.

Hawk flapped up above them and sighed in relief at the chance to stretch his wings.

[What am I even looking for?] He asked.

[Groups of monsters. There should be goblins, big goblins, ogres, ogres with two heads that use magic, trolls, and maybe something else.] Karl explained, knowing that Hawk hadn't paid any attention to the briefing.

Karl sensed Hawk's dismay at the announcement, but he knew that Hawk wasn't afraid of Goblins, and probably wasn't afraid of ogres either, considering how much fun he had harassing random bears, which were neither smaller nor weaker than the ogres were.

[Goblins smell terrible. But at least they will be easy to find.] Hawk finally explained.

That would explain his reluctance, but he was already off and scouting the area for threats.

[Hey, this mission is stupidly simple. They're right here. Just turn right a little and you will find them.] Hawk informed Karl a few seconds later.

"Hawk says there are Goblins just ahead to the right. I wasn't expecting them to be this close, but he says they're here." Karl explained quietly to the others.

The mages looked startled, and turned in the indicated direction.

"Seriously? We're barely out of sight of the camp. What are Goblins doing this close to civilization? Our intelligence suggested that they first appear further into the mountains, and that is why we were going there to hunt for them."

"I only know what Hawk tells me. Should we go?" Karl asked.

Bob nodded. "I will take point with the casters in the middle. You take the rear, with the beasts protecting our flanks. You can have them move further from us, so the Goblins don't realize we're all together."

[I can smell them already. They're coming this way.] Rae informed Karl.

[Split off and hide. Ambush when the time is right.]

"Thor, move forward to fight beside Bob and protect the flank. The Goblins are coming our way." Karl warned.

The shouts of a goblin hunting squad became audible seconds later, and Karl took out his sword. He stepped off to the side, preparing to defend any attacks that might come from the left while Thor was on the right, but Doug shook his head, and Danni summoned four wood Golems to encircle the casters.